Chapter 20 - Dissent

Meanwhile Ray was lamenting himself, feeling foolish and useless, Jimmy suddenly found the answer to what they should do. But unlike Ray, who was still hesitant even though he knew what he wanted to do, Jimmy acted immediately without any doubt within him.

"I think we should discuss this with everyone. Everyone needs to know about this," Jimmy said.

Hearing Jimmy's words made Ray slightly disturbed. Not only Ray, but even Harry strongly opposed it. Harry forcefully stopped Jimmy from doing what he wanted.

"Wait a minute, Jimmy. It will only make everyone panic. I don't want you to do something foolish. It's better for us to plan it ourselves and give instructions to others without revealing the details," Harry said.

Ray felt relieved hearing that. Although Ray knew it was the wrong thing to do.

Actually, hiding crucial information like this makes me uncomfortable. But I think it's the best choice for now.

"Harry... I can't accept your suggestion. It's better for us to discuss this together. Besides, isn't it better to have dozens of thoughts rather than just five, right?" Jimmy disagreed.

"I agree with you, Mr. Jimmy," Alex fully supported what Jimmy planned.

Meanwhile, Harry became more frustrated after hearing Jimmy continuously contradicting his wishes.

"Are you both really that stupid?" Harry said.

Alex looked slightly annoyed, but he held himself back. Considering that Harry was just an ordinary teenager. Meanwhile, Jimmy was provoked by his own emotions.

"What do you mean I'm stupid, Harry?"

"You don't understand the situation we're in, Jimmy. Haven't you been listening? The old man explained that there are only a few soldiers left in this kingdom!"

"So what if that's the case? We can help them fight the bad guys!"

Harry became even more frustrated and angrier.

"Jimmy, you really don't understand. Just think about what will happen if you tell everyone about this. It will only create more chaos and divide us."

Jimmy started to doubt himself.

"B-but..."

"Are you still stubborn? There is no losing more disgusting than losing because of a feud among friends."

Jimmy started to rethink and clear his mind. Trying to understand what Harry was thinking. The more he thought, the more he doubted himself. The more he thought, the more he agreed and understood the meaning behind Harry's words. In the end, he agreed with what Harry suggested.

"I'm sorry... Alright, I agree with what you suggest," Jimmy looked at Ray, asking if Ray agreed with the outcome of the debate. Ray simply nodded.

Jimmy looked at Alex. Alex knew what Jimmy wanted to ask him. Without Jimmy starting the conversation, Alex already nodded, indicating that he also agreed.

Feeling that they had the same mindset, the situation became calmer. But Harry spoke again and disrupted the atmosphere with his statement.

"So now... Where are we going to escape to?"

With a confused face, Harry said that. His thoughtful expression made everyone think that he was really serious about it.

Jimmy, who was also confused, asked back, "Why?"

"What do you mean? Why are you asking me back? Don't tell me you want to give instructions to our classmates to join the fight?"

"But Harry... We have to help them. If not..."

"If not what? This kingdom will collapse and crumble? Do I care about that? From the beginning, I had no connection to this kingdom. I'm just one of the victims, just like you all."

Alex looked uneasy and behaved strangely, lowering his face with a sad expression. It made Harry slightly annoyed.

"Do you think showing that face will make me agree?"

"That's not what I meant, Mr. Harry."

"Stop using honorifics like 'Mr. Harry'. Just call me Harry. It disgusts me to see you licking like that."

Jimmy got angry at Harry's rude behavior. They started arguing again about Harry's nonchalant attitude towards everything. All Harry wanted to do was for his own safety.

Meanwhile, Ray approached Alex and whispered, "Can I talk to the princess alone after this?"

Alex, who was surprised, asked back, "For what?"

While looking at the two people arguing, Ray answered, "There's something I want to discuss with the princesses."

Alex thought for a moment and then replied, "I think it's possible if the princesses agree."

"That's good to hear."

Alex looked at Ray's face, who was watching the long debate between Jimmy and Harry.

Ray realized he was being watched and looked back at Alex, surprised.

"What's wrong, Mr. Alex?"

"Oh, am I bothering you?"

"Not really, I don't mind actually. It's just that I feel uncomfortable when someone looks at me directly."

"Why?"

"When someone looks at me so clearly, I tend to think weird things. I always wonder what that person is thinking when they look at me. In the end, my negative thoughts become active and make me drift further into my own world."

"Your own world? Do you mean you can create a world just with your thoughts?"

Ray chuckled a bit.

"Sorry... Sorry... It seems like my explanation is a bit strange. What I meant was that I often get lost in my own negative thoughts. It makes me feel distant from the real world. I don't know why, but I always feel like I'm not something real or existent when I have negative thoughts."

Alex smiled after understanding Ray's explanation.

"previously you were wondering why I was looking at your face right?"

"yeah,"

"I just thought that you looked like him. you're similar in appearance like him."

"Similar? What do you mean? Who is him?"

"Three years ago, I had a child. A child who looks so much like you. The only difference between you is the color of your hair. My child had orange hair, while you have black hair. Although it seems that your inner selves are very different...

Not like you, who seems quiet and not too eager to interact with others. Instead, my child was someone very cheerful and liked to chat and make friends with many people. The smile on their face was something they often showed. It's the opposite of you, Mr. Ray."

"Three years ago, you mean..."

Ray realized before finishing his sentence. It made him regret saying that.

"She's no longer with me."

With a sad face, Ray said, "I'm sorry."

Alex smiled, knowing that Ray had good manners.

"It's okay, besides, she died because of her own mistakes."

Slowly, Alex's facial expression changed. Frowning, he reminisced about his past. It reminded him of his child's smile, which was almost similar to Ray's face. A smile of happiness mixed with wrinkles on his face, indicating sadness and loneliness, all in one. Making his expression strange and mixed.