Villain Retirement

Back in Princess Tifa's study, the old princess' loud and still elegant burst of laughter filled the entire room; her shoulders, causing the chair to quake from how hard they were moving. She even had to wipe the tears that were bursting from her eyes as she could not seem to help herself from laughing.

And in front of her, was Riley—his head tilted to the side, wondering why Tifa was laughing the way she was. And finally, after a few more chuckles, Princess Tifa was able to breathe in all of her joy as she looked at Riley.

"That… was one way to delay Aerith's ruling," Princess Tifa said as she let out one final deep breath, "For an alien, you are really fun."

"You are the one who told me to talk about freedom, Princess Tifa."

"Hm, but you're the one who delivered it," Princess Tifa shrugged, "So, is it true you're Caitlain's son?"

"Not biologically."

"Pft," Princess Tifa seemed to want to laugh again for some reason.

"You are really a happy person, Princess Tifa."

"You said that twice already," Princess Tifa waved her hand, "I must say, the way you talk about this Earth makes me want to see it—to see what the commoners of the outside do."

"When was the last time you have been outside, Princess Tifa?" Riley slightly squinted his eyes.

"I'm usually always outside. Hel is a beautiful place, especially the country."

"I mean outside Themarian territory, Princess Tifa."

"Oh," Princess Tifa let out a small hum, before standing up and walking toward the crib behind her, "I have never been outside, not even once."

"You never thought to?"

"Once, when I was younger," Princess Tifa sighed and smiled as she look at the baby in the crib, gently tickling its face and making it laugh, "But Queen Luz—our mother told me that there is nothing outside, she ingrained it in my mind, and both my brothers'."

"You have another brother besides the King, Princess Tifa?"

"We did, the oldest one," Princess Tifa once again sighed as she looked out the window, "He died a long time ago with our father; I have forgotten how long it has been."

"How did they die, Princess Tifa?"

"Trying to protect a stellar system outside our territory," Princess Tifa's voice slightly became deeper as she looked at Riley, "They were swallowed by the Cherbi, along with the stellar system's inhabitants. I suppose that is where my brother's daughter gets it from, you know? Adventure—out there, we die a meaningless death."

"And in here, you die a useless death," Riley replied, to which Princess Tifa only rolled her eyes.

"No one else is here but you and me, dear," Princess Tifa sighed, "You can stop performing."

"..."

"I am old, Professor. And I can see a performance from a lightyear away," Princess Tifa shook her head, "And you already told me of your age that last we talked—I can deduce a lot of things there already. What I was not ready for… is your weird affection for my niece."

"Weird?"

"Well, perhaps it is not a weird affection at all, but a sincere obsession," Princess Tifa lightly hummed as she looked Riley straight in the eyes—almost as if she was reading the deepest of Riley's thoughts,

"I do apologize, though—for letting you talk about freedom… when you yourself are not free at all."

"..." Riley's eyes squinted even further as he returned Princess Tifa's gaze.

"You are trapped in an abyss, aren't you?" Princess Tifa's voice lowered as her gaze remained, "A literal abyss that only you could see, and you can't escape it no matter what."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Well, I suppose that is enough small talk."

A light chuckle broke the sudden silence that suddenly appeared between the two, with Princess Tifa returning to her seat as she laughed,

"And congratulations, you managed to delay Aerith's execution."

"Did I?"

"Hm," Princess Tifa nodded, "Some factions are already starting to show dissatisfaction with my brother's decision. But of course, it could only be for show—it is not only family that covets the throne, after all. There are… a lot of people there that want a piece of it."

"What about the king, Princess Tifa?"

"I will talk to him later, as I said. But let me worry about that," Princess Tifa waved her hand, before rolling her chair close to the desk, "So, I talked to my peers—and they want in. Expect more students in your next class, Professor."

"...I will still work as a professor?" Riley blinked a couple of times.

"Of course, we have a deal. You help me with Claudyne as her professor, and I help you to delay Aerith's execution."

"Are they not going to put another collar on me?"

"For giving a speech about freedom?" Princess Tifa covered her mouth as a chuckle once again escaped her lips, "That would have the same effect as executing Aerith right now—you will be considered a martyr by… a minority."

"...Hm."

"At this point, they will probably force Aerith out of her room so the masses could see her alive and well—with a collar, of course," Princess Tifa let out a long and very deep sigh as she shook her head,

"Politics—just complicated, really. Have you ever thought about it? Ruling?"

"Once," Riley shrugged, "But my purpose is to end life, Princess Tifa. Not rule it."

"Oh, so sharp," Princess Tifa once again covered her mouth to chuckle, "Also, I heard something about a cannon exploding somewhere East just a day before you arrived at the castle. You don't happen to know anything about that, do you?"

"Yes, I triggered it accidentally when I was searching for something," Riley answered without any hesitation, "I do not know what it is, however."

"...Right. The Rebel Princess comes back, and suddenly everything and anything is happening," Princess Tifa brushed her hair, "I need to talk about this to my brother. Are your accommodations okay, by the way?"

"It is more than sufficient, Princess Tifa."

"That's good to hear. And also, be careful—all of my children are aware of your presence now. You can be rest assured that they will make it hard for you in the castle."

"...How many children do you have, Princess Tifa?"

"Oh, I have 17 wonderful and not-so-wonderful children," Princess Tifa hummed, "Are you wondering how many children Aerith is capable of bearing?"

"No," Riley quickly shook his head, "Aerith hates me, Princess Tifa. She is just too kind to hold it against me."

"Like that matters. I hate the fathers of 5 of my children."

"...How many husbands do you have?" Riley's eyes slightly widened as soon as he heard Tifa's words.

"10, and they are all alive."

"..."

"Oh, please. I am a Princess, dear. I can get what I want when I want it. I can even—"

And before Princess Tifa could finish her words, a whisper of a knock came from the door.

"Mother, I want to show you something."

"Speak of my children, and they will arrive," Princess Tifa let out a very long and deep sigh, "You may come in, Kal."

"Yes, mother."

The one to enter the study was Kal—the tallest and most muscular out of Princess Tifa's sons. And as expected with the way he looked, his stride was wide—either filled with arrogance or confidence.

As soon as he saw Riley in the room, however, his stride completely stopped.

"You…

…what are you doing here?"