4. Margaret Augustine

Julius was wearing a simple white attire: a long-sleeved white shirt buttoned to the top, with chains hanging from the pocket, connecting from one side to the other. It was a typical outfit for a prince, but today, it felt more like a costume cause he was used to the modern clothing he used to wear.

As he stood in front of a specific room, Julius prepared what he was going to say. This was a crucial moment, and he needed to get it right. He swallowed, steadying himself before he knocked on the door.

"Come in." A worried voice came from the other side of the door and Julius entered to see a woman looking at him with worry in her eyes.

She was currently sitting at a dressing table, with long black hair and dark purple eyes. The light from the crystals around the room made her skin seem extra smooth as the light reflected a bit.

"Mother..." Julius walked over to her bed with a sad face.

Margaret couldn't say anything as she looked at her son and she bit her lips, before she finally started to talk.

"I know you had an accident recently, but I'm glad you survived. I'm just getting back from the border and hadn't had time to come and see you. Are you doing okay?" She asked, standing up and walking to the bed to sit beside him.

"What's the matter?" She asked with a worried tone, seeing her son's expression.

Julius looked up to her pitifully and looked down again.

"You know I don't have essence, but... it's still possible to awaken. It's just that... it will cost a lot of money..." His tone was hesitant.

Margaret's expression turned confused, just as he had predicted.

"That's not possi–" Her words were cut short as she instantly remembered something.

"Except the... Stone of Rebirth?" She looked at him, and he gave her a small, sad nod.

Seeing the concern in her eyes, Julius hid his satisfaction.

'She'll definitely agree because she loves this son of hers... It's wrong but, I have to do what I have to do.'

"Your suggestion is nice, but this treasure you speak of is not easily attainable. They are as rare as you," Margaret said softly.

Julius sighed again, carefully crafting his response.

'There are only three in the entire world, but I know where one is...' He raised his head, letting his sadness show.

"Um... M–mother, there's an upcoming auction held by the Veloren family. And I heard that they have one of these stones in their possession." He watched her reaction carefully, inwardly hoping she wouldn't question how he knew this information.

Margaret frowned, her face a mix of confusion and surprise.

"How would you know that?" she asked with a surprised tone as she frowned deeply.

"Sir Ray told me that the Veloren family in the human kingdom hosts an auction where there are extremely rare artifacts. This could be my only chance, mum." Julius added just the right amount of desperation to his voice, then dropped to his knees as he pleaded.

Margaret quickly helped him stand up, her concern overriding any doubts.

"Fine, I'll attend it. But don't get your hopes up; it might not be available." Her agreement came and Julius smiled warmly, making him relieved.

"Thanks mum." Julius went in for a hug and Margaret was surprised by his gesture.

She couldn't help but let a warm smile come on her face and she hugged her son back.

As he left the room to let her prepare for the auction, Julius' smile faded. The effort it took to maintain that facade was exhausting, but necessary.

'She cares about me a lot...' he thought, though the words felt hollow.

He silently made his way back to the room.

Once alone, he stretched, the tension leaving his body.

"That was... tasking," he muttered under his breath. His thoughts drifted to another woman, with brown hair and blue eyes, who had always cared for him—his real mother back on earth.

'Mum... I'm sorry for leaving you. But your life should be better now that you don't have a disabled son who can't even stand straight to cook...' he thought to himself, sighing tiredly.

Back on Earth, his life had been nothing special—Books had been his only escape, aside from the one time he learned how to play the piano.

But now, he was Prince Julius Veloria Augustine, a prince in this new world. He wouldn't let this life go to waste like his last one. He had a new goal, and no one—not even this new mother—would stand in his way.

...

Margaret walked through the castle, her mind clouded with worry. When she finally entered her room, she immediately pulled out a drawer from her cabinet. A mirror appeared in her hand, and she closed her eyes, focusing on who she wanted to speak to.

The image of a man with a bald scalp appeared in the mirror, and he smiled as he saw the queen.

"Ah, Queen Margaret, it's nice to see you again. What's the special occasion?" the man asked with a chuckle, and Margaret couldn't help but smile at her old friend.

"It's nice to see you, Ceaser. I want to ask about the upcoming auction, about a specific item." She tried to keep her tone casual, but there was an underlying urgency that Ceaser picked up on.

"The Stone of Rebirth. Will it be available?" she asked, and the man's eyes widened in shock.

"H–how did you know? It will be available," he admitted, still taken aback.

Margaret was surprised too. The Stone of Rebirth was so rare that it had been over seventy years since one had last appeared.

"I want it for my son," she said firmly, and Ceaser hesitated, his expression conflicted.

"Hmm... How much do you offer?" he asked, frowning.

"1000 platinum..." she replied, her voice steady, though inside, she was already calculating the cost.

Ceaser smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I was even thinking of maybe 3000..."

Margaret gritted her teeth but knew she couldn't back down. "Fine," she agreed, knowing she had no choice.

"Great, so here's the catch. I need to actively sell this at the auction, as even emperors are coming, so you'll just bid—even if you don't have the money."

Margaret understood what Ceaser was implying. The Stone of Rebirth was a legendary artifact, one that could boost or even double one's magical prowess. There was no doubt that many powerful people would try to acquire it, even those richer than the queen herself.

"This way, you get the stone, I get a lot of new customers and influence, and I also get to pay off my debt to you," Ceaser said, smiling a little more genuinely this time.

"How much did you plan to sell it for before?" Margaret asked, her brows furrowing.

"Perhaps 50,000 platinum at the max..."