Kai’s question hung in the air, as Ray sat in silence, the weight of the revelation settling over him like a heavy cloak. The memory of the day played out vividly in his mind—the truth being revealed.

Flashback:

As Kai had requested a private audience with Mono, the others left them alone in Ray’s room. Ray’s heart weighed heavily as Sakura helped him into the wheelchair. Hiro walked alongside, their footsteps echoing through the castle corridor. Celestina, busy with Maximus’s complaints, barely spared them a glance. Ray sighed, gazing out of the window. The lush royal garden lay below, bathed in sunlight.

And there, amidst blooming flowers, stood Naitina. Her presence tugged at Ray’s memories—the shock, the disbelief when they revealed the body switch. He needed to talk to her, to explain.

Ray pulled out the small notebook, as he scribbled a message for Sakura: “Can I go to the garden?" he asked. To this, Sakura nodded, her eyes understanding. She called over a passing maid, instructing her to accompany Ray. The maid bowed and led him down the winding path. As they reached the garden, Ray asked the maid to go back to her duties. He took the control, wheeling himself ahead, the wheels of the chair rolling over cobblestones.

As Ray approached Naitina, his heart raced. But the sound of the wheel startled her, as she turned, her eyes widening as they met his. Tears glistened on her cheeks, and Ray’s chest tightened. He understood—the betrayal she felt, the confusion.

He took a deep breath. “Okay, I can do this,” he cheered internally. “I will say out everyth—" But he got cut off in between, as he heard her words.

“Why?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Why would you both do such a thing?”

Ray’s gaze held hers. He quickly scribbled a note, showing it to her. “It's just as Kai said,” he explained. “We both switched bodies due to the ancient artifact.”

Niatina’s anger flared. “And you left me in the dark..." she whispered. "And Kai, he pretended to be you, knowing I had feelings for you...”

Ray winced. He scribbled another note. “It's all a misunderstanding. This is between you and me,” it read. “And Kai is innocent. He didn't know anything about it."

Niatina’s fists clenched. “And what about my feelings? My heartache?” Ray quickly wrote another note, saying; “I know,” Ray looked into her eyes. He went on, writing another note, “And that is why I came here to explain everything. Nino, I—” but he couldn't complete what he wished to express, as he got cut off. “No!” she interrupted, tears welling. “You don't know anything! You betrayed me!”

Raynor froze, desperation in his eyes. He began to write, his hands shaking. “Elara, I came to apologi—" But his pen fell, as he heard Niatina's last words. "You never cared for me...," her voice shaky. Ray looked up, shocked at tears falling down her cheeks. He was left with no words, only silence. There was only the sound of Niatina's sniffle, as she cried. She moved, walking past him.

But as she was about to leave the garden, she said one last thing. "I hate you, Ray..." With this, she left the scene, crying. Ray could only look at the place she stood, before lowering his head.

-End of the Flashback

Now, back in the present. Ray sat in silence, recalling what happened. He finally decided to tell Kai everything, taking a deep breath. “Kai, I-” he spoke up, but Kai had answered before him. His finger pointing at the projection, as it read. “I can imagine what happened with the note, so you don’t have to explain.” He said through the projection, but internally he had other thoughts.

“Truthfully, I had Eva play me the scene of what happened between them.”

Ray’s heart weighed heavily, as he sighs. “I guess it’s all over for me,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.

The weight of regret pressed down on him. "If only I'd been true to my feelings—" he wonders, recalling Niatina's words like a curse: "You never cared for me."

Kai, ever the pragmatic friend, just stared at Ray who had his head lowerd. He pondered about the universal struggle—the silent battles waged within hearts. “Why do all guys and girls keep their feelings to themselves and not saying it out? Only to later regret about it...,” he mused to himself, as a smile forms in his face. "Guess I will give him a hand."

Kai leaned forward, snapping his fingers in front of Ray. Ray caught by surprise, looked ahead as Kai's projection appeared. Ray read the words in it, slowly his eyes widening. “There’s still hope for you,” he assured. “But you must do as I say without any questions, alright?”

Ray hesitated, uncertainty etched on his face. The atmosphere around seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his response. “What am I supposed to do?” he finally asked, his voice raw with emotion.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Kai’s smiled, as his words shifting in the projection. “I’ll tell you after I discuss some matters with Mom and Dad,” he replied.

Later, the mansion’s hallway echoed with the soft rhythm of Ray’s footsteps and the gentle hum of Kai’s wheelchair wheels. As they rounded a corner, they encountered Ana and Elysia. Elysia’s eyes sparkled like morning dew as she greeted Ray, her voice as cheerful as ever. “Good morning, brother Ray!” Ana followed suit, but addressing Ray as the crown prince; her expression more reserved but equally curious.

Kai wasted no time. His projected words hung in the air, laden with purpose. “Ana,” he addressed her, “I need you to come with me.” His gaze held a secret—a promise of something significant. Elysia leaned toward Ana, whispering that Kai had requested her presence. Ana’s eyes widened, and she nodded, eager to follow.

After a brief explanation, Elysia turned to Kai. “Can I come as well, brother?” she asked, her curiosity piqued. Kai simply smiled at her, agreeing on her joining them.

Ray leaned closer to Kai; his voice hushed. “What are you planning?”

Kai’s enigmatic smile deepened as the projection shifted. “I’m doing what you were asked to do when you inhabited my body,” he replied. Ray furrowed his brow, connecting the dots, realizing what he meant—the question posed during dinner.

Soon, they arrived at Hiro’s study. The heavy oak door stood ajar, revealing Hiro seated behind his desk, engaged in conversation with Anastasia. Ainz stood nearby, his expression equally puzzled as Hiro and Anastasia. “Kai? Ray? Eli and Ana as well?” Hiro acknowledged them. “Why have you all gathered here?”

Kai’s projection materialized, hovering above the room. “There are something I want to discuss,” he announced. “But first, can you call for Mom and Lala, Dad?” The words carried weight, and Hiro quickly understood. He motioned for Ainz to fetch Sakura and Lala. "By the way, Ray. Did you had something to discuss with Kai?" To this Ray just scratches his head, slowly replying. "Sort of..."

Anastasia stood, excusing herself to settle her luggage. Moments later, Sakura and Lala entered the room. Sakura’s eyes bore traces of tears, evidence of recent distress. “Is there something important, Kai?” she asked, her voice steady.

Kai snapped his fingers, and the projection shifted. “Indeed,” it declared. “First things first—about Lala’s and Ana’s future plans.”

Kai's gaze shifted between Lala and Ana. Ana wore a confused expression, while Lala seemed to understand the unspoken currents in the room. Kai gestured toward the projection, but Lala spoke up before he could.

"Thank you for everything," Lala began, her voice soft but resolute. "But we can't keep being a burden to all of you. We'll pack our things... and leave shortly." She lowered her head, gripping Ana's hand, and started toward the exit.

Ana, bewildered, kept asking what was happening, but Lala remained silent. Just as Lala reached for the doorknob, Ray intervened. Lala looked at him, confusion etching her features. Ray nodded upward, directing her attention to Kai's projection.

"I haven't even begun, and you're already leaving?" Kai's words materialized in the air, his smile gentle. He dropped the projection and wheeled himself closer to them. His eyes shifted to Ana. With another snap of his fingers, the projection reappeared.

"Ask Ana if she wants to learn and study," it instructed. Ray relayed the question, and Ana's eyes lit up. She answered with excitement, expressing her desire to learn alongside Elysia.

Kai's smile widened. Hiro and Sakura watched, amused, as the scene unfolded. Another snap, and the projection changed once more.

"Depending on your current situation, you'll have a hard time with that," it read. "So here's my proposal: We'll support Ana's education." Lala stared at Kai in shock, her words faltering.

"But..." Lala began, only for Kai to place a finger on her lips. She blushed, meeting his gaze. The words shifted again.

"It's not free," they spelled out. "You'll work here as a maid to repay for Ana's study. What do you say?" Lala remained stunned; her eyes fixed on Kai.

Yet the screen's words changed once more: "But if you also want to learn, we can arrange that. You'll manage work and study simultaneously."

Silence fell in the room. Everyone waited for Lala's answer. But, to everyone's surprise, Lala began to cry. Her sobs echoed in the room as she choked out her gratitude. "You saved us from the kidnappers... gave us shelter and food... and now you're even letting my little sister learn." Tears flowed freely, a testament to the depth of her emotions.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Lala’s tears flowed freely. Sakura, her own eyes misty, stepped forward. She placed a gentle hand on Lala’s shoulder, grounding her. Hiro stood beside Sakura, his reassuring smile a silent promise.

“You’re not a burden,” Sakura whispered to Lala. “As Kai said, you and Ana are part of our family now.”

Lala hiccupped, feeling the warmth of Kai and his family enveloping her. Elysia, too, joined the circle, her excitement contagious. She turned to Ana, her voice filled with anticipation. “We can study together now!”

Ainz observed from the sidelines, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Meanwhile, Ray stood beside Kai, smiling. "Kai is something else for sure," he mused. "He helped her without making her feel indebted. But..." he's eyes narrowed slightly.

Ray leaned closer, whispering to Kai. “Was it necessary to put your finger on her lips?” he asked quietly. Kai gave a small smile, his projection materializing, revealing the words: “It’s out of habit, I guess…” But Kai’s face fell as he realized his slip.

As Ray read it, he raised an eyebrow. "Out of habit? What does that mean?" he wondered. Kai facepalmed, thinking to himself, “I slipped my tongue.”

Around the same time, within the royal palace, Maximus sat engrossed in paperwork in his study. The rays of sunlight lit the room as he meticulously reviewed documents. Suddenly, a firm knock echoed through the room, interrupting his concentration.

“Enter,” Maximus called, his voice steady.

The door swung open, revealing a knight clad in armor with a red-moon crest. The knight bowed deeply. “Your mastery,” he addressed Maximus. “The Archpriest is here and wishes for an audience with you.”

Maximus’s brow furrowed. “The Archpriest? Why so sudden?” he inquired, concern etching his features.

The knight continued further. “The Archpriest said it’s an urgent matter,” he replied. “He also stated that it's related to the previous emperor’s vision.”

Maximus rose from his seat, the weight of history pressing upon him. His calm facade shattered, replaced by worry and fear. “Father’s vision…” he whispered to himself.

-To be Continued