The cruise still has 12 days left to reach the academy, and I guess one week has passed. I was able to recover faster, as I wasn't as injured compared to back then. Hehe… I'm bedridden now and have no clue what has happened throughout this week.
I just know that I was promoted to the Grandmaster title and that I'm now F rank of Grand Elite, which is the same as Meisheng. Because of this, Aoi, Cassey, Arcane, Luna, Alfrin, and Zoe—everyone—is now forbidden to meet me.
Meisheng and Anette are the only ones who are allowed to see me or who take care of me. Weird enough, I got a message from Mother that Vanessa has decided to become my ninth fiancée. Honestly, at first, I thought, what's gotten into Mother?
But now, I think she accepted Vanessa maybe because she saw how hurt she was. Maybe until she gets a new guy to keep her safe, it's better to keep her with me, I guess! Not that I can rely on that crazy queen who arranged her very little daughter for someone like me without even thinking twice…
"Honey, what are you thinking?" Anette asks Void while she fixes his room.
"Nothing big… just bored, hehe," Void replies. At his response, Anette reaches over to Void and sits beside him.
"Darling… I've been wondering all this time, what is it that you want?" Anette asks, her tone serious. She was intently waiting to know what Void is after.
"...Well, to protect everyone who's dear to me," Void says while continuing the rest in his mind: And to stay alive and pass all my death flags.
"That's true, but isn't it important for you to enjoy the life you're living?" Anette says, her words opening Void's eyes.
"Ehh… yeah… are you saying I'm not living my life to the fullest?" Void asks.
"Not like that, honey, but you're just trying to restrain or ignore things, like you ignored the feelings of getting attracted to someone romantically. You're ignoring the joy and fun of being young… and trust me, darling, once you miss this, you won't be able to experience it again," Anette says, while playing with his hair.
"Now I gotta go, I have an important meeting with this grown-up mess, you know…" Anette leaves after saying that, giving time for Void to consider her words.
"That's right… I got too focused. Maybe I need a break and time to get things straight… I'm not Ajay anymore…" Void thought, but then felt something strange… "Who's Ajay…?"
While Void was lost in his thoughts, let's take a look at what is happening outside…
"Why are you here?" Charles says, still in his room, injured and bedridden, while Rubianna, who isn't well herself, stands nearby.
"I… love you… that's why… I'm taking care of you," Rubianna says.
"I told you that I'm no longer interested in you… please… leave me if you care for me… it's best for both of us," Charles says, his words filled with anger and sadness.
"Do you even know what I like?" Charles asks, his words filled with pure hatred.
"Yeah… you like sweets…" Rubianna says, with all her encouragement, but it wasn't for long as…
"I like nature, forests, a normal life, which… Shuri helped me enjoy… With her, life took a new turn for me… She was the first who didn't treat me like a prince but as a boy… and I only fell in love with her for that reason," Charles reveals, his eyes reflecting Shuri, who's facing the heirs.
"What do you think you are! You took an oath to protect His Highness, not to engage in this prohibited stuff!" Emelia yells at Shuri through her hologram. She was barely in control, as if she'd come out and beat the shit out of Shuri.
Shuri, Leonard, Vivienne, and Samuel were facing the heirs, who were Maria Middletown, Fiola Tristella, Betty Walmsley, Michelle Allainette, Emelia Lux, and a new panel… I mean one more panel: Lucia Calvados, mother of Leonard.
"Honestly! How much are you going to make Void suffer, Vivi!" Maria says, rubbing her eyes in stress. She was angry, but she was more disappointed in Vivienne.
"Samuel… what happened to you? Why?" Fiola says, equally disappointed and stressed.
"Shuri! That brat Leonard and Mr. Samuel… how are you going to handle the problem you all created? Actually, this question is for your parents; how are you going to clear the mess your kids made!" Betty says. She left Maria and Vivienne alone because Void helped her daughter. For just that one reason, she kept them away.
"Miss Betty! I apologize to announce that Charles has stepped down from the throne; he is no longer in line for the throne, nor is he part of Allainette! But as an apology, I, the Queen, am presenting you with an offer to engage her with our little paragon, Void!" Michelle says in her cold demeanor, her tone dominating.
"Excuse me! My daughter has no interest in marrying that brat. If you're so interested, why don't you engage your other daughter with that boy!" Betty says, her tone showing no regard for who she was talking to. At her taunt, Maria formed nerves, trying her best to keep her cool.
"You don't have to teach me what to do, Miss Betty!" Michelle says, her words sending chills through the room. "I've already decided to engage her with Void. My daughter made the right choice, leaving an unfaithful brat and choosing the guy who at least cherishes the woman beside him, takes responsibility, and does everything to protect them. That's the idol my nation has got!" Michelle says with pride.
"Wait, what the hell… are you talking about, huh? At least ask your daughter first!" Maria yells from her hologram.