A/N: The chapter ahead is raw, which means not been proofread yet nor edited.
***
"Hi, Uncle! How are you?"
Watts looked down and found Solana below him. She's smiling at him sweetly, her hands dirty with paints.
He's all healed, but he feel not fine. His mother forbid him from going out but he still did. He's been watching the children since, specifically Prince Maximilien who was having an offensive and rude interactions with his father, Prince Maxigaufeas, during their playtime.
Voltage Xirquit brought Prince Vars upstairs earlier to put him to sleep. Emperor Ohms followed him afterwards and none of them noticed his presence even though he was just so close to them.
"Uncle?"
Solana's smile weakened when she saw how dark his face had become.
'Did I upset Uncle?' she thought to herself. He's glaring at her.
"You should go back and play. He's still not well," Princess Lorreign arrived. It hurt her when Solana looked so scared of her. She was smiling, but it didn't reached her eyes at all. They were empty and red from crying, and her face may be resting but she looked exhausted.
"Stop! This is my favorite shirt!" Prince Maxigaufeas scolded the Prince when he splashed paint all over his clothes.
The Prince only stick his tongue out and smudged the paint more with his hands. Solana returned to the, lost about the 'play' they were doing.
"I know what you're feeling," Princess Lorreign said while watching the children play with Prince Maxigaufeas.
"You probably heard about me and Ohms."
Watts slowly recovered. He breathes in deeply.
"Are you here to squeeze me about what I think of you now?"
Princess Lorreign chuckled emptily.
"Before you and anybody else, I was there. I loved him first. He was mine first."
That made Watts looked down to her with furrowing eyebrows. He was taken aback when he saw a different kind of spirals in the Princess's eyes.
"I know what you're feeling. It's driving you to the edge, Watts. Just like me, before those somebodies, there was you. You loved her first. Always have been. Infuriating, isn't it? To share YOUR WIFE with others?"
Watts's eyes squinted, "Princess, watch your mouth."
Princess Lorreign shifted her eyes to him with a maniacal smile.
"God only approves two union: of a man and a woman. You can't call it a soulmate if she's linked to others. You can't call her your wife if she's a wife to others. Watts, what you're feeling is inferiority and jealousy. But is there really a need for competition, when it's obviously you who must get the girl? Did you think Maxigaufeas is better than you? I don't think so. Is the Ki'zaar as smart as you? Are the rest on your level? Can they give life to a child as beautiful as Prince Zodiac? No. Only you can. You are her first husband, her first love. She only took them in as husbands because she lost you. But Watts, you're here. Alive. Do you think she will ever need them again?"
His eyes slowly widened.
Princess Lorreign turned to face him. She gently stroke his face with the back of her hand.
"Please, I need Ohms. I want him back. We're exposed now, so what's stopping us from loving each other freely? Her. I can be a better mother for Prince Vars. She can't. Her hands are too full to see the other Princes. She only loves Prince Zodiac. And you. Or there is another thing you desire?"
Prince Maxigaufeas was about to hit Prince Maximilien on the head with a paintbrush when he saw Princess Lorreign and Watts not too far from them. The tension between them is...malicious. What are they talking about, he wonders? He's seen the face Princess Lorreign is wearing right now before.
On his father's face.
A snake.
"Do you wish to turn back time as well like I do, Watts?"
His heart skipped a beat.
"Watts, Princess,"
Prince Maxigaufeas stepped in with a serious tone and expression, "What's up? What's going on?"
Princess Lorreign looked past her shoulders to see him. The hand that's touching Watts's face glowed.
"Ah, I'm helping him relieve his headache. Also... I opened a topic to him about his brother and I. Did we look like we were fighting, Maxi?"
Prince Maxigaufeas ignored her and looked into his brother. Watts suddenly pivot to leave without a word.
"Ah, then I must make my leave, too. I'm sorry for making it awkward, Maxi. I will go see my grandfather."
Princess Lorreign smiled and curtsy slightly to him and was about to go when he grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I know that look. I'm trained. I will tell this to them. You're trying to make him do something that's against his morals and principles, aren't you?"
Princess Lorreign's faked smile faded and turned into a scowl.
"Maxi, how dare you try me?"
Prince Maxigaufeas was dumbfounded about the change in her personality.
He scoffed and smirked, "So, this is your true colors, Princess?"
Princess Lorreign pulled her arm back and glared at him coldly.
"Do you want to see more of it?"
Her eyes gleamed. Prince Maxigaufeas didn't understand what was happening to himself; his hand rose on its own. And to his shocking surprise, he slapped Princess Lorreign. But what pinned his cold feet to the ground was the person that was coming to her from behind.
"What was that for, Maxigaufeas!?" King Liorei fumed. Prince Maxigaufeas's jaw locked. He couldn't utter a word. He's staring at his own hand that moved on its own---he didn't do it!
But when he saw the smirk on the Princess's face, it made him angry.
"I didn't do it, Your Majesty! She did it to herself!"
Princess Lorreign started crying.
"I-I'm sorry, Maxi. Please... I know Watts is close to you, I know what I did with his brother is wrong... But to hate me like this? My sister will soon be your brother's wife! I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry for loving him!"
Prince Maxigaufeas's jaw just then felt loose. It dropped, almost falling to the ground.
King Liorei helped his daughter get up first before throwing his fiery glares against the Prince.
"What did you say to her?"
"Y-Your Majesty! I didn't---"
Prince Maxigaufeas cowered in fear when he saw King Liorei's hand coming to his way. He closed his eyes tight, waiting for his punch, but nothing came.
"Gerson Fucking Liorei, may I remind you, you're in my territory. Just to whom do you think you're sending your filthy hand to?"
Emperor Maxism gripped on the King's wrist tight before throwing it aside.
"Well, fuck your son, Maxism Ford Lee. Your son hit my daughter! Ask the children!"
"HE DID!" Prince Maximilien instantly agreed, taking no side but the truth's!
"I'm not lying! The stupid, motherfucker slapped her! Right, ugly rat? Tell them!" He even nudged Solana to speak, but she was too afraid to.
"Maximilien, do you swear that you are not lying?"
"I SWEAR TO KUYA ZODDY, I AM NOT!"
Yet the smirk on his face tells the Emperor otherwise. It's hard to trust the words of his son's greatest hater.
Until Solana speak up.
"He did... The Uncle hit the mean Auntie..."
'Mean Auntie?' they thought.
Emperor Maxism glares at Princess Lorreign.
"His Equal's daughter said it herself. My son won't just hit her for no reason. I taught and trained him well. I wonder what your daughter did and said to my son. Well, what to expect? She's yours. The devil's spawn."
King Liorei's sight went dark because of the Emperor's mockery.
"Would you look at that. I refuse to believe Ohms fell in love with her. Really? That honorable Voltage Xirquit's first son, committing incest? She's a predator---"
Emperor Maxism pushed Prince Maxigaufeas away and evaded the punch that King Liorei threw. He caught his wrist and pulled the King towards him where his fist greeted his face halfway. King Liorei then crushed his ribs and solar plexus in return.
"Maxism, if the brat failed to kill you, know that I won't."
Prince Maximilien gazed at his grandfather who was sent to the other side with blank eyes. Slowly, he glide his eyes to look at King Liorei who's walking to the Emperor, prepared to end him.
"He's mine to kill," the Prince said in a monotonous tone, "Take another step and I'll make you regret it."
King Liorei stopped from his stride. Emperor Maxism get up, clutching his chest where King Liorei almost left a hole through. Prince Maxigaufeas screamed for help, calling his eldest brother and his friends to stop whatever is about to come.
All because of Princess Lorreign who's loving the chaos she created.
"Just play with his soul after. Drink milk, child."
King Liorei then went on, his hands turning black to his arms. A tentacle from his shadow picked up Prince Maxigaufeas and subdued him. Another came out to lift Emperor Maxism up.
Emperor Maxism grinned. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you, Lorreign,"
Princess Lorreign's hidden smirk faded because of his words. Emperor Maxism lifted his head, revealing the ecstatic expression on his face.
"Now I'm sure that Copy Bloodline is about 'copying'."
King Liorei's eyes widened and looked back. It didn't matter if he's still holding Emperor Maxism.
Prince Maximilien ended both of them with a powerful Light Beam.
---Is what would've happen, putting Prince Maxigaufeas into a pinch once again, had Emperor Ohms not come to save him from the Princess who was about to ruin his life. Just like what she did to his.
"Take the kids away this once. I will handle this," the Emperor ordered. Prince Maxigaufeas gulped.
The Emperor is exuding an intimidating aura, but not against him but to Princess Lorreign.
"Let's go, you two." He gathered Solana and Prince Maximilien. The Prince didn't want to come to see more, so he picked him up and stormed out of the room as fast as he can to not get caught up with what's about to happen between the Emperor and Princess Lorreign.
"Ohms, finally---"
Before she could land her hands on him, Celia sliced her arms to piece neatly.
"Do not touch the Emperor."
Instead of Prince Maxigaufeas, it was Emperor Ohms who became the subject of King Liorei's fury.
"OHMS!"
The King advances to avenge his daughter, but the Emperor sent him away and locked him in Watts's office.
"You held back again, Celia."
The servant bowed her head.
"Forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty. I was reminded of the Grand Duchess,"
Emperor Ohms hissed and glared at the Princess with contempt.
"That is going to be my last warning to you, Lorreign. Stay away from us. You're not a Xirquit, just a Covry, so talk to Mom only whenever you want. But leave me, my brothers, my sister, and father alone. I will never hold affection for a sinner that you are."
He pulled a handkerchief and wiped the traces of her blood that got onto him when Celia cut her.
"Ohms, let's stop this facade. We're exposed, so why can't we love each other freely now!?"
"LORREIGN!" Franchetti Xerene blustered and slapped her daughter.
Prince Maxigaufeas found her and told her to go here, and she couldn't believe that she will hear the Princess say that, when it's clearer than water that the Emperor doesn't want her!
"Tell me I heard you wrong. Leave my son alone!"
Emperor Ohms's eyes widened for a second. The second after, he felt ironic.
They truly led different lives. Otherwise, she would've never stand up for him against her precious Lorreign.
"M-Mom... I'm sorry, but I couldn't fight it anymore!" Princess Lorreign burst into tears. She's healing herself.
"I love him, so let us be! I'm sorry, but I love him, Mom! Please... Please! Just leave us be!"
She went down to her knees and clung on her mother's legs to give her what she wanted.
"Did I raise a snake? Did I fail as a parent? Did I fail to raise you right for you to cling on my son like this? Lorreign, you didn't have to follow your goddamn father's footsteps! He ruined my life and now, you will ruin my son's?"
She removed the Princess's hands from her and stepped back to shield the Emperor from her, when he's more than able to protect himself.
"Ruin? How, when we're truly in love, Mom? I know it's wrong, but I love Ohms! Can't you see how long I've been suffering? We're suffering together because we can't be together! Can't you at least let us be happy?"
Her reason exhausted the remaining patience her mother bears for her. Now, she's looking at her coldly with no hint of motherly affection anymore for her.
Duke Paris, Emperor Maxism, and Voltage Xirquit arrived at the scene after hearing Prince Maxigaufeas. Crown Prince Claxiord followed soon after and so Watts. Emperor Ohms opened the doors of his brother's office, freeing King Liorei.
"Dad!" Princess Lorreign ran to her father and cried on him. King Liorei immediately comforted her, securing her within his arms.
"Why are you antagonizing my daughter because of my history, when your son bears equal guilt?"
Emperor Ohms got his eyebrow arching.
"He was tempted and seduced like the devil that she is, Liorei! She takes after you. All my life, I thought I knew her. But I was wrong. I did my best to raise her right, to walk on the right path and not take yours! My son is an honorable man like his father! She poisoned his mind! Take her side, fine. That's your daughter, we understand. But that! That's not my daughter anymore! I regret letting that bastard live!"
She couldn't bear looking at the daughter she once loved without seeing the shame she brought upon her family.
And Princess Lorreign didn't like it. But a part of her does, because that would mean her mother disowns her. She can be with Ohms again, as a stranger.
Elektra Xirquit came with Spike. Ever since the burial of her sons, she's never been the same after. Now, her day began ugly because of Princess Lorreign.
The Princess breathes deeply. She composed herself, hiding her face from them. She couldn't help but laugh.
She finally faced them with her usual vibrant and positive attitude.
"I guess I'd just suffer alone to death! Since you called me the devil,"
Her smiling eyes gradually narrow, cooling into something sharp and calculating. The gentle smile that graced her lips falters, twisting at the edges until it forms a sinister curve, as if concealing something dark beneath the surface.
She clasped her hands together, smiling devilishly to her mother.
"---I will be the devil."
Then she switched back to being an 'angel' again.
"Just kidding! We don't want that, right? You wouldn't want that, right, Mom?"
She flounced to her mother, leaning down to her slightly to meet her face.
"You should be good to me still, Mommy. I'm Daddy's last sanity. I'm his angel! If you hurt me, hmm... I can't imagine what will happen! I always get what I want. If I can't, my Daddy will. Because I'm his Princess! I want Ohms, so I will get Ohms. My way or his way."
Franchetti Xerene trembled from the upsetting anger she's suppressing within. She hit her, but Princess Lorreign straightened her back, avoiding a slap from her mother. Princess Lorreign flashed a sweet smile, too sweet to decay them, then turned her back around to walk away when Emperor Ohms laughed.
"Do it your way then. That is, if you can win against my wife. Younger, prettier, stronger...just better than your every best. Or you can just fuck your Dad. What difference would it make?"
"You wife is a WHORE!"
All eyes went wide from the Princess's take. Certainly, the subjects' husbands didn't like it and the people who follow her.
"Or maybe because you're so fucking basic, you can't pull men of standards. What's only special about you is your roots. Your father and mother. Othen than them, what else? Nothing comes to mind. So, choke in envy and jealousy, Liorei's daughter."
Emperor Ohms cocks his head to tell Celia to leave. She bowed and stepped aside to give way to him, and gave the Princess a threatening stare before following him. Soon, the rest followed, leaving Princess Lorreign alone with her father.
"What a psychopath," Skadi Eira mumbled and shook her head.
She's really glad that she have decided to cut Solana's attachment to her sooner than later. It would be a mess if she did it later. Her Solana will be tainted.