bookpower Chapter 138: A Moment of Peace
Chapter 138: A Moment of Peace
Asura and his father spent several hours planning and arranging their next actions, and both felt a strange joy from speaking with the other in this way. It was fresh for both Garret and Asura. However, before they could finish...
"Garret, don't make our son work so hard. He's only just won his first actual battle!" Ophelia scolded Garret softly yet commandingly while winking at Asura as she carried a large pot before placing it on the table. "Come on, let's eat."
"Ah... Forgive me, Ophelia. I was just excited to speak with him about such serious things."
The trio sat at the table, but when Garret reached for his bowl, Ophelia's spoon flicked his wrist. "Not yet. Others are coming."
Soon after that, Mu Xue, wearing a lovely blue and silver dress and long white tights, entered before bowing and sitting beside Asura on his right. Then, wearing a calm but elegant green and white dress, Princess Vela entered and sat on his left, causing Garret's mouth to open wide.
"Princess Vela!" He stuttered while standing to give a bow; however, nobody else did the same, making him feel embarrassed.
"Father-in-law, do not bow; we are amongst family."
Garret suffered from remembering her mother, knowing how strict and violent she could be, as he slowly sat down, following Vela's gentle response. "Family? No... Wait, father-in-law!?"
"Yes, Sir Garret. My mother requested permission from Asura and me to marry, although we don't know each other too well. We thought getting engaged might be the best first step for each other if you would permit it."
Ophelia was the first to react, her lips curling into a smile as she nodded. "A very headstrong and aggressive girl."
'The princess, she was serious about becoming my number one!?'
Vela's sharp eyes looked at Asura, her lips twisting into a wicked yet cute smile as she brushed his shin with her foot. Asura had his work cut out for him with these women.
Finally, they began showing their differences.
"Son... Is this true?"
Asura could tell that his father was both excited and happy on his face. He tried to hide a beaming smile but couldn't allow Vela to take complete control here and do wrong to Mu Xue, who quickly closed her eyes in silence.
"Father. I have three women I have sworn to take as my wife, the first being Mu Xue and the second being Xavida Bahamot, princess and future Demon Queen of the Demon Empire."
"What!? That girl! You want to marry our enemy?"
"Father... She already carries my child in her womb, and the enemy is not her but her uncle."
"Not to mention..."
"She carries your child!?"
"Oh my, how exciting! I cannot wait to meet her."
His father knew that because of the current situation of the territory, his son also accepted the proposal of the Drakkur family. Garret looked conflicted yet over the moon... Ophelia smiled as she served each person's meal.
"So you two will become my daughters. How exciting! Fufu, I cannot wait to see all the little children running around." She giggled excitedly.
"M-mother...."
Asura felt his face becoming hotter and hotter at this talk about children... while Mu Xue and Vela seemed unconcerned as they ate the food that Ophelia prepared. No Asura saw their faces... both of them had bright red cheeks, and the soup just fell from their trembling spoons.
"Father, I was serious about the engagement with the Drakkur family. If we refuse them, I feel the future battles will crush us within a year, maybe less."
'Even if the thought of meeting her again makes me sick.'
"Hmmm..." Garret remained silent at the new information.
Mu Xue remained silent for a while before blushing as she looked at Ophelia, who patted her shoulder and spoke gently.
"Don't worry, Xue'er... Our family is large enough for many children; you and our Asura will make beautiful children!"
"Yes, my lady!" The two rushed over to Verana's clothing chest, which seemed endless, but the talented first ladies chose a beautiful black and white dress with a low-cut neck and long, flowing white frills.
Verana stretched her body while exposing her breasts to the two maids, who blushed as they helped prepare her body and dress her like a princess. She felt cold, and her skin was pale as snow.
However, as they put her dress on, her skin became lustrous, and the colour returned to her cheeks as a small smile lingered.
"Thank you, Janice and Renia. Let us visit Mother and see what she wants to ask of me."
"Yes, My Lady." The two bowed respectfully while escorting her down the twisting staircase connecting the top of the tower to the lower chambers.
Verana's eyes overlooked the horizon with a sense of wonder, feeling the cool morning breeze and listening to the birds chirping in the distance; she no longer felt her pointed ears were unsightly and had the maids brush her hair behind them, forming a half braided style over one shoulder.
"Wow... so lovely, my lady! Your beauty can even shame the goddesses!" Renia spoke softly as Janice nodded, recalling Verana's cruel nature and harsh treatment of others. Her insecurity and frustrated appearance suddenly vanished over the days since she returned.
"Thank you... Come, let us go see my mother."
The two maids hurried after her, wondering what their mistress's mother might need to ask her and why she wasn't downstairs to meet Verana.
She stood before the great doors of the main citadel, where most noble guests would come to visit her mother and seek her help, knowledge or even her hand in marriage.
With a loud bang, the massive doors opened, a single palm of Verana shaking the ten-metre-tall doors open.
"Ah, Verana... how lovely you look."
Her mother sat on a throne-like chair made from rare materials and ancient magic gems. Her voice was graceful, almost melodious, as she watched her daughter enter while leading her two maids, who shivered upon entering the room and were forced to stand on each side of the door.
"Mother, you have summoned me?"
"Ah... no need to rush; tell me, Verana... How are you feeling?"
"I feel great..."
The gods gifted both women with astonishing beauty; however, if asked who was superior, Verana was surely above her mother, likely because of her mixed blood and sharing the blood of a certain divine beast. Her mother had more resemblance to a seductive witch from legends.
"Your strength is remarkable, even better than expected," the woman remarked, seeing that Verana was not hiding her power.
"I know."
"Hmmm? It seems the things that held you back have vanished, my daughter?" Her mother asked with curiosity, noticing that Verana did not become arrogant about her sudden power.
"Yes, Mother, I have found my purpose and... him."
"Oh..." The woman chuckled lightly, watching the subtle change in Verana's tone. "So... How do you feel about him? What kind of person is he?"
"I... I have spoken little with him. However, he is irreplaceable for both Drakkur and Silvara."
Her mother shifted on the throne, her dress flashing between her smooth pale thighs before she leaned back against the throne with a relaxed look. "You should know he accepted the engagement... as long as he can enter the tower of death."
Verana's smile faded as she heard these words; however, she remained composed; her heart raced, knowing he wished to enter that place.
"Mother... You're not joking, are you?"
"Not at all. That boy is interesting..."
"Heed my command, Verana Drakkur; you will enter the tower of death and attempt the trial at your fiancé's side. If you are successful, I swear an oath to cancel my plans to destroy the Phoenix Glade."
Verana could tell her mother was not joking. She was rarely this serious, but still... entering that place... 'Ah, he won't be alone.'
'Obeying is my only option.'