Kingdom’s Bloodline

 There was silence in the study for a long time.

After a while, Zhan finally recovered from his heavy emotions and sighed loudly:

"The killer, the man named Boerwin, the so-called killer who killed my father. He was greatly favored by Uncle Sona and voluntarily took the charge of assassinating the Duke. Of course, his uncle let him die happily without suffering any torture. ”

Federico came back to his senses with a shudder:

 “The real killer…”

Zhan shook his head tiredly:

"We only know that the man's later nickname was Anti-Machete, or it was barely traced out from the circumstantial evidence that was passed through many hands afterwards. The reliability is not high - six people died in Kongming Palace that night. The guards, Ashford, and my mother all gave him only a passing glance."

Tales' expression moved slightly.

 “Anti-Scimitar…he…who sent him?” Feder said blankly.

Zhan was silent.

 He slowly raised his head, showing strange eyes and a pale smile.

"But you know, Feder, as smart as you are, you have always known it," he looked at Federico with a chilling look, "it's just that you didn't want to admit it."

Federico’s eyes widened.

 “Or cannot admit it.”

Zhan said softly:

 “I dare not admit it even more.”

Federico shuddered!

Tales figured something out and couldn't hide his shock.

"Just like me, no matter how angry, unfair, hypocritical and vicious I am, I still have to give orders without conscience and let the blood bottle help do the dirty work and clean up all the clues that may lead to the old cases. Clean at all costs.”

The smile on Zhan En’s face was equally divided by desolation and resentment:

“Because I absolutely cannot, cannot reveal the true culprit behind my father’s assassination—even if it’s just for the sake of the Emerald City.”

Federico said no more.

Tales could no longer help but wonder:

 “Zhan, wait, you mean to say that the death of the old Duke was caused by me...”

This time, Zhan suddenly turned his head, his attitude changed drastically, and he roared with a hatred and hatred that Thales had never seen before:

 “I said it, Thales! Shut up! Shut up!”

Zhan was so excited that he stood up and pointed directly at Thales:

“When I’m talking to my cousin, when Iris and I are talking about private matters, you’re not allowed to interrupt a word!”

 Thales was startled and froze on the spot:

"I…"

 “No penetration!” Zhan roared, his eyes red.

 In the blink of an eye, the Duke of Nan'an's respect and restraint for the prince disappeared.

Tales hesitated for a while, and finally fell silent.

Perhaps they were used to the occasional loud shouting in the study. As long as it was not Tails himself who made the noise, the Star Lake guards outside the door remained silent and did not knock on the door again to inquire.

 “Jane.” Federico said weakly, seeming to be a reminder and a request.

Zhan took a deep breath and sat down slowly.

 It can be seen that he is adjusting his mood, but with little effect.

"Because of you, Thales Bright Star, you are unlucky, damn, cursed by the setting sun," the Duke of South Bank tried his best to take his eyes away from Thales, and spoke with pain and restraint, "But you are lucky again. , unfair, the shameless **** who was destined to wear the crown from birth..."

Zhan clenched his fists, trembling all over, and gritted his teeth:

"You don't know at all, you want me to let you go, let the enemy's son speak, move, and even breathe freely in the Emerald City, in the Kongming Palace... Let a fool named Canxing be allowed to live in the Emerald City, in the Kongming Palace, in the Kongming Palace. My father and uncle's place is free to come and go, and they are mainly guests...

"... endured your shameless proposal to marry the daughter of the Kevin Deere family, endured you laughing and talking about love with my sister... endured you being condescending and rude to me, and even making irresponsible remarks about the misfortune of my father and uncle, and inciting me My blood relatives are my enemies..."

 Thales was stunned.

 He looked at Zhan who could not control himself, and looked at the other person's expression and eyes with mixed emotions.

That is something that has never been done before, or in other words, something that has been hidden for a long time but cannot be expressed...

 Deep, naked hatred.

 Unforgettable.

Zhan’s words were trembling and his breathing was not smooth. He had to take multiple breaths in the middle to keep his words flowing:

"Tiles, you have no idea how broad-minded, how great, and how profound it takes for me to do this."

 He finally had the courage to raise his head and look at Thales bitterly, or at what was behind Thales:

"you do not know."

Zhan trembled and said:

 “You don’t know a **** thing.”

In such an atmosphere, Thales could only lower his head, and could only passively and unresponsively bear the hatred that perhaps he should not bear.

"Because you are Thales, the Great Sage of the Kingdom, and the Brilliant Star."

Zhan hissed:

“You belong to that team that will never be stigmatized, will always have an outstanding image, will always be praised by everyone, can never be hated, and deserves to be cursed..."

Zhan gritted his teeth and spoke every word, obviously extremely disgusted:

 “dirty, dirty, blood, pulse.”

 The study became quiet again.

 There was only the faint sound of Federico's tea cup and Zhan's rapid breathing that gradually subsided.

Tales closed his eyes deeply.

 He suddenly remembered what he had experienced in the past few days.

 Thinking of the Emerald City officials who pretended not to know anything in front of him and cooperated with the show.

 And what Zhan just said:

　　【If I were you, Feder, I should show my wisdom as an official in the Emerald City. Even if I find something fishy, ​​I should pretend not to know anything about it, cooperate with us to continue the show, and accept the conditions gratefully. 】

  【Why do you have to expose it and embarrass everyone? 】

Looking at Zhan’s appearance of not being able to approach strangers, Thales felt complicated and uncomfortable.

"Why."

Finally, Federico spoke with difficulty and broke the silence. He looked at his cousin lifelessly:

 “Why my father? Why Sona Kelvindir?”

Zhan sneered and took a deep breath.

“Who else can the Emerald City count on? The other incompetent uncles in the family who have assimilated with the old aristocrats and only know how to eat, drink, have fun and show their power? Or the ungrateful Twin Towers Long Sword and Four-Winged Monitor Lizard?”

Federico said nothing.

 A few seconds later, Zhan En took a deep breath, lowered his head and stroked his forehead.

 Seemingly realizing that he had not answered the question correctly, he calmly added:

“Because, because uncle, he doesn’t want to become the enemy’s **** and make a fatal move for our family.”

Federico's eyes were filled with grief.

"Because if he doesn't die, if he doesn't die before the messenger of royal accountability arrives, if he doesn't die before the kingdom's secret department takes him to the capital for detailed interrogation, and beats him to the real murderer, and if he doesn't die before the supreme king's decree comes down, then there will be civil strife in the Emerald City. It will not only be limited to civil strife, but will completely become the Colosseum of the entire Star Kingdom and the betting list of the Fuxing Palace.”

Zhan snorted coldly:

“Just like back then, the one-winged crow in the Western Wasteland—do you know what happened to the previous generation of Earl of Wing Castle?”

 Thales had a thought.

“You know the human tragedy of the Croma family back then, if it weren’t for my father’s best efforts to mediate and the tough attitude of the previous Duke of Xihuang, including the Karabiyan family’s guarantee…”

Zhan En said coldly:

"Once his case is made public, the Croma family will even be excommunicated from the Sunset Temple for committing the crime of murdering his wife - his wife is the sister of the old earl of Stone City and the cousin of the Sunset Archbishop - and attempted murder. Is it possible that the title and fiefdom of Yibao can’t be saved?”

Zhan turned his head and took a sip of tea, showing no reaction to the bitterness in it:

 “Not to mention a younger brother who dares to kill the Duke and his own brother...”

Federico closed his eyes.

“Uncle Sona knows this very well,” Zhan said, tightening his grip on the tea cup, “and so does my mother.”

Federico is still lost:

"why why…"

"Because my uncle is the best Kevin Deere - this is what my father said in the last letter he wrote to me before his death." Zhan said sadly.

 “But he didn’t tell me.”

Federico’s eyes were red, and he clenched his fists tremblingly:

 “He didn’t.”

“He left a suicide note for you, asking you not to seek revenge,” Zhan En shook his head, “It’s just that you don’t believe it.”

 “He didn’t write clearly…”

 “He can’t write clearly!”

Zhan said impatiently:

“He can’t make sure that you paranoid fool doesn’t give the enemy another excuse to invade the Emerald City!”

Federico stared at the broken tea in the tea cup.

"I don't believe it! That is, that can only be what he wrote under your coercion! If you think that I will let it go -"

Zhan sneered and shook his head.

"Please, no one can coerce Sona Kevindir, not even his most respected brother." He seemed to gradually return to his previous meanness, "Why do you think people think Iris is fighting among themselves? Why do they think uncle Are you qualified to be the old Duke’s political opponent? Is it because your father is so talkative that anyone can force him to write a suicide note?”

Federico did not answer.

"In this way, this 'family strife' that was enough to cause a storm and attract the intervention of powerful powers ended before I returned to China: everything was caused by the iris causing Xiaoqiang, and it was just Kevin Deere's self-improvement."

Zhan En said quietly:

“Except for the change of Duke, everything in the Emerald City remains as usual. The interests of each family remain unchanged and the balance is maintained. Except for a few reprimands, the enemy has no way to attack and returns in despair.”

 He sighed finally and said the clan dialect:

 “It is better to die because of friends than to die because of enemies.”

Federico’s expression was extremely struggling.

 Thales did not speak - not only because Zhan didn't welcome his interruption, but also because he shouldn't have spoken at this time.

 But he felt that at this moment, the chair under his **** was particularly uncomfortable.

After a while, Federico slapped the seat as if venting his anger and raised his head angrily!

"No, no, no, no... I don't believe it! I know you, Jenn, and I know these are just tricks to achieve your goals..."

“I said everything I needed to say, without hesitation, even in front of this little brat.”

Zhan interrupted him with a sneer.

"As for why you don't believe it, why would you rather believe the slander of outsiders with ulterior motives than the ties of blood kinship? You would rather believe that your father died unjustly due to a conspiracy than to believe the solemn words we can write on the notice. , or in other words, once you believe it, what will be the consequences..."

Zhan glanced at Federico with ulterior motives:

 “Then only you know.”

Federico’s breath was stagnant!

"No, you..." He gritted his teeth, but could not continue.

"As for you, Feder, what do you miss most, is it your father or the Viscount of Gonghai City? Is it Uncle Sona's innocence and justice, or is it that his life - or even his unexplained death - can bring you Benefits?" Zhan En said coldly.

Federico was stunned for a moment, then shook his head hard:

"No, you are just doing the same thing, acting, talking nonsense, trying to shake me..."

"For the sake of the setting sun, Fede, think about it," Zhan said loudly, "Back then, when your rebellion failed in Gonghai City, if it weren't for your father's sake, neither I nor the Lassia family would have lost us. How could I let you run away? With the cooperative relationship between Iris and the Kingdom of Darkness for so many years, how could I let you live? "

Federico paused.

"If there hadn't been an accident on the way, our alliance with Corleone broke down, and the Blood Fangs fell to them..." Zhan couldn't help but glared at Thales, who smiled politely, "How could you be released? "

Zhan thought of something again.

"And you, many years later, Fede, you surrendered to them and our enemies so easily," he sarcastically said, "and the methods you used to divide the family and smear Iris are even the same as they used to be. ”

Federico gritted his teeth.

"Arbitration? Aristocratic arbitration? "Rhodri Regulations"? Hahahahahaha!"

Zhan looked at Thales and laughed:

"Iris' ability to become the backbone of the city's chain relies on the ruling jurisprudence since the era of the Revival King, the illustrious reputation of the ancestors, and the natural rights of Kevin Deere, so whether it was the Emerald City back then or today, We cannot avoid it, nor can we escape their sudden attack on us using the supreme rule of law."

 He said gloomily:

 “Not to mention, we still have a mole.”

"No!"

Federico couldn't help but interrupt him. The former held up the tea cup, and the tea in the cup trembled:

“I don’t believe it. You’re lying, my father—”

“Yes, uncle is a stubborn die-hard. He is both my father’s right-hand man and his later political opponent. He is the spokesperson and protective umbrella of the conservative forces in the Emerald City.”

Zhan said impatiently:

“But don’t forget, he is also an upright descendant of Iris, with the blood of Kevin Deere! When a greater crisis struck, he endured the humiliation and refused to become the enemy’s **** or tool, even at the expense of his life.”

Federico was silent for a while, and when he spoke again he became even more angry:

 “No, this doesn’t absolve you!”

He raised his head angrily and looked at Zhan:

 “You drove him to death.”

"all of you!"

Zhan was silent.

"I'll tell you the truth, I didn't have time to come back," the Duke sighed, without looking back at Feder. "It was my mother who went to persuade your father."

Federico frowned.

"I don't know what Uncle Sona thinks, and I don't know if your father regrets it, let alone that I am proud of her behavior," Zhan En whispered, "But the building is about to collapse, and my mother made a It was the most difficult and painful decision that could be made at that critical moment.”

“She died of depression a year later, I guess, because she always felt guilty about her uncle.”

Zhan En paused for a second and couldn’t bear to say:

 “Although...even though my uncle has no complaints.”

Federico trembled all over and subconsciously denounced:

 “Lie!”

Federico took a sip of the remaining bitter tea and forced himself to calm down.

“You said that just to sow discord between me and His Highness the Prince, to make me feel resentful towards him and to make him hesitate towards me.”

 He looked at Thales, but his eyes were averted.

Tales also felt quite uncomfortable.

“Then think about it carefully, cousin,” Zhan sneered, “How far are you willing to go for your power and position?”

He stared at Feder:

“Can you endure your father-killing enemy giving orders to you, enduring him sitting in front of you talking and laughing, while you still have to bow to him, toast to him, and even become allies and trade with each other?”

Federico shuddered slightly.

"For the sake of the peace of the Emerald City and the future of Iris, can I still pretend to be ignorant even if I know the truth? Not only can I not expose it, but I also try my best to keep it secret, and endure the pain and anger to squeeze out a smile?"

Tales frowned deeply.

 The next second, Zhan En shouted angrily:

"Can you!!"

Federico was suddenly enlightened.

 After a while, Zhan finally calmed down. He looked down at the tea that had already been drunk.

"I can."

 The Duke's quiet road on the south bank.

"I can do it."

Zhan’s face was expressionless:

 “A whole…eleven years.”

Taylors closed his eyes.

 “So long that even I thought…”

Zhan En laughed sadly:

 “I have forgotten the hatred of killing my father and the hatred of taking over my family.”

Hearing this, Thales finally sighed.

 “What can I say?” the prince whispered.

Zhan glanced at him.

 “Can’t—but didn’t you just say it?”

 The Duke of South Bank suppressed his anger. Thales curled his lips.

Federico sniffed and gritted his teeth.

“I still don’t believe you, cousin,” he tried to regain his thinking. “I suggest you don’t believe him either, Your Highness.”

 Tales couldn't help but frown.

It’s really impressive.

The voice in Thales’ heart whispered in admiration:

Even though the words were said to this extent, the exiled noble remained calm, refusing to believe and insisting on denial.

Should I say he is too calm or too emotional?

 Are you too impulsive or too smart?

 Are you too insistent, or...

Too realistic?

Tales felt a chill in his heart.

Zhan En smiled sarcastically upon hearing this.

"Of course, cousin, because from your position, you probably can't believe it at all, and you don't dare to believe it."

 But the next second, Zhan turned to Thales:

“He won’t cooperate with you, Thales. He knows very well who his real backer is—this is the only advantage of a person who loves power.”

This time, he is no longer full of hostility and hatred, but has returned to normal, calm and rational.

 It was as if the boundless hatred he had just towards Thales no longer existed.

This once again made Thales feel complicated.

 “Are you challenging me?” Fede responded calmly to Zhan.

"And he won't give up. Even if I coexist with him in the Emerald City, he will do whatever it takes to remove me from the road, no matter what the cost, no matter what the cost is to himself..." Zhan En ignored his cousin and continued to be cold. He said coldly, "It's better for others to pay."

Federico scoffed.

"The question is, cousin," Zhan said with narrowed eyes, "can you really make decisions for yourself? Can you pay for your own gambling?"

 Federico’s eyes moved:

"What's the meaning?"

Tales raised his eyes:

 He suddenly noticed that the two Iris in front of him had resumed their rational game.

It seems that the shocking family secret just now is just a faded historical background to them.

 It cannot influence their current decision-making.

 No, have you finished digesting the truth just now?

This turn...is so fast?

Just listen to Zhan En saying:

"That extreme vampire killer, Fede, if it weren't for Iris's enemies as a guarantee, would the Kingdom of Night have let him go so easily and work for you?"

"I personally convinced him," Federico snorted, "Those who are in debt to the Emerald City must have a way to come back and collect their debts."

Zhan shook his head:

"As for your helpers, allies, and subordinates who are still active outside - or the subordinates you think they are, will they really act according to your wishes?"

Federico said nothing.

 “Even, even if you actually sit on this...that chair.”

Zhan subconsciously patted his chair. After realizing that this was a guest seat, he had to grit his teeth and pointed to Thales's chair:

"Do you think you will have everything you dream of? Freedom? Dignity? Rights? Independence? The freedom of no longer being dependent on others? Or the ease of no longer looking at others?"

Federico curled his lips, but did not refute.

"You can't do it, Fede, cousin," Zhan sneered. "The kind of boots you wear determines the path you can take."

"And you can do it? With your current moral character?" Feder shot back.

 “That’s right, cousin,”

Zhan En said coldly:

 “I compromised, I was so cowardly that I made you laugh.”

Zhan looked directly at Federico impartially, his eyes cold and firm.

 “For a higher purpose.”

I saw him staring at Federico without showing any signs of weakness, confidently:

"I also wish you would die now, but I made a compromise and allowed you to live - but this is the sacrifice I can make and the price I pay for the Emerald City and the overall situation. And you, Fede ? Federico Kevin Deere?"

Federico’s eyes moved slightly.

"When a higher level of pressure comes, when unimaginable enemies press the situation, when the shadows of the past come back," Zhan En said coldly, "Compared with the sacrifices of our fathers, what do you know and what can you do? what to do?"

Federico was silent.

It took quite a while.

 So long that Thales even held back a yawn in pain.

 “Then you are wrong, cousin.”

 Finally, Federico made up his mind. He raised his head, chuckled and said:

 “Although I still don’t believe you…”

“It’s best not to believe it,” Zhan En said coldly, “My life is at stake.”

Federico glanced at his cousin and turned to Thales respectfully:

 “But I accept your offer, Your Highness.”

Tiles was still immersed in the impact of the truth about the old case, and was still thinking about how to end today. Hearing this, he looked up in surprise:

 “Huh? What?”

Zhan snorted disdainfully.

"I will be honored to be the incoming Viscount of Gonghai City." Federico showed no signs of joking, but became more serious and respectful, "and your eyes and ears in the Emerald City."

 Thales was stunned.

Why?

 Why are they so calm when it comes to the murder of their father? To recover so quickly?

 Can you still look normal and move your chips?

He is obviously sitting here, isn't he?

Thales asked himself blankly.

 You know—the voice in the back of my mind sighed—you’ve always known it, Thales.

 You know why they have to be calm, why they have to downplay it.

  Or, strength.

"You'd better become the king's eyes and ears, Feder, it's more suitable for you." Zhanen sarcastically said.

"And I accept your challenge, cousin," Federico turned to the Duke of South Bank with a sharp look, "Let us face the threats from each other."

His eyes were burning:

 “For the rest of my life, I will not stop fighting, and I will watch you roll down from your throne in despair.”

Tiles’ expression changed.

"You can try," Zhan En said calmly, "or you may die on the way to try."

Federico ignored Zhan’s threat and just said softly:

 “I will use all my strength to reunite the Iris in my own way.”

“So that we can become greenhouse flowers in front of us, or weeds on the roadside a hundred years from now?” Zhan said sarcastically.

"You'll see it," Federico narrowed his eyes, "or you won't."

The two Kevin Deeres looked at each other. The atmosphere was both hostile and wary, but also tacitly recognized. It was very subtle.

"Okay," Zhan suddenly turned around and looked at Thales, "I convinced him."

Thales was shocked:

 “Ah, ah?”

 “Why, isn’t this what you want?”

Zhan seemed to be dissatisfied with the surprise on Duke Xinghu’s face. He said gloomily:

“Or do you want to hear another tragic story about our family?”

Thales reacted and smiled quickly:

"No, no, no, that's enough, that's enough, I mean...this is good, then we...what did we promise before?"

"Ignore him, Your Highness," Federico bowed slightly, contrasting with Zhan's domineering attitude, "He just achieved his goal and was showing off, while waiting for an opportunity to increase his voice."

Tales raised his eyebrows and looked at the two Kevin Deeres.

 Um...we just had to fight to the death, and the compromise was reached so quickly?

 Do all people in Nan'an negotiate this way?

Or is it just Kevin Deere?

But the reminder from outside the door brought Thales back to his senses, and he said seriously:

“Very well, Your Majesty the Duke, Your Majesty the Viscount, then wish us a happy cooperation?”

 He leaned forward and extended a hand.

Federico narrowed his eyes, stepped forward first, and also extended his hand:

 “The overall situation is now.”

Zhan paused for a while, looked at the two collaborators, and then hummed and stretched out his hand:

 “Just placing a bet.”

Three palms joined together in the air - although none of them were so friendly and willing.

Tales breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry, the final decision will be announced at the tribute banquet - including comments on old cases from that year."

 He looked at the door:

“Although this is a bit long-winded to say, and although I don’t expect you two to stop just now, but...”

Thales tried:

"Before the praise banquet, no one would want to make a small move and break the agreement, right? For example... kill another person?"

 The two Kevin Deeres looked at each other, but no one answered.

So Thales returned to smiling, his face full of spring breeze.

　　"Very good, the meeting is over! You can leave first, Feder, Zhan and I still have something to say."

 Federico suddenly frowned:

“I thought you should have something to say to me—we are the ones who subverted him together.”

Zhan glanced at Feder coldly.

“Then you are welcome to come to me at any time, Feder,” the prince said with a smile. “From now on, you are all free to come and go—this is the benefit of cooperation.”

 “Please forgive me for talking too much, Your Highness.”

Federico looked back at Zhan.

"The power to support your 'discretion'," he said as he stood up and left, "is not in this city."

Federico turned and left the study.

 Leaving Thales thoughtfully.

 “You heard his threat, Thales.”

Zhan looked deeply at his cousin’s leaving figure:

"He relied on your father's support to gain his position. Viscount Duke, whether he wants it or not, he will become your father's puppet."

Thales narrowed his eyes and ignored Zhan's provocation:

“But he doesn’t seem so docile, especially to my father.”

“Worse than that, he’ll be your father’s reason.”

Zhan's words made Thales couldn't help but glance at him.

"What's the meaning?"

“He got a new kennel by relying on the collar, but the moment he got tired of the collar and decided to bite his owner,” Zhan said calmly, “Regardless of success or failure, Emerald City is bound to be in disaster.”

Tales thought about it for a while.

“But I’m still sitting here. Although everything is going wrong in the Emerald City, it is far from a disaster.”

“That’s not just because you’re sitting here,” Zhan said softly, “but also because I’m sitting here.”

 He looked at Thales:

"But not Feder - you saw what he can do to achieve his goals," Zhan whispered, "and when you allocate power to him in order to check and balance me..."

Tales did not speak.

"You can persuade me," Zhan En said quietly, "but you may not be able to persuade him, or it will be useless even if you persuade him."

Tales frowned.

“Anyway, you are free,” Thales sighed. “Xi Lai will find you soon. When you see her, tell her: I have fulfilled my promise.”

Zhan’s expression changed slightly.

 “You should stay away from her.”

"You should trust her more," Thales couldn't help but said, "If I really stayed away from her, you would never see her now."

The Duke of Nan'an was silent for a while, then stood up and left.

Thales looked at his back, hesitated for a moment, couldn't help but stop him again, and forced himself to speak:

“Zhan, regarding your father, I just want to say that I’m sorry…”

"What's up?"

Zhan stopped for a moment, but did not look back:

 “About what?”

 Hearing the other party's indifferent attitude, Thales couldn't help but be startled.

"without…"

He looked at the other person’s back, and finally lowered his head sadly, forcing a smile:

"…fine."

Zhan paused for a while, then nodded, decisively left the study, and passed by Marius as he entered:

 “As long as it’s okay.”

Looking at his leaving figure, Thales felt even colder in his heart.

 “Everything went well?” Mallos asked, collecting the documents that Duke Xinghu had approved indiscriminately.

Tales shook his head.

 He seemed to have experienced a fierce battle. He was exhausted both physically and mentally. He lay on the desk and groaned.

"Not smooth?"

Tales sighed:

“Thor, have you ever tried to face an sworn enemy face to face, suppress your disgust, give up revenge, ignore hatred, or even cooperate against your will? For the sake of...the overall situation?”

 Marios’ meal:

 “It must feel unpleasant.”

"yes…"

 “Let me feel sorry for you.”

 “What? Oh, it’s not me…”

 “Then I’m happy for you.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter...well, actually I am on the side of the enemy’s camp.”

"So," Marius said thoughtfully, "then you must also feel uncomfortable."

  Thales couldn’t help but be startled.

 “Yeah,” he said lightly, “sometimes, it’s even more uncomfortable.”

 “Then let me feel sorry for you.”

 “Oh, no need, after all, it’s not me.”

 “Then I’m happy for you.”

 “Hmm…why did you come back again?” (End of this chapter)