"The rest of the story you already know... Now be a good boy and go back to your room, okay?"
Alex sat in silence, unsure of how to react to Katherine's story as his brain was still processing the information.
"Mom..."
For a second, Alex had an idea, but he hesitated when she gently brushed his cheek with her soft, smooth hands.
"It's time for you to sleep, Alex. Don't worry about Mommy, okay? I know what I am doing—"
Before Katherine could finish, Alex suddenly pushed her hand away to the side, his face starting to grow irritated.
"Mom. I really mean it. You shouldn't think about us so much. Think about yourself for a second."
"Myself?"
Katherine looked down at Alex's face with curiosity as she noticed the determined look, a look that she hadn't seen in a long time.
"The emperor's family had never been good to us at all. I'm not saying Grandma or Grandpa has been bad to me personally.
