CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER: 44 YOU ARE MINE AND MINE ALONE!

Elena continued to hold Vined gently in her arms for a while, her voice trembling as she whispered, "Don’t worry... I won’t do anything foolish ever again." Tears streamed down her cheeks, unstoppable and warm.

She had cried countless times over the past two months.

At first, she even blamed Charlotte for taking her son away. But deep down, she knew that if anyone in this world was drowning in despair more than herself, it was Charlotte.

Since childhood, Charlotte had always held a deep affection for Vivian.

Their bond was like that of heaven and earth, fundamentally different, yet unable to exist without each other.

Vivian had always been a timid child, shy around women except for his mother.

At the many balls Elena attended with him before Edward was born, Vivian would always hide behind her whenever her friends or other women approached.

His face would flush bright red whenever someone complimented him on how cute or handsome he was.

Elena found his shyness endearing and would gently nudge him forward, amused by his flustered reactions.

’But Charlotte was completely different,’ Elena thought, as her mind drifted back to those distant memories.

Since childhood, Charlotte had been a proud and ambitious girl.

Even at the age of eight, she had already set her sights on the throne, determined to claim it despite being fourth in line.

They first met at a royal celebration held for Charlotte’s eighth birthday. As House Zenithara was one of the three ducal families, they had been invited to attend.

It was during that ball that Charlotte saw him for the first time.

While everyone else had already found their dance partners, she stood alone in the center of the hall, chin held high, declaring that no one there was worthy of dancing with her.

Many thought she was arrogant, including the son of House Trampling, whose family had been trying desperately to arrange an engagement between him and Charlotte.

’And Vivian?’ Elena thought, a bittersweet smile curving her lips. That idiot had been cheering for his father and mother as they danced, clapping happily from the sidelines.

He had no intention of dancing with anyone. Instead, he simply watched his parents with sparkling eyes full of admiration.

But the prideful princess thought otherwise. With confident strides, she approached him and said in a commanding tone, "You. I don’t know your name, but you will dance with me."

Vivian froze, utterly dumbfounded. Why had this spoiled princess chosen him after declaring that no one in the hall was worthy despite knowing how timid he was? Did she think that he would be easier to bully?

But suddenly he remembered his mother’s advice, to politely refuse any invitation to dance, so he opened his mouth to decline.

Before he could speak, she seized his hand and said firmly, "Let’s go."

’She had dragged him onto the dance floor, and at that time, I was so anxious, would my son be alright? But what followed was something no one could have imagined.’

Elena smiled faintly at the memory of Charlotte dancing with Vivian.

When the music ended, Charlotte clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

Then, with all the confidence in the world, she said something no one would have believed could come from an eight-year-old.

She declared, "From today onward, he is mine and mine alone! If anyone has any objections, keep your mouth shut!"

The hall fell silent. Then she turned to Elena and Vined, who were staring at her in shock, bowed gracefully, and said, "From today, you are my mother and father. Please treat me well."

It was the first time she had shown such respect to anyone besides her own parents.

At that time, His Majesty and the Queen were already quite accustomed to their daughter’s antics.

They didn’t resist her declaration; instead, they calmly began discussing the matter with Vivian’s parents.

As for Vivian, he was so shocked and embarrassed by the princess’s bold words that he bolted straight out of the ballroom.

’Looking back, their relationship was something that defied common sense.’

To Elena, it had always seemed inevitable, an unspoken truth woven by fate itself, as if the heavens had conspired to bring the two of them together.

And now that Vivian had disappeared, Charlotte was no longer in her right mind, of that, Elena was certain.

"She must be blaming herself... cursing herself for what happened to Vivian."

The thought pierced through Elena’s mind like a blade.

A sudden chill ran down her spine as another dreadful thought surfaced, ’What if she... takes her own life?’

Her heart skipped a beat, pulling her back to reality. She turned to Vined, her voice trembling as she asked, "Have you... heard anything about Charlotte?"

For the past two months, she had shut herself away from the world, unable to focus on anything beyond her grief.

She hadn’t asked about anyone, not even her youngest son. And now, even as she spoke, hesitation filled her eyes, as though she feared the answer that might come.

"Don’t worry," Vined said softly, lifting his upper body from her embrace. "She’s a strong person. She won’t do something like that."

Hearing that she released a deep breath in relief, at least she wouldn’t lose Charlotte who was much like her own daughter.

"Hm? Are you saying that I’m the weak one, my dear?" Elena teased, trying to lighten the heavy mood. A faint smile curved her lips, but it was forced, fragile.

Vined could see through it easily, yet he played along, returning her smile with one of his own.

After the mood had somewhat lightened, Elena asked softly, "Where is Edward?"

She hadn’t seen him for many days.

Ever since the news of Vivian’s disappearance, she hadn’t been able to gather the strength to meet his eyes.

"He’s with Father," Vined replied. "They’re sparring. Should I call him?"

"Yes..." Elena nodded faintly. Now that she had lost Vivian, the only reasons she still clung to this world were her husband and her younger son.

If she were to lose them too, then there would be no meaning left in her life.

Aside from that she wanted to distract herself from the unending grief, so she asked for Edward.

"All right, I’ll send him," Vined said as he stood up. He leaned forward, pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and gave her a small wave before leaving the room.

"Haa..."

A soft sigh escaped Elena’s lips once he was gone. She leaned back against the wall, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

Although she had tried to act strong, deep down she knew that their family could never return to the days of the past.

There would always be that silent void, the one Vivian had left behind.

"Son, you shouldn’t have left your mother so soon".

Meanwhile, after sending Edward to his mother, Vined sat down beside his father, Vikel. The two of them gazed silently into the distance.

For a while, neither spoke. Then, Vikel finally broke the silence.

"Have you investigated whether the Tramplins were behind it or not?"

Vined let out a weary sigh, his eyes slowly regaining focus. "No... there aren’t any leads. The Black Shadows who were guarding him didn’t see anything. They couldn’t enter the dungeon with him, and then, the dungeon vanished along with the professor. It was a planned trap. Whether the Tramplins were behind it or not... that’s still uncertain."

As Vined finished speaking, another wave of silence engulfed them. The stillness stretched between father and son, both knew that neither of them was in any state to continue, yet words lingered unspoken in their minds.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Vined turned to his father. "Father... can we prove that the curse placed on Vivian was cast by the Tramplins?"

There was a faint glimmer of hope in his voice, hope that, if proven true, would give him a reason to unleash his fury.

If it were to be proved in the royal court that the Tramplins were behind Vivian’s illness, then he would erase their very name from the face of the earth.

He would not spare even a child carrying their blood.

But that fragile hope was shattered by his father’s calm, heavy words.

"No," Vikel said quietly. "There’s no way to prove that the curse came from the Tramplins."

Though Vikel’s answer had shattered his hopes, Vined still clung to it frantically. "But, father, can’t we just attack them? Kill them all? They dared to put that curse on the Zenithara heir. We can make up an excuse—"

His words were cut off by Vikel’s cold, measured refusal. "Look," Vikel said, voice hard but steady, "I know what you’re feeling. I know your anger. But no matter what you’re going through, you cannot act recklessly while you sit on the throne of the Zenitharas."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle, and gave his son a meaningful, searching glance.

He continued, "Think of your younger son. Think of your wife. What will happen to them if your mistakes bring irreversible consequences? What if their lives become even harder because of your foolishness? And don’t forget the hundreds of thousands who rely on us for protection. Before you act, think as a ruler. You are a father, yes, but first you are the ruler. Fulfill your duties."

Vined didn’t respond; he simply listened to his father’s words.

Those words had echoed in his mind since childhood, for his father had always been a wise and just ruler.

Yet even now, Vined couldn’t understand what made his father place others above his own family.

To him, it felt only natural, to sacrifice anyone if it meant protecting the ones he loved.

Deep down, he knew he wasn’t worthy of ruling. But if a day ever came when he had to choose between his people and his family, he already knew what his answer would be.

Without a second thought, he would choose his family.

But he couldn’t voice these thoughts in front of his father, who had been strict with him since childhood. So, wisely, he chose his words carefully.

"Yes... understood," he said.