Chapter 94: Is It Love (2)
Ahead of the group, Alex lifted his sleeve, fiercely wiping away the tears that had started to form.
Alex knew deep down that any further hopes of Bartland being good or caring about him were just self-delusions. ’If he truly cares about me, why hasn’t he visited me, choosing instead to capture me now? The earlier pirate attack at the beach must have been Bartland’s doing too... I dragged Ayoi and Yuka into trouble.’
He thought about the embroidered message inside the doll’s dress Yuka had given him, originally meant from his mother: "I wish you were a girl." Maybe his mother knew he’d be a political tool, not wanting him to compete for the throne with Fred, to avoid Bartland’s exploitation.
’Does Mom’s death have something to do with Bartland, too?’
The more Alex dwelled on it, the more heartbroken he became. He wiped away tear after tear, and when he realized it, he had already reached the white building.
Everyone was in a daze from the shock, except Fred, who nervously told the guards to keep quiet about the recent events. They agreed, commending his discretion.
Fred, doing nothing, saw Alex’s tear-streaked face and mocked, "Alex, did the space pirate make you cry? What a wimp."
Bang!
Fred hit the ground, holding his swelling cheek, incredulously shouting at Alex, "You hit me?!"
"Why not?" Alex shouted back, "I’m giving back all the beatings you gave me!"
With his family gone and the only mother he might have loved dead, Alex felt alone and fearless. The students stepped back, silently rooting for Alex. They were tired of Fred’s antics.