While some were about to reach the turning point of their lives, some had already gone through despair as they lost all that they held dear.

[PAST]

Dean gazed at the roof of the room. He had been administered to the medical center for three days now. During this period, no one came to visit once.

As the crown prince of the dark kingdom, he was respected by every member of the royal family, and the commoners. Even his father the king, gave him a lot of attention.

However, it seemed his status had gone completely down the drain after the incident of the Goldsborn's tournament.

…..

Dean entered the royal palace.

All members of the royal family he came across disregarded him completely, a stark contrast to the attitude he received three days ago. People, whether the royal members or otherwise would always run to greet him and fawn over him.

What about now?

Shaking his head slightly, Dean disregarded all the whispers around him; the insults, and the mockeries. Even on his way to the palace, people would point at him and whisper things like 'Look, that is the trash prince that brought shame to the kingdom.'.

Was he angry at them?

No, not at all!

In the dark kingdom, strength was respected above all.

Hell, he wasn't even angry with the silver-haired boy who beat him down to such a state.

Truth be told, he felt a bit aggrieved. However, that was all.

In the end, he was weaker than the other party, so he could only suck it up as his fault for being weak.

At this point, all he wanted to do was meet his mother. He was a bit confused. Why didn't his loving mother come to see him? Perhaps something happened to her?

With that thought in mind, he quickened his step and made haste.

...

Dean entered his mother's chamber.

His mother was the favorite concubine of the king. She was even pampered more than the queen herself.

"Mum?"

Dean called out lightly.

*Crash!*

Dean flinched.

Before he could observe the entire room, a bottle landed in front of him and broke in contact with the floor.

Shifting his gaze to the direction the bottle was thrown from, he saw a rather ragged-looking woman. Though she wore expensive accessories and clothing, her current appearance still looked completely ragged. It was obvious she had spent a lot of time immersed in drinking alcohol and it seemed she had equally shed a lot of tears.

"MOTHER!"

Dean screamed.

Realizing the rather-looking ragged woman was his mum, he quickly made his way to her.

However...

*Crash!*

The sound of another bottle breaking echoed in the hall.

This time, though, it wasn't because it made contact with the floor but rather because it met Dean's face.

Dean's movement abruptly came to a stop.

The wine flowed down his face, but he ignored it. Instead, he could feel another liquid flowing down with the wine.

Touching his forehead, he realized that he was bleeding profusely, blood streaming down both sides of his face.

He gazed at his bloodied hand, his mind seeming not to have yet registered what just happened.

"YOU USELESS SON!"

"DO YOU REALISE YOUR POSITION AS A CROWN PRINCE HAS BEEN RESCINDED?"

"THE KING HASN'T COME TO MEET ME THESE PAST FEW DAYS!"

"I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GIVE BIRTH TO YOU BUT THAT WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME. ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS KEEP PLAYING YOUR ROLE AS A LEGENDARY GENIUS, AS A PRIDED PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM, YET..."

She pointed her trembling finger at Dean, her words cut briefly as she seemed stumped on what to say. However, it didn't take long before she continued:

"WAS THAT SO HARD FOR YOU TO DO? IS IT SO HARD TO GIVE YOUR MOTHER A PEACEFUL LIFE?"

"YOU ARE USELESS! WORTHLESS! WHAT NEED DO I HAVE OF YOU?"

Dean was pulled out of his thoughts by his mother's scream yet it wasn't long before his eyes became clouded once more.

A third liquid streamed down his face along with the spilled wine and blood.

"Mother..."

It was his tears!