Chapter 47: Isabella (2)

Chapter 47: Isabella (2)Sensing her piercing gaze, Nolan felt a chill run down his spine. Still, he quickly composed himself, walked over to his mother, and sat beside her. "Ahem!" he cleared his throat and cooed, "My beloved mother," while gently taking her right hand and massaging it. "No one in this world understands me better than you. I’m lazy, useless, and completely unfit to be a prince." "Joining the fight for the throne is pointless for someone like me. I’m simply not suited for that kind of competition." "Fortunately, Elina is an ambitious young woman. You should know how badly she wants to become emperor. So, I decided to step aside and hand the position over to her." He glanced at Elina and gave her a faint wink. "Isn’t that right, Elina?" Catching the signal, Elina slowly rose from her mother’s embrace and nodded firmly. Clenching her hands tightly, she said, "Yes, Mother. What Brother Nolan said is true. This is also my own wish. So please, don’t be angry at him. If you must be angry, then be angry at me instead." Watching the two siblings protect each other, Isabella’s anger began to fade. She took a deep breath, let a gentle smile return to her face, and lovingly stroked both of their heads. "Okay, I understand. You’re both eighteen now, which means you’re adults and have the right to choose your own paths in life. I won’t interfere. But if you ever run into trouble, please let me know, alright?" Hearing her words and feeling her gentle touch, Nolan suddenly fell into a daze. A wave of nostalgia washed over him. This kind of love—warm and tender—was something he had always longed for. And it never grew old. In his previous life, his mother had been a strict and formidable woman. She often disciplined him harshly, determined to mold him into a worthy heir. That was why Nolan had worked so hard back then—to earn her approval. But since reincarnating into this world, he’d found himself bewildered by Isabella’s gentle care. Over time, however, he grew used to it—and eventually became greedy for that affection. It was that very love that made the thought of Isabella or Elina getting hurt unbearable to him. They were his everything now—and he would protect them no matter the cost, even if it meant sacrificing others. "Why are you spacing out, Nolan? Is something bothering you?" Isabella’s concerned voice pulled him back to reality. "I’m fine, Mother," Nolan replied with a soft smile. Then, shifting the topic, he said, "By the way, Elina mentioned that you were looking for us earlier. Is there something you needed?" Isabella slowly shook her head. "No, I didn’t need anything. I just wanted to see you both and ask how you’re doing. Oh, and one more thing—I wanted to let you know that I’ll be leaving the empire." "Leaving?" Nolan and Elina were stunned. "Yes," Isabella gave a small nod before explaining, "I’m going back to my hometown to take care of some important matters." "Your hometown?" Nolan frowned and fell silent, lost in thought. As mentioned before, his mother wasn’t originally from the Great Velmora Empire. She came from the Eastern Empire of Izanagi, located on the far eastern side of the continent. The Eastern Empire of Izanagi was known as an ancient kingdom that had stood for over four thousand years—far older than the Great Velmora Empire. In the past, Izanagi had been incredibly powerful. It was said to have once ruled nearly half the continent. However, its glory gradually faded due to internal strife. And the rise of the Great Velmora Empire a thousand years ago had further diminished Izanagi’s influence on the continental stage. Since Isabella came from there, her real name wasn’t actually Isabella. That name had been given to her by the old man. Her true name was Yuki Kiryuu. As far as Nolan remembered, his mother had no parents or relatives. She had lived alone since childhood—until she married the old man nineteen years ago. So, what exactly was she going back for? Perhaps sensing the same question, Elina furrowed her brow and asked, "May I ask what business you have there, Mother?" Isabella simply smiled and pressed an index finger to her lips. "Secret~" Nolan and Elina: "..." Seeing the annoyed looks on their faces, Isabella chuckled softly and gently rubbed their cheeks. "I was just joking. It’s nothing too serious—just some matters I need to take care of," she said, offering no further explanation. Elina and Nolan exchanged a glance, as if silently reading each other’s thoughts. "Alright then," Nolan said with a smile, choosing not to press her further. If their mother didn’t want to explain, that was fine. Everyone had their own secrets—including him. ... Three days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, the buzz surrounding the royal succession only grew louder, rather than dying down. The succession to the throne was more than just a political event—it was a grand festival that marked the changing of power. And due to the empire’s unique tradition, where the crown prince isn’t appointed but must compete against other candidates, the prestige and excitement surrounding the event were even greater. Speculation was everywhere, with people passionately debating who the next emperor would be. "I’m betting on Prince Aldric! His mother comes from the Duke of Malvain’s family. That alone puts him a step ahead of the others." "That makes sense, but I’m backing Prince Cedric. His mother is the Prime Minister’s younger sister. True, the Prime Minister’s family doesn’t have as much power as the Duke’s, but don’t underestimate someone who’s held office for decades. His connections are unmatched!" "You both have a point, but my heart leans toward Prince Adalen. Don’t forget—his grandfather is the Singularity of Light, the one who stands at the pinnacle of this world. If he gives the order, I’m sure countless nobles will kneel and rally behind him!" Such discussions echoed not only through the capital but across every city in the Great Velmora Empire. People continued to debate and share opinions about who would win the throne. Some voiced support for other princes like Zarak and Cassian, but their popularity was far overshadowed by the three leading candidates. However, if there was anyone who could stand on equal footing with them, it was Elina. Ever since the Black Dragon attack, it was no secret that the most powerful being in the world—the Singularity of Chaos—had shown her his protection. Although he hadn’t declared his support openly, only a fool would fail to understand the message behind his actions. Because of this, Elina was widely regarded as the strongest contender after Aldric, Cedric, and Adalen. In fact, she had gained a growing base of supporters—especially among women. After all, she is the only daughter in this battle for the throne—and to many women, she represents the belief that they, too, deserve a place in the fight for the crown.