Chapter 177 - 169

'Isn't this too much?'

Chun thought while looking at the situation in front of her. The Supreme Ruler who revealed his visage nonchalantly was now wearing his white mask with ancient runes adorned on it but only the silver haired young man was aware of those runes while her royal siblings had different expressions on their faces.

They were all looking at her with varying expressions, some were excited, hidden disgust and some had no care at all.

The Supreme Ruler was exuding a vibe of aloofness, too different from what he showed to the silver haired young man. Chun was asking herself that this scene was too much due to the attendance of the whole members of the Royal Family.

It was really a welcome event for the ninth prince but the silver haired young man didn't appreciate it, one bit. She was now plunged with another hurdle to take care.

As Chun had disembarked on this mission world, she considered not going back to the Royal Family nor revealing her royal identity as it could lead to more problems for her.

Even the original ninth prince didn't wish to go back and take revenge for his pitiful state but he only wished to be a great Charmer and achieve recognition by winning in the annual tournament of Charm Excellence.

And getting involved with the Royal Family was the least matter that Chun wanted now. Next week would be the 25th Annual Charm Competition and she would fulfill her main mission and after that, next month would be the Intercompetition which the Alliance would travel to Xangfei Empire to participate. 

Chun maintained her bland expression while looking at the Royal Family. 

The Supreme Ruler sensed that it would be now the right time to speak his intentions after settling the princes and princesses.

"This High Majesty is happy that the ninth prince had grown up well and achieved big feats on his own." The deep and reverberating voice full of power and authority caught everyone's attention. 

Since the silver haired young man had started her studies in Charm Excellence and took many achievements, ranked first in every test in their year, it wasn't surprising for the Supreme Ruler to know it. Even one would visit the said school and asked who was their rising star, the handsome silver haired young man with enigmatic scarlet eyes would be the first one that they would think.

Praises and admirations could be heard from every corner of Charm Excellence, even those high esteemed seniors who treated the lower years with haughtiness somewhat would grit their teeth and admit defeat. It could be said that Chun's developing ability could surpass even half of the promising second years which led to the Principal offering 'him' an advancement test for second year but the silver haired young man refused it.

They had no idea why the genius declined this opportunity to skip a grade but they respect 'his' decision.

Well, the only reason for it was because Chun didn't want to waste time anymore and trouble herself to learn another curriculum as she heard that the second years' elite class had four major subjects and she didn't need that.

Chun ȧssumed courtesy as she said, "I'm grateful for His Majesty's concern. May His Majesty rule the land a thousand times more."

It seemed to be full of politeness but the perfunctory remark couldn't be hidden and the way the ninth prince addressed their Royal father as His Majesty. Only fools couldn't perceive her well-meaning.

Immediately the eighth prince was about to interject and put good words for his ninth brother in order not to anger their royal father but the frivolous third prince wasn't only good with his 'fast hands' but he was also fast with his mouth.

"I heard that Ninth Brother was the top ranker in the whole first year level and he was even recruited in this declining--- I mean unpromising Alliance," the third prince stated with admiration and worry for his youngest brother. Although his expression and tone had no malice but the light on his eyes was saying the opposite.

It wasn't a secret that the Alliance had been stagnant for three consecutive Intercompetitions, they could only enter semi-finals and would be at a brink of defeat after that.

"His Highness need not to worry. As you have implied, I'm talented," the silver haired young man with no shame in her voice answered which embarrassed the third prince. He was just about to set up his scheme and unexpectedly, it was easily thwarted by the ninth prince.

Chun still maintained her bland smile. She was waiting for this to finish up. Another reason for not wanting to return to the Royal Family was this, it was full of schemes and traps. It was not aligned to her ideal peaceful life.

"Y-you..."

The third prince had nothing more to say with this long lost ninth brother's shamelessness. He was even stunned that the other deliberately called him His Highness instead of calling him third brother as he was 'his' royal brother. 

Though he was hesitant to have this ninth prince back but it was unpleasant to be addressed as a stranger by his blood-related sibling.

The third prince decided to shut up.

The second princess with shining eyes had been looking back and forth between her royal father and ninth brother and she couldn't help but to gasped with their similarities. Even though the Supreme Ruler had hidden his face under his mask, his fine features, hair color and eyes were to resembling with the silver haired young man standing in front of them.

The second princess had a spoiled and straightforward attitude that once her mind has decided, her mouth couldn't be stopped.

"Ninth Brother, you're so exquisite! If I did not know any better, I would think that royal father made a mini version of himself!"

Chun: ….

Royal siblings: ….

Supreme Ruler: …..

The aloof almighty king chuckled when he heard this from the second princess. He had been used to her non-filtered mouth and he was very lenient to it. Though he couldn't deny that his youngest son looked more like his younger self when he was still at his most rebellious times.

The dark chuckle of their royal father stiffened the princes and princesses while they held their breaths. The one who was the mastermind of it - second princess- trembled a bit but she controlled herself not to be intimidated with their royal father's eccentricity.

'This was normal. All normal.' They chanted on their minds. 

Chun sensed the strange atmosphere while the Supreme Ruler continued to laugh. If he was not in mask, surely they would see that the almighty king was in tears due to laughter.

"Alright.… You're all dismissed. Hunan, come here."

Some would smile in greetings or nod at Chun with friendliness while others seemed to raised their brows to her but what Chun had caught sight was they were somewhat had hidden pitiful looks at her.

The passing second prince whispered, "It's not what it looks."

Even the eighth prince as well, "Don't be intimidated. Royal father is just---"

"Hurry! Go out!" The laughing Supreme Ruler a while ago was now shouting at them impatience which they immediately obliged. The first prince was the last one to go out as he personally closed the door, not forgetting to nod at the silver haired youth.

Chun was now full of doubts if she was seeing it right. 'This seemed to be strange.'

"Hunan--- Chun." 

The silver haired young man turned around to the gentle tone of the Supreme Ruler which Chun saw that he was now playing with his mask on his hand while smiling at the other.

Although his smile seemed to be unaccustomed in his face. The Supreme Ruler was rare to smile nor laugh which shown a while ago that his supposed to be genial chuckle seemed to be sinister to those people that didn't know better but the princes and princesses were already used to their royal father's quirks.

He was an eccentric ruler so his ways were strange and odd for the others, and they would misunderstand it if they weren't familiar with him which was why the people of Terapika was afraid with this all-powerful faceless ruler. They never understand him but they somewhat grateful with His Majesty as he was the only ruler that could able to maintain peace between dividing nations without shedding blood. Yet that was something to be feared because the more unknown and illogical it was, the more unexpected it would be.

Majority of humans were afraid of the unknown which was why they had this kind of fear with the Supreme Ruler, it was only revealed that he wielded to types of Charms but its severity wasn't revealed and even His Majesty's other capabilities.

But Chun somehow could see that this Supreme Ruler was one of a kind.

"Chun, come here," he said with warmth in his eyes.