Chapter 140: Aspirations (2/2)

”You mean the one that…”

”Disappeared two years ago. A mana calamity happened there because that place wasn't monitored properly. A fissure appeared there and monsters poured out. Then…”

”… Deformed space.” Arthur frowned. It was all over the news so he couldn't have missed it. A tragedy where a single village was swallowed up by a giant fissure. Many news outlets reported that it was due to negligence and several government officials, nobles mainly, were stripped of their positions and trialed.

”Yes,” Emma nodded as the two greeted the night's sky on top of the balcony. The music suddenly seemed distant as the moonlight covered their bodies. ”It was my mother's hometown. Yet, this country failed to save it. How many lives were lost back then?”

Arthur didn't know what to say as the dress looked white in the faint moonlight. Emma's blonde hair strands danced with the breeze as sorrow filled her voice.

”If only things were different, those families would have still been alive. My grandparents refused to leave that village because they liked how quiet and peaceful it was there. In the end…” Her head dropped as she gripped the railing.

”It wasn't your fault,” Arthur said, offering what little condolences he had to offer. Emma smiled helplessly and shook her head.

”It doesn't matter,” She paused. ”Things could have been different. Even if my grandparents didn't die because of that, many lives have been lost due to this nation's corruption and incompetence.

”This nation is unforgiving to its people.”

Arthur nodded his head slowly, meeting her eyes. She seemed to fumble for answers to questions unasked.

”I'm marrying the prince because I want to change this nation.”

”It's not the only way to do so,” Arthur hesitated but spoke his mind.

”It's not, but it's the easiest way. Furthermore, it has the least conflict and… bloodshed.” Emma's eyelashes looked long in the moonlight. Arthur sighed and walked to stand beside her.

”Why are you telling me this?” He knew she was explaining her reasons but he didn't understand why.

”Because I want someone to know that I'm not doing this for glory, prestige, or whatsoever.” She paused and grinned. ”Plus, being a queen is better than the daughter of a wealthy family, hehe.”

”A queen shouldn't laugh like that.”

”Then let me do it as much as I want before I become one.”

”As you wish.”

”Hehehehehe,”

”Okay, I changed my mind.”

The two laughed before Emma returned to the ballroom. Arthur gazed at her back being illuminated before he turned his head toward the sky. He didn't know how to feel exactly about this since Sier's goal was to overthrow the king and Emma's goal was to change the kingdom.

Both might have similar results, but their reasons were different. Sier did it because he wanted to revenge on his father and Emma wanted to prevent what happened to her grandparents from happening again.

They all aspired to be things they were not, but what about him? He never dreamed of such things. He only wished to get stronger because he can now, but where would that lead him? To a happy ending? What kind of ending would it be?

He heard the sound of footsteps from behind him and thought Emma might have gotten bored of the prince already. He turned around and saw the crown prince. His violet eyes shone brightly as he looked at him.

”Your highness,” Arthur wondered why he wasn't with Emma. ”An honor to be in your presence.”

”Yeah, it must be.” The prince's voice was cold. ”Stop getting close to my fiancée, peasant. Unless you want your life to become worse, you should know when to know your place.”

Arthur was taken aback by such a harsh attitude. This was the person Emma would be marrying? He didn't look that much different from his brother, Alfred. How did the royal family exactly raise their kids?

He remembered the king's personality and decided it made sense that they became this way. He looked at the prince, deciding how he should handle this.