Black crown

Ch-10guilt

**Emperor's Mansion**

**Prime Minister:** my lord

The child from the Crown Family will turn 7 in just a few days. If we don't do something now, then we will never get another chance…

The Emperor was sitting on his throne in such a way that it felt like a terrifying beast was sitting there. Neither the ministers nor the nobles had the courage to look into his eyes while speaking. Everyone kept their eyes lowered before talking.

**Emperor:** Hmm… we don't have to do anything. We'll just sit back and watch the show. *(a slight devilish smile)*

.....

**Rey:** Father, do you know anything about the CROWN Mark? I heard from the servants that apparently I also have a Crown Mark on my neck.

Rax did not expect to hear from Rey's mouth that he had a Crown Mark on his neck. Even so, he was not too shocked, because by now the entire continent already knew that Rey had a Crown Mark on his neck.

**Rax:** I don't know that much about the Crown Mark either. The Clan Leader knows the most because boys with a Crown Mark are sent away for 15 years of training once they turn 7 years old. There, they learn the history of the Crown Mark, where its power comes from, and after they return from training, they never speak about it to anyone. Only they are allowed to know about these things, no one else.

I know only a little about the Crown Mark. Like… if someone has a Crown Mark, they must become the Clan Leader. Usually, children with Crown Marks are born as twins. There are two types of Crown Marks: Golden and Red.

After saying this, Rax looked at Rey in shock.

*(Inner Thought)* Wait a minute… I saw Rey's Crown Mark, and it was black! Was I mistaken back then?! No, that's impossible. I clearly saw that Rey's Crown Mark was black. Jessica saw it too. There's no way both of us saw it wrong at the same time. On top of that, Rey was born alone; he didn't have any twin brother. How is this possible…? I need to go to the Clan Library and study this matter as soon as possible.

**Rey:** Father…

Rey nudged Rax's body.

Rax came back to his senses.

**Rax:** Hmm?

**Rey:** Father, do I have to go to the training once I turn 7?

**Rax:** Yes… but don't worry. As long as I'm alive, I will never send you there. I want you to live a normal life… I want you to love someone, have your own family, and have children of your own.

**Rey (Inner Thought):** Love, huh… It's like salt. If it's not there, nothing has any taste. But if there's too much, it becomes impossible to swallow. Even if someone can add the perfect amount of salt, no one can give the perfect amount of love. Either it becomes too much or too little, and because of that, these things never last. But my tongue cannot feel taste, so I can eat without salt. And for someone who doesn't even have a heart, talking about feelings is nothing but a luxury.

**Rax:** Rey…

**Rey:** Hmm?

**Rax:** *(becoming emotional)* How wonderful would it have been if there were no powers in this world… Or at least if there were balance in power. But 85% of powers are found among nobles, while only the remaining 15% exist among commoners. Wouldn't it be better if no one in this world was called a noble? If everyone were commoners, then there would be no such thing as high or low status. Everyone would be equal… haa… ah, what am I even saying to you? Forget it…

**Rey:** Father, you carry a lot of guilt in your heart.

Hearing this, Rax hugged Rey tightly and began crying uncontrollably.

**Rax:** Because of me, all of this happened. Because of me, Jessica's family died. Because of me, my brother became so emotionless today. If only that day I had gone to that training ground instead of sending my brother… then today my brother could have enjoyed a beautiful life. There would have been no need for him to become so emotionless. Jessica's family also wouldn't have died…

**Rey:** Father…

**Rax:** Yes?

**Rey:** This is destiny. What you chose is your destiny, and what your brother chose is also his destiny. There's no need for you to carry so much guilt because… sometimes people must accept fate. That acceptance itself becomes a person's true identity.

Rax never expected to hear such words from such a small child. Hearing this made him feel ashamed of himself. Such a little child understood this much, yet he, despite being an adult, understood so little!?

**3 days later — In the Crown Mansion**

The Vice Leader came before Dax Crown.

**Vice Leader:** Clan Leader, Rax has arrived at the Crown Mansion and is requesting access to the library.

**Dax Crown:** Fine. Grant him access.