Own Time

Chapter 29

"E-Estevel, we merely wish to become better acquainted with your son, especially since he is your heir," the Frisu stammered, her hands trembling yet her gaze unwaveringly meeting hers. 'They truly care about appearances,' I thought.

"Indeed," the Arazon added, maintaining a facade of calm. "You might misunderstand our intentions, so it's best to stay composed."

"Do you take me for a fool, to believe your lies, dear Arazon and Frisu?" my mother replied, handing me over to Vel as he stepped back. "It's been so long since our last meeting that you seem to have forgotten my warning about meddling in my life, so..." Suddenly, a blue flame enveloped my mother's body, causing everyone, including the Supreme Family, to panic once more. "Tell me, do you think I should remain calm now, knowing damn well that someone is defaming my child?"

"Don't do this, Estevel. If you continue like this, you'll tarnish your own name," the Grand Klovis threatened my mother, we're standing close enough to feel the heat of her magic but still at a safe distance. My mother only chuckled in response to his threat.

"Tarnish my name? Our bloodline's reputation has been sullied long ago, thanks to a certain family that can't resist ensuring they stay at the top," she retorted, raising her hand as a dark smoke began to emanate from it, slowly advancing toward them. "Supreme Family? What will you do now?" she asked with a sinister smile, her eyes filled with menace. I took a deep breath and looked at them.

"Stop!" I shouted, causing my mother to halt her mahika. Everyone turned their attention to me. I signaled to Vel to put me down and ran towards her. She quickly absorbed her mahika to protect me, reaching out her arms as I jumped into them, hugging her tightly and looking up at her.

"You shouldn't run, didn't I tell you that?" my mother said, her voice was calm as if nothing had just happened. 'Wow, sometimes I wonder if mother has two personalities,' I thought.

"But if I didn't, you might hurt everyone here, and then I'd be sad and upset with you," I murmured, playing with my fingers as I looked down.

I felt a small tremor run through her body and looked up to see her struggling to contain her laughter. Her expression remained composed, but from my vantage point, I could tell she was on the verge of bursting out laughing. 'I've never acted like this around anyone, especially her, so I know she wants to seize every opportunity to tease me.' I pinched the back of her neck, silently urging her to calm down. She sighed.

"Very well, if that's what my child wants, then it shall be granted, considering you're still innocent," Mother said with a smile. I could see the teasing glint in her eyes, and I gave her another pinch, this time on her arm.

"Great, because Aidan is hungry again and needs food," I replied, holding my stomach. 'It's true, though—all the energy I used to release that much mahika feels like it burned through all the food I ate,' I thought. But more than that, I just wanted to get out of their sight before I lost my temper for real.

"If that's the case, we shouldn't let you get hungry," Mother said, her face expressionless. I nodded and hugged her. She turned around and began to walk away, but then she stopped and looked back at the Supreme Family. "Consider yourselves lucky, but next time, there will be no next time," Mother declared in a commanding tone. "Let's eat at our mansion. I'm certain the food there is much better, and you won't get a stomachache just by looking at people. Can you hold on a little longer?"

"Yes, I can. I know our cooks will make some delicious food for us," I replied with a smile. 'I think we've had enough of this place. We've proven my worth as her child, and we don't need to deal with more whispers.'

"Good. Then, my dear Supreme Family, we'll take our leave now," Mother said. She started walking away with Vel. I glanced back at them and waved goodbye as everyone moved aside, avoiding eye contact.

We were near the door, about to leave, when it suddenly opened, revealing a man who looked slightly older and much taller than Mother. He had ash-gray hair, piercing blood-red eyes, and pale skin. He was dressed in a black and ruby red suit with matching pants, adorned with various gemstones. 'I thought only the Supreme Family was obsessed with gems, but I guess not,' I mused.

"Ugh," my mother groaned, clearly annoyed at the sight of him. 'Does she know him?' I wondered. The man bore no symbols or patterns on his clothes like the other Kwaris, so I couldn't tell which family he belonged to. However, his aura alone made it clear he was definitely a high-born Kwaris. 

"Isn't that Darcia Ryu?" the kwaris murmured among themselves, their faces brightening with smiles, particularly the woman. Was he truly that renowned?

Mother resumed her walk, intending to pass by the man, but he abruptly obstructed our path, causing my eyes and Vel's to widen in surprise. 'What on earth is he doing?' Did he not recognize who stood before him? Vel and I exchanged glances with Mother, who was clearly displeased. 'This doesn't look good.'

"What do you think you're doing?" Mother's voice was laced with a menacing tone, causing me to swallow nervously as I turned my gaze to the man, who remained unfazed and smiling.

"I'm offering you a complimentary one," he declared, his confidence unshaken. 'Is this guy out of his mind?'

"What?" Mother replied, her expression one of complete bewilderment.

"Come on, you're a lady—or perhaps a warrior. Surely, you'd prefer a conversation with me," he said with a smirk. I stared at him in disbelief. 'What is wrong with this man?'

"Oh, who the heck are you? And you'd better move aside, because I'm on the verge of losing my temper," Mother snapped, her patience wearing thin as she conjured a blaze of blue fire in her free hand. The man regarded her with a puzzled expression, only to smirk in response.

"My apologies, you must be Estevel Aditya. I will offer my respect..." He trailed off abruptly.

"Just get out of my way," Mother demanded, attempting to push past him. He blocked her once more. The fire in Mother's hand roared larger, her teeth clenched in frustration.

"You're being rather unkind, Estevel," he said, his tone dripping with feigned innocence.

"What? You little—"

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said with a bow. "My name is Darcia Ryu, but I am more widely known as the Black Gem and the Nameless Flower..." His declaration was accompanied by a flourish, his nicknames rolling off his tongue with shameless confidence. 'He's even boasting about his aliases? Talk about audacious self-assurance.'

Mother, without a word, passed me to Vel. I looked at her, puzzled and astonished by the sudden shift.

"So, my lady, would you care for a chat wi—" His sentence was abruptly cut off as Mother's fist collided with his face, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Didn't I tell you to move aside, you SHAMELESS BASTARD?" Mother seethed, her knuckles cracking ominously. She swiftly took me from Vel's arms and marched past the fallen man, saying nothing more. As the door closed behind us, I glimpsed his face once more—he was still smiling.