[Diana point of view]

[One week after]

My plan to use the connection between the holy palace and the second queen is now coming to its conclusion, with dearest father as the judge

"My dearest wife and son, I hereby sentence both of you to live long imprisonment. Please, do not resist..." [King Estel]

"You can't do that to me! I'm innocent! I'm your wife!" [Second queen]

"Mother, do something! Father, please!" [Second prince]

"..." [King Estel]

Success. I'm 100% sure father is well aware of my ploy, maybe part of him is disappointed with me for using such methods, but I know for a fact that part of him also agree that this has to be done, in order to free the grasp of the old follower from Estel. The second queen and her son, with them being plucked away, and with Saintess Rumia here, the old follower can say goodbye to Estel.

With that, the two of them are finally remove. Still there are a bigger obstacle and that is

"Hmm... It about time for parasite like them to be churn away from our system" [First prince]

"And your dearest little sister will be next, or you could just make her vanish after ascending the throne" [First queen]

"..." (Fool of a mother, Diana is strong in her own way) [First prince]

Looking at the overall picture, it isn't far fetched to say that 35-65 difference are still there between the two of us. I might have the support of various faction, but so does brother. Even when the Merchant guild master, Gizzere is on my side, he still hold the ministry of finance. Even when the adventure guild master, Ram is on my side, he still hold the ministry of defense, though that's fine. There are many parasite within those ministry where both of us are aware of, so I'm sure he will struggle on that regard.

(Plus, education and citizen welfare are my strong points now. If I keep on expending the two, it can rival him in the future) [Diana]

As for diplomatic relations, I guess we are equal on that regard. He might win over quantity, but quality wise, I am confident my allies will come in time of need

"Dearest sister, we are you going?" [Zaidi]

"I have some work to do, and you?" [Diana]

"Studying, will you..." [Zaidi]

"Sure, I'll accompany you for a bit" [Diana]

"Really!" [Zaidi]

And then there's our youngest brother. I just hope elder brother will not be using him for his own personal gain.

Plus, I wanted Zaidi do grow normally, not unlike me. I don't mind if he grow into a fine man and claim the throne, but for that, I should guide him properly, from here now on itself. The same can be said for the orphans as well as other children, and for that, a school for commoner is a must. Alice already have it covered and we will soon put that plan into motion

It will be nice if the school and R&D to be integrated. I can ask Ash for help on that regard, since his ideas as someone from another world would benefit us all tremendously, and speaking of Ash

(Just what are they doing right now... Please be safe) [Diana]

The information broker had told me about what happened back in the holy palace. The info are still like a droplet of water, and as such, it will be better if I just listen to what Ash and the other have to said

(This feeling again... Please... Don't...) [Diana]

"Princess, how about the two of you take a rest. All we can do now is believe in them and wait patiently" [Qis]

"Yes please" [Diana]

"You look tired. It's fine, I can study on my own" [Zaidi]

"It's fine. I'm alright" [Diana]

Just like how playing with Charlotte and the other is a form of therapy from my daily stressful life, spending time with Zaidi is also one of it. As such, I should properly utilize this time well

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but Your Highness, they are here. They are currently with His Highness King Estel and Saintess Rumia" [Bladel]

"Ash and the other!?" [Diana]

"Yes..." [Bladel]

""??"" [Diana, Qis]

What's with her depressed tone. I don't like it, this anxious feeling of mine, it keeps on growing. I can practically hear my heartbeat becoming faster and stronger by each passing second, and my throat suddenly become dry because of it

(Diana, please take care of them...) [?]

No. This is Ash we are talking about, so it couldn't be...

With Bladel taking the lead, we went to the room where Ash and the other are. Zaidi also follow along with us

"Dearest sister..." (She looks... pale) [Zaidi]

I don't know how fast I walk, but I arrive at the room in no time, and

"Welcome back... Where's Ash?" [Diana]

He isn't here, and the mood, it's all depressing.

"That guy! Please tell me that he went to the orphanage... Right?" [Diana]

Saint Louis is full of injury, and Rumia is treating his eyes.

Alaric, Linda and Seraph, they're relatively unscathed, but I can tell from their looks that something really happened back at the holy palace

"Or he is..." [Diana]

"Diana!" [Rumia]

Rumia with her loud voice shout. I almost forgot that for such a petite person, she can produce such a loud sound

"Ash, he is..." [Rumia]

No. I don't want to hear it. Please, don't tell me. Deep down, I know that

"He's dead... Isn't he..." [Diana]

"!" [Other]

"That's correct..." [Alaric]

What should I do... I am the one that sent him there

(Diana, please take care of them...) [Ash]

"So, it was really him at that time... His final message..." [Diana]

"Your highness! Calm down!" [Qis]

He insisted not to go to the holy palace, and yet, and yet

"His siblings, do they know about it?" [Qis]

That's right. Rean, Elise, Kara, Mara, Lara, Nara, Zerolith, Karon, Farhah, Singa, Savel and Charlotte. Even Seo Ah is here.

"We still haven't told them about it" [Linda]

"We ask those who saw us not to tell them that we are back at Estel. They might become anxious if they knew Ash Isn't here when all of us safely arrived..." [Seraph]

What should I do... Breaking the bad news to them, it won't be easy...

"For now, please tell us what happen back at the Holy Palace" [King Estel]

"Yes, we actually..." [Alaric]