My Wife is a Dead Villainess, and I'm Her Living Weapon

"Mistress Velvet, can we please take a step back for a moment? Entrusting such a big task to a mere child is..."

Bianca turned to Marcus, "Please be silent."

"Mistress Velvet, I apologize for the disrespect, but I cannot. This is completely ridiculous! What does this keepsake even prove? That young Ned here knew Elian Reed when he was only human? He is no longer a mere boy!"

Marcus glared at Elian with fierce eyes, "Elian Reed may have started as a young boy, but he has become a powerhouse comparable to the Big Three." He scoffed while crossing his arms, "He should grow up and use his strength for the betterment of humanity!"

Despite Marcus’ passionate words, neither Bianca nor Elian react. Bianca in particular kept looking at only Ned, as if urging him to speak. But the young boy kept glancing at Marcus, waiting for his command.

After a few moments, Ned sighed and looked at Elian.

"This Crown was very important to Elian. It held a promise."

"And what was that promise?" Bianca inquired.

"That he would never let anyone determine his own value." Ned inspected the coin and traced along the nicks and cuts. "If I remember correctly, it was something his dad asked him to never forget. Anytime I saw Elian with this, he was cutting a piece of this coin off."

Elian flinched. All of a sudden, a voice began to play in the back of his head. He saw his father sitting with him on the porch of their house against the sunset.

"Remember, Elian. You are who you believe yourself to be. This crown. No matter how much you beat it up—you can still use it to buy a piece of candy or even a house. Don’t listen to what they all tell you. You are not a Defect. You are not a failure. You are my son."