Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 40 - Embrace

"Liz, you can head off to sleep. There are things I need to discuss with Van," Amoria said, the evening of chores winding down.

Liz gave a silent nod. "Good night, Mom..." Her eyes flicked to Van, laden with the shadows of unspoken words, remembering his recent harshness toward Michael.

Van offered her a gentle smile. "Good night, kid," he said with a calm smile.

Liz's brows furrowed slightly, a spark of irritation in her gaze as Van called her a kid. She turned abruptly and disappeared into her bedroom. Left in the echoing quiet, Amoria exhaled deeply, her frustration palpable.

About a minute later, Amoria relaxed on the sofa.

"...Did I say something wrong?" Van inquired, picking up on the chill in the air as he joined Amoria on the sofa.

"Van, you need to start acting your age around Liz," Amoria chastised, her tone firm.

"What? I am acting my age," Van retorted, his calm belying the tension.

"No, act your actual age," Amoria corrected sharply.

"Uh... Should I have read her a bedtime story then?" Van asked, clearly missing the point.
Amoria's patience snapped. She reached out and grasped his cheeks, squeezing with exasperation. "For the love of all that is holy, act like the teenager you are supposed to be!" she growled, her voice thick with irritation.

"... Even if you say that... I can't just mimic some random teenager," Van protested, his words muffled and distorted as Amoria manipulated his face playfully yet pointedly.

"It seemed like you managed just fine earlier when that boy was here!" she countered, her fingers tweaking his mouth into a grimace.

Van fixed her with a serious look, his muffled voice struggling for clarity. "Do you disagree with what I said?" he asked, his words garbled as Amoria's grip forced his lips into a distorted plea.

Amoria peered into Van's eyes, discerning the sincerity within them. She released his mouth and reclined on the sofa, her expression softening.

"You know, you could have been gentler with that boy, for both his sake and Liz's feelings... At least, that's what I would've told you 2 years ago. However, Liz often wears herself out trying to entertain him. It would be fine if he reciprocated, but he doesn't due to his timid nature; which makes him awfully selfish- and she's the one who always ends up drained. He doesn't seem to consider her needs above his own, ever, and I worry she might break under the strain," she confided, her voice tinged with concern.

"In short... Since she won't say it herself..." Amoria paused, turning to face Van with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Van."

Van nodded. "Sure."

Amoria's gaze lingered on him longer than usual, prompting a cautious, "Uh... Amoria? You good?" from Van.

She let out a playful chuckle and swiftly leaned in close, her face inches from his, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"..." Van's reaction remained impassive as he met her gaze calmly, yet confusedly.

Seeing his slightly flustered reaction, Amoria giggled, her voice a seductive purr as she pulled back slightly. "You don't have to tease me like that. It's... I might get the wrong idea," he murmured, looking away.

Ignoring his discomfort, Amoria shifted her entire body, seating herself on his lap and wrapping her arms around him. Van gasped softly, feeling her weight press against him, the initial shock fading into a warm embrace. His heart thudded wildly with anticipation.