"You've done well, this is your reward, there's quite a bit of money inside, if it's not enough, ask me for more."
Those moon-colored pupils didn't even glance at her, and with that, mother hurriedly turned and left.
Received recognition, received praise, received acknowledgment.
Yet, nothing changed.
Hero's lips formed a bitter smile, no longer looking at his brother on stage.
His speech climbed to its crescendo, his tone filled with confidence and pride, gradually reclaiming the attention of the guests.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hero quietly and silently left the venue.
All that had been experienced in the past six months seemed never to have occurred, back in this home, she was still the same as before.
"It's not that I never thought it would turn out this way..."
On the empty terrace, the hazy moonlight poured down, Hero raised her head, the corners of her eyes reflecting a crystal-like glow.
"But still, it feels so hard."
Looking up at the Pure White Moon, Hero suddenly blinked, tears like morning dew vanished in an instant.
She turned around, meeting the gaze of the Fourteenth Princess who was softly walking towards her.
Realizing her approach could not be concealed from Hero's Perception, the Fourteenth Princess halted her steps, a trace of worry in her tone.
Throughout this day's Time, she had been a favored guest staying at the Viscount Mansion, with a display of charm and grace Hero had never witnessed before, and in merely half a day, she roughly grasped the situation of the Viscount Mansion, also gaining significant insight into Hero's past.
The ability to acquire so much intelligence in such a short time pertained to her identity and skill, but more critical was the Viscount's family's leniency towards these inquiries.
Yet the more she understood, the heavier Fourteenth Princess felt at heart.
Not because the circumstances were complex, but precisely the opposite, because everything was overly simple.
At least, in matters concerning Hero, it could be said to be straightforward.
No contest for inheritance, no secret research of Pantheon Mage, nor any typical Noble family entanglements...
Just an emotionally detached family, and a perceptive, wounded girl, nothing more.
However, such simplicity left her feeling helpless instead.
Her cherry-colored lips, capable of graceful eloquence before Lords and Nobles, at this moment couldn't find the suitable words to comfort the girl before her.
Observing the Fourteenth Princess in this state, Hero gently chuckled.
"Princess, do you know the habits of some Magic Creatures?"
The Fourteenth Princess paused for a moment, instinctively shook her head.
"They send their soon-to-be mature offspring into peril, and those who successfully escape almost invariably become independent from their parents, leaving the nest, never to return." Hero's Emerald Eye reflected the image of the Fourteenth Princess, yet seemed to peer through the courtyard, gazing at something further away.
"If a child insists on staying, they are regarded as enemies, driven out by their parents."
The Fourteenth Princess's pink pupils trembled slightly, tried to speak, but did not rush to Interrupt.
"Only the strongest offspring are permitted to remain, to stay in their parents' domain, assisting them in continuing the hunt."
Hero's smile was complex, his tone tinged with loneliness.
"And those that fail to escape danger..." Hero lightly lowered her eyelids, "merely prove unfit for survival in this world, even if not driven into danger by their parents, they would ultimately be devoured by nature's cruelty, receiving no sympathy nor aid."
The world of Magic Creatures encompasses more than slaughter, it includes Species offering mutual Observation, some Magic Creatures even experience steadfast love, perishing upon the death of a spouse.
However, on the contrary, attempting to find one kind of Magic Creature's traits in another is as foolish as asking a Goblin if it possesses honor.
"So, it's not about others, the oddity is me." Hero patted her cheeks.
She couldn't seek something from them that wasn't inherently owned or existent.
'But you are not beasts; you are Humankind.'
Although differing with Hero's analogy, the Fourteenth Princess did not speak further, merely emitted a complex Sigh.
"Do you think this suffices?"
"Yes, it's enough, Father and Mother, as well as Brother all recognize me... just as Father said, since I have my own path to walk, then I should persist in following it."
Hero arched the corners of her eyes, smiling serenely.
"Hence, it's about time I left the nest."
[]Heavenly Queen (Note: Conflict event, 1 being now)
Thus, within these six days' Time—
[Exchange with Mother (30+have, discussing about the Moon)]
[Exchange with Father (50+have)]
[Memories of close friend (70+go to grave, 100+with Fourteenth Princess)]
D100+30=d100(87)+30=117