Chapter 20 - What's Next??

"We are going to file a lawsuit against her in the imperial court. For blackmailing me and not able to fulfil her duties as the head." Father said.

"But father how will prove her as the guilty?"I asked him, "OH for that you don't need to worry cuz I have already gathered the evidence of her misusing the family money and as for the blackmailing I guess brother has found the evidence too." Uncle Leal said.

"Huh, Father did!" Ash said because our father is usually a peaceful person so to think that he did something like that is quite surprising.

"Yeah, I recorded our conversation the last time we meet." He said as he opened the other side of his necklace, inside it was a black stone.

"What that?" I asked, "It's a mana stone, Benjamin your late uncle gifted me on my 15th birthday he told me that it can record voices." Father said as he pulled out that stone and with his touch,

The conversation between grandaunt and him started playing,

"Why do I keep blackmailing me even you know the truth don't you!" Father said.

"I know it so what? Does it make any difference no matter what you don't have anything to prove yourself innocent!!" Grandaunt said.

"Tell me one thing did you see him letting go of his hand.." Father asked.

"No I didn't....actually I quietly saw both of struggling, it was quite fun and I you know what it would have been nicer if he didn't let off your hand....then you too would have died with him," Grandaunt said as she laughed.

"Aunt....you already saw us struggling but still why didn't you come forward to help us...Why..." Father asked with anger in his voice.

"Tch Tch you are quite naive Raymond....If I would have helped you back then do you think I would have become the head today." Grandaunt said sarcastically.

"....You Did all this for the head position...you are you really a human...he was your own nephew....your elder sister son...Didn't you feel even a little bit of pity for him...Leave him did you feel a little bit of sadness for your late sister..." Father said coldly.

"Ha! I didn't, to be more precise I hated that dumb sister of mine who had no interest in the head position and was contained with that happy family of hers, She was a fool! But I am not, that's why you better give up!" Grandaunt said and the recorder stopped.

My body felt cold after hearing all that conversation, To think that people can be this scary that too her nephew.....and that too for power and money. People are so unpredictable.

I wonder how Father grew up in her care, I guess there are more scars than happy memories in his time with her.

The Father who always showed his strong and reliable side to us, how much scared and anxious he must have felt all alone in that darkness....I rose up from my seat and went towards father.

"Father it's okay...Everything will end soon." I said as I hugged him.

Father flinched a bit but he accepted my hug, "I need a hug too!" Ash said as he came towards us, "Don't forget me!" Mother said.

And in the end, it was a warm family hug. Yes, as long as we are together like this there is nothing we need to be afraid of. Everything will be fine now.

"I am so thankful to the heaven for granting me this family," Father said with a smile.

"I bet Father would be happy to see you like this." Uncle Leal said as he smiled towards us.

"I bet he will be," Father said as he looked at uncle Leal.

"Wow, I feel really fresh today!" Ash said as he stretched his arms.

"Me too!!" I said cheerfully after all it has been a week since the lawsuit against Grandaunt was filed, and according to the news Father is on the winning side.

I guess she never thought that father could do something like that. But that's not the end there is still something left to do.

And that's meeting the empress!!

There are many questions in my mind for her,

"Welcome lady winter and Young lord Ashton." The second prince said as he came running towards us.

"We greet the rising sun of the empire, his highness the second prince." Both of us said as we bowed.

"It's good that both of you are here! I need your help right now!!" He said.

"Pardon!!" Both of us said totally confused by his actions.

"There isn't much time just say yes!!" The second prince said. And we just nodded without thinking what will happen next and right now I am in front of the market with the one and crown prince of this empire that too in disguise.

And as for the second prince and Ash, they are in the palace distracting the empress. But I still don't know why??

"Crown Prince, why are we here?" I asked as I looked around the stores.

"To buy a birthday present..." He said as he went near an ornament shop.

" Birthday Present for whom?" I asked as I followed him.

"For mother." He said.

"For mother....you mean the EMPRESS!!" I whispered screamed in his ear. He jumped by sudden actions and turned the other way.

"Yes." He said. I looked at his face it turned red, Is he having a fever.

"Your Highness are you okay??" I said as I touched his forehead. It's hot. He flinched and went backwards as his face turned redder.

"I am fine." He said as he covered his face with his right hand.

"But you are burning," I said.

"That...That's because of heat." He said without making eye contact.

"OH.." I said confused by his actions.

"Let's move on to the next shop!" He said giving me his hand. I looked at him with a confused look.

"It's just that there are too many people here, so just that you don't get lost...hold my hand." The crown prince said.

I looked around and indeed it's too crowded here.

"Okay! Then I will be in your care. Your Highness." I said with a smile as I held his hand.

And He smiled back to me.

And Like that our treasure hunt for the empress present started....