Chapter 22: Mother-in-law (3)

Words : 955 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 22: Mother-in-law (3) "..." ’Shit, of course she would remain silent.’ Arthur didn’t know much about Amelia’s mother per se, since after Amelia got engaged to Ha-Joon, she disappeared. But he did know other things about her that the world didn’t. And one of those things was her true identity. The Second Saintess of the Fourth Generation, and the one who served as the sixth prince and current emperor’s sword. God Dog, the Maniac of the Battlefield. Even though she had abandoned that title once she married, she still carried the lingering bloodlust of war. That was why, to Arthur, her silence was far worse than death. "...Arthur Arcain, can you explain the meaning of this?" she asked gently. Arthur sighed. "I have no excuses." Janet leaned on the door. "So you’re not going to defend yourself? You could at least say she kidnapped you. Besides, you can’t even see properly right now." Arthur looked away. "Yes, she did kidnap me, but I chose to lie here..." "So you like this one too, huh?" Arthur nodded. Janet turned around, her expression unreadable, a subtle killing intent forming beneath her refined poise. "Then there’s nothing left to say," she muttered. "I can’t believe I wasted so much time coming to see you." Reynold, who was following Janet, burst into the room. "Kid, Babe, are you okay?" Janet glanced at him, and without giving Arthur another look, she muttered, "He isn’t worth my time." Arthur remained quiet for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. But as she walked away, his voice rang out, steady despite his ragged breath. "I know you can’t look into my eyes with these blindfolds on," he said calmly, "but even you know I’m not a bad person." Janet paused, glaring at him from the corner of her eye. Arthur slowly stood to his feet. "Even so, I can’t exactly call myself a good person either. But I do love Amelia and care deeply for her." Janet scoffed. "And what does that have to do with me?" Arthur raised his head so that her gaze would meet his blindfolds. "I know you care about your daughter and just want her to be safe. And I know you don’t want her caught up in politics or forced to go against the norms of this world." Arthur’s glove suddenly turned cold. "But if Amelia doesn’t learn about the world, they’ll use her instead." He placed a hand on his chest. "I can’t say I’m the bravest or the most righteous. Truth be told, I’m a pretty easy man. But that’s exactly why I need not just my wives, but my family too, to guide me, to stop me from making major mistakes or falling for the wrong people." Then he lowered his head and bowed. "Just give a chance to this foolish junior. Not just as Amelia’s mother, but as someone who’s also walked this path." Janet clenched her fan tightly. Her steps had halted, but she didn’t turn around. ’Don’t fall for his sweet words,’ she told herself. His words sounded just like hers when she was young, if you removed the perverted part. Janet turned slightly, her voice sharp. "Then tell me, Demonic Dragon, how will I know you have the conviction to back your words?" Arthur looked up and smiled. "Isn’t it best if I talk to you and show my conviction at the same time?" She raised a brow. "How so?" "A match." She scoffed. "Don’t you know a lady can’t participate in such barbaric acts?" Arthur smirked. "A lady can’t, but God Dog can, can’t she?" Janet flinched. "What did you—" Before she could finish or release her force, Arthur continued. "I’ll make a promise right here: nothing that happens during the match will ever leave the walls of the Arcain clan." He paused, ensuring his point landed. "And if I manage to show my conviction, then as my mother-in-law, you can come spar anytime you want. No one will even believe the words of the ’Demonic Dragon’ anyway..." His smile softened. "This isn’t a bribe, and it’s not a deal, at least not to Duchess Janet. But it might be a fair trade for your time, God Dog of the Empire." Her expression froze. For a second, the air in the room shifted. She stepped forward. "How do you know that name?" "Huh?" Arthur scratched his head. "It was you really? That was just a guess. But I guess that really is you..." Janet narrowed her eyes. "Who are you trying to fool, little child?" Arthur let out a tender smile. "As a little child, there are some things I can only tell my family." "Giving bribes and starting trades before the match even begins?" she asked with a smirk. "Who knows?" Janet smiled. "You win, Arthur Arcain. I’ll indulge you, not because I think you’re the best for my daughter, but because you’ve piqued the God Dog’s curiosity." Arthur bowed once more as she moved away. "We’ll meet in the courtyard in an hour." As soon as she said that and walked away, Arthur collapsed onto his butt. "Phew, that was suffocating..." he whispered. Arthur’s hand was still trembling from the conversation with Janet. ’She really is the real deal,’ he thought. ’I can’t believe she held back all that bloodlust.’ He smiled. ’At least she agreed.’ He stood up quickly and entered the room again. ’I was the one who knocked her out, but now I need her up again.’ He needed to understand how much his body had changed within the hour. That meant he needed both Nathira and his stats window. ─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───

Chapter 22: Mother-in-law (3)

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