The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

"You said His Highness Eric coughed up blood and that his health was gradually declining?"

Seeing that the other party did not explain what he had just said, Morian couldn't help but ask:

"But when I met him, no one mentioned this..."

Diana remained silent for a few seconds, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup, as if searching for the right words.

After a while, she managed a calm smile:

"Perhaps it's because His Highness is a gentle person to the point of being stubborn."

"Gentle?" Morian pondered the word repeatedly.

"Yes." Diana looked up, a smile appearing on her lips. "Many times, he would rather grieve alone than let those around him worry."

"In many people's eyes, he will always be that handsome, well-mannered, and noble fourth prince." Diana recalled the past, her eyes softening. "But you probably can't imagine that in private he was actually a very emotional person."

Morian didn't interrupt, listening quietly, hoping to learn more about the prince from Diana.

"I come from an inconspicuous little village on the northern border, where the climate is cold all year round. After my father was killed in battle, only my mother and I were left to depend on each other."

"Fortunately, due to my talent and some special ability, I was successfully recruited into the Royal Knights and became a member of the Guardians of the Kingdom. Although I was initially ostracized and questioned, with people believing that women were not suitable to be knights, I still persevered."

Diana spoke calmly, without a trace of pride in her words, only expressing her immense gratitude for the hard-won life she had now.

"Eight years ago, when I was still a novice knight, I first met His Highness. He was secretly hiding in the garden and crying, and I naturally recognized him."

"According to the rules, I should have bowed immediately, but I don't know what I was thinking at the time, I just walked up and presumptuously asked about the situation."

Her voice was very soft, and her bright blue eyes moved to look at Morian sitting opposite her:

"Can you guess why the young prince was crying back then?"

After a moment's thought, Morian replied:

"...Because he couldn't meet His Majesty's expectations of him?"

"You're only half right," Diana said with a smile. "He's sad because the little bird he feeds in the garden died."

"That guchar bird was found and raised by His Highness. It had fallen into the garden due to injury and could no longer fly. After His Highness found it, he took care of it until it recovered."

"I later learned that the Gelcha bird did not die of natural causes," she continued, "but rather His Majesty the King ordered it to be disposed of, on the grounds that it would interfere with Prince Eric's focus on learning how to handle royal affairs."

Morian nodded slightly. This situation is common in many families. Ultimately, it is caused by the fact that the adults, as parents, are unable to see things from the child's perspective.

Adults value things that are often complex, such as money, power, and fame, but children usually cherish things that are simpler, but less secure.

Both sides have different perspectives on things, so adults shouldn't assume they understand children well, and children shouldn't think the adult world is easy.

As his thoughts wandered, Diana's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Two years later, when Her Majesty the Queen passed away, he still suppressed his grief and finished his duties as a prince before secretly grieving."

Even in the most difficult times, when other princes were secretly building up their power and when many people were saying that he was not up to the task, he simply smiled and performed his duties.

"His Highness Eric never mentions these things to anyone; he keeps many things hidden deep in his heart," Diana continued.

"He would be incredibly saddened by the passing of the birds he fed, and when he read a book he liked, he would excitedly share it with me like a child. He would even secretly bring Mr. Paul a cup of hot tea when he was handling things."

"In fact, Mr. Paul is well past retirement age, but he is still unwilling to leave his current position. I think it is probably because he is reluctant to leave His Highness's side."

After hearing this, Morian felt a complex emotion spreading through his chest.

No wonder that butler was so loyal, willing to take the risk to help carry out the plan.

No wonder so many people are still willing to support him when the situation is clearly tilting in favor of the other princes.

All of this is inseparable from Eric's past actions; those little things, both known and unknown, constitute the real prince in other people's minds.

Morian recalled the young man reading quietly in the study, his eyes as clear as a lake, and his calm tone when he said, "This is my responsibility."

"You just asked me why His Highness is hiding his health condition." Diana's expression was somewhat somber. "I think it's probably because he doesn't want the people around him to worry, plus there's something even more important that he hasn't found a solution to yet."

"It's about the 'ritual,' isn't it?" Morian asked tentatively. "Mr. Paul and His Highness have already explained the situation to me."

The living room was quiet for a few seconds, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the branches outside the window.

"...Yes." Diana lowered her eyes and nodded heavily. "I cannot accept the price Your Highness will have to pay for this."

"His Highness is already looking for a better solution, Lady Laurent, please don't worry or blame yourself too much." Morian decided to tell a little lie.

"After all, you can't be responsible for everything; there are some things that are indeed beyond your control."

"Perhaps I can't be responsible for everything," Diana gently shook her head, then her eyes hardened. "But I can choose to be responsible for what I want to protect! Even if the price is my life!"

This... I really can't convince her... It seems to have backfired... Morian sighed inwardly.

After saying that, Diana raised her cup and took a sip of tea, seemingly to gather her thoughts. When she spoke again, her tone carried a hint of nostalgia:

"Between Your Highness and me, there is an agreement that only we know about, but which has not yet been fulfilled."

An agreement? Morian leaned forward slightly, as if listening.

"It was five years ago in winter when His Highness knocked on my door at White Rose Palace. He was wearing a plain thick coat, and he looked more like a child about to sneak out of the house than a noble prince."

Diana's eyes shone:

"He told me that there would be a meteor shower over Mount Tristan tonight, and we should go watch it together."

Tristan Mountain… Morian searched his memory, recalling it as a small, remote mountain range near the southern part of Bet City.

"Looking back now, I must have been completely dumbfounded." Diana covered her smile with her hand, letting out a light laugh.

"Your Highness, do you know what time it is? And it will take at least half a day to get to Tristan."