WCMBI - Chapter 225: Longing For Mother’s Love (Patreon)

A heavy silence descended upon the vanished garden where Pedro once stood. Ian and Adrian exchanged puzzled glances at the enigmatic riddles he had left behind, especially Ian, on the verge of turning to frustration, seemed to possess knowledge of Melissa's whereabouts.

"Tell me, Empress, do you know where Matap is?"

Amidst the tumultuous turmoil within, the Emperor upheld his decorum with resilience, yet now, there was no room for such considerations. He stood before the dazed Adrian, urging for a prompt response.

"Reveal the whereabouts of Matap, and I shall undertake the investigation."

"Your Majesty!"

As the tone grew louder, the Prime Minister interjected, "Lord Earl, mind your manners."

"Your Majesty, please."

Since Melissa's disappearance, they dispatched search parties without respite. They scoured the entire empire, but not a single substantial clue leading to her emerged.

For Ian, each day felt like an infernal torment. The desire to end his life crossed his mind several times, but the unease of being sought by DS prevented him from yielding to such thoughts. The child was sensitive to his father's absence. In a similar manner, he searched for his mother.

Every time DS sought Melissa, he felt destined to be a sinner. Considering the upbringing of other alphas and even his own growth without a mother, he naturally assumed that DS would behave similarly.

In retrospect, influenced by his childhood, Ian, who couldn't properly recognize his own emotions, regarded himself as a foolish imbecile, despite believing that he had grown well.

"Your Majesty, forgive my impudence and spare me. Where is Matap located?"

In a voice that seemed to simmer with urgency, Adrian slowly opened his mouth.

"I don't know either."

"Pardon?"

"No one knows Matap's location. Only Matapju knows."

"This can't be..."

Ian, who naturally assumed that the Emperor would know, was overwhelmed by deep disappointment. With a thud, he knelt down, and Adrian spoke to him.

"Even I am curious."

Lucia, who suddenly disappeared one day. Why did the woman who bore his successor vanish so abruptly? He had been trying to ignore her existence so far, but now, curiosity gnawed at him. If he had treated her well from his perspective, what if that wasn't the case?

And who was the person Pedro mentioned?

Things that had never raised questions now pounded at his heart and mind. They seemed to cry out that the truth must be revealed, as if it were the path for the sake of future generations.

"Lord Bryant."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I shall entrust you with a mission."

Ian seemed to sense what the Emperor was about to say. The golden irises that had turned dark with despair now flickered with a glimmer of hope.

"You may make use of the palace forces to locate Matap's residence. And bring Matapju before me."

"I shall fulfill your command."

"I must know about Jim as well."

When did the treatment of Omegas change? And what was the reason?

He could no longer overlook it. There was something peculiar about Ian's sentiments, as if his own story was not quite his own.

* * *

Pedro, who had flown to Matap, went straight to Lucia. As he knocked and entered the studio, he found Adella and Melissa inside.

"What's this? Is the schedule already over? Did you visit the Luna Kingdom as well?"

"Matap Majesty."

"Why the gloomy expression?"

"I had an accident."

"Ah, darn it."

Lucia cursed, observing him with a look of sadness. Whenever he wore the same expression as a drenched puppy, it invariably meant he had caused a major blunder.

"What is it this time? Did you lose the magical gadget you had put in the spatial pocket?"

"No."

"Then, did you offend some royals?"

"No..."

"Oh, then what is it? Did you misplace the sales revenue?"

Lucia, seated until now, slowly rose. If Pedro attempted to escape, she would ensnare him with magic and give him a good scolding.

"Really now, Matap Majesty, why do you torment me so?"

"I have merely listed the mistakes you've made thus far."

At Lucia's firm words, Pedro hesitated briefly before confessing to the mistakes he had just committed.

"Not really, I misspoke in anger."

"To whom?"

"To Emperor Aeris and Duke Bryant."

As he finished speaking, the air seemed to thicken ominously.

"What kind of misspeaking was it? You didn't happen to mention Melissa's presence here, did you?"

"I didn't explicitly say so, but I may have implied it subtly."

"Why did you do that?"

"I was angry."

Lucia found it hard to be angry at Pedro's candid admission.

She wasn't sure what exactly had angered him, but knowing his past, she refrained from pressing further. Besides, she suspected it might have something to do with Omega's nonsense that had triggered his outburst.