Wish.

"Why do they spend so much just for decoration?"

I mumbled to myself as I walked through the corridor of the castle, looking around.

Last time I was in a hurry to avoid my mother, so I didn't have time to notice all of this. But now that I clearly see it, only one thing comes to mind:

luxurious.

The paintings on the walls, the doors, the windows—every single thing was screaming money.

And remembering whose son I am, it's obvious why this much money was spent just on the castle.

My mother is perfectionest who likes to keep everything perfect, including her properties.

And... My mother is rich as fuck as well.

As I walked out, a maid instantly ran up to me and bowed gracefully.

"Does Young Master require any assistance?"

Though she did it gracefully, her trembling body gave away her fear toward me.

"Leave me alone," I said coldly as I walked past her, moving toward my mother's office.

[...Are you seriously going to die?]

'Why are you scared?' I thought as I replied to the voice in my head that asked me in a doubtful voice.

[If you want to get stronger, I can help you. Don't throw away your life.]the voice insisted.

'Nah, I just want to die,' I replied as I arrived in front of an office-like room that was present at the very center of the castle.

The heavy wooden door of the office stood before me, its intricate carvings adding to the imposing aura of the room beyond.

With a deep breath, I reached out and knocked, the sound echoing through the corridor.

"Enter," came my mother's emotionless voice from inside.

Pushing open the door, I stepped into the room, my eyes adjusting to the dimmer light within.

My mother sat behind a large mahogany desk, her gaze fixed on a stack of documents before her.

And just beside her was a woman.

The mere gaze of that woman made me tremble.

I couldn't even meet her eyes... My body trembled on its own at the very sight of her.

With her blackish-brown hair reaching her waist, she stood at the side of my mother, her odsain eyes fixed on me.

Adaliah Ravenna.

My mother's secretary and my bane.

"Azariah," my mother said, her tone neutral as she looked up at me. "What brings you here?"

Taking a deep breath, I bowed as I replied, "I wanted to talk with you, Mother."

My mother's gaze narrowed slightly, as if she could sense something was amiss.

But she said nothing, instead motioning for me to take a seat opposite her.

I walked towards the seat she offered and sat down.

"What happened to your hand?" Her gaze landed on my injured left hand as she asked.

"I cut myself," I replied, hiding it and looking around the table until my gaze landed on the chessboard laying there.

Quickly getting up from the chair, I picked up the chessboard and placed it between us.

"Can we have a match, Mother?"

"Azariah." My body trembled slightly at the cold voice of Adaliah. "My lady doesn't have time for all this."

Ignoring Adaliah's disapproving gaze, I held my mother's gaze.

Her words were more important than Adaliah's.

"Very well." She said as she looked at me,"A quick match then."

I nodded my head as I took my seat again, carefully arranging the chess pieces on the board.

The first to make a move was me as I advanced my pawn two squares.

As she made her move, I tried to speak up, "Mother, I wanted to-"

Before I could finish, my mother swiftly made her move, capturing my knight with her bishop, and interrupted, "Azariah, I have said this before and I will repeat myself again: you will do as I say."

I frowned at her words, realizing the vulnerability of my knight's position, but continued, "But Mother, I want to-"

My mother's next move was quick and decisive, pinning my knight to the king and leaving me with limited options. She spoke firmly, "Are you thinking of leaving the house?"

At her words, I hesitated, recognizing the threat to my knight on the chessboard, but stubbornly persisted, "N-not b-but I-"

With a swift move, my mother captured my knight, delivering a check to my king. She interrupted once more, her tone final, "Azariah, the moment you leave this house, you will die."

"If you think I would be stupid enough to let your enemies know my position—" I tried to talk with her, but she interrupted me again.

"It seems you are misunderstanding something," she said with her emotionless voice and vacant eyes fixed on me.

"The moment you think of leaving the house and neglecting your duty, I will kill you. We made a deal, remember."

I remained silent as I didn't have any answer for her words.

'Why do I keep forgetting that she doesn't have any emotions... I'm just a tool in her eyes.'

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and then reopened them to look at her.

"I want to use one of my three wishes," I said firmly, meeting her vacant gaze.

Even though she doesn't have emotions, it doesn't mean she doesn't know when to be lenient.

She gave me three wishes after rescuing me from the hysteria organization, agreeing to grant anything she deemed appropriate.

"...You already have used one in the most foolish way, Azariah. Think twice before using another one," she said with her emotionless voice as she looked at me.

"...I will use another wish," I said firmly again, maintaining eye contact with her.

"And what do you want then?" she asked after a few seconds of silence.

"For the next fifteen days," I took a deep breath before continuing, "Leave me alone."

"You wish to be left alone for the next fifteen days," she repeated, her tone neutral.

I nodded in reply, remaining seated while she repeatedly tapped her fingers against the table.

"Below the rank of [Demi-gods], I am the strongest existence, the strongest [Eternal] alive in this world, and this is what you are requesting from me?" After a brief pause, she said as she looked at me.

'Like you would do anything even if I ask for it,' I scoffed internally while nodding firmly.

"Very well, Azariah. Your wish shall be granted," she said simply.

"But then what?" I sighed in relief, but she asked again, "Then where are you going to run?"

"...I will join the academy," I replied, looking at her.

Even though I knew I might die if I went there, it was still better than dying at the hands of this woman.

"You will be at a disadvantage there. After all, you will be a year younger than most of the students," she said as she looked at me.

"I will manage, Mother," I replied without looking at her.

"...Let's see how long you will run." With that, she rose from her seat, her presence commanding respect and authority. "You have fifteen days. Make good use of them."

I inclined my head in acknowledgment as I nodded.

"Adaliah." But before leaving, she called her secretary.

"Yes, my lady," Adaliah said, bowing before her.

"He still hasn't received today's training." Her hand rested on the door handle. Without turning back to face me, she continued, "Don't hold back today. Make sure he doesn't wake up for the next fifteen days."

"Yes, my lady." Adaliah once again bowed her head, then glanced back at me.

"..."

Truly, what a fucked-up life I have.