"Before we all get side-tracked by your short attention span, why don't we talk about our family's dilemma?"
Silence followed Lilou's remarks as she glossed her eyes over the people eating breakfast with her. Conan also huffed quietly, sitting back down in his chair.
"You're correct," Aries breathed out, nodding in agreement. "I've been unconscious for the past week. Therefore, I missed the Summit and many things. What happened?"
Aries looked back at Lilou and then at Abel. Everyone's expression turned solemn at Aries's question.
It was true that the night Maximus and Aries died was the first day of the world summit. Counting the days of how long she was unconscious, Aries was certain the world summit had ended. However, she needed to know what happened.
The world project, led by London Leviticus, relied on the outcome of the world summit. If it failed, this organization whose agenda was to come in between the matters of other creatures and races and impose violent-free resolutions would also fail. In other words, their hard work would go down the drain as well.
Just the thought of it brought a frown to Aries's face. The mission of this project was to protect small countries from oppression. Aries's fuel for this project was her experience at Rikhill; the land of Rikhill wasn't the only country that had fallen from the hands of a wicked and powerful country, but there were other countries out there being oppressed and exploited unjustly.
One of the very good examples of that was the Chivisea Dynasty, where Veronika lived. Aside from the inner conflict, that land was oppressed by the Maganti Empire for many years. There were many more out there that were experiencing the same.
"The world summit went smoothly despite the absence of the king and queen of the Mainland," Abel explained, watching Aries raise her head to him. "Thanks to the night council, Gustav, and Suzanne, they were able to delay the protest of the nobles of the mainland regarding what happened."
"Is that so?" Aries heaved a sigh of relief, but her relief was short-lived when Samael spoke.
"London Leviticus also played a huge part in it. However, once the last monarch departs the mainland, blood will surely spill," Samael added. This time, his tone was grim. "After all, the noble clans in the mainland seek the Grimsbanne's head to quench their anger for the death of their beloved king."
"It wouldn't be a problem if they wanted Abel's head. We can just offer him to them and see if they can behead him. I wouldn't mind attending his public execution," Claude leaned forward, linking his hand before him. "But this was an opportunity they wanted to make use of its full potential."
"Why do you look all so negative?" Abel tilted his head to the side, not taking Claude's remarks to the heart.
If he could just surrender himself, Abel would've done it and let them kill him at least once. However, he knew it was a waste of time and life. The people in this place would still go after his family.
"If they were all joining hands, doesn't that mean we're just that powerful they had to work together to bring us all down?" continued Abel with a tinge of proudness in his voice. "It was flattering."
"I agree that it was flattering, but the point here is, I actually planned to have a long honeymoon with my wife. We should've been doing much more productive, such as making our next child, but here we were, eating breakfast with you," Samael spat out lazily, revealing his real dilemma in this situation. "I'm tired of all these schemes, to be frank. Can we just kill all of them?"
"Sam." Lilou frowned, making her husband frown as well.
"But my love, I am making a good point here," he argued indifferently. "All I wanted is a happily ever after, but here I am, getting dragged to another story. So, fuck you, Abel."
"What else can I say?" Abel fluttered his eyelashes ever so tenderly, planting his palm across his chest. "I am just that special."
"But he has a point." This time, Aries chimed in and backed up Samael. "I know you've been through a lot for the past two years. However, if you wanted to take a rest, I know a way to leave the mainland without anyone noticing."
Aries kept her determined eyes on Samael. "It might not be much, but the land of Rikhill, now a duchy and an official state of the Maganti empire, will welcome you with open arms."
"Aries," called Lilou, flashing Aries a subtle smile. "I had said it before and I will say it again. After taking care of my daughter and keeping her safe, I don't think I can ever face my children if I accepted that offer."
"Goodness gracious…" Samael cupped his cheek, frowning deeply.
"We are family. Even though we just met not so long ago, the blood running in your veins was the blood that is running in my children," Lilou continued, ignoring her husband. "Moreover, this home is rightfully Tilly's. She had lived in this land longer than anyone, and all those years, she never caused trouble. I cannot just flee, knowing people were out there bullying Tilly and wanting my children's heads."
"It is tiring, isn't it, Abel?" Her tone grew solemn, scanning the faces of everyone before her gaze lingered on Abel. "That no matter how quiet you live, they just won't stop bothering us. I agree with you when you said for as long as they live, they wouldn't stop. Therefore, this matter is about them or us and I definitely choose my kids."
The corner of Abel's lips curled up into a smirk, pleased at the resolution in Lilou's voice. "I like you, niece."
"What else can I do?" Samael rolled his eyes, watching his wife gaze back at him. "You already decided."
"Thank you, Sam, and I'm sorry for being selfish again."
"It's not like anyone can change auntie Lilou's mind once she already made up her mind." Claude shrugged, picking up the cutlery to start eating. "It's not surprising. I think we were all aware that it would come down to this eventually."
Aries observed the Grismsbannes slowly agreeing on staying and fighting against the people who kept messing with them. She particularly stared at Lilou, admiring Sunny's mother for her confidence and the authoritative aura that wasn't intimidating, but persuading.
But before they could start planning for their next move, Tilly, who had been quietly eating while the rest were talking, spoke for the first time.
"Marsella is sleeping, but she's eavesdropping. You should be quiet." Everyone paused, turning their heads in Tilly's direction, only to see her wiping her lips. When Tilly raised her head, all she saw was the confusion plastered on their faces.
"In her room," she added, pointing in a direction. "It's not good if she knows your plans."
"..."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m