Son of the Hero King

Chapter 23 CH 23: OPEN HEART

"By the way teacher. Don't you have something to explain to me?"

"Hmm?"Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

Currently, Sol was reading a rather thick brown-covered book titled dangerous zones in the world.

It was a rather interesting book written by one of the angels living in Slothstein.

Edea, meanwhile, was elegantly sipping on her tea when she heard his abrupt question.

Intrigued, she put back her cup on the plate and threw a questioning glance at Sol as she queried for him to elaborate,

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what kind of spell do you always use to make me forget about confessing to you?"

"[Sto–]"

"By the way, I wrote a memo about me asking you this question today. If after reading this I remark that I have not asked about it I will understand that you did something to me."

An awkward silence permeated between the two. Sol didn't even bother lifting his head from his book as he flipped another page.

Still, even though Edea couldn't see his face, she could feel that he was quite angry with her.

'This is the first time right?'

She was quite surprised then incredibly flustered. Sol never got angry with her. He could be awkward, shy, bashful, or anything but she never saw him get angry no matter what she did to him.

This realization flustered her quite a bit. She stammered a little, but still couldn't properly express herself. None of her usual poise was present at the moment.

Finally, she simply sighed as she lowered her head,

"I am sorry. But I didn't... "

"Please do not try to explain anything when saying sorry. Apologize for what you did wrong. Do not add arguments. This was something you always taught me. Adding things like 'but' and 'I couldn't help it' changes apologies into excuses."

It was rather a surreal scene to see a hundreds-of-years-old witch being scolded by someone so much younger than her. But Edea couldn't laugh, even more so since it was her own words that were being thrown back at her.

"I–I am sorry."

*Sigh*

Sol let out a tired sigh full of frustration as he closed the book he couldn't concentrate on, he briefly entertained the thought of simply getting up and leaving but that would be dumb. It would just make him lose the advantage he so desperately managed to grasp.

"I don't really need to know why you did it. After all, I know why. I am also truly thankful because I know that you are simply thinking about my own good. But...this does not make it right."

"... When did you find out about it?"

"Hum. Since the beginning?"

Edea raised her head so fast it looked like her head would snap off her neck.

"What?"

"I mean, please don't underestimate me. I know myself. I remember that one time I swore to confess to you, but weirdly enough I didn't. Back then I chalked it up to forgetfulness or shyness. But once it happened twice, thrice at every single instance I seriously began to doubt."

His mocking smile was rather grating, but Edea could do nothing more than simply stare at him in guilt.

"If you knew, why wait until now?"

"Because soon I will have my awakening. You remember that as a prince I can make one request to Luxuria right?"

"NO!! ABSOLUTELY NOT."

The vehemence in her voice as she leaped up from her seat and slapped the table with her small hands was a surprise both for him and for her.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself as she spoke, "If you use your wish for something stupid like being able to touch me without being affected by the curse I swear I will close all access to my dimension."

Her threat was real. Sol could feel it. She wasn't joking. But– So What?

"So? Even if you close it, I will just have to become strong enough to break your jail open. I will never allow you to live your life in this glorified golden prison you call home so this will be two things done at the same time."

"You..."

She was struck speechless by how bold he suddenly became.

"... Why are you acting so selfishly? Please, Sol, don't do that. Your wish is something that could empower you extremely or give you great advantages. Don't waste it on someone like me."

A serene smile formed on his face. Even though he was still seated while Edea stood, she suddenly felt as if she was the one who was being looked down upon,

Even though she was betrayed, she smiled because she did not wish to face the harrowing truth.

Even though she felt alone, she smiled because she did not wish to cry.

Even though she wanted someone to help her, she smiled because she did not wish to break her pitifully snobbish pride.

"Tha... I’m not that kind of person... I―I"

"That's not true. Teacher is one of the greatest persons in this world for me."

Sol stated and continued to deny Edea's resignations.

"What do you, just what do you― just what do you know about me!?"

Her violent emotions that flared up in her chest burst out as a violent scream.

She raised her infuriated voice and the world as if answering her wrath began to tremble under her all-encompassing might. The wind picked up pace and the earth rumbled. Clouds gathered in the sky and a cold wind replaced the previously refreshing breeze.

This was the full might of Edea, known as the witch of time. Sol currently felt so small, so weak in front of her. Just a thought would be enough for her to completely crush him.

But...his gaze never wavered.

"I hate myself."

Edea murmured quietly, but her voice boomed and echoed throughout the world.

"I’m empty. I have nothing inside. No doubt about it......aah, it’s obvious. Of course, it’s obvious! Do you know what I did all the time from the day I was imprisoned in this tower until the day Mars and then you opened this door?"

Sol stayed silent as he let her vent her bottled feelings.

"I did nothing."

She slumped onto her chair as if all strength had left her body, her eyes were devoid of any emotions as she blankly stared up and the world that was previously trembling menacingly began to calm down.

"My rotten character was created all because of my powerlessness and incompetence...! I don’t do anything, yet I want to accomplish everything. It’s the height of arrogance, don't you think?"

Hundreds of years passed by idling and mopping, crying over her pain, and acting as if she was the saddest being in the world.

Of course, she made research, she accumulated knowledge and became powerful, extremely powerful at that, yet,

"It wasn’t as if I was trying to become strong or trying to make things better...I was simply taking a clear pose, a facade to show that it wasn’t like I wasn’t trying and that I was putting in an effort. It was simply to justify myself..."

She was abandoned by the man who swore to always care for her and always protect her from all pain.

Even though her teacher, her very own mother told her to not believe in him, even though her sisters told her that he was suspicious.

"Even when I decided to help you with studying, it was just a front to cover up my embarrassment! Deep inside, I’m just a small, cowardly piece of filth who only cares about my appearance. Deep inside, nothing...! Nothing has changed!"

Attacking with a strong voice, blaming others, and finding a reason, a sort of excuse for matters that didn’t conform with her convenience would put her at ease.

She felt at ease without seeing her true self.

She felt at ease without showing her true self.

If her exterior remained unpeeled, she could feel at ease from not being able to see what was inside.

Even after spitting everything out, she still couldn’t get the strong feelings in her chest that were similar to nausea to disappear.

Was it not a given that she should feel a bit lighter after spitting out everything that was stockpiled in her chest?

'What will he think? What will he say? Will he be disgusted? disappointed?'

"I see. Teacher is truly a worthless slothful and without any redeeming features."

'Ah~! So this is it.'

Her heart felt a pain never before felt, even the betrayal of Jupiter didn't feel as painful as the words spoken by Sol.

"But– So what?"

'What?'

She raised her head in shock and looked at the eyes full of compassion of the young boy seated in front of her.

"You know, teacher, no, Edea. I do not care about how ugly you think you are or how much you hate yourself. I just wish to know more about you. About the things, I already know and about those, I do not."

The unconditional love and trust Sol had for Edea made her feel an unprecedented level of unease.

She cursed at all those wrongdoings, exposed all those unsightly yet true feelings, exposed her facade that was full of lies, and confessed that she was garbage beyond saving. But even then...

"Why–just why are you looking at me with eyes that are filled with affection? Why? Why are you so insistent about me? I’m weak, small, and cowardly. I hide my weak interior by acting as if I was so full of wisdom. Tell me why? What do you see in me?"

"Why? Do I really need to spell it to you after all this time?" Taking a deep breath, he punctuated his words with a carefree smile full of conviction. "Simply– because I love you, Edea."