Chapter 21: Mother-in-law (2)

Chapter 21: Mother-in-law (2) The door of the Arcain castle opened wide as the Valtors entered their central dining area. Janet stood in front of her husband with practiced poise, Amelia standing by her side. The temperature of the room, which was rather warm for Northerners, began plummeting as Alica locked eyes with the Ducal Family of the North. "This is the first time we are meeting, Queen Alica Arcain," Janet bowed slowly, as did Amelia. "I am Janet Roderick Agres Valtor. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Alica studied them like lambs laid for slaughter, then replied with a warm smile, though the temperature didn’t return to normal. "Yes, the pleasure is all yours, Duchess Agres Valtor." Alica clasped her hands. "Oh, where are my manners? It would be discourteous of me not to serve my guests food, or should I call you my in-laws?" Janet struggled not to frown, her face twitching from the forced expression. "No need, Your Majesty. Lowly nobles like us don’t expect much from a Queen of an entire race, even if they are a race of..." She didn’t finish her sentence and simply smiled. Alica nodded, seemingly unfazed. "Humans sure do have strange customs." She leaned her face on her palm. "Anyway, let’s return to the topic." The Valtors sat at the table as Alica’s ice force intensified further, spreading across the room. None of them could speak. Not only was she the Queen of the Arcains, but she was also one of the ten high Elite ranks in the world. The individuals most likely to ascend to Monarch Rank at any moment. Reynold, who was one of the Seven Stars of Humanity, was only a lower-ranked Elite, and the difference between them was like heaven and earth. Janet’s expression turned serious. "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, may I speak about our children..." She added, "More comfortably." Alica instantly withdrew her force and clicked her tongue. "I hate you already." Janet smiled. "May I speak with your son, Lady Alica? Since we are both mothers, and I doubt your son hasn’t told you about this ’situation,’ may I be allowed to speak with him privately?" Alica exhaled through her nose. "Duchess, I have no problem with you speaking to my baby. Even this whole matter came as a surprise to me." Janet allowed her to continue. "However, before I could have a proper conversation with him, something happened." Thyra, who was standing behind her mother, scoffed. "Calling it ’something’ is an understatement." Alica nodded. "Arthur has been missing for two days now." "Can you elaborate?" Janet asked. "Hmm... where should I begin. Well, after Arthur completed his awakening ceremony—which you all must have felt." Reynold and Janet both nodded. "Yes. Arthur was unconscious for four days, but when he woke up, he couldn’t see properly due to mana overload. His hair was changing color, and his entire body, constitution, and even his energy seemed to be transforming," she explained. As if sensing Amelia’s worry and her clenched fists beneath the table, she skipped unnecessary details. "To cut the story short, after the doctors finished treating him, he disappeared the next day. So did his Master—the one who helped him stabilize his energy." Alica’s expression grew grim. "And I’ve been searching for her ever since." Reynold, who had left the talking to his wife, finally spoke. "Can’t you use force-tracking on her? And even if she’s a mage, can’t your daughter Thyra handle it instead?" Alica shook her head. "Even I wouldn’t dare get on her bad side. That’s why we haven’t done much yet." "Held, huh?" Janet muttered unconsciously. Alica’s eyes narrowed. "Do you have any ideas, Duchess Janet?" Janet lowered her fan, her eyes shimmering faint blue, and a cross insignia appearing within them. "Don’t worry, Your Majesty. As long as he’s still within Arcain territory, I’ll find him. He still owes me an explanation, after all." Immediately after speaking, she stood from her seat and asked for a guard to escort her. ’Making me do extra work just to marry off my daughter,’ Janet sighed as she walked through the castle. ’If I catch you fooling around, Arthur Arcain, I will end you.’ ----- [A Few Minutes Ago...] Arthur stirred awake. ’How did I end up here?’ He turned left, then right, only then did he realize he still couldn’t see. ’Damn this awakening. Damn blindfolds.’ Arthur didn’t remember much. All he knew was that after holding the Star Cleaver sword, he had passed out, and the next time he woke, he was blind and in a hospital with Isabella crying over him. Everything still felt distorted, and he didn’t even know how much time had passed since then. If everything was still going according to plan, then Amelia’s mother was supposed to visit either yesterday, today, or tomorrow. Arthur spoke through his cracked voice. "Is anyone there?! Can someone help me?! I don’t understand what’s going on, but please—can someone release me?!" No one responded. He smiled weakly, then took a deep breath. ’SHIT! Fuck!’ he panicked. ’What the hell happened in that short time? Did I die? Was I kidnapped? Did the world end?’ Arthur tried to calm himself, but every time he stared into the darkness and the glowing colors beyond the blindfold, he became more frantic. ’Relax, fool! Nothing good comes from panicking!’ he told himself. ’Yeah, it isn’t that bad... at least there’s no pain in my body, or a masochist nearby, or worse still...’ He swallowed hard. ’Any gay guy.’ Yes, it wasn’t that bad. All he needed was to use the escape tricks he’d learned from Earth’s TV shows. ’Shit!’ he cursed as soon as he tried loosening the ropes. ’This is a magical world—who am I kidding?’ He gave up. There was no point in wasting energy. Unless— CREAK The door creaked open. From the sounds, he could tell he was still in the family estate. But who would kidnap him and place him inside his own home? When his mother was still alive? Only someone either stupidly reckless Or so overwhelmingly strong and insane that even his mother would back down. And he had a guess. "Master... no—Nathira." Even in the blurry form he could make out, though not her usual appearance, it was unmistakably her. Her teenage form. The one she used when she wanted to move around unnoticed each time he unsealed her. But why had she— "Husband, you’re finally awake." "Hus... band?" That’s when it hit him. His Master, Syr’Nathira Val Archaian, was always a Yandere. She had only been limited by the game system. Whatever strange mechanics the game had, they had sealed her—not only physically, but emotionally. But now? The subtle sweetness in her voice. The way she moved. Her "kind" gesture of cooking a meal while tying him up Any weeb would know what that meant. "Uhmm... Nathy, can you untie me?" Arthur heard her soft chuckle. "You’re so funny, Husband. But my answer is no!" ’Shit! This is the worst time for this!’ he thought. ’I don’t have time to deal with a Yandere right now. Especially a powerful one!’ There was a saying ’Never give a Yandere anything pointy.’ But what if the Yandere was the sword? Well... whoever that poor fool was, he’d just have to accept his fate. Nathira’s voice rang again. "You loved foreign Fire rice back in Korea, right? Beom-seok?" Arthur flinched at the name. "May I ask why I’m tied up?" he asked cautiously. Best not to provoke her. She dragged a seat and sat across from him. "You’re not tied up, dear. I’m just protecting you." She took a spoonful of rice and brought it to his lips. "Eat. I made it for you." Arthur reluctantly took the bite. "Is it good?" He turned away, then nodded. "Yes. It’s good." She smiled, eyes gleaming. "This is the first time anyone’s ever made a meal just for you, right?" He nodded. "Want more?" He hesitated before replying. "...Yes." Another spoon. Another pause. The two continued this pattern until the meal was finished. Yes, Arthur wasn’t one to waste food. And he couldn’t deny that her gesture genuinely warmed his heart. Isabella always made his meals, but it was part of her duty as a maid—not because of their bond or her engagement to him. Arthur waited until Nathira relaxed. "Why are you doing this?" She set the plate down. "Because I love you. All I ever wanted was a simple life with the one I love. Kids. A home. Doesn’t it sound perfect? Once I regain my power and transcend to Supreme, not even the gods can touch us." Arthur blinked. "I still don’t see what that has to do with anything." Truthfully, he understood everything. But admitting that would be the same as saying ’Okay, let’s do it.’At least, to a Yandere. "Why don’t you get it?" she asked, confused. Arthur didn’t respond. "Hmm..." she narrowed her eyes. "Let me be direct then. I want you to stay in this room. Forever. That’s all I ask. I’ll cook for you, fight for us, bring in money, even fulfill all your fantasies." She leaned back, as if admiring him. "And all you need to do is relax, raise our children, and call me Mommy if you like." Arthur gritted his teeth. "Nathira, stop it! Can’t you see how unrealistic this is?" "No, Husband. You’re the one being unrealistic. Do you want me to let you cheat on me?! I LOVE YOU, BEOM-SEOK. I HAVE LOVED YOU FOR SO LONG I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE OUT THERE. THE REAL YOU. EVER SINCE I FELT MY IMAGE BEING USED IN ANOTHER WORLD. SINCE THE DAY YOU LOGGED IN AND SAVED ME." She took a deep breath, regaining composure. "I never thought I’d see you in the flesh. I believed we were destined never to meet. I hoped I might be released one day and find you." She looked at him with pity. "Every time I hacked into your game’s character, my heart ached, knowing we couldn’t be together." "But now you’re here in the flesh. And you want me to share you?" Nathira leaned in, her smile darkening. "Everything I’m doing is for you, Beom-seok." Arthur held back his emotions. Even if her words were true, he couldn’t stay trapped here forever. "Nathira," he began steadily. "I know your intentions aren’t evil. In fact, I do want a peaceful life too..." She tilted her head. "Then why resist?" "Because... I want to live my second life to the fullest. I want to feel what I couldn’t before. I want strength. True strength. So I can protect you and the others too. I want to stop Ha-Joon and the pain he brings. So please trust me." Nathira hesitated. She wanted to stop him. To reject his words. But her heart couldn’t bear oppressing his dreams. She couldn’t stand waking beside him each morning only to see sadness in his face. Because more than her own obsession—she wanted his happiness. "Do you love me, Beom-seok?" she asked solemnly. Arthur couldn’t see her face, but his answer was immediate. "Yes." "Then will you marry me here?" He nodded. "If that’s what you... No. Happily." Nathira stood to untie him. As she loosened the "mudane" ropes, he lunged forward, their foreheads colliding. Before he knew it, they both collapsed to the floor. "I hate that blindfold you’re wearing," she muttered, skin brushing his. "Hey, don’t blame the blindfold." She hesitated. "Then... will you stay with me today?" Arthur shook his head. "I can’t. If I do, I’ll miss Amy’s mother and she’ll think I’m just like Ha-Joon." She frowned. "Then accept two of my requests." Arthur quickly agreed. "Okay. One—I want to be your first wife." "That’s going to be hard. I already promised that to Amy." Arthur spoke clearly, but his heart wasn’t steady. If he could see, he doubted he could keep his composure. Her smooth skin brushing his, her warm breath on his chest He felt it all. Nathira traced a circle on his chest, making him flinch. "I don’t mean your official first wife. Actually, I want the opposite." Arthur suppressed a groan. "Is that so..." She continued. "I want to be your first wife at home. Let the world see her as your first—but I’ll be the alpha of the wives. I’m the oldest, after all." Arthur took a moment. "...Fine. But talk to Amelia and Isabella first." "Wow, you already have two." She restrained her killing intent. "Second," she whispered, leaning closer. "Make love to me." Arthur’s face turned red. "I’m not even eighteen yet!" "But you aren’t human." He stared at her through his blindfold. She smiled softly. Seeing no escape, he sighed. "...Fine." Nathira, as if expecting that answer, wrapped her arms around his neck. Just as she leaned in, he kissed her. As their lips parted, his mouth traced to her neck. He whispered, "I’m sorry," and bit down. A pulse of lightning energy surged. She convulsed, eyes rolling back, and fell unconscious. Had she not been weakened by the seal, it never would’ve worked. "Seems my zero luck isn’t useless." Just as Arthur leaned back, the door creaked open. Janet Valtor stood at the doorway. Arthur froze. Nathira lay beside him, and his mouth was near her pale neck. There was no getting out of this. No excuses or misunderstandings. ’...Fuck,’ he thought ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───