A while later, Alistair watched the hall door swing shut, then turned to the Queen, who had resumed her place on the throne.
"Is it okay to let him leave like that?"
Elizabeth drummed her fingers on the armrest, leaning back into the seat.
"He's overly cautious. Did you see how his tone shifted when I suggested he work for the royal family? I felt that if I pressed him, he would have dramatically declared it an injustice, accusing the royal family."
Alistair blinked at her words.
"So, we're letting him go? It seems a waste to lose someone with so much potential."
He paused, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"Mother... that's unlike you. If you'd truly wanted it, you could have bound him to the royal family for life, instead of allowing him to choose a treasure from the treasury as a reward and return to the academy. To me, it seems like you went easy on him."
Elizabeth gazed at him, and Alistair fell silent. Then she let out a soft hum.
"Perhaps you're right. However, Skyler is still weak, with a long path ahead. Let him grow stronger. It's better for him to explore the world at this age than be bound to us. Once he's strong, I'll call him back. Also…"
Her eyes crinkled with amusement.
"I like him. His cheerful presence reminds me of your father when he was healthy. Tell your siblings; they have another competitor. Skyler is a Thorne now. Even if he's not with us, the whole world already knows it. So, if he ever wants to join the battle to claim the Human Continent Throne, I'll give that kid a chance, like those who carry my blood."
She stood up, her presence commanding and powerful as she turned to leave.
Alistair smiled wryly.
He had no interest in the throne, nor in the ongoing battle within the family. His mother was still healthy and had many years ahead of her. Yet, ever since their father fell ill, she had begun speaking as if she'd die soon.
So, seeing her happy again because of Skyler brought him a sense of relief.
Still, a part of him couldn't help but feel a twinge of sorrow—knowing that one of her grandchildren, whom the Queen had never even met before, had already taken a place in her heart, however small, while he, her own son, seemed to occupy no space.
He snapped out of his thoughts when the Queen suddenly spoke again. For some reason, her tone was softer—a rarity.
"I am not that heartless, my son. I never forced any of you. I simply gave you all a choice. If I were truly that cruel, I would have already brought Riya Thorne back."
Her eyes flickered with a glow.
"It's not really hard for me to find her. She has always been around. I just let her go."
Alistair stared at her, stunned—the faint yet gentle smile on her face as she looked back at him for a moment lingered in his mind.
Even after Elizabeth had left the hall, he remained frozen in place, dazed.
It was rare—almost unheard of—for his mother to show such emotion, let alone speak to him with such tenderness. And yet, it was in those brief moments that he was reminded—she was his mother.
He only snapped out of his daze when a panicked old servant burst into the hall.
The older man, breathless, reported that Skyler, who had been escorted to the royal treasury to select a treasure as his reward, was refusing to leave and now throwing a tantrum, demanding to take everything.
"What?"
Alistair rubbed his temples, cursing under his breath. He had forgotten that Skyler had awakened the same race as the Queen! He looked at the servant standing before him.
"Which treasury?"
"The one in the left wing."
Alistair sighed in relief, though it was short-lived, knowing what awaited him.
"At least you didn't take him to the main treasury or the Queen's personal vault."
Muttering another curse, he vanished.
The scene that greeted him inside the left-wing treasury was almost comical.
Skyler, draped in chains and rings of gold and sparkling diamonds, with his pockets overflowing with crystals, clung to the leg of a golden statue of a wingless dragon, its body embedded with many glittering gems and jewels, his eyes dazed and unfocused.
The guards and treasury attendants were doing their best to remove him while trying not to harm him, but he clung to the statue like a leech, refusing to let go.
Alistair's eyebrow twitched violently. He waved a hand at the servants and guards.
"Stand down. I'll handle him."
He stepped forward, stifling a laugh as Skyler's blue eyes glared at him with pure hostility—an unspoken warning to back off, as if everything in sight belonged to him.
Without another word, Alistair grabbed the ash-brown-haired youth by the collar and quickly dragged him out of the treasury.
"You're one of us, no doubt. I can see that very clearly. However, your obsession with treasure might even surpass Mother's. At least she knows how to control herself."
He dropped him to the ground and shut the treasury gate behind him before the young man could crawl back inside, chuckling.
"Look at your size—and look at just what you're doing. Aren't you embarrassed?"
Alistair turned to one of the attendants responsible for overseeing the treasury, who had followed them out.
"How much did this kid take?"
When the attendant listed the amount, he was left speechless, unsure whether to feel relieved or depressed that Skyler had only taken sparkling objects of material worth—gems, gold, and jewels—while completely ignoring the many powerful weapons and elemental treasures stored deeper within.
"You, really..."
He exhaled deeply and smiled. As the eldest one, he ought to understand.
"I won't take back what you've taken. Be happy with that and come to your senses. All of it together is worth more than you could ever earn in a lifetime of work."
It was then that Alistair noticed the absence of the familiar white snake.
"Wait, where's Riruru?"
Skyler, having immediately stored all the treasures he'd taken from the treasury into his storage rings—though regretful that he had failed to drag the golden dragon statue out with him—looked up with innocent eyes.
He pointed toward the treasury.
"She was hungry, so I told her she could help herself to the things inside the boxes."
Alistair's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You little!"
He vanished into the treasury, but he was already too late. Riruru had already eaten a powerful, rare natural treasure stored deep within the treasury. The snake was seated atop an empty box, her eyes closed as if she were about to break through soon.
Alistair laughed, now more exasperated than amused. Skyler and Riruru had truly outdone themselves this time. He turned toward the attendants and guards.
"Are you all completely useless? He was supposed to pick one treasure—just one! How the hell did Skyler manage to turn the entire treasury upside down with all of you standing there? You should've kicked him out! You're all stronger than him!"
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
Could they really kick a prince out?
No, they couldn't—especially not one who was so infamous across the continent. The thought of harming him, even slightly, was enough to make them fear for their jobs.
Alistair groaned in frustration. In the next moment, Riruru was also tossed out of the treasury into Skyler's arms. He glanced at the two thieves, who looked at him as if he had wronged them, with a stern gaze.
"Leave, before I take everything back."
Skyler eyed the treasury once more, his thoughts lingering on the golden dragon statue. Not to mention all the jewels and other treasures he hadn't yet claimed.
"Uncle..."
He started, but before he could finish, Alistair silenced him with a sharp glare.
"Now!"
Turning to a guard, Alistair ordered.
"You, throw... Ahem, I mean, escort these two out of the castle and prepare a car for them to return to the academy. If they stay here any longer, I fear the royal family will go bankrupt and end up on the streets!"
The guard, a burly, muscular man, nodded and immediately ushered Skyler forward.
"This way, Sir."
Skyler's eyes dropped in frustration. It wasn't fair. How could his uncle just kick him out of the royal castle just because he and Riruru took a few extra treasures?
Wasn't it the Queen, just a little while ago, who wanted him to join the royal family?
And now this?
Well, in truth, he hadn't exactly wanted to join the royal family, but still... how could they go back on their word so quickly?
Despite his sour mood, Skyler didn't stop picking up every shiny object he saw along the way, leaving the guard escorting him on the verge of tears, knowing he would have to report it all to Alistair later. The prince would take out his frustration on him!
Only after watching Skyler settle into the flying car and vanish into the sky did the guard finally breathe a sigh of relief.
But that relief was short-lived.
An hour later, a furious roar reverberated through the entire royal castle as Alistair Thorne returned to his chambers—only to find all his favorite antiques missing.
"Skyler Thorne!!"
He nearly coughed up blood when he discovered he wasn't the only victim.
His dear nephew had also visited many other rooms while looking for Riruru.