Chapter 37

But before leaving, I have to do some things. I look at Hazel. She is normal again. Fay is acting weird but can't blame her.

She just heard that someone she knows plotted against her. But she said the prince faction.

"Fay, what is the prince faction?"

Fay twitches. I hit the mark then. The thing she was hiding was probably this.

But she nods her head and gives me a wry smile. I thought she wasn't going to answer.

"I said that I was born from the king's 14th concubine. But in actuality, I am the third in line to the throne." (Fay)

She is third in line. That must be weird.

"How are you in line? How is succession order decided anyway?"

"It depends on our popularity. The populace decides the successor. I am currently the third most popular among all of the potential successors." (Fay)

So she has the public support. But that's also why her every action feels so calculated. She is used to it. Hiding her real self behind a mask of popularity. An idol of sorts.

"Who is the first then?"

"My eldest sister. She is the eldest of all of us siblings. Then the first prince and eldest son. I think, the first prince being second in line is also a mistake." (Fay)

"A mistake? Is he bad or something?"

"Yes. He is an arrogant and foolish guy. He only acts haughty before the poor and the weak. But he is actually a coward. Always hiding behind his bodyguards. I think he even bought his way into the succession to the throne." (Fay)

Fay is disgusted. Is he that bad?

"I think I now understand."

"What do you understand?" (Fay)

"Who sent you here?"

"It was the king. He ordered me to go and investigate this star." (Fay)

"He probably wanted you out of the race. If you disappeared, your brother would gain more popularity. How about the first princess? What kind of person is she?"

"She is kind. To everyone else, she is very kind. No matter who, she will always help those in need. With a smile on her face, she would help even those who are lower than her in standing." (Fay)

That sounds like a Saint. Is she really a Saint or a fake?

"Sounds kinda fishy. Anyway, we should leave. But first, let's go somewhere."

I get up. Hazel and Fay are looking at me. Eden is still sleeping. She is a kid so no helping that.

"Let's wait until she wakes up." I point at Eden.

"Where are we going?" (Hazel)

"To pay my last respects to my parents."

After that dream I realized, I never hated them. It was just a childish grudge I was holding.

But now everything is solved. So I should pay my respects before leaving. Where were they when they died?

(At their usual places.)

(Thank you for that.)

System told me their locations. If that's where they are, they are nearby.

Dad should be at his office. And mom would go to the cooking class. She was an instructor.

"Master, you don't talk about your parents very often." (Hazel)

"Things happened. But I am finally coming to terms with them."

Hazel is giving me a sympathetic look. Fay is looking troubled. Maybe she has some problems with her parents as well. Maybe it's those succession rights.

"Something happened? I don't think it's just something?" (Hazel)

"Well they tried to kill me once. So I must have held a childish grudge. But I have let go of the grudge. So think it's better to make up."

Now they are plain shocked. Decide one. Either be sympathetic or be shocked. Don't choose both.

Oh, Eden woke up. I think it's better to take her as well. She doesn't get to go out that much but that's for her good.

The outside is only rubbles. There's nothing there. So it won't be beneficial for her.

I am getting a distant feeling. I will be right back.