12 Nereia Speaks With Elise

"Where have you gone?! How dare you leave without the guards I assigned?! You are bleeding everywhere! Are you okay?! Call all the doctors!" Nereia continued to pat my cheeks, her panic evident.

It annoyed me, so I stopped her. "It doesn't concern you."

"What—? I'm your mother! Of course, it concerns me!" she retorted with a glare.

"No, you're not. Which mother would leave her son on the other side of the kingdom alone?" I threw a heartfelt speech, even though I didn't care about her motherhood feelings. Simply because she wasn't my mum. My real mum would have given me a good beating if I spoke to her that way, and she certainly didn't have silver eyes!

Nereia froze at my cold words, looking at me with a saddened gaze. "Dear…I–I didn't want. I asked your father—"

"He ain't my father, and you're not my mother, for God's sake!" I slapped my forehead, feeling a headache creeping in, and strolled past her. "Oh yes, Elise Serenity, thanks for the trip. It was an honor," I added with a hint of sarcasm to Elise, who was watching the whole scene unfold, and made my exit. "Where is my loyal maid?"

"Milord," Shana appeared promptly.

"Fast as expected of my maid. Prepare my bath."

"Already done, Milord."

"Oh my, I love you, Shana," I said, massaging my sore right arm.

"Elise! What happened?!" Nereia inquired, rushing to Elise.

"I don't know much either, Nereia. I saw him on the road, coming out of the forest in that state. He didn't tell me anything else," Elise replied.

I preferred to keep the details of what happened under wraps since I wasn't sure how that guy might react if I spilled everything. Better play it safe.

Stepping into the bath, I rested my hands on the sides of the jacuzzi and let out a deep exhale.

It had been one heck of a day.

I came pretty close to biting the dust.

Honestly, I should have died back there.

While I knew how to handle weapons from my time on Earth, maintaining composure in such a life-threatening situation was truly remarkable. I couldn't believe I pulled it off.

Had I faced something similar on Earth that made me less nervous today?

Doubtful.

The most opponents I ever had to deal with at once back on Earth were five guys throwing punches. They were friends of the dude who slapped my sister. This time, though, I wasn't dealing with high school morons but seasoned individuals.

Wait.

Aren't I amazing?

Too bad nobody was there to witness it; I might have gotten recruited for the next Mission Impossible. Sighing, I watched the blood and dirt on my body wash away in the water. Tying my hair back, I leaned my head against the edge and took a much-needed break for half an hour. The hot water, healing my exhausted body.

†††

"Thank you, Elise. Truly, thank you for bringing him back to me," Nereia expressed her gratitude as she took a seat, her face reflecting relief.

"I didn't do much, Nereia," Elise chuckled, settling across from her on the sofa. "But your son is a bit different from what I expected, you know, from the rumors."

Nereia's smile held a tinge of bitterness. "Actually, he had been very sick for two days and woke up fully healed this morning. It seems his memories have been affected as well. I'm also surprised by his behavior, but he still remains my son."

"Of course. I don't see him as bad as the rumors suggested, in any case," Elise added, trying to offer some reassurance to Nereia.

"It's all my fault, Elise," Nereia shook her head, her fists clenched. "I—I haven't been present for him for a whole year. I heard that he was heartbroken for months until he completely changed, playing around. But I know my son. I didn't raise him like that!"

Observing Nereia, Elise hesitated before speaking. "Is everything fine with your husband?"

Nereia let out a mocking chuckle, rolling her eyes. "He isn't listening to me. He doesn't want to bring Jykrain back to Asherante, nor does he want me to stay with Jykrain here. I'm the Duchess, so I have to remain at his side to take care of important affairs, he says!"

"Can you blame him, Nereia? You also have to take care of your little daughter," Elise pointed out with a sympathetic smile.

"Yes—I can't leave Elynn alone either. She has been alone during my sickness and my idiot son's rebellious period. Thankfully, Solana was with her," Nereia shared.

Even though Solana was the daughter of the second wife of her husband, Nereia maintained a good relationship with her, though the situation was more complicated with the mother. The conflict between Nereia and Andrea, the second wife, intensified, especially after Jykrain's birth. The Duke's refusal to hand over the heir title to Andrea's son instead choosing to keep it to Jykrain only fueled the tension.

It had almost come to pass, but Nereia's recovery from her illness changed the course of events. As Jykrain's mother, she became a strong support for her son, even though he had temporarily strayed from the right path. Nereia was convinced she could guide him back.

"By the way, your son asked me to have an exclusive weapon for himself and even a discount on it. Should I offer it?" Elise asked, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Hmpf. I will think about it when he properly speaks to me," Nereia crossed her arms. "I've already offered him many weapons, but he doesn't seem to care about them."

They continued their conversation for the next few minutes until Elise decided to broach an important topic.

"Nereia, Elysyphel will start again next week. Aren't you worried?" She asked Nereia with a serious expression.

Nereia nodded. "Dreamless, huh. They are planning something, judging by their recent movements. But that old child, Ludiciel, is there. I warned him to take care of my son if he doesn't want me to reduce his small head to ashes."

Elise laughed, but her laughter echoed Nereia's concerns. It was true that as long as Ludiciel, the most powerful man—though the term was debatable—was present, Adrencia and especially Elysyphel, the Academy he directed, were safe.

"...do you think they could be responsible for Jykrain's kidnapping?" Elise voiced the question that had been lingering in her mind, contemplating the potential involvement of Dreamless in Jykrain's disappearance.

"Possible," Nereia nodded, acknowledging the uncertainty that demanded further investigation. "I will force this insolent child to spit out everything," she added, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes playing on her lips.

"Bunch of morons, get out of my sight!" Jykrain's voice, seemingly fueled by irritation, echoed from outside.

They both stood up, approaching the window to observe Jykrain in the garden. Sword in hand, he wore a gaze of annoyance as he chased away the gardeners and knights surrounding him.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Young Master. We can't allow ourselves to let you get kidnapped again," Barin asserted with a firm tone.

"I'm sick of your face. You are shadowing the whole moon with your body. I can't train with you around. Get out. It's an order from the Heir of the Starfrost Duchy."

"Even if it's an order, my duty is to protect you," Barin didn't relent.

"Am I a princess in distress? Look, nobody's gonna kidnap me here, and I know how to defend myself now. Leave," Jykrain pointed his sword at Barin, who ignored the gesture.

"I can't. Order from the Duchess."

"Son of a bitch!"

Nereia, leaning and resting her hands on the balcony, smiled as she observed her son bickering with Barin. He was acting no differently than years ago, even though he had grown even more cheeky than before. But this sight was familiar.

"I swear that granny mommy is pissing me off. Tell her I don't care!"

Nereia's warm smile froze as she jumped over the balcony.

"GUAH!" Jykrain's groan resonated throughout the entire Starfrost Estate.