2312 – The Beloved's Truth
Step, step
Serine began to slowly open her eyes, and her small mouth followed suit.
At that moment, a young man emerged from the Golden Gate… a familiar young man.
He wore a white shirt and trousers embroidered with stunning green patterns, and over them, a flowing green cloak that caught the eye… As for the young man himself, he was handsome, in his twenties, with soft white hair, but it wasn't falling over his forehead as usual—instead, it was neatly styled to the side.
“…Richard?!”
“…?” Richard turned toward the source of the sound in surprise. He knew he was coming to the Bright Galaxy, but he hadn't expected to hear this voice the moment he stepped out. “…Serine?”
“What’s going on here?” Kaylis furrowed her brow tightly, then turned to her daughter, raising her voice, “Who is this?”
Kaylis's heart pounded with fear when she saw her daughter's expression. She stood there with an overly wide smile and dreamy eyes that seemed ready to flutter with butterflies… a strange expression she had never seen on her before.
Serine remembered where she was, casting a hostile glance at her mother. Then, in an instant, she was standing between Richard and Kaylis, facing her mother with furrowed brows, though her words were directed at Richard. "What brought you here? Are you trying to rescue me? ...You fool, you're putting yourself in great danger!!"
"Serine!!" Kaylis stepped forward. "What's going on? Who is this? ...Is this the person you're refusing the engagement for?"
"...He's my friend, and he's leaving now. There's no need for any trouble because of him." Serine reached her hand back and began gently pushing Richard toward the Gate. "Alright, go now. We'll keep in touch later, okay?"
"Umm..." Richard felt extremely awkward about the situation.
He hadn't come to rescue anyone, nor had he put himself in any danger, but she seemed attached to that idea and liked it... How could he break her heart by telling the truth?!
"Wait right there!" Kaylis took another step until she was directly in front of Serine. "Someone like him cannot leave. He's a variable, and he could bring disaster upon all of us. He must remain as our guest until the crisis is over."
"Our guest? You'll kill him!!" Serine, who had already returned her weapon to her spatial Ring, began channeling her spiritual sense through it again while simultaneously pushing Richard backward.
"Be sensible!" Kaylis raised her voice. "Do you know what would happen if the Shadow Swords found out about him? If they knew he was here and then left?!"
"....?"
"I don't care!" Serine shouted. "What will they do? Tell that spoiled brat who relies on his father's wealth that I know another young man? And what's the problem with that? I don't know him personally!"
Then Serine waved her hand. "I completely reject him. I don't want to see him or hear anything about him, and I'm sure he's an excessively overweight man surrounded by hundreds of girls anyway. Why is he chasing me too? I am not a gift for anyone!!"
"Umm..." Richard patted Serine's shoulder. "Let's not be unfair to people, okay? Perhaps he's a nice young man."
"....?!" Serine looked behind her in extreme surprise. "What are you saying, Richard...? Did the Shadow Swords threaten you with something?!"
"..?" Kaylis was also surprised, but this development was good—perhaps she could strike a deal with him.
Then she showed a disappointed smile... It seemed that today her daughter's heart would be broken, just as countless women's hearts had been broken before. Today she would learn how manipulative men are, and that they are untrustworthy. Today she would know that—
Hoom
The Gate lit up strongly again, then bam, Richard, standing in front of it, was pushed forward forcefully toward Serine."Ah!" she screamed as she suddenly found herself in Richard's embrace.
"Hmm, why are you still standing like an idiot in front of the Gate?" At that moment, a voice came from behind Richard, and then a blond young man with a short beard appeared.
"Hmm?" As soon as Robin passed by his son from the side and saw Serine in his arms, he began to laugh. "Haha, it seems my slight delay has brought some benefit."
Glacion also came out, and when he saw the situation, he patted Richard on the shoulder, nodding with seriousness and pride.
"Ahh!!" Serine took a step back and pushed herself away shyly.
"What is going on here? Who are you? Has my throne hall become a courtyard for anyone who wishes?!" Kaylis's Aura began to spark like embers, and then she furrowed her brows tightly. "...Are you Glacion, from the Vast Ice Empire?"
"From the Vast Ice Wing, My Lady, it is an honor to meet you." Glacion bowed slightly, then gestured beside him. "And this is Lord Robin Burton."
"…………..?!" Kaylis's eyes opened wide.
That was the first time she had seen Robin face to face.
Then she began to look him over from head to toe... Robin appeared as an ordinary human youth that could be found on the roadside.
Correct. He was somewhat handsome, surrounded by an aura that made one want to respect him... But a friendly planetary emperor and owner of cosmic academies? No, he didn't carry such prestige.
"Robin Burton?!" Serine took a step forward, placing Richard behind her. "...What do you want from us?"
"Hmm." Richard gently patted Serine's shoulder. "No need to worry, my father didn't come with ill intent."
"Father—your father?!" Serine spun around as if bitten by a snake. "Y-You are...?"
"...?" As for Kaylis, she began quickly gathering the threads, then turned back to look at Robin with hidden hostility. "It's clear that plans have been brewing in the shadows for a long time, plans that are still unfolding before us even now."
"There's nothing you have that I would scheme to obtain." Robin chuckled, then began pacing the hall. "Even your galaxy, you were asked to hand it over to your daughter in the end. You should thank the heavens and pray day and night because my son took a liking to this sweet one. I think it's the effect of the positive karma accumulated from healing people!"
"...........?!"
Then he noticed a spot on the side of the hall designated as a guest council area, smiled, and headed toward it. "Come, we have things to discuss."
He then turned to his son and gestured for him to leave. "And you, take your girl and go shopping, buy her something cold—the weather is hot today."