Chapter 641: The Heart Laid Bare
Always a bittersweet thing.
Knowing how, in his own way, he was caring for them.
But really, when they were preparing to be parents, they had been told about the difficulties of communicating with teenagers.
That there might be chances of them being reclusive, rebellious, or even rude. She said she figured it would happen, considering how many angry teens were out there, and considering the effects of war back then.
But at least there would be communication!
Even if they screamed at each other or ran around in anger or hysteria, at least there would be something, anything!
Who would’ve thought they’d have a totally different concern?!
Blessed with a child like Xavier, who monitored and policed himself, there were times when the young prince would even start policing them, the supposed adults.
And that was back when he was a literal child. So what more now?
Which was really why they were out here, scared to a degree. Because Xavier had always been so impartial.
Therefore, as the Empress and Emperor, they could really only confidently face their child when they knew they had done nothing wrong.
Which was definitely not the case today. By approaching and creating unnecessary problems, they had likely made it more difficult for Xavier and Luca.
Sigh.
A first meeting that was more of an apology than anything else. It seemed that such was their destiny.
The Empress looked rather wistful as she thought about it. But apparently, her expression was so pitiful that even Luca’s panic softened into sympathy.
But just as Luca thought of comforting her, the wistful Empress suddenly straightened slightly, her eyes flashing as she pointed across the room at Renard, who still hung trussed up in Xavier’s bindings.
"My plans changed because of that man. He approached you with intentions that felt malicious. So naturally, I was concerned and wanted to protect you."
Luca blinked, startled. "Me?"
"Yes. You," she said firmly. "But as for earlier, I was more than satisfied with how you answered him. You handled it with dignity. Although, really, such vermin didn’t deserve your grace."
Empress Gisella remembered how she thought Luca would be carrying Renard and felt that the crook was looking more and more like a nuisance to her now.
The little chipmunk turned pink, stammering out a small, "T-thank you."
Encouraged, the Empress pressed on. "But when he suddenly tried to push forms onto you, I could not stay still. That was when I felt I had to move in."
The Empress’s voice grew quieter as she continued, "Upon checking with my people, it seems that man was not officially part of Holt Industries. But he had been earning Star Coins for selling information and alerting others whenever high-end mechas were registered."
It hadn’t been necessary to get rid of him, because he was also a way to check on interested people. After all, a seller would only survive if there were buyers.
Additionally, he had been selling information that would have been made public anyway. But today he’d gone too far.
Luca’s eyes widened. "So that’s why he was being so pushy and kept saying strange things! Sure enough, a criminal!"
The Empress gave a small nod, her expression turning somber. "But I should’ve left it at that, and yet, I didn’t. Instead, I opted to hold a conversation with you. I truly wanted to apologize for fishing for answers earlier. To think I wasted such a chance to talk to you in that way."
"In effect, I lied about a great many things. While I did hope to use the information to help Xavier get closer to you, it still doesn’t excuse my behavior."
"Your Majesty, you wanted Xavier and me to get closer?"
While it sounded like an excuse, the truth was really that. "It’s because prior to hearing about this, we’ve apparently formed a lot of misconceptions. One of them was how Xavier was likely in deep competition to vie for you."
Luca blinked in surprise. And Xavier exhaled, because he figured they would have a misunderstanding, but he hadn’t thought they would be bold enough to run out like this to check for themselves.
The Empress went on, her cheeks faintly colored, "That was why I fainted. I was so shocked to learn that you had already progressed much further than anyone could have anticipated."
Her voice softened again. "Yet I must also thank you. If not for that conversation, I would have been the last to know about such important things."
"That is why, even though I knew it was wrong, I cannot completely regret it. Especially because I know how difficult it is to speak honestly when titles and positions are involved. But like that, we were able to talk freely, and I learned more than I ever thought possible in all these years."
And then, to Luca’s horror, the Empress bowed again as she now asked, "That is why I’m seriously asking if you could continue to stay with our Xavier. It would be an honor for us to have you stay by his side."
"Y-Your Majesty! Please, no! Please don’t bow to me!" Luca rushed forward, hands flapping in panic.
The Empress froze, her lips parting when she felt his sincerity.
"There’s no need to do that," Luca stammered, face flushing. "I... I already promised I’d do it for as long as I’m allowed to stay by Xavier’s side."
The Empress stared, stunned into silence as she digested his words.
Then her gaze sharpened with sudden seriousness. "Did someone threaten you? Did someone say you should leave Xavier?"
Her aura flared like fire catching wind, a monarch’s instinct rising to hunt down invisible enemies.
"Eh? No! That’s not it!" Luca waved his hands frantically. "I just... didn’t think it would be like this. I know I’m lacking in a lot of aspects. And from what I saw when something happened to Kyle about marriage candidates... There seems to be an expectation when it comes to the partner who can be accepted. So I was... a little worried about that."
For a moment, Xavier was speechless.
His little chipmunk, who always worried for others, was talking openly about himself.
Normally, Luca buried his own concerns so deeply that Xavier had to coax them out. But maybe his mother had actually made a good impression if Luca felt comfortable enough to say this here.
He was somehow thankful for that. But at times like this, he really wished for Luca to see himself through the eyes of everyone else. He was going to say something, but before he could, his mother gently intervened.
"I understand your position," the Empress said, her voice warm and steady. "I have once been in that situation. But if there was one thing I have learned in all these years, it is that when there are days we cannot trust our own judgment, we can always trust our partner’s."
She looked right at Luca. "Like you said earlier, Xavier is a remarkable person. So when in doubt, trust in how he chose you."
The operative blinked in awe. The Marshal looked grudgingly impressed. And the Emperor, who had only just recovered, looked positively radiant, his face brighter than the controlled sunlight outside.
Surely, this would dispel even a trace of doubt.
But then the great chipmunk’s golden eyes filled with tears.
"!!!"
The tears fell, sudden and unstoppable, sliding down his cheeks like a broken dam.
"L-Luca?!" Xavier panicked, instantly moving to hold him.
The Emperor nearly toppled over again, while the Empress’s heart lurched into her throat. Everyone rushed toward Luca, completely unprepared for this kind of reaction.
And then, just when the room could not be more shocked, Luca hiccupped through his tears and whispered, voice trembling, "B-but Your Majesty... what do I do if I wasn’t really his choice?"
The silence that followed was devastating.
An innocent, vulnerable young man stood before them, his heartbreak laid bare.
"!!!"
And in all this, Xavier knew he’d royally fucked up somewhere.