Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 10: Freedom

Gently pushing Antonio aside, Kliya tidied her disheveled clothing and restored her elegance and composure as she walked toward the door.

"It's so late; why aren't you asleep? Is there something urgent?" Opening the door, she looked at Darn, who was clearly in a hurry, and asked with gentle affection.

"Um, I can't sleep, and, um, it's nothing urgent, but, um, I wanted to ask if Dad is asleep?" After a moment of hesitation, Darn stammered.

"I'm not asleep! You little rascal! With that loud voice of yours in the middle of the night, even if I were asleep, you'd wake me up!" Before Kliya could respond, Antonio's booming voice echoed from within the room, revealing that the governor was in a foul mood after being disturbed multiple times.

"Uh, what's wrong with my dad? He seems really angry; did you two have a fight?" Darn stuck out his tongue, his voice dropping an octave.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Your father and I are a loving couple. Do you really wish for your parents to fight?" Kliya glanced back, suppressing a laugh.

"Of course not! I just hope..."

"Alright! Just tell me! Why are you here so late? Your father and I have been busy with you all day; if you have something to say, hurry up and don't disturb our rest!" Gently ruffling her son's hair, Kliya urged.

"Mom, I just wanted to ask, um, when will I, um, when will I..." Darn stuttered again.

"What exactly do you want to ask? There's no need to be shy in front of your mother; just ask directly!" Seeing her son's bashful demeanor, Kliya felt a surge of curiosity.

"I just want to know when I will marry Aeloria!" Under Kliya's probing, Darn gritted his teeth and finally voiced the question that had troubled him all night.

As soon as Darn spoke, he felt inexplicably relieved, and the boy who had interrupted his father's good fortune eagerly looked at his mother, waiting for an answer.

"Ah! You came all this way just to ask that?" This child, having just gotten engaged, was already eager to take Aeloria to bed? Such an impatient nature, truly a Spencer trait! Just like her husband...

"Um, Mom, please tell me! When will I marry Aeloria?"

"...Very soon. After you graduate from the Bylins Magic and Martial Arts Academy, your father and I will hold a wedding for you!" After a moment of thought, Kliya replied with a smile.

"Bylins Magic and Martial Arts Academy!? What is that?" Darn was taken aback; this was yet another unexpected piece of news he had heard today.

"Yes! You will be leaving Rutitania soon. Your father has already made the arrangements for you to attend the Royal Capital, Belto, as a transfer student at the Bylins Magic and Martial Arts Academy."

Kliya laid out all the details regarding Darn's future, and the thought of her son leaving for an unfamiliar city made her maternal instincts swell. However...

"Darn! It's already very late! You need to go back to your own room right now! If you can't sleep, then make up for the training you didn't finish today!"

Antonio's voice, now devoid of patience, echoed through the night, and upon hearing his father's voice, Darn immediately abandoned his quest for answers. After waving goodbye to Kliya, he dashed out.

Hehe, this child is always so afraid of his father. Oh, Antonio, why do you have to be so loud for no reason? With a loving gaze, Kliya watched Darn's figure disappear into the night before returning to her bedroom, where the couple spent a night of passion...