A Plea and A Reunion

In the end, Zeke felt like he really hadn't done anything yet.

"Wait!" he called, gripping a thread of unbending will and determination, before straightening himself up.

"Let me come, please! I promise I'll do anything! If I let this chance slip by, I don't think that I can have any other new lead as long as that busybody of a President is around."

Zeke was silently relieved when Venus stopped on her tracks and turned to look at him.

"I was looking for you because I wanted to do something. You see, I have a role to fulfill. I want to be deserving of something I shouldn't have in the first place. So, please, take me with you!" he continued, slightly bowing his head before pleading.

Peering at the young heir intently, Venus quietly scrutinized him with a tranquil face.

Noah stiffened after realizing she's no longer the same person. That all-too familiar formidable gaze, venerable and overwhelming presence, posture and poise that men of their era had mooned over – without a doubt, this girl before them at this very moment is the Empress.

He then felt sorry for Zeke, thinking that his attempt in being sincere might just go to waste. He might even get burned for addressing his concerns to a proud and unfeeling villainess no less. The late Empress was the worst receiving end of such heartfelt speeches.

"Deserving of something you shouldn't have, you say? Care to elaborate?" Venus started after a brief pause.

"Yes, actually..." Zeke trailed off, gnawing on his lower lip while contemplating his next words.

"I'm Hildert Canaan's son and successor. Ever since replacing my brother, I promised to grow and be worthy of that title. I'll do anything for that," he confessed, earnestness in his voice, much to the villainess's surprise.

"An heir?"

Silver grey eyes fluttering wide with enlightenment, Venus's full interest was piqued.

She processed his words for a while longer, not breaking eye contact with him. Almost instantly, she's able to conclude that he's a prideful, cheeky brat raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. After all, she had met people like him a number of times before.

During her past life, Venus encountered countless noblemen who'd even lick her feet out of desperation for power. However, none of them ever told her whether they deserved it or not. Those who attempted to do so were all but talk. In the end, their greed was the only thing that was satisfied, and not those people who expected things from them. She was an heiress herself, but she only pursued that path in order to survive.

Looking at this naïve fellow before her, she felt somewhat refreshed and amused.

"If that's the case, why won't you use your authority then? Whether you deserve it or not, it's still yours in the end," she questioned, bending down to meet his eye level before squinting her eyes as if testing the waters.

Zeke was taken aback by the perusing look on her face. The two then engaged in a staring contest, baffling Noah all the while.

"That's because I'm asking you as I am now, not as his successor!" he answered with steeled resolve, sapphire pupils glistening with unclouded genuineness and unyielding drive.

Both Venus and Noah were astonished.

The former royalty then guffawed like there's no tomorrow, unconcerned of how unladylike she looked at the moment. It was Zeke's turn to be stupefied while Noah felt like the world was about to end. Utterly bewildered and with mouths slightly agape, they watched her mirthful expression as she almost flipped over laughing.

In reality, Venus was just very much entertained. It's not everyday that a foolishly intrepid guy like Zeke would cross paths with her. He somewhat reminds her of a certain bookworm and her annoying gun-wielding friend.

"Do what you want, though you have to assist me as best as you can," she voiced out with a grin, much to Zeke's delight and Noah's disbelief. The young heir then stood up and beamed at her, dropping remarks of gratitude. Venus only waved her hand dismissively at this.

"Wait a darn minute..." Noah suddenly hissed, glaring at Venus with an ominous look of suspicion.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on him. What exactly were you thinking?! You're about to involve a civilian to something dangerous," he threatened while the confused Zeke only looked at them back and forth.

At this, Venus just called the young heir and headed to the door as if his warning only fell on deaf ears. She then opened it and glanced back at the confounded blonde with a condescending smile.

"There's no way my vessel would let me," she remarked before taking her leave with Zeke in tow.

Noah remained in the library, flummoxed. Then, he facepalmed, sensing an impending headache as Venus's words eventually registered.

He couldn't recall how many times he'd been caught off guard today, but he's certain that Venus's unanticipated appearance took the whole cake. This was their first time meeting again, and the first he saw her taking the high road. Perhaps, he underestimated Angelica Claes too much.

Then again, he could never predict the late Empress's actions despite being called the genius of the century back then. She was a capricious trickster with incalculable schemes. She never appeared vulnerable on her throne. But then, for the first time in a while, he saw a glimpse of a forgotten past upon remembering her vivacious expression earlier.

Noah kept staring at the direction they went off to, face still buried in his hand. Then with an inscrutable expression and a downcast gaze, he slumped and sulked.

"What do you mean by that, Mother...?"