** Couple of weeks ago back at theValheim Palace**

As the sun lazily retreated into the afternoon horizon, Veyron set out on his periodic rounds across the kingdom, a personal tradition aimed at maintaining his visible authority. Left behind, Emilia ensconced herself within her room, her thoughts spinning around her children. Each of them had grown into remarkable individuals. However, a single image disrupted this proud maternal tableau.

Out of nowhere, she remembered a young boy with raven-black hair and eyes as blue as a cloudless summer sky. She remembered how she had looked away from the kid, watching his figure get smaller and smaller until it was just a tiny dot against the sunset. The memory tugged at her heartstrings, reminding her of the guilt she felt for failing him as a mom. But back then, Reisha and the kingdom had been her top priorities.

Emilia felt a tear slide down her cheek. Her voice trembled with regret, “I’m so sorry...I’m really sorry, Lazarus," she confessed to the empty room. "I have no right to say this, but I loved you so much." She knew that her words would have fallen on deaf ears, after all, her child had long disappeared from this world.

Emilia's eyes welled up with tears as past memories flooded her thoughts. She noticed the gradual shift in Reisha's demeanor after Lazarus's exile - their conversations had dwindled to mere courtesies. As a mother, Emilia yearned to understand the changes in her daughter, even if they were subtle.

She wandered into Reisha's room, her gaze sweeping across the familiar setting. As she sifted through her daughter's belongings - as any curious mother would - her attention was drawn to a canvas, veiled under a white cloth, tucked under the bed.

Intrigued, she thought, "What could be inside?"

Lifting the canvas, Emilia pulled away the cloth, her eyes widening as they fell upon the familiar painting.

"Why does she have this?" she gasped.

The painting was a memory, a creation Lazarus had once shared with her. But after Anastasia outdid him, he had cast it aside. Why would Reisha have it now?

Her heart clenched painfully at the sight of the simplistic family portrait rendered in stick figures.

The soft click of the door snapped her out of her thoughts. Reisha stood in the doorway, her brows knitted in confusion.

"What are you doing here, mother?"

"I... umm..." Emilia stuttered, caught off guard.

Reisha's gaze drifted towards the painting, and she sighed, "Please leave. I need to change."

“I’m sorry…” Emilia muttered as her heart sunk, the mother-daughter barrier seeming more pronounced than ever before. As she left the room, she clutched the painful realization close to her heart - the painting, a symbol of the family they could've been.

Later that night, in a grand room lit by an immense chandelier, the royal family of the Twilight Kingdom gathered around a large table, surrounded by several dutiful maids. The table was laden with a cornucopia of decadent dishes, radiating the wealth and power of the monarchy.

Amid the clinking of cutlery and subdued conversation, Emilia caught sight of Reisha, who had yet to touch her meal. Her gaze was restless, constantly flicking around the room, and something in her eyes told Emilia that her daughter was troubled. But Emilia hesitated, aware of the strained relationship between them.

Anastasia, sitting next to Reisha, noticed her untouched plate. "Is the food not to your liking, Reisha?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

"I'm not hungry, that's all," replied Reisha curtly, her voice barely rising above a whisper.

"Oh...I see," said Anastasia, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.

As the meal drew to a close and the clatter of dishes subsided, Reisha stood abruptly, clearing her throat. Her eyes swept across the table, meeting each family member's gaze. Emilia felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach; she knew her daughter was never one to shy away from confrontation.

"I would like to renounce my rights as the Crown Princess," Reisha began, her voice steady and clear. "And I will be leaving the kingdom."

A hushed silence fell over the room as her words sank in, the impact of her declaration hitting everyone like a tidal wave.

"WHAT!?" Veyron erupted, leaping to his feet, his hand slamming down on the table with such force that the dishes rattled. His eyes were wide and angry, filled with disbelief. Knowing Reisha's seriousness, it was clear she wasn't joking.

Emilia gasped, her hand flying to cover her open mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Beside her, Clovis choked on his food while Anastasia could only stare at Reisha, utterly dumbfounded.

Reisha sighed, visibly trying to maintain her composure. She selected her next words with careful precision. "I need to search for something, and until I find it, I can't return."

Anastasia shot to her feet, her brows furrowing in concern. "But dear sister! Can't we have the guards or adventurers search for it!?"

The maids around the room trembled, the tension from Veyron's furious energy palpable and threatening.

"You need not concern yourself with petty searches!" Veyron roared. "You do not even have to renounce your rights to the crown to even do so!"

"It is not petty," Reisha responded, her voice steady, an island of calm in the storm of her father's anger. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, an indomitable resolve in her gaze. "That something is something I treasure dearly."

"Then at least tell us what you're searching for!" Emilia pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice. Without even a glance in her direction, Reisha answered,

"I... want to find my dear big brother, Lazarus."

A chill descended on the room, cutting through the previous warmth like a knife through butter. Emilia could barely keep her gaze steady. She'd never told Reisha, but the truth was that Lazarus was most likely--

"Reisha–he's already..." Emilia started, but was cut off abruptly.

"He's not dead," Reisha insisted, her voice unyielding. "I have to find him."

"Lazarus is dead!" Emilia burst out, the words tearing from her throat. Abruptly, she clapped a hand over her mouth, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I...I found the cabin he was supposed to be in... It was ransacked, I tried to find him, but-- I..." Her voice wavered, fresh tears welling in her eyes as she was pulled back into the past. The images were as vivid as though she were living through it all over again.

Reisha merely watched Emilia, her expression unreadable. She muttered something under her breath. “So that’s how it is…”

"Dearest sister?" Anastasia chimed in, confusion coloring her words. She hadn't caught Reisha's quiet comment. Clovis, on the other hand, observed the unfolding drama quietly, his face devoid of emotion. He seemed strangely detached from the whole affair.

Reisha turned to look at Veyron who was furrowing his brows from suspicion.

“Reisha, dear…” Emilia, who had calmed down to a degree, finally looked Reisha in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I wanted to tell you sooner… but I just couldn’t bring myself to..”

Reisha stood up with a sigh and said, “I must leave now. Please excuse me.”

"Are you seriously going to embark on this futile quest for that dead trash!?" Veyron asked. His voice was chillingly serene, causing a shudder of fear to ripple through the maids and even Anastasia, Clovis, and Emilia.

"Trash, you say?" Reisha echoed, her eyes narrowing into a sharp glare as she turned to face Veyron.

Anastasia flinched, and Clovis shrank back. Neither had ever dared to defy their father, let alone confront him.

Reisha's mana surged forth, her eyes still locked on Veyron as she clenched her fist. “How dare you call my beloved elder brother a trash!?”

Veyron was momentarily taken aback, but as he registered the stunned reactions of everyone present, his own mana swelled in response.

“Why are you doing this, Reisha..?” Anastasia pleaded. “Lazarus, as mother said, is long gone!”

Reisha shook her head. There was no point in arguing with them anymore. “It doesn't matter. I'm leaving,”

“I dare you to leave!” Veyron roared, his mana pressing down on Reisha with all the force of a king's wrath.

Reisha met his gaze unflinchingly, her own mana rippling out powerfully enough to make Emilia shudder. “If you try to stop me, I won't hesitate to fight back. I may not win, but I won't pull my punches. Maybe then you'll reconsider your description of my dear brother!” she declared defiantly. The weight of their combined mana made the atmosphere in the room unbearably heavy, a pressure that bore down on everyone present.

Reisha was a jewel, a source of pride for the king, a prodigy that he had been endlessly praised for, and often boasted about. He couldn't afford to harm her, not when everyone was watching. But, the maids' silent presence made him feel cornered. If it had been anyone else, there would have been no doubt that the king would have crushed them where they stood.

Emilia, stunned and helpless, hated the thought of her two most beloved people clashing. She stood up. "Please, both of you calm down."

Reisha paused, locking her eyes on Veyron's. "The forest of eternal peace," she said.

Veyron's expression faltered.

Emilia, clueless, knitted her brows in confusion. She couldn't understand why her daughter mentioned a remote place on the border of the human kingdom and the elven territory.

"You!" Veyron's grip tightened to the point that his knuckles bled. His own daughter was threatening to unveil the secret he had kept hidden from his wife.

"Do you still wish to continue?" Reisha asked, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

Veyron remained silent, his hand clenched, veins popping on his forehead as though ready to erupt.

Seizing the opportunity, Reisha started to walk away, but Emilia intercepted, wrapping her arms around her in a desperate embrace. "Reisha, please... be reasonable," she begged, her voice choking with tears.

“I’ve already decided to look for my brother. I won't change my mind," Reisha replied, her voice unwavering.

“Please, don’t go, he is long gone..." Emilia pleaded.

Suddenly, something in Reisha snapped.

*Slap*

“How dare you!” Reisha's voice was as icy as her glare. “If you hadn’t agreed to his exile, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. You never cared for him, not even once, just because he had no mana! He was so much more to me than that! If this family measures a person’s worth by their abilities, then I have all the more reason to leave!"

Veyron watched from the sideline, his rage simmering inside him, even as his wife was struck by their daughter. If it hadn't been for Reisha's accomplishments and the threat she posed, he would've struck her down there and then.

Anastasia got up, trying to reach Reisha with an outstretched hand. "Wait, Reisha," she started, "Lazarus was just garb–" But a sudden mana blast cut her off, sending her tumbling. Reisha turned around. Her fist tight, her eyes filled with frustration that was about to burst. Seeing the situation heat up, Reisha decided not to add fuel to the fire. She turned her gaze away, walked off, not saying another word.

Emilia, overwhelmed, retreated to her room, claiming she wasn’t feeling well. As soon as she reached her room, she crumbled to her knees, her hands covering her face as she sobbed.

In the dining room, Veyron slammed his fist onto the table, flipping it over in his fury. "Anastasia, Clovis. You both have new tasks," he commanded, his gaze as deadly as a shark’s.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recalling the events weeks ago made Anastasia feel a burning sensation in her chest.

"Are you familiar with the exiled Prince of the Twilight Kingdom?" Anastasia posed her question into the quiet space.

Lazarus' eyes instantly narrowed at the mention of the prince, a subtle change in his otherwise composed demeanor.

Sylphi and Leo exchanged a quick glance before responding.

"No, never heard of that before," Leo admitted, his voice echoing his genuine unfamiliarity.

"I'm not overly acquainted with human affairs, so I, too, remain unaware," Sylphi admitted. Her pointed elfin ears perked up slightly and her brows furrowed, an indication of the budding curiosity the mention of the prince had sparked within her.

Princess Anastasia exhaled a resigned sigh, crossing her arms as she prepared to delve into the topic. "My dear father has managed to keep this quite well concealed," she started, her tone bearing the dignified cadence of a well-bred princess. “Then, let me tell you a story from long ago."

"Once, there was a prince born to the Twilight Kingdom," Anastasia began, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling as she recalled memories from long ago. "He was cherished dearly by the Queen, to the point where it led to the unjust treatment of her other offspring. When the time came for the Prince's 'Previdere', or the ritual of foresight, a shocking revelation unfolded. This beloved Prince, you see, was afflicted with a peculiar disease, one that deprived him of his mana. While disheartened by this unfortunate discovery, the Queen chose to bestow upon him even more affection..." Anastasia continued, her voice taking on a somber tone.

Sylphi and Leo looked at one another, while Lazarus silently listened.

"Your highness, you mean to say there were four of you siblings?" Sylphi asked curiously.

"Yes, indeed," Anastasia confirmed Sylphi's query, "There were four of us siblings. However, my younger brother, due to his excessive doting by our mother, developed a certain level of jealousy towards Reisha. It's surprising, really, because despite being so loving and kind, Reisha grew quite fond of Lazarus. She was immensely popular and had a great number of friends. However, my brother could not bear to see her loved by all. Driven by his resentment, he chose to infect her, resulting in her falling ill and losing her ability to control mana. Left with no other options, our parents agreed to exile him for her sake."

Leo, who had been silent until now, found his voice, "Forgive me for interrupting," He began hesitantly, nervously twiddling his thumbs, "But, at what age was the young prince exiled?"

Anastasia's gaze darkened a little at the question, "Eight."

The revelation sent a shock wave through Sylphi and Leo. Their eyes widened in surprise and disbelief.

"The king and queen of the Twilight Kingdom exiled an eight-year-old child?" Sylphi asked incredulously. Elves, despite their long lives and deep wisdom, still held a soft spot for children. The thought of a child being exiled for a crime was beyond her comprehension.

Anastasia nodded solemnly, "Yes, regrettably, it was necessary. His actions were not just limited to one time. He infected multiple individuals, many of the maids lost their ability to control mana as they were infected with the disease. As a result, he was exiled to a place unknown to even me."

As Lazarus listened, he searched his foggy memories, but he could not recall ever intentionally infecting anyone. Moreover, he remembered being scanned for any kind of virus by Rex, which had turned up negative. His family's beliefs seemed completely unfounded.

"Upon his banishment, my dear sister, who cared deeply for the black sheep of our family, was filled with rage," Anastasia continued, noting Sylphi and Leo's rapt attention. "However, just recently, my dear sister had discovered the location where he was supposed to be confined, only to find him missing. In her fury and despair, she renounced her right to the throne."

"The Twilight Princess... She would do that?" Leo muttered, though he seemed to be speaking more to himself as he lowered his gaze.

Sylphi crossed her arms, her thoughts plainly visible in her troubled expression. "The Twilight Princess's deeds are well-known, even amongst us elves. She once saved a group of our archers from a monster capable of defeating three gold-ranked adventurers. The stories suggest she doesn't discriminate and performs many acts of kindness, asking for nothing in return. Given that, it's hard for me to believe she would willingly abandon her post."

Anastasia offered a solemn nod. "Under ordinary circumstances, I agree that she wouldn't. However, it was because of my brother that she chose to renounce her claim to the crown. She wanted to dedicate her time to try and find him."

Lazarus' frown deepened as he pondered Anastasia's words. -'Were we really that close?'- he wondered, his mind ransacking memories for any previous encounters with the princess, but coming up empty.

“What was the name of the Exiled Prince?” Leo asked.

Anastasia paused for a moment, looked at Leo and Sylphi before saying, ”My dearly beloved brother, the second prince of the Twilight Kingdom, Lazarus Valheart."

"Khoff Khak Khak!!" Sylphi suddenly choked on her tea, caught off guard by Anastasia's revelation. Her eyes widened in shock as she spluttered, "L-Lazarus, did you say?"

Anastasia simply nodded in response.

Leo, witnessing the exchange, flicked his gaze between Sylphi and the princess, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes. For a brief moment, Leo and Sylphi shared a significant glance, but swiftly broke eye contact to avoid arousing any suspicion. They both knew only one person who bore the name Lazarus.

—------------------------------------

Observing their reactions, Anastasia inquired, "Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it seems you've heard of him?"

"No," Sylphi responded swiftly, "Though I recall a similar name from human tales of long ago, I doubt it pertains to the prince you speak of. But, did the Twilight Princess truly abdicate her birthright?"

“Unfortunately so, my dearest sister treasured Lazarus the most, even above my kind mother. And because of that, she wants to find him herself.” Anastasia grimaced.

"And what do you plan to do?" Sylphi queried.

"We intend to find him. Regardless of his disease, he's still my beloved brother and our precious family." Anastasia's voice softened as she spoke, a tender smile crossing her face.

"Oh, so you're assisting the Twilight Princess?" Leo couldn't hide his smile at her compassion.

"Absolutely," Anastasia confirmed, her voice echoing a sense of commitment. "We hope to reunite as a true family once more. Thus, our plan is to locate him before my sister does. Over the years, we've developed a cure for his condition," she explained.

"A cure?" Leo's eyes narrowed in intrigue.

Anastasia offered a nod in affirmation. "Indeed, but we refrained from informing her about the cure..." Her voice faded into a solemn silence.

"Why not?" Sylphi questioned, her voice laced with curiosity.

Anastasia dropped her gaze for a sec, letting a quiet moment hang in the room. Everyone held their breath, just waiting for her to spill. Then, lifting her eyes to Leo and Sylphi, she finally dropped the bomb. "Because it carries significant risks for him. Knowing how deeply our dear Reisha treasures Lazarus, even if the risks are slight, she'd never stand for it," she admitted, her voice soft but certain.

Inside, Lazarus could only shake his head, chuckling to himself. Even if there was a grain of truth in what she was saying, and he seriously doubted there was, he wasn't about to take their so-called cure. To him, science was the real deal. The idea of getting mana, especially after living his whole life without it, felt like a slap in the face to the very thing that made him who he was.

"So, my request to you is simple," Anastasia continued, her tone taking on a more serious note. "Should you have knowledge of him, or perchance, hear of him, I implore you to inform me. If you're unaware at present, I understand. But please, if in future you come across any tidings of him, then do remember to let me know. And..."

At this point, Anastasia clapped her hands once. The doors opened, and a pair of maids entered, carrying something that looked like a painting.

A sudden rush of adrenaline surged through Lazarus, his heart pounding in his chest. Sylphi and Leo’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.

There, depicted in the painting, was a man who bore a striking resemblance to the Lazarus they knew. Dark hair and blue eyes, although his hair was long and tousled and he was clad in leafy clothing.

"That's my painting, a concept of what I thought of what my beloved brother could look like these days," Anastasia elaborated, her gaze fixated on the painting. "You see, he was sent off to live in a forest. Our strategist, Falon, would drop by to check on him from time to time. Given how isolated he's been, I reckon he might be a bit out of the loop with common knowledge and social customs. Maybe perhaps– he’s even deranged."

Leo and Sylphi exchanged another glance, then shifted their attention back to the painting.

"Is something wrong?" Anastasia questioned, her brow furrowing in concern. "You both look like you've seen a ghost."

The duo thought back to Lazarus' reaction upon spotting the ship, and his plea for them to keep his name under wraps. Suddenly, everything began to make sense.

Caught in a bind between the debt they felt toward Lazarus and their obligation to Anastasia, Sylphi and Leo found themselves at an impasse. Anastasia watched them quietly before interrupting the silence.

"Perhaps all of this is a bit too much to digest at once. Rest might be what's needed," she suggested, then turned to Sylphi. "I suppose you'd be eager to spend some time with your dear mother, wouldn't you?"

Caught off guard, Sylphi's eyes widened and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, please!"

Anastasia responded with a nod of her own. "Sophirea."

Sophirea's smile was warm, her eyes twinkling with anticipation. And for the first time, in this entire conversation, Lazarus noticed her eyes seem to light up. Anastasia, having noticed Sophirea’s reaction, turned to one of the maids with chestnut brown hair. "Rose, would you accompany them, please?"

“I understand your highness.” Rose nodded.

Sylphi's brow furrowed at this; she had hoped for some alone time with her mother. Seeing her reaction, Anastasia added, "I understand you'd prefer some privacy, but due to certain circumstances, I'm afraid I cannot permit you two to be alone. Please understand."

Sylphi looked away, disappointment flickering across her face, but she nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

Sophirea seemed on the brink of saying something, but at Rei's glance, she merely nodded.

Leo scratched the back of his head, stretched as he stood up and left the room. Soon, the rest of the maids followed and only Rei and Anastasia were left in the room. The third person, however, still remained unseen and was quietly eyeing the two.

—-----------------------------

Rei, who had been eyeing Anastasia with a curious gaze, finally voiced her doubts. "A cure? Didn't the king order us to execute him? What was that about becoming family again?"

Anastasia turned towards Rei, a picture of innocence painted on her face. "The 'cure' is, in fact, his execution. As for the idea of becoming a family again with that detestable person, it's nothing more than a ruse to get them to assist in capturing him. After all, wouldn't they feel a sense of gratitude towards the beautiful princess who saved them, especially if she requested their help?"

Rei's face remained expressionless as she closed her eyes briefly. "Are you truly comfortable with the thought of killing your own brother?"

Anastasia playfully tilted her head and touched her cheek, feigning ignorance. "When you accidentally trample an insignificant insect, you hardly notice, right?" She gave a sweet, innocent smile. "How is this situation any different?"

"I see," Rei responded flatly. "And what about Sophirea and her daughter?"

"Rose is with them," Anastasia mused, her eyebrows knitting together as she rested her chin in her hand. "We're not certain what Sophirea might do to her own daughter. This situation will also serve as a test to see if Sophirea's rehabilitation has truly taken effect. I can only hope that she won't bring any harm to her child." Her gaze shifted towards Rei, worry flickering in her eyes.

"Perhaps the fact that Sylphianna is her child might dissuade her from causing harm," Rei suggested, although her voice lacked any real conviction.

"We can only hope," Anastasia echoed, releasing a deep sigh as she rose from her seat. "In any case, let's return to my chambers. My graceful voice has been overused, and I could use a splendid massage."

With that, both Anastasia and Rei exited the room, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

As the door closed with a soft click, Lazarus' cloaking system chimed, informing him of the low remaining energy. With the cloak disengaged, he slumped onto a chair, rubbing his temples as he pondered his next move.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the bustling kitchen of the ship, a team of chefs worked away on a medley of dishes. A human maid with flowing brown hair stood beside a demi-human. The demi was striking with her glossy, straight black hair and bangs that framed her face, hiding her forehead. Her eyes were an exquisite blend of lavender and pink hues. Cat ears sprouted from the sides of her head, matching her black tail, which was adorned with a small white ribbon tied near the tip.

"Silica, you've been furrowing your brows for a while now, like a worried old lady. Is something bothering you?" asked the human maid, glancing at the catgirl.

Silica's cat ears twitched at the question. "Two survivors... Three new scents..." she murmured, her eyes narrowing in contemplation.