The Two Empresses
Kangen

"Internal business? You still intend to take care of this country?" asked Saciel in surprise. Lao nodded and sighed.

"Saciel, whatever you want with this country, you're still part of this country. We can't just take our hands off when Careol is on the brink of collapse" Lao said. Saciel grumbled hearing it.

"Then how? We're going to hold the election of the heir to the throne now? After the presence of Dark. I mean Dominic, it will be difficult to convince the people to side with us" said Vristhi. Lao sighed and sat down while playing his glove-covered hand.

"We use the nobles to attract the people. They've seen how Dark treats them" Lao said. Vristhi nodded and immediately left along with her servant. "You want to say something, Saciel?"

"You're not worried about yourself?" ask Saciel.

"Why indeed?"

"Your hand is." Lao chuckled and took off his one glove, flaunting it as if it was an honor. "It doesn't hurt?"

"Obviously sick is stupid, how are you?" lao lament. "I just endured the pain. I even think my hands are numb."

"Isn't it better if we figure out a way to heal your hands first?" ask Saciel. Lao gave a bitter smile.

"You're just gonna spend some time. There's more important, isn't there?"

"Your life is more important, you idiot. You think I'm gonna let go of a fool like you? Want you to tell me to work as hard as I can, I'll just help you" Saciel said determinedly. Lao was stunned, then laughed loudly until his cheeks and stomach were cramping.

"Ouch, ouch. You're so funny, so the more sure you deserve to be.."

"Don't say it, damn it. Shut up," cut Saciel hard. Lao gave a smile and stroked his head. "Hey, don't touch me."

"You deserve to be eluted, you know," Lao said. "I told Julian to find a plant that could help me neutralize the poison, but there's still no answer to that."

"Obviously impossible" Saciel complained. "What if I ask the gods for help?"

"Don't you trust them?"

"Indeed. But there's no harm in trying" Saciel replied. Lao paused for a moment and gave a smile. "You okay?"

"I'm doing fine. Thanks for the proposal. It's time to go" Lao said as he stood up and left the Arakawa residence.

Altera City, Ceshier

The nobles of the various races knelt in fear before Max who was sitting on the throne seat with a cold gaze. Kezia stood beside him, putting on the same face with a wide grin.

"As long as the palace is empty, you guys act like you? Are you going to face the Aegis God?" ask Max coldly. No one answered, upsetting Max. "You're not statues, are you?"

"M-m-forgive us, Your Majesty. We.we..."

"We what?" bentak Kezia's. Everything instantly fell silent again, leaving Max running out of patience. He got up and stuck his scythe next to an aristocrat.

"Your report is a lot of mistakes, corruption and fraud. Do you intend to defect?" ask Max. No one answered. Sweat began to drench the aristocrats, the heartbeats started pounding as if their core organs wanted to come out. "Guard, withdraw all their titles and treasures. Put them in seclusion until the time I specify."

"Your Majesty, please forgive us!"

"Don't do this, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, don't!"

Those words were still heard until they left the throne room, making Max tired and plopping down on the throne. He did not realize Nero entered with a grim face.

"Uh? Nero nii why?" ask Kezia.

"I just got kicked out of Cerlina" Nero said. Max got up and frowned.

"Huh, what? Since when did you meet her?" ask Max.

"It was not long, but it was expelled" replied Nero Keki.

"Is there a problem if I go there? I went there just to help Cerlina" replied Nero wryly. Max instantly approached with an expression Nero could not understand. "What?"

"...Is there a problem there?"

"Well, there's a. But no one was seriously injured, really," Nero said. Max immediately heaved a sigh of relief and subconsciously gave a smile. "Oh? Are you thinking of someone?"

"Shut up."

"...Saciel is fine. I even managed to get a picture of him in the dress of the head of the family..."

"Where?" ask Max for release. Nero gave a satisfied smile with a ignorant look. "...fucking." man."

"Hahaha, don't be angry. Nih," said Nero while giving a photo of Saciel with a sweet smile. Before Max reached out to him, Kezia immediately grabbed him and her eyes twinkled.

"Woah~ nee looks beautiful and cool! Where's Cerlina nee's picture?" ask Cerlina. Nero showed off another photo proudly. "Beautiful?"

"Of course it's beautiful" said Nero proudly.

"Why did you become a pussy?" ask Max keki. Nero blinked his eyes many times and smiled.

"Because he's my soul mate, is there a problem?" ask Nero. Max frowned hearing that and pointed at Nero's necklace.

"It lights up?" ask Max. Nero took off his necklace and showed off the pendant of the silver-colored ring, but there was a hint of purple lightning on his ring. "Ah, fuck."

"What do you mean, huh? Maybe it hasn't shone completely, but I'm sure it's my destiny."

"I'm sorry, he's the enemy. Don't forget that" said Max coldly. Kezia lowered her head, slightly frightened by Max's changing attitude.

"What problem do you have? I'm in love with who it's none of your business" Nero replied as coldly. "Say you're envious."

"Heh, you dare also say that to me, asshole. Can I teach you how to fix your slanted brain?" max Threat.

"I also happen to want sports. Come on," reply Nero.

"Nii, relax. You two are why?" ask Kezia annoyed. Both of them were silent, yet the deadly aura still emanated strongly from them. "You're not in a woman's fight, are you?"

"No. I'm not interested in Nero's woman of love" Max said, leaving the throne room upset. Nero sighed and stroked Kezia's head.

"I think he's not in the mood. We better let it go first" said Nero. Kezia nodded and hugged Nero tightly, but his mind was still troubled by Max's change in attitude.

"Is Max nii sad?" ask Kezia.

"Difficult question, I don't know Kezia. I think you need to ask him directly," replied Nero. Kezia nodded and walked out, approaching Max who was sitting pensively under a tree holding a red rose. His face was looking like a wolf, he looked up at the sky and began to pluck out the petals one by one.

"Nii, are you okay?" ask Kezia. Max turned his head and patted the ground beside him to sit down, but Kezia chose to sit on Max's lap with an anxious face. "Nii why?"

"Come on Kezia, I've been feeling uncomfortable lately" Max said, rubbing his head.

"Is it because of Saciel nee?" ask Kezia. Max remained silent for a long time, but finally nodded. "Nii kangen with nee?"

"Yes kangen? I guess so. Funny, we hate each other, but my heart keeps getting piqued when I don't see it for a second. I've killed his parents, obviously he hates me."

"But nii, I don't remember doing it" said Kezia. Max was silent, this time he said nothing, but stroked his head. "Nii?"

"You don't need to know, okay? It's night, we better get some sleep."

"It's still 7 o'clock, nii," Kezia replied sourly.

"It's time to go to sleep" Max cut open while holding the girl back to the palace.