The experts were just ushered outside the meeting room by Alan. At first, Cain’s focus was on Ruben Draco for that man showed clear rivalry toward him. Just the way he stared at Alan was hostile. It wasn’t like Cain worried or anything, but after the relief that his mother was freed from suspicion, he just can’t help to observe the source of his discomfort, the man who was to be engaged to his sister and one of Andromeda’s underlings.

But after the snake-like man disappeared and Cain was preparing himself to send Selene off, another source of his worry came. 

Holden Aldebaran knocked on the already opened door twice, just for the sake of courtesy. 

Four pairs of eyes stared at him, all forgetting to greet the number one man in Alrauna Kingdom. 

“Father…” 

Holden responded to Cain with a slow nod, just hinting that he heard his son. 

“Can we talk?” he asked. His voice was deep and clear. Nobody had to question whom he asked at that moment.

Selene sighed. Her eyes avoided Holden. “Is there anything to discuss, your majesty?”

“I believe there are some.”

Rigel was sensible enough to bring both Cain and Lumi outside. He embraced their shoulders gently. There were no comforting words but for Rigel being the oldest among them, Lumi and Cain felt the reassurance flowing from him. 

The door closed slowly, almost making no sound. 

It was impolite, but Selene stayed at her original position, sitting with straight back and both her hands in lap. Her ignorance made Holden loss for words. 

“Are we gonna stay silent like this for another hour?” She glanced at the man in front of her, pressing her next words. “Your majesty?”

Holden sighed. “First, I think I need to apologize.”

“I understand you siding with the queen. After all, she is your wife. Apology is  accepted. Enough?”

Actually it was not about that. But Holden chose not to push it further.

“And for not inviting you to our son’s birthday banquet.” 

To his second confession, Selene smiled bitterly. “You were not sorry for taking him from me first. Why bother now? For such a trivial matter.”

“He is also my son, Selene.” Holden bit his lip, anxious. “He has the blood of founding generals. It’s just his right to inherit the throne.”

“You want him for selfish reasons.” Selen put effort not to show anger. She was afraid before. Afraid that people would accuse her of wanting to murder the queen and putting Cain in difficulties. But now, she was proven innocent and was not having her son to witness her losing patience. Of course she’s ready to fight. Even Holden, despite his  status, in her eyes was no more than a thief. 

“Tell me what would he become if he’s to stay with you in the countryside? Farmer? Teacher?”

“Who promised me not to intervene in my life once I took your illegitimate child away?” Mocking, Selene really showed a side of herself she would never let Cain see. “We both make mistakes. And I was willing to correct it. However! You!” 

Selene clenched her fist. 

“You! Just have to make my life miserable right?!”

“He’s born to be a king!”

“Why do you think being the king is the only way to make him happy?! Who are you to decide that?!”

Selene grabbed the vase on the table and threw it to Holden. Fortunately, he was agile enough to dodge. The vase shattered into pieces. 

“I educated him well. He’s all I have. And you just have to steal him!” This time Selene threw a sofa cushion to Holden. “And do you think I am blind?! You think Cain is happy being here!?”

Facing Selene who seemed hurt beyond words, Holden was speechless.

But he had no choice. Selene, the woman he wanted most, was commoners. He had to marry another noble to remain in power. If only Andromeda could give him a talented son, then he wouldn’t need to force Cain to bear the crown prince title. 

“He’s also mine.” Holden said. His tone was flat, yet it showed the side he didn’t usually show to Selene. Authoritative. Cold. Cruel. “I apologize for separating you two. But we know who can give him a better future. Who can open many doors for him.”

Holden turned back, wanting to leave Selene before her anger got worse. She must have suppressed all her emotions after all. 

“This is why I hate you.” Selene said before Holden closed the door. Her blatant statement made Holden stop moving. “You always think you know what’s best for him. You treat him as a king ruling the nation. Not a father to a son.”

***

Lumi grumbled. “We should go back.”

“No, Missy. I bet Madam Selene would not want that.”

“Are you his son?”

“I am not. But even his son is here and did not whine to go back.” Rigel pointed at Cain with his thumb. Cain stared back at him, arm crossed in front of his chest, clearly looking annoyed. Rigel chuckled. “You worry that much about your soon to be mother in law? And yet you always yell of not wanting to get married to the prince.” 

Lumi elbowed his waist passionately. 

“Ow. Not a really manly move, Miss?”

The elbow maneuver turned into a pinch. Rigel winced in pain but still maintained a playful smile on his handsome face.

“Ah. Even Nara can attack better.”

“What? You are annoying!”

Holden appeared at the right time before Rigel and Lumi's banter turned into a serious fight. 

“Tell your mother to spend the night.” Holden’s voice sounded so exhausted. It was like he had no remaining energy for today. Rigel and Lumi exchanged glances, gossiping with their eyes.

“She…”

“It’s past eleven. It’s dangerous to have a ride back home at this time.” He cut his son’s words. “She’s stubborn. But she’s wise enough to know I am right in this matter.”

“But–”

“Cain.” 

“All right.”

The three of them watched Holden until he disappeared from their sight before walking back to the meeting room where Selene was. 

“I will stay with her tonight.” Lumi tugged on Cain’s sleeves. “You can count on me. Nothing bad will happen.”

Rigel could not help but watch over how Cain was unusually quiet. He softly nodded at Lumi, not saying anything. 

***

“Your mother is beautiful.” 

“I know.”

It was just a chit-chat, just to lighten the mood. But Cain appreciated it nonetheless. And he’s proud of his mother. Holden might be the king, but Selene is his mother. Despite knowing Holden loved him enough, for Cain it could not be compared to the genuine care of his mother. 

“Can I ask a question?”

“Depends on the question.”

“Feel free to not answer me then.” Rigel cleared his throat. “I heard that you were brought to the palace when you were twelve? Or eleven? Is that true?”

“Ten, if we’re gonna go more accurately.”

Rigel pushed the door to Cain’s chamber with just one hand, he let his master get in first. Cain stripped his dressing cape and suit, throwing the expensive clothes haphazardly to the benches at the end of his large bed. 

“Where did you live before?”

“Blanca Village.” Cain took off his ribbon tie then sat on the mattress, facing Rigel with a tired expression.

“I was a normal kid back then. I went to school, learning from my mom and grandfather, and then my grandfather fell sick due to cancer. Want me to continue?”

“Uh well…” Rigel planned to ask one by one, considering the wrong question might lead Cain to punish him through the contract. Knowing Cain, Rigel just finally mapping a guide on how to act so he would not cross any line. The brat himself was not scary, strong but not at the level Rigel couldn’t handle. But he’s like a feral cat, hard to trust people. 

“When I was eight, my mother found out about me having summoning talent. I intentionally summoned golem while making a sand castle with Lumi and Ian.” 

There’s this theory in Alrauna that the younger someone shows their potential, then the more capacity they have inside themselves. It was like having a natural water source within the body. The bigger the source, it would create the fall or lake faster than some dropping water which needs a long time just to make a hole in the stone. 

“Father wanted me since then. But when grandfather fell ill, he finally succeeded in bringing me to the palace.”

“Did he…?”

“Threaten my mother? No he didn't.” Cain sighed. He laid to the mattress, eyes staring blankly to the ceiling. “He simply asked my mother to let him bring me as a crown prince in exchange for rare imported herbs from the eastern region for my grandfather.”

It was cruel. To ask someone to choose between their parents or their children. Rigel could feel it inside his heart, the hurt and confusion which consumed Selene back then. Both have an undeniable bond with her. But Holden is Cain’s parent too. Maybe that was why she chose this path. 

Cain stared at Rigel's complicated expression. He sighed. “I was the one willing to trade myself for that herb. Do not entertain the idea of my mother being selfish and all for she is not.”

“Your grandfather…” It was so unlike him, but Rigel definitely was at a loss for words. “Is he fine?”

“He passed away two years ago. I bought him enough time to spend with my mother.”

But don’t you regret it?--was a question that was unspeakable between them. The silence was quite awkward for Cain’s sacrifice his entire life for someone else’s short years. His grandfather passed away and now he was chained to his father permanently, leaving Selene alone. 

Maybe without him realizing, Rigel spoke his question clearly. Cain’s eyes widened. He thought for a while, and finally said no. 

“My grandfather is a father figure to me. He was the one who taught me everything a father should.” 

Rigel could see Cain recalled all the memories fondly. Just like a dutiful son remembering his deceased father. What an irony since Cain actually still had his real father around.

 Cain then lifted his upper body, back to his sitting position. 

“One day, I’ll be reunited with my mother. I am sure of that. So I don’t regret anything.”

Rigel nodded. It would be the perfect ending then. Cain reigns as a king and no one shall deny his wish to bring back his mother to the palace. When the time comes, Andromeda Aldebaran should go back to her origin as second class noble; Andromeda Lacerta.

Rigel had just found out about this Lacerta family when Lumi shared some internal information while they were together waiting for Cain to finish his sword training. She said that Lacerta was like Draco, Cygnus, and other second class nobles. They were the underlings of founding generals during the war between the tribes, before Alrauna Kingdom was established hundred years ago. But Lacerta was notable because they used to be on the side opposing Alrauna. Near the end of the war they came to the Aldebaran clan and exchanged their internal information for security in the new kingdom that would be erected. This piece of information was not published in the common history book to keep the honor of the Lacerta. 

However, according to Lumi who had long become part of the palace inner circle, you can not expect loyalty from people who already betrayed other people for you. History would just repeat itself. 

Maybe it was just her reasoning her hatred toward Estelle, but for Rigel, that statement has some truth. For he also experienced the brutality of a noble family which should have more honor and manner compared to commoners. That family had betrayed their vow to the kingdom to be a good example for other people and stand as a pillar supporting the king in ruling the nation fairly.

“I am supporting Cain to reign.” Rigel remembered what Lumi once said to him, when they discussed Estelle and the kingdom's internal conflict. “As much as I appreciate the struggle of the founding generals, I also realized this nation needed a ruler who could see the view from the other side. Someone who is not only noble by lineage but also has humanity in their heart. To empathize with us, and not forgetting before we all are separated by this caste, we all are the same. We are human beings.”

“You think that…” Rigel took a glance at Cain at the sparring arena. In his eyes, Cain was a brat. Nothing more, nothing less. “The prince fit that role?”

“He’d been through a lot. Even more than me.” Lumi sighed. “He had a cold mask constantly plastered on his face. But according to me, no one else deserved to be a king except him.”