Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Chapter 27- Sudden visit(2)
Austin was surprised. He really was.

From his knowledge, his father and his mother were on a trip, far away from the capital, and were enjoying their quality time after a long while. After all, there was now someone responsible and mature handling the nation when the King was away.

Needless to say, it wasn’t Austin.

However, the blond Prince never expected that his father would actually arrive at the Academy after a few days of the incident. And for the most astonishing part, he looked worried.

“Austin…how have you been, son?” Cedric asked, his eyes looking tired, must be because of the long journey, yet he held enough strength to approach his son and help him sit down.

“I am quite fine, father. Thanks to the Headmaster’s consideration to let me rest more and Valerie’s care.” He responded, not even a speck of resentment or grief in his voice, which greatly startled the King.

He had been noticing the way Austin had started distancing himself from them, seldom ignoring his letters and often delaying his arrival back home during the vacations.

Cedric was not surprised, and he couldn’t blame anyone else but himself for this. After all, while fulfilling his role as the father of his first child, his eyes strayed from his other one.

“I heard what happened from the Headmaster…everything.” he spoke, his tone turning colder with each syllable, “And I promise you, I will punish that evildoer who dared to harm you .”

“Then you might as well have to wage a war now, father.” Austin simply stated as he rested his hands on his thighs.

The older one looked at his son in shock for a moment, only to realize the meaning behind his words.

Parkinson was the son of a king, just like Austin, and undoubtedly, after committing the crime, that bastard must have run back to his home—seeking protection behind the man against whom Cedric couldn’t casually go.

Despite having the intention, Cedric couldn’t say ‘So what? I will still catch him and punish him’ since he knew, it would be nothing but a lie. After all, as a father, he can be emotional, but as a king, he has to be rational.

Austin heaved a sigh, “We both know that Hener provides us with valuable military supplies, and it is one of the vast trade centers for our people. Waging a war against them would weaken us in several ways.”

Cedric frowned and looked at his son with a disapproving look, “You don’t feel the urge for vengeance?”

“I do but I can’t go against someone who is being backed up by a whole nation.”

“You have the support of a kingdom as well!” Cedric retorted.

Austin scoffed, “Do I have? I doubt that.”

The vigor from his face disappeared as the man looked at his son with concern.

Austin heaved a sigh, “Look Father, it would be better if we stop right here and right now.”

Cedric was feeling defeated seeing his own child having no faith in him. And the worst thing, Austin didn’t look affected because of it at all.

Sitting down across from him, Cedric couldn’t help but ask, “You…resent me, don’t you?”

Austin shook his head, “Not at all. What makes you feel like I am bitter about something?”

Cedric didn’t say anything about it since he knew he would end up giving him more than enough reason, but there would be nothing he could say to gain his son’s forgiveness.

With his shoulders slumped and eyes drawn to the ground, the man muttered, “Even if you hate…it won’t matter until you remain safe.”

Austin couldn’t understand this man. Even in his previous life, he had parents who cared little to nothing about him, and when they came back home once a year, they showered him with love, expecting him to forget all those days when he needed his parents the most.

However, even though the man in front of him looked pitiful, and the original Austin would have melted at the sight, the current him couldn’t feel anything for the man at all. No resentment, no pity.

Cedric remained sitting there for another minute before he asked, “Will you return with me for your birthday? Your sister has arranged a grand feast for everyone back in the capital.”

‘For me? Yeah, why not.’

“I am not in the condition to travel a long distance.”

“Then…should I stay here and celebrate your birthday with you?”

Austin shook his head, “Many important people will be there tomorrow so the King must be around. Not to forget, Mother would be upset if you don’t attend the celebration.”

Again, he sensed it. Pure indifference in his voice like he didn’t care about the fact that he would be all alone during his most special day.

Cedric didn’t say anything regarding it and got up before he turned around. Leaving a few words behind, he walked out,

“We are still your family, Austin…please never forget that.”

Austin remained sitting in the administrator’s office for a few minutes, pondering over what he said.

“Family eh…I have forgotten how it feels to have a family….”

….

Standing below the window, with her back pressed against the wall, Valerie heard the conversation between the duo.

The way her Lord showed indifference towards his father and things related to his family…broke her heart.

‘He has lost all his hope…’ With such thoughts, she turned around and left. Appearing before her Lord as now would push her to expose her grief. And that would hurt him as well.

She couldn’t change the fact that he was betrayed by his family members, and whatever she does, she can never fill the hole they have created in Austin’s heart.

However, she can naturally try to overwrite all those bitter feelings with tender love. Yes, she will do that.

She has been hesitant until now, but Valerie would no longer hold back in expressing how she feels about her beloved.

‘You no longer need anyone else, I will be your everything from now on.’