"I am finding it hard to believe that the man from your stories and the father that I have seen are the same person," I said, my voice flat. In my mind, the two versions of the King were incompatible.

"Indeed, it is hard to believe," Elizabeth replied, her voice soft but unwavering. "But trust me, son. He is the same person. On the inside, where it matters, he hasn't changed."

She spoke with the conviction of a devoted wife, like a shield held up to protect her husband from the judgment of his own son.

'You say that, but it sounds more like a nonsense, a girl who is blind in love would say' I thought.

"Sigh... you don't believe me, do you?" she asked, catching the flicker of skepticism in my eyes.

"No. It’s hard to believe," I responded honestly. "I know time can change a person, but this much? It feels like the man in your stories died and was replaced by a statue."

She took a slow, methodical sip of her tea, the playful glint in her eyes replaced by something much older and heavier. "Indeed, Time can not change people this much. But ....ty, Heavy pressure and Responsibilities can. Even if the time spent in those pressure and responsibilities is super short, it can change a person by a large Margin"

I was silent for a bit and then said "Yes, I understand that but--"

But I was interrupted by her "You Do Not, Tyler Von Regulus" This time she used mu full name and looked me in the eyes "You don't." She lean in and continued in a serious tone, unlike her previous playful tone "I don't know what you think it means to become a king but it's not that simple."

I stayed silent and listened to her.

"A true king is not someone who just sits at the top enjoying riches. A man like that is not a king; he is an imbecile tyrant. And a ruler like that does not last long, son."

"They are consumed by the very people they neglect. The responsibilities, the burdens, and the troubles that your father carries even now... they are not small. They are enough to crush a lesser man into dust. You..." she closed her eyes "...are too young to understand that"

"...Even if that is true, that is not an excuse for him to treat ....you like that" I rebuked.

She didn't flinch. She just stared me down, her gaze piercing through my defense. "...And how exactly has he treated me? Or treated us? What has he done wrong, Tyler? Does he treat the other two queens or your siblings any differently? Ask yourself that!"

I opened my mouth to argue, But I could not and so I closed it. I looked into the depths of my teacup. It was true. From everything I knew, Father was a man of cold impartiality.

He didn't favor the first queen's children over me, nor did he humiliate my mother. He simply... was. He was a silent, looming presence that provided safety and luxury, but never warmth.

Honestly, I know. I know what I am doing right now, is nothing more than a child venting and complaining to his mother about his father, who is not giving his family any attention and is busy with work.

This was not what we were supposed to talk about But my inability to control the negative feelings, I have for my father just ....busted out when he became the topic of this conversation.

"Son, you might be able find a hundred 'Right Things' he has not done for us, But You can not one 'Wrong Thing' he has done to us" She said with confidence. 

Yes, deep down I knew it all along. Unless, father is ready to be called a narrow-minded tyrant who neglects the nobles of this nation for his selfish wish and is ready to accept the backlash that would come with it, this situation, that we are in, is probably the best situation.

The marriage with the two queens was political move, from what i know. the two of them came from Duke and Grand Duke Family.

Up until now the queens have left the Arbutus palace alone, But If father starts favor to mother then, they will instantly mark this palace as their enemy.

Their families will not stay still either, they will definitely make some move in fear of losing the control (even if little) over throne.

And that will create backlash on both father and us, So this is perhaps, the most ideal situation. 

'It is because of my selfishness and greed that i want my mother to receive more'

"The reason, why you are suddenly so interested in your father..." and She finally asked ".....is because you are going ask him for something, and you want some reassurance, right ?"

"...Yes" I answered truthfully.

"I will not ask what it is. That is your choice, and I am sure you have something planned," she said, her voice filled with a surprising amount of steel. 

"You might be a six-year-old kid, but you're my kid. I trust you. But here is my advice: you have two days left until you meet him. Use this time to refine your words. Just make sure you don't say something..."

She put down her empty cup with a definitive clink. "...that would make a father disappointed in his son. That will be enough."

"Yes, Understood. But Mother..." I hesitated. There was one final question, a lingering bit of data I couldn't reconcile.

"hmm ?" she responded in a puzzled voice.

"Do you not hate him ?" I finally asked. My heart racing, I feel like i have asked something i should not have but it was too late, The arrow has been launched.

"hmm..." she pondered "see, Ty. since one day you will also grow up and fall for a wonderful lady, I will tell you this now."

 "Love is not just a fleeting emotion, that you feel for some months or years and then it just fades away. It is not that light. It is a promise and a commitment. A commitment, you Have to follow through."

 "I made that Commitment to your father long ago and as a clause of that commitment, i have to understand him and Support him, Until the day he truly abandons me." she said with determination

"That is my Sacred Duty as his wife."

And then points at me and continues with a playful yet, gentle smile "off course, then there is you. I am too busy loving and doting on my cute son that i don't even have the time to hate him"

I stayed silent and start stuffing my mouth with my cake. 'sweet talks like these are supposed annoy me and yet, why.... why does it feel so... warm ?' 

And then i close my eyes and suddenly i remember something from the past....