The Republic of Selus was a relatively new nation, but on the continent, nations were constantly being created and destroyed. Apart from the Draconic Empire and the Nation of Los, there was no other nation or government older than 100 years. The continent was constantly embroiled in wars and battles. That is why the mountains offered natural protection against other nations, animals, and tribes of demi humans.
The Republic of Selus and the Kingdom of Axes had achieved full control of the territory of the west of the continent. All the demi humans were driven out to the other side of the mountains, and all attempts at rebellion were crushed. The last battles were a little over 15 years ago when they fought for the distribution of the Great Forest.
The Republic was a place where wealth and connections were the most important factors in society. Unlike the Kingdom that valued military tradition and respect for the name of the family of everyone, the Republic placed emphasis on money, resources, techniques, and favors. Therefore, the Republic was led by the Council of 52. A group composed of the 52 richest and most powerful merchants in the nation.
All decisions were approved by a majority. For someone to occupy a seat on the council, another must be removed from it. This means that one must show that they have more power than the person they seek to replace. The most effective way is by using votes. If they get a majority of the council, then it means they have enough power to move the current council members.
It seemed like an effective system in plain sight, but just by examining it carefully, anyone would realize that it was easily corrupted. To consolidate one's own power, allies had to be sought with threats, favors, or in any other way. In the same line of thinking, you need to seek and eliminate those who are a threat to yourself or your colleagues, even hiring syndicates to commit criminal acts against them, like burning crops, destroying stores in a town somewhere, or kidnapping a relative. All these actions had turned most of the council into paranoid, vengeful, and cowardly men and women.
The Republic prided itself on being a place where anyone could prosper with honest work and effort, but in reality, it was a nest of snakes that sought only to destroy their adversaries and maintain their privileges.
"Woh is huge. The streets are giant, and they are full of people." Thanatos could not hide his surprise when he got out of the carriage and stepped onto the streets of the Capital. On the contrary, his companions were not at all surprised.
"Yeah, hehe, the first time I entered the Capital I was also surprised" Eric said with a smile.
The huge streets were home to a lot of buildings. Some were dwellings, and others had shops and other places of commerce. People came and went without rest. Thanatos tried to quickly count the number of people. 300, no, 500 people were moving down this street in a couple of minutes, there must be thousands living in this city.
"Then I will finish putting the carriage and horses into the hotel as we agreed. Then I will go to do the business you asked me to do. Is it okay?" Castess asked his leader.
"No problem, if you need help, ask me or Adel." With those words, they said goodbye and prepared to explore the streets to look for new recruits.
Suddenly, Thanatos felt a warm feeling in his arm.
"Come on, I'll show you first the central square. It is giant, beautiful, and sometimes they sell food" Lia took his arm and began to move it in the direction while talking.
"Lia, don't you have to go to the party with your mother?"
"That's later. I still have a couple of hours off. I have to show you the best places." Her expression makes it clear that she would not accept a no as an answer.
"Ahh. I understand. Let's go see that park." His expression became softer when he said those words and accompanied Lia calmly. Adel and Eric followed behind them.
They spent the afternoon exploring the city. The park was indeed huge and pretty. Flowers of different types adorned the well-kept lawn, covering the entire space. Stone fountains with decorations that appeared to be angels threw crystal clear water. Children and families played around the area, and some street vendors offered sweets and fruits.
"I like this park. It brings back good memories of when I played as a child" Lia sat in the middle of the lawn. Although she was in the middle of the ground, her posture was still refined as always.
"Then you grew up in the Capital? although I already had my suspicions" He said as he sat next to her.
"Yes, both sides of my family reside here. My father is a textile merchant and my mother is the eldest daughter of a tailoring family, so it is not strange that they ended up getting married"
"If I remember correctly, you said you had a brother"
"Two big brothers really. I am the youngest member of the family. My brothers used to take me to play in this park when I was little. My memories are of running with a doll in my hand and picking flowers. Sometimes I would stumble and start crying, but my brothers would spoil me by playing with me until I was happy again."
"By the way, what are your brothers doing right now? You could go see them."
"No, my brother Aubin is a captain in the army. He is busy. And my other brother, Donat, helps my father with business. He's preparing to be the next leader of the family."
"That's why you were crying when you couldn't see him for his birthday. You don't have many opportunities."
"No Donat has to study and learn a lot to be able to run the family business. What happened that day was just a whim. I am already 19 years old and I still behave like a little girl. It is pitiful."
"I don't think that wanting to be with your loved ones is behaving like a child."
"Do you love your family very much, Thanatos?"
That question came like lightning to his heart. Edgar's parents were probably the only ones who loved him sincerely.
The world was always cruel in his old life and, therefore, his parents suffered for him. When they were called for meetings, Edgar fought with other children or when he didn't do his homework. Although they punish him, they never stop showing him affection. Until the day came when his father was diagnosed with a cancer that ended his life. His father died when he was just 8 years old.
From that moment on, things went from bad to worse. His mother spent years depressed. Edgar had more problems in school, and it was more difficult for him to make friends. But leaving things that way would have been a mercy. His mother took her own life 2 years after his father's death.
His world collapsed. He had to go live with some distant relatives. In a house of 10 people, Edgar felt completely alone. He was ignored by his uncles, and his cousins only talked to him when they bothered him. They called him weird and antisocial.
At school, he was bullied and assaulted. His unfriendly character made people walk away, except for one person.
James was a boy who was not bothered by his suspicious attitude. He was a bit weird too, but he had a relaxed personality. Without realizing how much, he became his only friend. Even when he came of age and began working to pay for his own home, Edgar still had contact with James. He remembered how he had gone drinking with James before dying at the hands of that old homeless guy and being reborn in this new world. Have you heard of my death? James, I wonder how you are without me. Do you miss me, even a little?
"It´s okay, you don't have to answer. We all have things that hurt us to remember"
Thanatos realized that his eyes had begun to tear a little. Remembering his past life made him somewhat sad. Mostly to remember his parents and the only friend he had. He wiped his eyes quickly and changed the subject.
"Well, of course I love my family, but enough about me. You said you wanted to show me other places, right? Let's not waste time and let's go" He got up and gestured for Lia to move.
Lia could see that Thanatos was still feeling sadness. She wanted to do something for him, but...
"If we go on the other street, they usually have vendors selling various things. If you like something, I will buy it for you."
While visiting the vendors, Lia kept her smile warm. It was a symbol of her desire to provide comfort. Memories resurfaced in her mind.
"Don't cry. When I see you cry like that, I get sad too" The words her brothers said to her when she was little. "Your smile is beautiful. With it, you are able to make anyone happy." The words of her father when he pampered her. "My sweet daughter, as long as you are happy, nothing else matters" The words of her mother as she hugged her on her birthday.
Happy, I just have to be happy. If I am happy, I can make others happy. It's the only thing I can do. Lia didn't know how to make people happy, not even her loved ones who raised her. All they did was assure her that if she was happy, they would be happy in return. It was not with bad intention the love for their daughter; for their younger sister, they sought to protect her, that she had to worry about nothing, that her happiness was the only important thing.
So, what could Lia do when she wasn't happy? What could she do when the cause of his sadness was her own fault, her inability to make another person happy? She knew she couldn't cry because it would be painful for her parents and siblings. That is why, since she was a little girl, without remembering when, she began to leave the house to cry alone. She could not cry in front of his family, nor in front of the butlers or maids, because they would tell her family. That's why she always ran somewhere to cry. She was so pathetic that she couldn't stand the tears, and several times she had been caught pouting with watery eyes.
Even now, in adulthood with Thanatos, when they first met, she was crying. It caused him concern to see her cry. Her tears are merely for her whims, for her immaturity. That's why she could only smile, sew for him, cook for him, buy him things, and show him places. All to say, "Look at me, I'm happy. Please don't be sad" So he could forgive her. She was so dumb that it made him remember painful memories. so immature that she only knows how to make people happy in one way.
Thus, the smile that was warm slowly transformed into a cold and empty smile. Even Thanatos realized, because something inside reminded him that he saw that empty smile. Something very familiar...
"Boss, look, they sell miniature animals. Do you want one?" Eric screamed as he called him. Thanatos and Lia were able to get out of the discomfort that was forming between them.
"What are you talking about, when I've given you the impression that I like things like that?"
"Eric seems to be serious. You should go see it. Maybe you will like them."
Thanks to Eric's silly interruption, the tension forming between them disappeared and they could talk normally again. After a while, Lia took them all to eat at a restaurant. The laughter at the sight of Eric choking on food and Adel reproaching him made the atmosphere warm.
They were fine. Everything was fine. Things between them didn't have to change, right?...