Chapter 67: Hidden Truths

Chapter 67: Hidden Truths As the crowd buzzed and orders flowed, Queen Althea turned to Evelyn, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Evelyn," she said smoothly, "why won’t you join me and Liora for a while? Maybe tell us a few tales about Ashen. You seem quite fond of him." Evelyn chuckled. "Why not? Besides, I can’t leave without tasting what everyone’s raving about. And let’s not forget... I’ve secured a generous 90% discount from my favorite disciple. Would be a shame to waste it." She shot me a look. I folded my arms. "Fine. Ninety percent for one dish. That’s it." She narrowed her eyes. "Are you seriously going to nickel and dime your master?" "Headmistress, you know thirty percent of my profit goes straight to Academy development... which you oversee. Aren’t you already in profit?" Evelyn blinked, then laughed. "Touché. Bring it on then." I nodded. "One ramen for the Headmistress. As for the Queen and Princess, what will you have?" Althea waved a graceful hand. "Bring every dish you have. I want to try it all." "All of it?" She nodded. Liora looked amused. "Understood. Staff! VIP order! Full spread, now!" Julie snapped into gear. Sasha and Eren bolted to prep. Even Seraphina looked shocked by the scope. As they worked, I glanced back. The three women were chatting softly at a private table, stealing glances at me now and then. I couldn’t tell what they were plotting. But it made me uneasy. Once the dishes were ready, I personally served them: ramen, burgers, fries, dumplings, grilled beast skewers, and more. The air around their table was already filled with delicious steam and layered aromas. Queen Althea leaned in, took a breath, and smiled. "It smells divine. What is this blend?" I gave her a flat look. "Trade secret." She chuckled. "Fair enough. Come, sit with us." "As I said earlier, I can’t afford to leave the stall." Evelyn cut in smoothly, grabbing my wrist. "Oh, hush. I’m your master, and I’m giving you an order. Sit." She pulled me into the seat beside her. "You really did inherit my attitude," she added with a smirk. Everyone laughed. Even Liora. But then Althea looked at me with a gentler gaze. Her voice softened. "Ashen... what are you hiding?" My heart skipped. I blinked. "What... do you mean?" She continued, her tone light but piercing. "You used to tell your mother everything. When you freed that bird at the market that was caged for sale. When you got scolded for eating a street popsicle. Even when Liora beat you up for touching her spellbooks." "Mother!" Liora hissed, cheeks pink. "He got the message, okay?!" Althea smiled warmly. Then turned serious again. "You were always kind. Always helping others. You were the best son, the most loyal brother, the truest friend... But now? Why are you pretending to be someone you’re not?" I stiffened. "Pretending?" "Yes," she said gently. "You act cold. Indifferent. But I know better. And not just me. Layla told me what you did for Sasha. How you stood up for her. How you fought beside her. How you protected Eren when no one else did. How you freed that little girl over there." She pointed to Yumi, who was now distributing charms with Masha. "You’re still the same boy. But you wear a mask now. Why?" I opened my mouth. But nothing came out. What could I say? How do you explain that kindness leads to loss? That vulnerability invites betrayal? That the more you care, the more you bleed? I couldn’t. "It’s just..." I said, voice barely audible. Althea reached out and took my hand gently. "Whatever it is," she said, "just don’t lose yourself. And... as a friend, not as a queen, I beg of you... talk to her." I looked up. "Your mother," she added. "She’s breaking. The woman who once smiled and laughed all the time? She barely speaks now." The words struck deeper than I wanted to admit. "She’s still waiting, Ashen. Waiting for her son to come back." The silence that followed Althea’s emotional words was broken—shattered, actually—by a thunderous cheer. A voice, strong and ceremonial, echoed through the Academy grounds. "All hail the Flame Queen!" All heads turned. Eyes widened. Conversations halted mid-sentence. Queen Lilith Dravon of the Pyronis Kingdom had arrived. A surge of awe swept through the crowd. She walked with elegance carved from flame and steel, dressed in a flowing crimson gown embroidered with draconic runes. Her hair shimmered like molten fire, cascading in perfect waves. Her golden eyes, glowing faintly, held the strength of a thousand storms and the sorrow of ancient history. She wasn’t just beautiful. She was legendary. Among all races—humans, elves, vampires, dragons, beastkin—she was considered the most breathtaking figure alive. And now, every eye was on her. She moved gracefully toward the main Academy hall, a small guard of retainers behind her, clearing the way like parting winds before royalty. Beside me, Evelyn whispered with a teasing grin, "Isn’t she the prettiest, most gorgeous woman you’ve ever seen? My dear disciple, can you make her fall in love with you? Then our bond will grow even stronger... and you’ll gain a powerful, kind queen for a wife." Queen Althea scowled. "Evelyn, don’t talk nonsense. He is reserved for my Lio—" "Mother!" Liora hissed, face now completely flushed. Evelyn smirked. "What? I’m not wrong. You don’t know the charm this boy carries. He’s managed to attract more girls than a royal ball, and he hasn’t even tried." They were bickering now. Trading jabs. Voices rising. But I heard none of it. My gaze was locked. On her. Lilith. I rose from my seat. Liora called from behind, alarmed. "What are you trying to do?!" Evelyn chuckled. "Looks like our charming boy is now the one being charmed." I walked. Each step closer drew whispers. "Who is that?" "That’s the Crimson Shadow." "Is he... really approaching the Queen of Pyronis?" "Such boldness. Such arrogance." "What a lustful man." "He must be enchanted by her." But I kept moving. Closer. Past the guards. Past the mutters. Until I stood a mere step away from her. Lilith Dravon turned her gaze. Our eyes met. She had experienced this countless times. Nobles. Emperors. Princes. They’d all tried to win her heart. All failed. She had rejected every single one. But she’d never seen someone approach like this. With no hesitation. No poetic flattery. No dramatic bow. Just... presence. She offered a smile, polite and composed. "Hello there." I didn’t return her greeting. Instead, I pointed toward the stall, where Yumi was chasing a butterfly in her tiny apron. "My Queen," I said, "please tell me who designed the dress you’re wearing. I must acquire one for that adorable little girl." Lilith blinked. For a moment, she was visibly stunned. Everyone around gasped. I continued. "I don’t care the cost. I will pay whatever you ask. I just want a replica—or even better. Something truly royal. Because she’s going to outshine every noble child here. That little girl is already otherworldly. But if she wears something like that... she’ll break the world’s standards for cuteness." Lilith’s golden eyes widened. Then... She laughed. A real laugh. Warm and unguarded. Like a breeze of spring fire. "You..." she said, shaking her head. "You’re not what I expected." I shrugged, then chuckled. "Good. Expectations are meant to be broken." The murmurs grew louder. But I didn’t care. Because in that moment, I saw something behind her smile. Surprise. Interest. Perhaps even the beginning of trust.