In Sickness And In Health (Yandere M. Genius x F. Reader x Yandere M. Prince)

Chapter 70: Non-Disclosure (Dis)Agreement (II)

Orion gave a look of confusion when his father was pushed forward. Of course, the boy had vaguely known for a very long time that his uncle was mistreated by his aunt. He might not have known the extent of it, but he did know it existed. So he perhaps was not shocked at Satoru's confession, but now his father was being pushed forward. It felt like something he did not want to hear, the prince averting his eyes while trying to stop himself from thinking about the implication of his uncle's words.

"W-What are you -," the orange-haired man protested, trying to stand behind Satoru instead of in front of him, "I-I thought...you said..."

"You deserve closure."

"N-Not now! It's his birthday, and it's not fair to - "

"Not fair? You love your son. You did everything for him, spending all of your time looking for some possible way to cure him. You remained here for him despite all of these fuckers. You have done more than you ever needed to do."

"But - "

"Cadmus," A pause as Satoru looked in his eyes pathetically, "I need you to do this for me. Or you will never be free."

That seemed to have moved the man enough for him to, at the very least, consider it. He had always wanted to be free of the palace. It was his least favorite place in the world. The man wanted to return to the Sun God Sect and carry out the duties he so loved. He wanted to travel the world, too, and learn as much as he could. And since he'd met Satoru, he'd finally had someone to do those things with. But...

"Verona."

Satoru called out the woman's name, prompting her to glance up at the orange-haired man. He was trembling, on the verge of tears. Cadmus had never been anywhere as near as brave as Satoru was. He had never been the rebelling type like he was either. On the contrary, his entire life, he did what he was told and fulfilled all expectations that were placed on him. But he knew that was the problem, and, unfortunately, he didn't know how to break out of it the way that Satoru did.

"I know I've hurt you," the woman spoke softly, keeping her distance and looking away from him, "N-No, I've done more than that. There hasn't been a single moment where I provided you with what you needed. And I know I am not entitled to closure for the guilt I feel with you. But you are more than deserving of it. I wish to be punished. Please."

The man couldn't believe any of that. He didn't believe that the woman who had tormented him since he was a child was telling him to bring her to justice. It didn't seem like it was even possible for her, of all people, to feel guilt. Otherwise, why had he felt so torn about hating her? He thought he felt guilty for hating the descendant of the eternal flower. After all, to him, she was not mortal, and, therefore, above him. Who was he to question her actions? He thought it was all for the sake of the future.

But now that the woman was admitting she had done something wrong, he fell into a state of shock and confusion. Had he always been allowed to hate her? Was that even something he had the right to do? From the way she looked and the way she spoke, it seemed like she wanted him to hate her, as if that was the right thing for him to do. But that meant that all of his suffering that he had endured was pointless. So, then...why had he been made to suffer in the first place, if not for a greater purpose?

"Everyone wants you to be free," she continued, pausing by biting down on her lip, "because you are so lovable. I'm not anything like you, so I wanted to steal it from you somehow. I thought...forcing you into marriage and taking advantage of you would somehow give that to me. But I did nothing but bring my own evil to the surface. And, even after all of that, you have proven how much of an angel you are. You were in so much pain, I know, but you devoted yourself to others and shone so splendidly."