Something more important?
Mary froze.
Looking at the stunned Mary, Qin Ran sighed.
Though the young princess appeared calm, she had been reeling from the sudden upheaval all along. Otherwise, she would have known what she needed to do now.
Qin Ran stood and rested his palm on Mary's head.
"James needs a funeral."
"And you need a coronation."
"Warren has lost its old king. It needs a new one. Riddled with wounds as it is, it can't withstand any more upheaval."
Qin Ran spoke softly.
"Mm."
Mary lowered her head slightly, hiding her expression from Qin Ran.
"My memories of my father are vague."
"He existed only in books. My mother never spoke about him directly, and I don't know whether she loved him or hated him."
"I don't know whether I should love him or hate him, either."
"Even when I met him, I only treated him the way people thought an 'heir' should."
"Being like that, I should have felt relieved when I learned he was a fake. So why does it hurt now?"
The young princess tried hard to keep her voice calm.
But Qin Ran clearly heard the hint of a sob in it.
"Because that's..."
"The bond of blood."
"A bond that neither time, distance, nor death can sever."
"It makes you feel sorrow."
"And it also reminds you that you haven't lost everything."
Qin Ran crouched halfway down and looked straight into Mary's reddening eyes. He gently brushed the corners of her eyes with his hand before standing again and resting his palm on her head.
"But... but I don't want sorrow."
The young princess spoke in a small voice.
"That's why it's reality."
"It's always this cruel."
"Whether you accept it or not, it will teach you harsh lessons until you understand