CHARLOTTE: The Injured White Peacock
The Whole Family

“Hey, are you okay, Prince Steven?” ellena asked some time ago as they traveled to reach Charlotte's palace.

Disappointment and despair continue to linger non-stop. Even so, the atmosphere of his team was still crowded. There is Yuya who continues to prank Varl with insects and venomous animals, Leonie and Hanae who fight for power, and Mae and Ruby who continue to eat nonstop.

However, on the other hand there are people who pull over themselves while sitting on the lips of the ravine, daydreaming. I don't know what's on her mind, Ellena doesn't know. That person was Steven, ever since the prince joined, he had become even more moody.

Is it because they didn't find a way out?

Why didn't Steven enjoy the ride?

Seeing the prince like that reminded Ellena of her time-limited mission. Ellena actually did not have much time to play around. He had to immediately complete this apparently heavy mission.

“I'm fine.” Steven let out a heavy sigh after being asked so by Ellena. His mind was also currently in a state of turmoil. He was just wondering why Charlotte was so hard-hearted and unpredictable.

Actually, what has that woman been through in her life the last hundred years?

Ellena took a sitting position next to Steven who kept thinking a lot but did not find the right solution. While behind him, people are busy playing and enjoying the excitement of this togetherness.

“Why don't you join them? It feels exciting,” invite Ellena with a smile even though she knows that she does not have much time to just enjoy the trip.

If she stays here too long, Ellena's body will be destroyed. However, the togetherness that built up made Ellena want to enjoy the moment that can not be repeated.

“Gabung? Who am I to join them? I'm just a figurehead who doesn't play anything.” Steven chuckled, laughing at himself who had been living alone and always felt lonely.

“Do you still think about the incident in the tavern?” ellena asked, remembering that Steven must not be okay after he was ignored by the people even though in the end they all bowed respectfully.

“The incident?” Steven chuckled again. “I'm used to being isolated. I'm the only pawn Queen can what? After all, this Blessing actually does not mean much to make—”

“Very mean, Prince!” sergeant Ellena. “Although you are currently not king of Everfalls, but you are helping Queen Charlotte. You are actually the king!”

Steven shook his head slowly. “No. All this time I was alone and isolated. Anytime there's any celebration at Everfalls, I never know. I... like never invited by anyone, even it seems like people do not recognize me.” Steven looked very sad.

“Sst.” Ellena landed her index finger over Steven's lips, making the man's cheeks blush. “They recognize you, proof they were in the tavern before bowing respectfully after knowing who you are. So, don't be sad.”

Hearing that, Steven looked back at Charlotte's palace up there who seemed to be smiling mockingly. Then, Steven lowered his head. “Self it's not good, Ellie.”

Steven took a deep breath, then exhaled. He who had been lowered, now raised his head to look at Ellena.

“You can't share the story with anyone. The world is boring and colorless. As beautiful as any world this is, it doesn't seem to have any meaning.”

Steven paused his sentence for a few moments while continuing to sigh, trying to expel the sobs stuck in his throat.

“The loneliness I had during my life in the palace kept me locked up as well. I just play by myself without knowing the outside world is anything. I also never knew how others felt. I.. I never wanted to feel protective of someone because there was no one by my side.”

Ellena's dumbfounded. To be honest, Steven looked a lot like him when he first came to the UK to continue his studies. He kept himself locked up in his room, afraid of this cruel world. Until in the end, Miko who invites him out and gives him the meaning that the world is not as terrible.

“Perhaps, everyone even Gao thought that I was a spoiled prince who only wrestled by Queen Charlotte's side. But, in fact it is not so.”

For the second time, Steven breathed.

“Gao's age is not far from me, but he has always been the Queen's golden son. I who became his nephew was never relied upon by the Queen. Every time I wanted to play with the Queen, it was always the Queen ostracizing and calling Gao for a tough task, while I was just told to be in the room and play by myself.”

Tests.

Tests.

Tests.

Some clear hairs flowed, but Steven quickly removed them, not wanting Ellena to know his weakness. Even so, he continued what had been stuck in his heart all along.

A smile on Steven's face. He seems a little relieved.

“At first I was happy because I finally got to meet people and play with them, but they didn't recognize me at all because this Blessing started to fade. People thought instead that I was a strange species and they terrorized me, chased me, and intended to make me an offering.”

This time Steven did not hold back his tears. A poor prince who only wanted to be loved by the people ended up miserable.

“I was scared, no one understood me even saving me. Everybody hates me. I'm lonely and my life is threatened. I also ran to this nameless hill. I wish I could come back. However, the Queen's curse began to eat my mind. Every time I imagined Griffin and my ears were always ringing, saying that I should immediately catch Griffin so that I could return to the palace.”

The wind around me was soft. Ellena was still listening to what the prince was telling her. Just this time Steven opened his mouth, making Ellena empathize with him.

“Actually, I was aware that Griffin was gone, but the curse kept hurting me every day. I went crazy until I finally met Leonie. I just want to get it done soon even though I know that Leonie is just an ordinary lion race.”

Hearing that, Ellena patted Steven's back gently. He only realized that the twists of Steven's journey were so heavy. However, the man continued to hold on despite the many obstacles crashing through.

“I... indeed poor prince yes, Ellie.”

“No.” Ellena shook her head interspersed with her smile. “You are the great prince I have met!” Ellena's eyes twinkled. Just this time he saw a formidable figure other than Miko. He who initially thought that Steven was a weak man, it turns out he began to understand how strong the man beside him was.

“True, Prince. You are not at all poor. You are the best king candidate Everfalls.” Suddenly Leonie, Hanae, and Mae came from under the bushes.

“True what Leonie said, you are a future king who is very proud of! In fact, Emperor Sinu alone lost!” Hanae clenched her teeth, remembering how the emperor of her country had wreaked havoc.

“You are the greatest of the greatest,” added Mae. He patted Steven's shoulder.

“And from now on, you won't be alone anymore, Steve!” Ellena's smile.

“S-Steve?” steven asked not to think. No one had ever called himself this kind of person except Varl before because he was always so pretentious and so close.

Getting a familiar call made Steven smile full of haru. Finally he could have someone who did not look down on him or respectfully.

“Yes, it's a new call. Do you not like?” asked Ellena, she felt that Steven was not comfortable with this.

However, Steven shook his head quickly. “No, I like it so much!”

Hearing that, made everyone smile happily like they had got a new family. “The more often we are together, making us like family,” Ellena said.

The sentence continued to ring in the ears of Steven and other friends.

Family, huh?

A word that cannot be interpreted is only one meaning. Families, gatherings of people likened to buildings, broken one can ruin everything. One hurts, the other feels it too.

Now, Ellena is tormented by Charlotte. Varl's shout called out Ellena's name with a trembling voice signifying that something had happened with the girl from the other world.

Without further warning, they rushed over after entering the door opened by Ciel.

“Help immediately..help Ellie! R-Queen is already wrathful!” ciel said at the end of the door. His chest still shed blood.

“You're not coming, Ciel?!” ask Mae.

“No, quickly SAVE ELLIE!” shout Ciel. They all nodded and ran back in sweat.

“Ellena, we come as your family!” inner Steven.

****