Bab 50: I guess it is time to retaliate.

"You don't have to worry, Vaan.

Your mother is already unparalleled."

Astra replied.

"Hmm? That may be true, but those uncles of mine still dared to go against you in the meeting, did they not? If your position was that absolute, they wouldn't have bothered going against the head of the family now, would they?

They are definitely up to something, Mother.

I am sure about it."

Vaan was an underworld gang leader in his previous life, he knew how these things worked, if Astra's position was as strong as she thought it was, those 'uncles' of his wouldn't have dared to act like how they did back in the meeting.

Vaan was sure, those people were planning something his mother didn't do. So he needed to help her out. He needed to create a foundation so strong that no matter what those people were planning, none of the mages would dare to go against his mother.

Seeing the serious look on Vaan's face, Astra chuckled again,

"I am not the one they are targeting, Vaan." She spoke as she looked into her son's golden eyes.

"What do you mean…?" Vaan frowned.

"There are different factions that your uncles and aunts have formed. There are two formed by your uncle Draven Elysia Vesta, and aunt, Risia Elysia Vesta, the rest of your uncles and aunts just support these two factions as they fight each other.

Or at least that is how others and even Draven and Risia perceive it, however, in truth, there is a third faction as well. Thought I won't tell you the details about that faction since those people made it behind others' backs and it is supposed to be a secret."

A small smile then appeared on Astra's face and, "It won't be fun if everything is revealed so quickly, now will it?"

Yes, that was what kind of power Astra held.

Everything that was happening in the Vesta Mansion, whether it was the two factions her elder brother and sister had created, or another faction that was formed in secret, she had her eyes on everything.

Vaan worrying about someone like her. Honestly, in Astra's eyes, it was silly but cute.

She liked how her son was worried about her, of course, it's a different thing that there was never anything to worry about.

"I-If you know everything about it then why are you not destroying these factions…?" Vaan couldn't help but question.

"Hmm? Why would I? As I said before, they are not targeting me. They are just competing amongst themselves.

They are trying to gain their footing, showing their powers to the people of Vesta City and trying to gather more strength under them.

What happened in the Meeting was Draven's way to do this.

If he had successfully made me, the family head, punish her own child, it would mean he and his faction holds the power to somewhat influence my decisions. There is no better way to flaunt and show their power than this and it is quite a common tactic. Since, you know, you are called the 'waste'. You are an easy target for them.

Though this time it backfired since the member of the brother's faction was humiliated in front of everyone."

Astra chuckled at the end.

Vaan, however, was still confused.

"Why… are they doing this…?" If they knew that his mother held absolute power, then why…

Then suddenly, Vaan's expression changed.

"Did you realize it?" Astra questioned with a curious smile on her face. From her expression, she was definitely enjoying seeing her child's involvement in these matters.

This was the first time Vaan had shown interest in these matters after all.

The wish that she had buried deep into her heart…

It was slow, but it was being ignited again.

"The next family head…" Vaan muttered.

Astra's smile widened, "Indeed, these factions support their children, the more power they gather, the more say they would have when the next heir of the Vesta Family is chosen, of course, the end result would still depend on how competent the children are, however, that doesn't mean that there would be no politics behind it.

These factions would do whatever they can to make their direct blood the next heir."

"So they all are going after me, just so they could make their children the next family head?" Vaan questioned.

"Well, pretty much. Though they will not directly harm you since they know the consequences of that, you are still the hot target since you carry the name Astra."

Astra then looked into Vaan's eyes with an interested look on her face and,

"Do you regret having my name in yours?"

Vaan, however, just smiled back,

"Of course not.

I am rather glad that you are my mother, Mother.

I really am."

Vaan replied, then, he snorted,

"As for those dear uncles and aunts of mine, since they dared to use me as a chess piece in the game they are playing, I guess it is time to retaliate."

"Huh?" This time, Astra's expression changed, "Vaan, do not do anything reckless, your uncles and aunts are all strong mages, going against them is not a wise choice."

"I won't be picking fights with them, Mother. In what way would that be entertaining?

Rather than picking useless fights, I'll take away what they want so desperately."

"You mean…" Astra narrowed her eyes.

She desperately hoped what Vaan was going to say next was the same thing she was thinking, the flames of hope that had flickered in her heart, she wanted Vaan to fan them.

And Vaan didn't disappoint her.

"The Position of the Heir,

I will be taking that for myself."

A big smile appeared on Astra's face, soon, however, she contained that smile, then with a slight cough,

"That's quite a great ambition you have." She commented.

"Well, I am your son, what did you expect?"

"Don't think I will support you just because you are my son. As the Family Head, I have the duty to be impartial and choose the best heir possible." Astra replied with a strict look on her face.

"Of course, I will be doing everything on my own. It wouldn't be fun if you, the Queen, join the games of her subject, now would it?

Those factions and the 'prospective heirs' they support, I am going to destroy them all." Vaan spoke, determination burning in his eyes.