It was late at night when all was quiet.
Someone appeared in the west palace.
Martin did not let anyone accompany him as he walked slowly into the palace alone. He came to Helene’s bedside
and touched her dry chestnut-colored hair. Aurelia also had hair of the same color.
He took a deep breath, feeling the urge to cry rising in his throat. Time really flew by. The siblings who used to pick
seashells by the beach were now both in middle age. Everything had changed, yet everything remained the same.
Helene was sleeping soundly, holding onto the small pillow even in her dreams. Martin tried to move it, but it was
held too tightly, and he could not take it away. He smiled gently, tears shining in his eyes.
“I know you all think I should give the throne to Aurelia, don’t you?”
The light in Martin’s eyes gradually returned. There were now hints of sincerity and nonchalance. He spoke to
himself at Helene’s bedside.
“I really didn’t expect Aurelia to be your daughter and my niece.
“My throne was taken from you, so it’s only fair that I return it to you…
“But Helene, being a country’s ruler is no child’s play. The monarchs of Southeast Aciatic may not have real power,
but they represent the whole country and must be able to deal with complex international scenarios.
“Alexander grew up by my side, and I taught him everything myself. I’m very satisfied with him. But Aurelia… She
grew up in the slums and never received any education. When she first came here, she couldn’t even write her own
name. How can the country have a queen like her?”
Helene moved a little, turning her face to the wall.
It was just like when they were children, and she would turn her back to him when they had a fight. Martin had to
coax her for a long time and even give her a doll before the little princess would forgive him.
Tears streamed down his face. No matter how many dolls he gave her now, she could never go back to how she
used to be.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Helene, it’s all my fault.” Martin sobbed in a low voice. “I promise I’ll make sure Aurelia lives a good life. She’ll have
a lifetime of glory and wealth… but I can’t give her this throne!
“Helene, I’m sorry.
“I’m sorry…”
…
News that Alexander was to inherit the throne quickly spread throughout Southeast Aciatic. He had the highest
support and was the most popular in the previous public opinion polls in the country. Ascending to the throne now
was basically what everyone expected.
This day, Cordelia was reading a storybook to Zuko at home while Zephyr was studying baby food recipes on his
phone. He had promised Zuko that he would personally prepare three meals a day for him, making sure he
remembered the dishes his father made when he grew up. He vowed to win over the boy’s appetite to prevent him
from going wild outside and not even coming home.
Cordelia laughed out loud. “Someone wanted to exile his son to the frontier last time!”
“Who said that?” Zephyr glared. “This is my son!”
He was affectionate with his son on ordinary days, but as soon as they were competing for Cordelia, his son
immediately became a picked-up stray.
After studying the recipe, Zephyr hurriedly entered the kitchen and started practicing. He was inside for a long
time, so Cordelia was worried that he might have turned the kitchen into a warzone again. She handed their son
over to the nanny and checked on him.
Sure enough, there was not even a place to stand in the kitchen…
Mr. Z Hamerton was standing with his hands on his hips, having just finished a battle with this meal. When he saw
Cordelia come in, he had a victorious smile.
Cordelia forced a smile. “Darling, what did you make?”
She leaned over to take a look and found that the appearance was not bad. The mashed potatoes were even made
into the shape of a bear’s head, with ketchup squeezed out for the nose and eyes.
Zephyr proudly asked her to taste it. Cordelia tasted a little of the leftover mashed potatoes on the plate, and her
face changed before she forced out a smile.
“How is it?”
“Well…” She could not find the right words to describe it, so she leaned toward fatherly love. “This meal is filled with
a father’s love, deep like the ocean and tall like a mountain…”
‘As if a tsunami and an earthquake!’
Zephyr was quite proud and was ready to feed his son with it. Cordelia was just about to stop him when their
butler’s voice came from outside.
“Ms. Cordelia, Mr. Zephyr!”
“What’s the matter?”
The butler’s face was serious. “Prince Alexander is here.”
Cordelia and Zephyr exchanged a glance. Alexander was already confirmed to be the next king, and he was not
someone they could easily offend. However, Cordelia felt a little uneasy in her heart for a moment.
Zephyr saw through her thoughts and directly took her hand to lead her to the living room.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m meeting our guest with my wife!” Zephyr said innocently.
“He’s here to see you!” Cordelia pursed her lips and smiled, shaking off his hand and walking ahead by herself.
After entering the living room, Cordelia bowed at Alexander. She was graceful and gentle, saying softly, “I know
Your Highness came here today to speak to Zephyr. I won’t disturb you here. You can take your time to talk.”
“Don’t…” Alexander quickly stopped her. “Mrs. Hamerton, please don’t misunderstand!”
“Don’t worry. I won’t misunderstand!” Cordelia smiled openly. “You guys talk. It’s easier for you to talk without me
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmhere.
“Also, you can rest assured.” Cordelia looked at Zephyr with her playful doe eyes. “I’ll give you a special pardon
today and won’t ask you any trap questions!”
Zephyr was startled and could not help but laugh lightly.
When Cordelia left, Alexander looked at Zephyr somewhat embarrassedly and lowered his eyes. After a long
silence, he murmured, “Mrs. Hamerton’s reasonable and understanding. I’m very happy that you have such a good
wife.”
Zephyr remained calm as he looked at him and kept a distance from him. “Your Highness, you can speak your mind
if you have anything to say.”
“I…” Alexander’s lips moved, but the sentence was difficult to say.
In fact, he came today just to see Zephyr. He would soon become the king of Southeast Aciatic. When he was a
prince, he could like Zephyr in secret, but as a king, the country had to be his priority in everything he did. He could
no longer have any personal feelings and could no longer meet Zephyr casually like that.
Alexander took a deep breath and tried to make his pounding heart return to its normal rate.
He summoned up the courage and smiled lightly. “Zephyr, after we finish meeting today, there may never be a
chance like this to meet alone again.
“I’m here today to fulfill a past wish, in a way.
“There’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you… and that is, I like you.”
Zephyr was stunned. He looked up at him with a sharp edge flashing in his eyes.
“Don’t get me wrong. I just want to say this out loud.” Alexander looked at him. “I just hope there will be no regrets
in my life the day I put on the crown.”
It was because Alexander would no longer belong to himself from that day onward—he would belong to the whole
country.