Astaroth was left speechless. "How is it my fault if that bastard child unleashed his powers!?"
"You wasted too much time and took too much pleasure in torturing the princess rather than setting her on fire to her death. This has put me…quite in a spot."
Astaroth gritted his teeth. "And I wonder what would've happened if I had actually killed her? I'm thrown into that wretched small town just for burning her hand! How far would Zerath and His Majesty have gone if I had actually killed her!?"
"You were punished because of the embezzlement too, young lord. Had you been innocent of that crime, perhaps you would've received some mercy."
He stiffened.
"You acted foolishly in using the royal treasury funds for your own pleasure. You couldn't even do a proper job of cleaning up any evidence against you. Why do you think my lord was able to catch you? You were careless," the figure said in a dismal voice.
Astaroth clenched his fists. "Forget about the embezzlement! You dragged me into this mess with the human princess! Now you have to get me out of it! I don't accept His Majesty's punishment!"
"Patience, young lord. Don't ruffle anymore feathers for now. I suggest you calmly leave for Nethermoor as His Majesty wants. Meanwhile, I'll work here to bring you back to the capital."
"You want me to go to that filthy town too!? Are you out of your mind? I'm suffering in this mess because of you, so why should I trust that you'd do anything to help me!"
Astaroth broke into a bitter laughter laced with madness and indignation.
"Don't tell me that you're using this chance to get rid of me and weaken my father's position? Mark my words. If you don't help me out, I wouldn't waste even a moment's time to push you into this hell with me! I'll reveal you to His Majesty myself!"
"Ah…"
The figure behind the veil let out a soft but hearty chuckle. "Once again I advise you caution, young lord."
"Why are you laughing!?" He roared.
"Because you say funny things. You say you'll expose me? Sure, do so if you want, but then…you should also consider your own position."
"Huh?"
"Yes. The position where you're not the real Sovereign of the Sun and Moon."
As soon as those words echoed in the silent air, Astaroth felt as if the earth split into half, gobbling him whole. Any last bit of color remaining on his face vanished into thin air.
"Do you remember that or perhaps you really started to believe that you're the Sovereign?"
"W-What nonsense are you spouting!? How dare you question my blessing!" Panicked, Astaroth could hardly breathe.
"Well if it's nonsense, then shall I reveal it to His Majesty - How Sir Balam and Madam Xeraphine manipulated the real Sovereign's family into declaring you as one?"
His mind became a jumbled and confused mess.
"Ah, I see questions in your eyes. You might wonder how I learned the truth? Or should I say, how I learned about your lie? A very blatant lie on top of that. Just imagine the consequences when the realm would learn that you were fooling everyone with your fake divine status all this time. Being sent to Nethermoor is the least of your worries, young lord. If this comes to light, then…
Astaroth found it hard to swallow through the prickly sensation in his throat.
"You've embezzled royal funds and harmed the human princess. A third crime on top of this would become the death sentence for you. Impersonating as the blessed Sovereign is a crime of the highest national order, young lord. I think losing nobility is far less severe than losing your life, wouldn't you say?"
Astaroth's strength left him all at once as if an invisible force was sucking out his life force.
The shrouded figure smiled. "But rest assured, young lord. I've no intention of revealing your impersonation. I simply ask you to keep patience and live in Nethermoor until I slowly and steadily calm the situation in your favor here. So be wise and choose your path carefully."
—
Vivia gently held Eurus's delicate fingers. He slept peacefully on the bed. Tarin regularly checked his temperature and mana flow while Kael was occupied with preparing his bitter medicine paste.
"How long will it take for Eurus to wake up?"
Doloros said, "He should regain consciousness by tomorrow morning, Princess."
It seemed to Vivia as if Eurus had grown even frailer and smaller than before. Thinking about how he could have flourished as a handsome adult but was stunted into a child's body made her heart ache.
"Sir Doloros, you said to us before that the continuous release of his magic led to his body becoming stunted."
"Indeed."
"Does that mean Eurus could never grow into a healthy adult?"
Doloros stared at her for a long moment. "I wouldn't say it's impossible. I've to keep observing him. His mana is very unstable as of now. Unless he learns to control his magic, it's difficult for his body to restore to its original state."
"Will it be a sudden spurt of growth?"
"It's difficult to say," he thoughtfully said, "Why do you ask?"
Vivia gently squeezed Eurus's hand, a whisper of a smile touching her lips. "I want him to enjoy his childhood."
A fleeting flicker of pain resonated in her heart.
"Eurus was locked in that cold cave for twenty years all by himself. Now, he finally has the chance to relive his childhood like other children. I was wondering what kind of a life would it be if…his age suddenly caught up to him now? His body might grow well, but will his mind be ready too? It's only once we get to live our life and we should get to live every phase of it with happiness…"
Her voice slowly trailed off at the end, a cloudy darkness casting a shadow in her eyes. The shadow reminded her of her own painful childhood that was anything but bright.
Doloros's eyes widened slightly. He had to admit that such a thought had never occurred to him. He did consider Eurus's body automatically catching up to his real age as time would pass.
But was skipping right into adulthood helpful for Eurus?
"Our experiences mold the way we become. But for Eurus, it would be a blank slate because he wouldn't have lived through those experiences. He would suddenly have to face the world as an adult, but then, what about the memories that should mold him along the way?"
Vivia withdrew her hand and smiled at Eurus's sleeping face. She tenderly brushed her fingers along his ice-silver hair one last time, then rose and bowed. Doloros simply watched her in silence.
Vivia closed the door behind her noiselessly and sighed. She walked slowly down the hall, in no hurry to reach her chamber. She paused and gazed outside at the night sky, resting her palm against the stone pillar.
As a bite of cold breeze stirred her with a chill, she involuntarily shuddered. The memories of those past harsh nights of shivering under broken roofs at night with a hungry stomach made her lips tremble. The laughter of the other children playing around as she wandered alone to scour for food made her chest feel constricted.
Just then, a gush of warmth flooded down her shoulders. Blinking, she looked down to see a familiar black overcoat draped over her.
"It's cold here, Vivia," Zerath's unhurried yet concerned voice echoed in the small space between them.
"Crown Prince Zerath if I may ask," she coughed, "how many coats have you covered me with until now? First it was at the garden, then the pavilion and now…"
"I don't lack in coats, Lady Vivia," his golden eyes smiled breathtakingly. "Rest assured, I've many more coats to give you for a long, long time."