17 farewell

"So what plans does my daughter have?" Cordelia pours the boiling water into the cup of dark green leaves, shakes the cup gently, her pinky turning up, and places in front of her daughter.

The aroma of Dragon Well tea leaves fills the room.

Ruthless mutters thanks and sips the tea carefully, first the taste of bitter, then bitter-sweet that satisfies the taste buds on her pink tongue.

"Don't worry, you can leave everything to me. These years, I have not been at your side, now that I am back, leave everything to me."

"So you can be free."

Cordelia's eyes glisten like a pool of water, knowing that once her daughter has made up her mind, she will not change, "I...alright, all this time, your Mother has made some accomplishments too. Just tell me when you're tired..." Of course, the accomplishments refer to how much influence she has in the court and in the country already.

"I have to protect you, Mother, do you know that?"

Cordelia's cheeks wet. Water drips into her collar, turning a deeper shade of blue.

Never, never in that 24 years has anyone said that ever since Mother, Father, and Brother's death. She was married to Aron Quint when she was 16, they were married for 24 years, but his promises, why are they so fragile?

"Cordelia, I will grant you a life only a couple, only both of us."

"Cordelia, I will treat you well."

"Cordelia, I will never betray you."

He kisses my cheeks so gently, like a treasured vase...

"My daughter, Mother will not last long, Brother will protect you."

"Sister...Brother cannot protect you anymore..."

"Mother, the past is in the past, now you have me. Your daughter." Ruthless pulls Mother closer and pats her back softly.

"Ruth..."

The sun shines from the side window, two shadows stay together for the whole afternoon.

International Month passes quickly, it is just competitions of every component twice every week. Ambassadors will then get the chance to explore the country during their free time. Of course, no one has pure intentions to visit the places, they come to test how strong the kingdom is exactly.

Ruthless, Lilando, and Devyn visit scenic spots in Southern Lasombra together but still hang around mostly in brothels, different brothels around the kingdom. Their relationships got closer and closer.

"It is our last night together in this wonderful place..." Liliando raises his cup, imitating Aron Quint.

"Shut up," Ruthless snatches his cup from him.

"You this disrespectful little child!"

"We will all drink until we are drunk. If we are not drunk... we will not leave this place!" Liliando hits the table with his palm and bolts up, his brilliant amber eyes challenging his friends.

"Yes, Your Highness." Ruthless bows and jokes in glee, finishing another cup.

"Don't drink too much, you're still underage." Devyn passes a pot of wine to her for her to refill.

"Bah, I have been drinking since seven, don't worry Dev." Ruthless puts an arm over Devyn's shoulders, half leaning on him, she pours a cup to him.

"Dev! Get your hands off her!" Liliando jumps on them ferociously, all rites and politeness, in the trash bin outside.

They play and drink.

Into the night.

"Ruth..." Lilando turns and breathes into her ears.

Ruthless is on his back as Liliando walks slowly on the empty street.

"Thump" A muffled noise echoes eerily, sound waves bouncing off the dark corners.

Ruthless rolls over on the floor and squats down.

"I am a mushroom." She props her head on her knees with her hands, pouting her lips.

"Ruth Mushroom, let's go home..." my dearest one.

"Where is home?"

"Home is by my side."

"I am a mushroom."

"Let's go home then, mushroom."

"I am a mushroom."

Liliando picks the little mushroom from the floor and carries her in his arms.

"Little mushroom. Do you know that I am not your brother in blood?"

"Huh~? I don't know anything, mushrooms don't know anything~" She said in a sing-song tone.

"Will you marry me when you grow up?"

"Are you a mushroom too?"

"Do you want me to be one?"

"Who am I Ruthless. Look at me."

Little-Mushroom-Ruthless looks up at the teen.

She reaches out a hand and pats his face.

"I know you! You are Liliando!"

"I know you! I know you!" She pats his face excitedly.

"Pia! Pia!" The smacks are loud and clear in the night.

"Yes, my love, you can only marry me, understand?"

"I am a mushroom..." The girl closes her eyes, her hand falls from his face.

"Mushroom..."

"marry me."

Wind blasts, the moon shines, last words lost in the wind, and...the moon.

Ruthless's pov.

"You went out to drink again." Cordelia bites on a small crisp bun, without sparing an eye for her daughter who is obviously experiencing a hangover.

"Mother is the most clever woman that deserves to soar above the clouds and that nothing can be hidden from your sharp eyes..." I praise, carrying a fake smile.

"Stop, your mother does not need to fly, as long as you don't return back so late anymore." Cordelia raises her half-bitten bun in her chopsticks, stopping whatever rubbish I am throwing.

"Yes yes yes, of course, my mother is always correct." I nod furiously.

"We will be leaving after lunch to send the ambassadors away."

After breakfast, I stroll back to finish up the stack of reports and memorials, I groan mentally, calculating how much time I need.

"Princess Ruthless."

"Dark Prince, it is not very polite to enter the harem without permission."

He snorts.

"That old man, he does not dare to give me permission?"

"That coward?"

My gosh, his ego, I whip around to face him.

Malbeno Curio is still as handsome as ever. His sapphire eyes burning darkly, engraved on me.

He steps closer.

He leans down, beside her ears. Her pale skin is sheltered by his body.

"I will not forget you, you cannot forget me too...understand."

"Beng Gong is sure no one will forget you, you are the Dark Prince of Northern Curio, high in authority." I bite my bottom lip.

I am not going to tell anyone my heart is going faster than I can run.

"But why...?" He asks thoughtfully, without finishing and one last deep look, he then turns and leaves.

Ruth...why?