âSo, you met Ahin?â
As soon as the class began, Ferdel tilted his head. I nodded with a somewhat disapproving look. I still felt awkward when I thought about it. Itâs great that heâs so young and handsome, but how could I fall for such a little kidâ¦This was enough to give me a mental breakdown! I could already feel them slapping a pair of handcuffs on me!
Ferdel smiled as if he didnât know that I was in pain.
âIt appears the twins already introduced him to you. They must really like him.â
âYes, they listen to him very well.â
I pouted my lips, handing in my mythical book report for my last homework.
In my response, Ferdel tilted his head. He wondered why my attitude was so cold, but I never meant to tell him. How could I say to him that my heart fluttered because of that little boy! No matter how young I might appear outside, I never thought kids would be a part of my consideration. Heâs just too young! Oh, the world was going crazy.
âAhin is my older sisterâs son.â
âI know that.â
When I nodded, Ferdel smiled.
âReally? Then, did you know he was the next in line as the emperor of the Northern Empire?â
Huh? What was he talking about?
As I opened my eyes wide, Ferdel smiled as if he knew that I wouldnât know about such things. He gave such a mocking smile.
Anyway, that kidâs royalty? All rulers from S-Hertogenbosch have the Genbosch last name, but I just shrugged it off. I couldnât believe he was really from a royal family. I kept my mouth shut in amazement, and Ferdel began to explain.
âSuhina, the holy Emperor of the North, declared that he would adopt Ahin to make him the next emperor.â
âReally?â
âBut my sister is completely against it, and thatâs why she fled here to Agrigent to stay near our family. As long as the emperor of the Northern Empire is not crazy, he wonât come all the way to Agrigent.â
Adopt Ahin as a son to make him the next emperor?
Why would he adopt someone who wasnât even his own blood to make them into an Emperor? Other than that, why wouldnât he come to Agrigent? Whatâs stopping him?
I soon realized when I tilted my head to think.
Oh, thatâs right. My fatherâs a total mad manâ¦