The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 123. Pain and Emotion

Chapter 123: 123. Pain and Emotion

A young girl with silver hair, no older than seven, sat on the edge of a large building that appeared to have been carved out of starlight in the divine realm, a vast area of bright mist and glowing silver clouds.

The massive structure, which seemed to have been constructed out of hope, sailed above a sea of clouds, its lofty arches and spires gleaming with a surreal light.

The girl let out a bored sigh as she gazed into the endless, glittering sky while swinging her tiny, bare feet and kicking at the misty clouds below. A warm, familiar voice broke the still silence. "You’re here, huh?"

The girl spun, her eyes flashing with mischief, seeing Celestia a few steps away, her glowing presence lighting the clouds like a sunrise. Celestia’s smile was soft but knowing, her golden eyes full of love. "Finally tracked you down, little one."

The girl giggled, bright but a bit guilty, her grin shy as she jumped up, darting through the misty pillars. "Sorry, Aunty!" she called, weaving with playful speed.

But Celestia flicked her hand, a gentle wave of magic catching the girl mid-run, lifting her into the air. Her legs kicked in fake protest, her laughter bubbling as she floated, weightless.

Celestia stepped closer, pinching the girl’s cheek with a mix of pretend sternness and deep care. "You dare skip my training?" she scolded, but her eyes twinkled, showing her fondness.

The girl pouted, crossing her arms stubbornly. "It’s boring! I want to meet that Ruler already!"

Celestia’s smile softened, her voice calm and soothing. "There’s still time for him, little star. Dimensional space-time flows differently here and in his world. Haven’t I taught you that?"

The girl’s frown grew, her voice firm, almost whiny. "I want to see him! I need to know if he’s really worthy, like you keep saying."

Celestia let the spell go, and the girl landed lightly on the soft floor, her silver hair bouncing. Kneeling to meet her eyes, Celestia’s voice was gentle, like a storyteller’s. "Shall I tell you a tale, then? About why he’s worthy of being the Ruler?"

The girl’s eyes lit up, curiosity beating her pout, her small hands clasping together. "Yes! Tell me!"

In the present, Erin’s arms still held Leo, her hug a lifeline against his storm of grief. His bloody fists rested on the stone, knuckles torn, his tears slowing as her warmth calmed him, easing the fire in his chest. After a long, heavy moment, his shaky breaths steadied, his rage cooling to quiet embers.

Erin let go, turning to hide her own tear-streaked face, her voice low but strong. "Return home now. The duke’s been searching for you relentlessly."

She tossed a small pouch of coins at him, the soft clink loud against the bloody floor. "Use these to buy clothes and food for the little girls. I know you didn’t bring any money."

Leo, still kneeling, lifted his eyes to her, heavy with tiredness but soft with gratitude. "Thanks," he rasped.

Erin nodded, her back to him, walking toward the exit. "Ok," she said, not looking back.

Vivien and Lysa ran to Leo, their small voices shaking with worry. "Brother, what happened?" Vivien asked, pulling his arm, her red eyes searching his face. Lysa’s hands fidgeted, her gaze nervous.

Leo gave a tired chuckle, warmed by their innocence, and hugged both girls tightly, his bloody hands gentle. "Nothing," he said softly, voice firm. "We’re just going home."

Outside, in the thick, dark forest around the Pillar of Treachery, Erin walked alone on a winding path, her violet eyes wet with tears that fell despite her fierce wipes. Her breaths shook, her voice a broken, childish whine. "Idiot, stupid," she muttered, kicking a pebble into the bushes, her frustration raw.

"Aunt was right—you only care about your lover. I want to punch you." Her words quivered with hurt, a girl’s outburst hiding deeper pain.

Then her voice dropped, a bitter whisper full of defiance. "What, planning to spy on my whole life, Sixth Commander of the Demon Army, Greed’s representative, Lyzrick?"

A few steps away, hidden in the shadows, Lyzrick leaned against a twisted tree, his sharp face half-lit by moonlight, his presence a quiet threat. He sighed, voice low but amused. "Didn’t plan to stick around. Thought I’d take back those pride skills and bolt. But damn, your drama’s too gripping to walk away from."

Erin’s eyes flashed, tears still falling, her voice a mix of anger and hurt. "You saw it all, didn’t you? What do you make of him?"

Lyzrick stepped into the faint light, his grin sly but thoughtful. "I see why Valtharion tossed him his pride skills like candy." His tone grew serious. "But it’s not my call. I’ll report to my sister and the other commanders. They’ll decide his fate."

Erin’s jaw tightened, her voice sharp through her tears. "You better not mess this up, Lyzrick."

Lyzrick’s chuckle was dark, his eyes gleaming as he slipped back into the shadows. "Oh, I know, girl. Because, I discovered who he really was." He vanished, leaving Erin alone, her tears drying as she stood there.

Erin lifted her hand, staring at her palm, the memory of her tense standoff with Leo still sharp like a fresh cut. "Maybe I went too far with him," she whispered, her voice soft, lost in the rustling trees. She sighed, shaking her head, and kept walking.

Outside the prison, Leo stepped from the entryway, his torn, bloody undershirt swapped for a plain tunic and cloak grabbed from the first floor’s supplies. The rough fabric wasn’t his usual style, but it was clean and not bloodstained, and that was enough.

He held Vivien’s small hand in his left and Lysa’s in his right, guiding the girls into the open air. Bright sunlight poured over them, warm and golden, cutting through the forest’s shadows.

As Vivien adjusted to the light, a tiny smile appeared on her face and she squinted, her auburn hair gleaming. But Lysa, who hadn’t seen the light in three months, paused, her eyes wide with astonishment and her pale face tilting upward.

She breathed the clean air and slowly turned to look at the tall trees with their leaves rustling in the wind. As she took in the world she had forgotten, a shy, shaky smile appeared on her face—her first genuine one in months.

Vivien tugged Leo’s hand, her red eyes sparkling with excitement. "Brother, is Lysa coming to brother Lucian’s birthday?"

Leo looked down, his tired face softening, a faint grin breaking through. "Yeah, she’ll stay with us for a few days."

Vivien squealed, bouncing on her toes. "Yay!"

Lysa’s smile grew, her voice a soft whisper. "Really?" She looked at Leo, hope in her eyes, the thought of a birthday party, a normal moment, feeling like a dream.

Leo nodded, squeezing her hand gently. "Yup. You’re with us now, kid."

As they walked, Lysa’s steps slowed, her head turning slightly, drawn to the prison’s dark shape behind them. Leo noticed, his voice firm but kind. "Hey, little girl, don’t look back at that hell."

Lysa’s eyes looked ahead. Leo’s eyes lingered on her, and then glanced back to the prison. Thin wisps of smoke curled out of its depths, a fire he began to scorch that place.

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