CHAPTER 12: BURIED PAIN

"How have you been?" Xavier broke the silence, his voice deep and gravelly.

Aric was quiet for a moment, as if genuinely pondering the question, searching for an answer.

"Not too bad," he said at last, his tone sharp with bitter sarcasm. "Though I’m sure you’re aware of my situation, Father."

Xavier’s face betrayed no discernible emotion. He simply looked ahead before speaking.

"Whether by bad luck or fate, you were born a Valerian prince. And that means you must learn to survive—thrive—even when the odds are stacked against you."

What bullshit.

Would it have cost so much to visit?

To make sure I wasn’t starving... wasn’t dying?

Rage boiled beneath Aric’s calm surface. A thousand words clawed at his throat, demanding to be screamed at the emperor. But, composed as always, he buried them.

"I understand."

The fourth prince inhaled deeply and exhaled in a long sigh.

Xavier studied him. It was obvious—the boy was suppressing what little emotion remained.

The emperor turned his gaze toward the city lights. "You know... we think quite alike."

Aric glanced up, skeptical.

"Your pitched approach tonight was... intriguing. An interesting display."

Aric let out a dry huff of amusement. "I’m glad my carefully laid strategy serves only as entertainment for His Majesty."

Xavier chuckled. "Even when you were little, sometimes you acted like her—your mother, I mean."

A silence settled, heavy and sharp with unspoken pain. Both had words they wanted to say, but neither could shape them.

"Well," Aric said at last, breaking the tension, "if I’m lucky, I won’t end up like she did."

For the briefest moment, the emperor’s stoic mask cracked, revealing sorrow.

"I have always wondered what you plan to do about that," Xavier said softly, his tone darkening.

Aric laughed, his face lit with bitter amusement. "You really shouldn’t encourage me to seek revenge."

"You know what I am. My hands are tied. Yours aren’t."

His tone was deadly serious.

Silence intruded again. Xavier seemed lost in thought before refocusing.

"Well. I came to give you some advice."

"Please, Your Grace," Aric said, beckoning him to continue.

"For someone who lacks it, you’ve built quite a dependency on power. But it is foolish not to understand the value of other means."

Aric arched a brow. "This is about the Byzeth Kingdom, isn’t it? What do you plan to do?"

"I don’t plan to do anything." Xavier raised his hand, pointing directly at him. "You, however, have seven days to journey to Byzeth and silence even the faintest whisper of rebellion."

Aric’s face twisted in disbelief. "I’m not certain I understand you."

"You must go to Byzeth," Xavier repeated, "and completely stop the rebellion."

Aric turned toward him, incredulous. "You’re saying I should lead an army?"

Xavier shook his head. "No. You will do this without any assistance from the empire."

Stunned, Aric managed only, "I don’t understand."

"You will, son. This is the greatest gift I can give you. If you are worthy, you will receive it."

Aric opened his mouth to protest, but Xavier silenced him with a raised hand.

"This decision is final. You have seven days to depart." The emperor turned to leave, then paused, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder.

"And next time you arrive late to an event I host, I won’t be so considerate."

What... is this?

Aric froze. The world around him seemed to burn, incinerated into ash. Whether it was Xavier’s ki or something else, the overwhelming presence choked his breath and shattered thought. A raging inferno of flames surged around him—power vast enough to consume the world.

He possessed no ki, yet he felt the emperor’s strength as though it seared into his very bones.

Then, as Xavier lifted his hand, it vanished. The inferno faded. Only silence remained. The emperor smiled faintly before walking away.

Just how strong is he...

As Aric’s mind reeled, a translucent screen materialized before his eyes.

[You have received a Main Quest]

[Title: Overthrowing a Kingdom]

[You now have 24 hours to complete your former ongoing M-Quest]

[Failure will result in a 40-point health decrease]

Aric stared at the notifications, the last one hammering the reality of his mortality. He sighed, weary yet grinning.

"Not a problem. Everything’s prepared. Tomorrow, I’ll finally see the look on your face, won’t I, Darius... my bastard brother?"