A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.1****
"Didn't Zoddy said, before he left, that you're the son of the moons' mother, the only light born from darkness?"
They've never heard silence quite that loud after the Lord finished his words. King Liorei was puzzled. At the same time, frozen. Then he laughed it off.
"That can't be me. My Mom is a human. There's no way?"
But his laughter slowly died down as his anxiety began to question his family.
"Which Deity created the moons again?" Watts drifted the topic and gave Wattroid a nod. Wattroid left to get something. A book about the known Deities.
"Hey, isn't it forbidden to talk about the moon's mother? The professor said that everyone who tried to look into the moon's mother went missing. If not, cursed. Careful, Watts. They said the Deity who created the moons was the creator of the underworld, too," Prince Maxigaufeas warned seriously and he's not making things up. The professor presented evidences and even invited a researcher who was cursed after trying to look into the moon's mother.
The researcher showed the class her rotting arm, whole arm, and no magic could cure it. When the class asked him how he got it, he said,
"The darkness paid me a visit during the day. It looked over our house. The darkness sent a monster to our door, and it was trying to get in. I tried fighting it. We tried. But it got in and bit my hand. After that, it left. It just left and left me with this ugly wound. So, please. Do not try looking into the moon's mother."
And so, Wattroid looked back, hesitating. He doesn't want to harm his Master.
Watts then shook his head. Wattroid felt relieved and walked back to his post.
"The reason why nothing must have happened when Zoddy met him is because his mom wasn't there. But what if the time comes where the three of them will meet?" Duke Paris.
King Liorei intertwined his hands, stabilizing his breathing. Just now, why does he feel like his incomplete being is looming with mystery?
"Let's skip that part. We will need His Equal's blessing to ward off any form of curses. Since she's greatly involved with our matters, we may need to bring her to our side and work with her," Watts decided.
They will need her power.
Silence reigned in the room, as each of them think deeply of everything they have talked about. The lingering anxiety makes them feel sick, for they don't know what will hit them if they will act recklessly.
Until Prince Maxigaufeas broke their silence.
"Why did it say 'twice' and not 'thrice'? She was...executed. If she were to return, that would make it her third life, right?"
Nobody could dare to answer him. The more they delve into the mystery, the more it drowns them.
"What a headache," Duke Paris whined and stretched his hands up. Wattroid walked to him and hand him a medicine.
"Aww, you! You're so sweet, Wattroid!" Duke Paris pinched his pair of squishy cheeks. Wattroid blushed and gave the Duke a gummy smile.
"Is it true that you're planning to make the two empires a democratic nation?" Prince Maxigaufeas drifted the topic when he couldn't bear the awkwardness anymore.
And Watts Xirquit replied with no hesitation, "Yes. One of them is pulling the strings. I believe it was Sun's knight, Dryllivan Sacremore. Zodiac pointed the East and I understood what he meant just now. The mastermind behind all of this is from the East, and it's where Sacremore Empire is standing."
"Would that be a good idea? Do you think the people will support you and accept that kind of change?"
Watts pulled himself a chair and sat down.
"I have the instruments to make them." He tapped his fingers on the table.
"What does it feel like to be a genius?" Lord Thirdy joked, but Watts sighed.
"I don't know. You should ask my Dad."
His father didn't expect him to say that and was surprised. His eyes widened a bit, sparkling. It even tickled his heart. What a nice thing to hear.
"You're so sweet. Thank you." He reached out his son and ruffled his hair. Watts smiled warmly at his father. King Liorei gasped for air and looked away
"So humble. Our Wattsy is so humble. We raised him right," the Duke faked a cry and blow his nose on his handkerchief.
"But what will you do... If those Princes showed up to reclaim their thrones?" Emperor-to-be Claxiord pointed out, spoiling their simple moment.
Watts smiled even sweeter.
"Then they are really dumb. Though I will do it surely and seriously, it's a bait. If they fall into it, who know what I'll do to them?"
They paused.
His smile vanished from his face, overwritten by his calm fury.
"I lost her because of one of them. Or maybe they're accomplices. The Princess was innocent. She has nothing to do with her family's sins, yet because of how special and precious she is, they targeted her. Hitting her would deal a lot more damage to their family than hurting the Warlocks directly. They do that to fulfill their duties as Princes of wasted empires. They wanted their homes back. That's why, before they do, I will demolish it as they stood witness to that."
He looked at the open records beside him.
Dryfaeia.
"Mom, would you find this one for me?"
Duke Paris looked at his mother, then Watts again.
"I'd like to know if this one is still alive. His twin. If she still is, then she must be one of his reasons. Bring this one to me. Please, Mom?"
Now, all eyes are on her. Her son's eyes are begging. Though she found Duke Paris sending her disapproving stares and subtle head shaking, she pretended to not see him and smiled.
"Of course. Leave it to me. I won't fail you twice, my boy."
Watts breathes in relief, "Thank you, Mom."
"You're so much welcome, my boy. Anything for you."
Duke Paris bit his knuckles and lean back against his chair. They just witnessed how Watts exercised his power as their favorite. They knew his mother won't refuse him. They knee she would do anything for her. This was the first time and it's not just a simple favor.
"Dad, please look into their history more. How they survived, where and how they lived after the purge, where they are now---from the past to the present. I trust you will?"
Voltage Xirquit secretly smirked but they saw it any way. He knew his son is exercising his power over them. Ever since his son has become independent and distanced from them, he never asked for their help anymore. When he was younger, when things are still they were, he would often tug their clothes and drag them to where his problem is. He will always politely seek for help and then reward them with a kiss as his thanks. Voltage missed the days where his son will follow him around, looking for the right time to ask for help. He miss his son even when they are together right now.
"Come here,"
He pushed his chair back to give his son a space. His arms are already spreading apart, and Watts didn't waste time and placed himself between the security of his father's embrace.
"I will. Thank you for trusting me. I will bring you what I could find. You're such a sunshine."
Franchetti Xerene smiled at them. Truly wonderful sight. She's so blessed.
"Thank you, Dad. I'm sorry for changing."
Voltage Xirquit pat his son's back and kissed his head, "Don't be. I'd rather you be bad than do nothing at all. I understand. They understand. All of us went through the same phase and eventually found our way back."
Watts closed his eyes and listened to his father's heartbeat. The sound reminded him of her, and it made him emotional.
Moon and his Dad beat the same heartbeat.
They love him.
"She loves me too. Your heartbeats were the same."
His father smiled softly and gently ruffled his hair while caressing his back. Soothing him to sleep.
"I would fall for you, too. You're the best. You're so sweet. You were always there for her. I'm sorry for separating you from her that time. I'm sorry, really. I know you could've saved her. You would've done something to prevent it from happening. You lost her because I pulled you away. I'm sorry."
Watts's lips trembled. He buried his face on his father's chest, holding on him with his trembling hands. Voltage Xirquit closed his eyes. He didn't want to admit at first. He blame Sun for controlling him. He knew she did something on them, that's why they tried to drag Watts back to their duchy. Otherwise, they would be standing with him to fight for Moon. Because of them, he lost his love. It already left a mark in his heart and he don't think it would ever heal.
"I'd do anything for her, Dad. Anything... I love her so much. Please, help me. Dad, my heart is hurting so much. Help me. Please. It hurts so much."
Elektra stand up and gave the others a signal to leave. Right now, Watts needed his father. He needed them too, but he needed his father more in this moment.
Prince Maxigaufeas was the first to leave. He was wiping his eyes when he walked out. Lord Thirdy followed him with a sad look on his face, heartbroken because he couldn't believe that he would see his friend in such state. So helpless and in pain. How terrifying.
King Liorei silently left to give them both the privacy they needed. He walked to the window to watch the vast universe beyond the transparent glass. He wiped his cheeks when he felt his warm tears rolling down.
Mere words can't describe Watts's love for her. He's the sole witness of his love for her. He's never seen love as genuine and true. Unconditional and would event go beyond. His love is so great that he immortalized her daughter through every form of art; and his favorite were the book he wrote for her. The book that contained and compiled his love.
He's barely keeping it together. The truth is, he want to go out and ransack the empire with everything he have. He watched how his daughter got beheaded before the whole world. He's guilty to death for he did nothing to save her, too. He tried, but he knew himself that he could have done better than merely spitting threats. He should've killed them all. He should've killed Van before he could swing his sword to take her head.
If only his first daughter weren't clinging on him. He should've showed them what his blood stained hands can do, so they won't think of bullying her again. If only he did not hesitate... If only he wasn't holding himself back... If only he dropped his redemption and do it all again.
"Your Highness,"
Wattroid's soft voice called the King and stood beside him. He handed a clean handkerchief to him with a soothing smile. How could a robot be so thoughtful and kind? But then he remembered that Wattroid was the copy of his Master, Watts.
"Thank you," he smiled back at Wattroid and accepted his handkerchief. He didn't know that he's already crying, mourning for his daughter.
Wattroid left his side silently. King Liorei composed himself and pulled himself together, heaving deep, stable breaths. Now, he's reminded of his father. Daro is strong. Wherever he may be, he's sure that his father is thriving and winning battles. But he can't help but be curious. His father is as enigmatic as him. They barely have sweet moments together back in the day. He only received affection from his mother and only simple praises from Daro.
Maybe because of how Daro was influenced by Earth's nature and humans. There's a distance between them. Even when they had closure, King Liorei couldn't forgive his father for everything he had done. The grudges and thorns are still buried in his heart. His father ruined his life when they could've been a perfect, happy family.
He's trying. Every time. He's trying so hard to be a good father to his daughters. Lorreign was already a grown women when they first met, when he was resurrected. The Princess accepted him and understood him. She's his first princess, his daughter from his first, obsessive love. He can't even tell if he's doing a great job as a father. How he wished he was there by her side from her birth to adulthood. How he wish he was there to watch her grow.
Then his wishes happened when Moon came. He thought back then, that if her family won't accept her, then he will have her as his. She was an amazing blessing yet they keep on refusing her.
He massaged his temples with one hand.
He feels restless. His hands are craving for blood. His own blood.
But the passing memory of his mother in his overthinking mind calmed him like it was magic. His mother, Alessandra Dragunovv, is the angel sent from up above. She taught him love and it broke both their hearts when Daro gave him a mission: pretend to be LIFE IX's son with Alessandra to infiltrate their family.
He shook his head to spring away his bad memories, only leaving his good memories with his mother.
If he were to take another wife, she must be as loving and accepting as his mother this time. No matter what he had become, Alessandra would always welcome him in her arms like he's the purest and cleanest soul there is.
Skadi Eira experienced her first sneeze. Azarese, humming a melody, stopped to give her friend a glare as if Skadi Eira's sneeze offended her.
"Are you sick?"
Skadi Eira sneezed again. Azarese has never seen anyone sneeze as graceful and as cute as Skadi Eira did. She sneeze like a baby.
"I dunno. The powdered milk went up my nose,"
That made Azarese's eyes roll.
"Stop eating. Morning, noon, and night, you're eating. Before I sleep, you're eating. When I woke up, you're still eating? Do you have a bottomless stomach?"
The nonchalant equal of the Creator burped.
"But eating good. Making mud baby no," and she pointed at Zodiac whose body will soon be complete.
"You'll see. He'd be the cutest thing you will ever see."
Skadi Eira pushed the whole cupcake in her mouth with question marks over her head. She's thinking that maybe Azarese forgot that she already seen her son. The truth is, Azarese had no idea about what happened after Moon's execution.
"Well, he is. And beautiful."
Azarese only scoffed and continued making her son.
Her friend only watched her.
"Why not ask for my help? I can do it much faster," she said.
Azarese paused for a moment, then continued molding her son.
"Then he would be your son by then, because it's you who gave him life."
"I'll be a nice Mommy. Better than you."
Azarese grabbed a handful of clay and threw it at her. Skadi Eira laughed monotonously and sent the clay the other way.
"What's so nice about being a Mom? Or a Dad?" she asked out of the blue, truly curious. When she copied Gerson Liorei's knowledge, she also heard his thoughts. His dreams, his wishes, his hopes. And all of that is about being a father and a husband. His greatest dream was to watch his daughter, Lorreign, grow up all over again. This time, on his watch.
Azarese hissed, "Why ask? Want to be one?"
Skadi Eira cringed and ate another cupcake.
Azarese dropped her hands and observed her son. She caressed his cheek.
"I don't know, too. I knew myself that I'm not fit to be a Mom. I grew up without one, so I don't have a role model. I hated the idea of having one too, because I was scared that they will be like me, that I will do the same thing my family did to me to them. But when I conceive my own, carried my own child, I felt...complete."
Skadi Eira hated how gloomy the atmosphere has become, so she gathered all her food and left Azarese by herself. As her feet wander, she found Celia cleaning the leaving room.
"Your Divine Almighty, how may I help you?"
"Nothing. I want to walk. It's very gloomy here."
Celia nodded, "I see. Then, would you like to have a picnic?"
It fill the gauge of Skadi Eira's excitement.
"I like that. Prepare my snacks and look for me. I will find a good place."
Life is so simple and fun.