But after that brief display of genuine emotion, Albeck reined himself in. "What do you want? Do you think abducting my nephew will make me join Chaos?"
"Nothing. I'm just curious..."
The Chaos stirring in the shadows grew denser, taking on a human outline. "What is there about the Empire that deserves your loyalty?"
Albeck chuckled. "Your Highness, you and I are different. The Empire raised me and taught me the meaning of life and how to fight. Loyalty comes as naturally to me as breathing."
"It's because people like you exist that those twisted institutions, which should never have existed, endure."
Gray Mist—or rather, Aidan—sighed.
Albeck was unmoved. "There's a saying I like. When there's half a glass of water on the table, I see that there's still half a glass. Others see that there's only half a glass. But you, Your Highness, ask why there's half a glass at all."
"If no one has water, everyone starts on equal footing. What's wrong with that?"
"Everything. Those closer to the water, those with strength or allies to call upon, will still get it first. Your Highness, a system may not divide the water equally among everyone, but it can ensure you have half a glass."
"That's why you failed."
Prince Aidan fell silent for a long time, seemingly unable to argue.
After the silence stretched on, Albeck spoke again. "How is Young Miss Olmedo?"
As if repaying Albeck's earlier insolence, Prince Aidan chuckled. "Your nephew may be enduring torture..."
"Hiss..." Annan hunched his shoulders.
"What's wrong?"
A gentle, lilting voice drifted from behind him, accompanied by a sweet fragrance.
"It hurts a little..."
The beautiful lady massaging his shoulders asked, "Should I be gentler?"
"No, keep it like that."
Annan leaned back without a trace of guilt and