Who Said A Necromancer Can't Be A Priest?-Chapter 76: Disowned

People stopped whatever they were doing. Conversations ceased, drinks overflowed, and people gawked. Their gaze fell on Aaran and then on Amara and Lucien.

It wasn't until the Emperor moved to greet his in-laws that the public breathed. However, Aaran remained cold, just as the Emperor had told him to act.

"Welcome, King Aurelia, Queen Aurelia. Please come inside."

The Emperor intentionally addressed them as Aurelia, as if to create a distance between them and Aaran.

Amara smiled, grabbed Lucien's hand, and walked in. But they weren't alone. Analeis followed them inside. The knights hadn't forgotten her. Years ago, when she was kicked out, they had sent many knights and hounds after her, but none of them returned.

One knight raised his sword, pointing at Analeis. The attendees were excited to see a fight when Analeis smiled.

"Shall we take this outside?" she asked.

Whether they liked it or not, Analeis was an attendee as well. If anyone had any grievances with her, they would have to deal with it outside. The Emperor's rule was absolute; hence, the knight had to begrudgingly lower his sword. There was no point in fighting Analeis one-on-one.

"How have you been, son?" Amara asked.

"I've been well."

There it was.

Aaran's formal reply drew a line before Amara could even attempt to get close. There was no acknowledgment of their relationship—just a cold, rehearsed reply.

It wasn't like Amara or Lucien didn't expect it, yet Aaran's coldness still hurt them. They knew he wasn't doing it intentionally; that was their only solace. However, the consolation didn't last long.

"I believe we have things to discuss," Aaran said, as polite as ever.

Amara and Lucien exchanged glances before following Aaran, unable to notice the subtle nod he gave the Emperor.

***

The group headed to the study, where Aaran had spent most of his days. While his parents looked around, Aaran opened a drawer and placed a stack of papers before them.

Lucien hesitated before picking them up. A part of him had hoped that this was all an act. That Aaran would suddenly smile, hug them, and tell them it was a ploy. That their son was still there, somewhere beneath the cold exterior.

But all that hope was shattered when they read through the papers.

Aaran was disowning them. Now that he was an adult, nothing was stopping him from cutting off relations with them.

Lucien crumpled the papers in anger. Aaran clicked his tongue in annoyance before producing a second set of papers, handing them to Amara instead. She went through the papers, and her reaction was even more absurd. She tore them up and threw the pieces in Aaran's face.

"Aaran, what is this all about?"

"Can't you read?" Aaran asked, rolling his eyes. "You're even worse than I expected."

The parents were shocked. They never thought Aaran would use such insensitive words toward them. It was as if they were nothing more than insignificant figures in his life.

"…Explain yourself, Aaran!"

Lucien couldn't hold back and yelled through gritted teeth.

Aaran sighed, running a hand through his hair as if their reaction was bothersome to him. For nine years, he had slowly cut off communication with them. He had hoped, being Virtues, they would get the hint, but that wasn't the case.

Before he could say anything, Amara rushed toward him, grabbed him by the shoulders, and shook him.

"Why are you doing this to us? What did we do to deserve this treatment?"

But in the next moment, Aaran pushed her hands away, then brushed off his clothes as if her touch had dirtied him.

Amara's mouth fell open. She was hurt… more than she had ever been. However, after watching her reaction, Aaran laughed—a cold, detached laugh. He stopped as quickly as he had begun before getting serious.

"It's not about what you did, Mother," he said. "It's about what you couldn't do."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. What they couldn't do? They did everything for him. They lived for his sake, and now he was talking about things they couldn't do?

"The Emperor recognizes my talent. He will give me the Empire, something befitting of my worth," he said, gesturing around. "And what can you offer me? A measly kingdom that no one cares about?"

Amara stumbled backward after hearing those words. As for Lucien, he stared into Aaran's eyes, looking for the boy they had raised.

The boy who had once clung to their hands, who had laughed with them, who had looked up to them.

But that boy was gone. Long gone.

After seeing their reaction, Aaran sighed.

"You did nothing wrong," he admitted. "But I have bigger ambitions, and in that future, I have no use for you. So it's better to end this farce of a relationship."

Amara buried her face in her hands, shaking her head. Meanwhile, Lucien stared forward like he couldn't see the thick stack of papers Aaran placed before him.

"As per the deal, you'll receive plenty of benefits. The Aurelia household will still be in the Emperor's good graces. I hope we can part on good terms," he said, walking past them.

But he wasn't done yet.

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"Oh, and Lucien," he said, calling his father by name, "read the terms carefully. If you want anything more, we can adjust the agreement. And don't forget to enjoy the festivities."

Lucien's face twitched with anger, but it wasn't worth breaking down there. They could mourn the relationship at home.

***

Aaran walked out of the room with a smile, only to bump into a red-eyed wolf. Analeis had been standing outside and heard everything. She couldn't believe the boy she had known since his childhood grew up to be such a despicable man.

"Not you too."

Aaran rolled his eyes, walking away, but Analeis grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"What is the meaning of this!?" she yelled.

Thankfully, they were at the Palace's far end. There were no guests there since the knights were instructed to stop anyone from entering. Or else they'd hear Analeis and cause unnecessary drama.

"Know your place," Aaran warned her, before walking away.

However, Analeis wasn't one to let go. Still holding his hand, she forced his hand under her skirt. Before Aaran could say anything, she pressed him against the wall.

"You seem blinded by your status, Your Highness," she whispered. "What do you think will happen if I scream now? The young prince who forced himself on an innocent maid. What do you think will happen to your reputation?"

Analeis didn't want to do it, but extreme times called for extreme measures. She knew Aaran wasn't being himself and hoped the shock would at least make him rethink some decision.

However, Aaran laughed and bit her hand. Analeis jumped back, and Aaran quickly pressed her against the wall. Analeis was shocked, but she was even more worried when Aaran's hand reached deeper within her skirt.

"What will happen to my reputation? Nothing," he smiled. "So what if I used you? I'm the Emperor's son. Who would dare rebuke me?"

He leaned in. Analeis closed her eyes in disgust. She didn't think Aaran had turned so rotten that he would kiss her against her will, and… he didn't. He pushed her away, straightening his suit.

"Don't forget, you're a mere maid. It'd be better if you behaved as such."

With that, Aaran walked away, leaving them and his past behind.