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The day ended with a very warm and heart wrenching moment of a mother and son. All misunderstandings have been cleared, and I had a better understanding of the Empress.

Or atleast I thought so.

"Anyhow, your majesty." I cleared my throat as soon as I recalled the rumors surrounding me. "Archduke Shaman informed me about the exaggerated rumors of me dying."

"Ah, indeed." The Empress made a 180° turn, suddenly having a chilly expression evident in her face. It was as if she's ready to pull out the tongues of whoever spread that rumor. "It seems people these days have a hobby of rumoring you, the crown prince."

I chuckled, almost nervously. "The Archduke said he'd pin down the rumors and the source of it. But I wonder, should I make an appearance to easily drown the rumors?"

Aureus thought about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. Deciding out of a whim might result to a worse situation, so I understand her taking the time to decide. "Wise decision. Shall I appoint you officially as the crown prince?"

"Mhm, sure—" But then it hit me. "—wait what?!" I didn't bother clapping my hand into my mouth for my sudden outburst, yet again. I'm sure I heard it right, but I'm confused. Pointing myself, I questioned her with a can't-believe-it look. "Aren't I already one?"

Since I have no idea how historical royalty do their rules in this era, I'm completely confused and bamboozled. I mean, even with the education and lessons I had with Eldest before, not a single book confirmed whether I am already a crown prince or not yet.

But because of my duties and other nobles addressing me as crown prince, I believed that I am already the crown prince. Then it turns out there needs to be a ceremony to officially announce my status?! I guess that makes sense, considering that I still haven't experienced having the ceremony ever since.

But God, please no. I'm not yet even officially the crown prince, but I already have a lot of stressful days and encounters. What more when I officially become one? Have mercy on this 10 year old son (not really) of yours, Empress!

"You don't seem to agree." Fortunately, Aureus knows how to read people. Not totally all the time, but it's good news that she considers my opinion.

I awkwardly smiled, fidgeting with my hands. "Could it be moved until I get a bit older? I don't think I can for now." Even if getting appointed as crown prince today would mean that Klydeur no longer have the right for the throne unless I die or something.

I'm still not ready, so it needs to be rescheduled.

The Empress sighed. "Very well. But you don't have to concern yourself regarding the rumors. I trust the Archduke to handle the matter."

I nodded my head, smiling brightly. "Yes, mama!"

A knock on the door made us stop our conversation. The knight outside would have opened the door while announcing the presence of whoever is entering. So why is there a knock?

I glanced behind, with the Empress seriously staring at the door. As soon as the door opened, there revealed the deity whom I am thankful to see at the moment.

"Eldest!"

But wait, what happened to the knight outside?

"I sent him for an errand. Please pardon me for overstepping my boundaries to do so, your majesty." Eldest respectfully bowed down to the Empress, before straightening her posture. I suddenly felt awkward when she ignored me on the side.

"Something urgent, I presume?"

The latter nodded. "Yes. Lord Aquabellium has gone back to his homeland."

I squinted my eyes suspiciously. It's been a while since the last time I saw him. I wasn't even able to have a proper conversation with him, but now he's in his homeland? I presume his homeland's name is Aquarius?

"Was there any problem with the nation of Aquarius?" Aureus inquired, making me look at her then to Eldest. Wait, did my guess just got right?

"It's nothing he can't handle." Eldest replied nonchalantly. This proves that the reason he returned might be not so serious of a situation. And even if it is, it's a piece of cake for Lord Aquabellium. But if he returned to his homeland, does it belong inside the empire?

I think I reviewed that in history books with Eldest before. There are 5 kinds of nations and kingdoms that belongs inside the Vermillion empire.

The kingdom of Aquarius are for people who is specifically gifted with water ability manipulation.

While the kingdom of Dantalian belongs to the people who are exceptional with their wind abilities.

The rest is forgotten. With all the stuffs I've encountered, I don't think I can recall them that easily. I'll check and reread it later.

Anyway, I stood there, completely ignored, making me feel like I've shrunk down. The Empress glanced at me, making me avert my eyes down the floor. "Escort the crown prince back to his palace."

Eldest blinked her eyes, briegly glancing at me, before nodding her head. "As you say, your majesty." Whirling her head to look at me again, she gestured a hand towards the door. "Shall we?"

No matter how weird she's acting right now, I held myself back from asking anything. "I'll be taking my leave now, your majesty." Bowing down to Aureus, I led the way out, with the moody deity behind me.

Closing the door, we walked a few steps away to the Empress' office and towards the direction of my palace. The walk there was too quiet. I glanced at Eldest quite a few times. Her facade is simply calm and unbothered.

"How was it?" I almost jumped away in surprise as soon as she spoke. Her expression suddenly changed into an annoyed one. The question didn't make sense to me.

I thought about it for a moment, before I recalled the problem I had earlier ago. "Right. About the book, I didn't mean to, but it's not with me right now."

"So you lost it." She interjected, in a matter of fact tone. Her eyebrows creased and twitched, as if glaring at whatever is infront of her.

Chuckling, I nervously glanced at her for a bit. "Sorry."

There was a defeaning silence between us. Dang it, why is she moody again? This makes me even more guilty.

"How did you lost it?"

The question made me silent. She raised a brow at me the moment she noticed my sudden silence. I contemplated whether I'll tell her the truth or no, so I narrowed my eyes at her.

"It seems I lost my grip on it when I got back here." Even if I explain myself, I'm not sure if she'd pin down the blame on me and say I'm only using excuses to justify my clumsiness.

Eldest halted from her track, making me stop as well. Before I can even ask why, I looked back infront, only to meet my white haired brother and his ever so loyal assistant, a Florida princess. My eyes twitched at the sight of her presence.

"Ah, brother!" I almost got choked the moment I got engulfed in an embrace by Klydeur. What the—

"Where have you been? Rumors started circulating about you dying! Good thing it was false."

I tried so hard to control my facial expressions despite my confusion. What did he eat? I thought he'd be crying in agony to see me back again. Staring at his assistant, I almost lost my calm facade when I saw her smirk. I should be the one smirking! Her plan to send me away failed!

But why do I feel nervous?

"I'm fine, really." I patted Klydeur on the back, not really sure whether this is all an act or he's genuinely worried. As soon as he let go from the hug, I got a better picture of his appearance.

"Are you sure, brother?" Right, his speech did change, just like how I observed before. From hyung to brother. I want to ask him here and now whether he knows another language, which is Korean, but that can sit on for next time.

I nodded, smiling a bit. "Yep. And the rumors will die down soon. I appreciate the concern."

"That's a relief then." His bright smile almost distorted into the menacing expression I've seen on the other dimension from the other Klydeur, making me shiver.

Would he kill me like the other Klydeur did to the other Clydeur? Or would he not attempt to prove my innocence and save me from my execution like how the original Clydeur is fated to?

"I want to chat with you more, but I'm afraid I have to go to my room now." Klydeur stated, before respectfully bowing down his head. "I'll be leaving, brother."

"Go on ahead."

As soon as he walked past beside me, the moment Ashley brushed off beside me as well, we managed to stare at each others for a brief moment.

I didn't let the opportunity pass as I mouthed the words, I know what you did.

This made her widen her eyes at the realization as she noticed my words, but I decided to ignore her whether she halted from her track or continued following behind my brother.

Haaa, why is everyone acting weird today?

Wait a minute, is it possible that the other Eldest sent me to the wrong world? Is this not my world then?!

But the Empress-well, maybe all the other Aureus are the same? But who knows? Glancing back, I saw Eldest following me from behind. She raised a brow at me, again.

Right, she knows about the book. Which means this is indeed my world. I cleared my throat, gathering all the courage I have. "Hey, I'm not sure what's wrong with your mood. If you feel bad about the book, should we go and find it? I don't want to impersonate what you feel, so can't you tell me?"

No matter how hard I try, understanding a deity is far difficult than understanding a fellow human being. I don't want to judge her so easily either.

"Don't bother with the book. I'm just simply having my....crisis." She shortly replied, making me narrow my eyes at her in confusion.

Crisis? Don't tell me this deity did something reckless again? Or is it just an existential crisis like I do every time?

I sighed. "Well, if not the book, how are you?"

"I should be the one asking that." Eldest replied, her golden orbs almost sparked light to blind me. Ack! "You literally dissappeared and reappeared without a trace."

"That's..." If I tell her, I wonder if it will make any difference? The other Eldest seems pretty capable, so I guess the Eldest I know could be the same. "Well...this is a conversation that needs to be discussed in a better place."

She craned her neck on the side, before snapping her fingers. I blinked my eyes, not totally surprised to see myself infront of my own palace all of a sudden.

The maids who were coincidentally walking at the front, stopped moving and looked at me for a while. Then it probably processed in their minds.

"H-his highness is back!"

"The prince is safe!"

"Your highness!"

The maids rushed in to me, shooting questions filled with worry and concern. Most especially Jamie, who even had to check me from head to toe. "Your highness! Are you hurt? Where have you been?"

"Uwaaah! I thought our prince got abducted!" Mia cried, with Ria sighing beside her as she offered the latter a handkerchief.

"I'm all good now. Don't worry! I can't disclose to you the exact details, but I can tell you, the rumors are wrong. " I reassured them with a smile. Since I was too focused with all the problems I face left and right, I forgot that there are still people whose always there for me.

I suppose, from having originally only myself and Jamie, I think I slowly made a difference from the original Clydeur in terms of companionship.

Soon, the other maids warmed up to me as well. Klydeur, I really don't want him to turn bad as it is. He was a nice brother. As for Aureus, I want to know the reason for her actions so badly. There are also the nobles who stood up for me. And ofcourse, Eldest who was always there for me.

I can't ask for more, I appreciate these people who genuinely care about me.

"Oh my, prepare his highness' bath, quick!" Jamie took notice of my quite messy appearance. Understandable. I do need a bath since they all think I've been gone for 3 days.

Eldest followed suit behind us without any comment or protests. That alone made me really worried. She did say I shouldn't bother about the book, but with the way she's acting, it feels as if the book held great importance.

If only I didn't lost it.

But even if I tried to get it back, what will Ashley react if I ask her to send me back to the dimension she sent me into? Besides, what if there are plenty of dimensions and I get into a different one? That will be hard.

In the end, I'm back to square one again. I managed to get my hands on a chance to know more about Clydeur, this world, and my transmigration as him. But just as how I easily got it, I also easily lost it.

Shaking my head, I decided it is best to take a bath first, then talk to the depressed deity about the problem afterwards.

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