Vows of the Past and the Golden Territory

  Outside the reinforced windows of the starship, the distant stars blurred into streaks of silver light as the vessel cruised through the silent void. Arthur Thorne sat in deep contemplation, weighing his grandfather Albert's words. The talk of the Royal Academy and the looming challenges of the future echoed in his mind, yet his spirit was anchored elsewhere. Rising slowly from his seat, he began to walk toward his mother's private cabin.

  He had not yet had the chance to speak with her in the quiet solace they both deserved. Between the violent chaos of Luna City and the world-shattering revelations of their true lineage, mother and son hadn't even found a moment to look into each other's eyes properly. Arthur loved his mother with a fierce, unspoken intensity; she was the axis around which his world turned. Now that their lives were finally moving in a stable direction, he decided it was time to unburden his heart.

  Arthur pressed the chime of the cabin door softly. Within moments, the door slid open to reveal Annie. Her small eyes sparkled with joy as she chirped, "Brother!"

  A rare, tender smile touched Arthur's face. He placed a hand on Annie's head, ruffling her hair affectionately before stepping inside. Inside the cabin, his grandmother Isabella and his mother Catherine—now known by her true name, Sylvie—were seated. As Arthur entered, their eyes immediately fixed on him.

  Catherine called out in a low, emotional voice, "My child, come here..."

  Arthur moved toward his mother and sat at her feet, a gesture of deep respect and connection. Annie scurried over to sit beside Isabella, watching her mother and brother with wide, adoring eyes. A profound peace filled the room, a serenity this family had not tasted in twenty long years.

  Catherine caressed Arthur's hair, her voice trembling with affection. "Arthur, you have truly grown so much..." Tears of maternal love welled in her eyes. The greatest joy reflected in her gaze was the fact that her son's disability had vanished entirely. Seeing Arthur standing straight and strong filled her heart with an overwhelming sense of pride.

  But suddenly, a shadow of old fear and sorrow flickered in Catherine's eyes. Her memories drifted back twelve years into the past. "Son, I still remember that dark night," she began, her heart heavy with the recollection. "When you were only six years old, an unknown vehicle struck you. The world thought it was merely a tragic accident, but the truth was far more sinister."

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  Catherine's voice began to shake. "That accident was tied to your father's past. Some of his own associates had hatched that foul conspiracy. Those men knew of a deep secret your father held and wanted to blackmail me to get it. They came to me repeatedly, asking about strange things and mysteries of which I had no knowledge."

  She looked directly into Arthur's eyes as she continued. "When they realized they could gain nothing from me, they targeted you. The goal of that accident wasn't to kill you, but to break me. From that day on, you were left disabled, your brain suffered a severe impact, and you had to work several times harder than an ordinary human just to function. But the strangest part was that after that incident, those men never appeared again."

  Catherine took Arthur's hand in hers. "Arthur, my son, you must be very careful now. Those people may raise their heads again. But seeing the brilliance in your eyes today and the strength in your body, I am certain that you are more than capable. You can finally give them the answer they deserve."

  Arthur listened to his mother's words in silence. The 'Unknown Power'—the Primal Egg within him—boiled at the mention of these nameless enemies. He took a deep breath and kissed his mother's hand, his voice resonating with cold iron.

  "Mother, do not worry anymore. I am no longer that old, helpless Arthur. I will settle the account for every year they stole from my childhood and every tear they forced from your eyes. And remember this, Mother—Arthur Thorne never settles a debt simply. I will return it all to them, with interest."

  He looked into her eyes with unwavering resolve. "I have only one wish, Mother—that you remain happy and safe. Dealing with the rest of the world... that is my job."

  Standing in the corner of the cabin, Lady Isabella watched her grandson with immense pride. She realized then that Arthur was not just the heir to the Goldwyn Empire; he was a storm that would obliterate anyone who had ever dared to bring sorrow to his family.

  As the echoes of Arthur's vow lingered in the cabin air, the sound of the starship shifted. The vessel began to decelerate, piercing through thick layers of clouds as it descended. The view outside transformed completely. The 'Goldwyn Territory,' the most secure and magnificent district of Sun City, now lay clearly below them.

  When the ship touched down gently on a designated landing pad, the massive hydraulic doors hissed open. The scene outside was nothing short of a royal reception. The next generation of the Goldwyn family was already standing there, waiting to witness the return of the lost prince.