Lazy Salvation A Mother's Desperation

'So, they're uncomfortable with this.' Lucia instantly noted.

And before she could even ask why, the answer ca on its own. 'Another woman.'

Even as her brain was still processing the information and formulating answers, her body was already moving to salvage the blunder.

Her deanor shifted from clingy lover to woman with a crush.

Her touches beca more hesitant, her glances beca skittish. She waited for Ashen to unconsciously pull back his arm just enough for her to silently recoil and let go while feigning embarrassnt.

'There... I'm not his lover, this is just a one-sided crush... nothing too scandalous...'

As if hearing her inner thoughts, Lapis's gaze softened, though she didn't stop shalessly eying her from across the table.

Hans just shook his head and took the role of a silent spectator.

Lucia let out an unnoticed sigh before resisting the urge to click her tongue.

She chose the persona of colleague-turned-lover at first not only to gain the family's trust more easily, but also considering Ashen's situation.

Having a girlfriend ans he has changed enough to have a woman approve of him sufficiently to date him.

And it wasn't any woman, but an independent one who worked at Atlas Defense. One who was pretty, polite, and successful, yet ca here clinging to him.

Any normal person would think he was a winner in life, not so sloth who could barely muster the will to live.

'...Not a family who had already chosen who their daughter-in-law was going to be, though...' Lucia silently mocked herself.

With the way she first acted, she couldn't possibly go from clingy lover to distant acquaintance in a second—that wouldn't just raise a few eyebrows. She'd be lucky if she wasn't called crazy.

So the next best thing would be switching to the persona of a woman with an unrequited infatuation.

At least this wouldn't make Ashen out to be a two-timing scumbag, and her a man-snatching vixen.

Normally, when she recognized a task that must be successful no matter what, she'd do a thorough investigation beforehand.

But this ti, the task concerned her new partner, and she wasn't willing to breach his privacy without his permission.

So she only had the basics before coming here, and that was why she was vexed when he didn't clue her in that he was already in a relationship.

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'Well, it's not like he has to trust with every detail of his life, I suppose,' she reconsidered.

What she didn't know was that it was less about Ashen trusting her and more about his overprotective side taking control when things involved Alice.

This was one of the few things that remained in his personality, no matter how low he got.

And the one thing Ashen didn't want for Alice more than anything was her getting into Seravelle. Especially after having that very realistic nightmare.

And Lucia, despite being his partner, was also a Seravelle local. And a recruiter at that—a competent one.

"Son..." Akidia seed to have snapped out of her silent hysteria and was practically clawing at Ashen's arm. "Quit your job, there is no need to risk your life over money... It's not like we're starving here."

She spoke in a deceptively even voice, but the way she held him as if afraid he would vanish at any mont spoke otherwise.

"Mother... I've already signed the contract," Ashen said, his eyes apologetic as they t hers.

"...DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE?!?" The false composure finally cracked as Akidia revealed a side that wildly contrasted with her usual bubbly behavior.

"You are my son! No matter how old you get, no matter how rebellious you get! ... and no matter how long you part from ..."

She sniffed. "...I still get a say in the decisions that affect your life... and I say no to this job!"

Ashen felt his heart break as she looked at him with those pitiful eyes.

"...You have to listen to ..." But silence was the only answer she got. There was no affirmation.

"...Is it about the contract?" She asked as the stillness stretched further.

"...Basically," Ashen admitted.

"Then we will pay the penalty! Isn't that right...?" She quickly shot back, as if wondering why he was hung up on sothing so trivial.

She then shot a fugitive glance at her husband, who imperceptibly nodded back in support. He was the one with the purse in the house, after all, though he always indulged his wife as much as he could.

As for Ashen, the mont he heard that his mother wanted to pay the penalty, he had to resist the urge to retort, 'Ma... my life is the only compensation they'd accept...'

Sadly, he couldn't say this as the situation would only spiral further.

Ashen was sure his father would be convinced that he had joined so underworld cri family, and he might even spin it into him putting their lives in danger alongside him.

Which wasn't far from the truth, since Seravelle was technically hidden from the world, and the enemies he makes there will sooner or later look here if they can't deal with him directly.

Seeing him stuck there, not knowing how to answer or what to do, Lucia finally considered his punishnt for the earlier omission complete, and moved to interject.

Even though she chose to forgive his withholding of this supposed lover who almost screwed up her initial image with his family, she thought this bit of punishnt was acceptable. She was a bit petty like that, after all.

"Mrs. Hart, if I may offer a thought..." Lucia's voice was soft, carrying just enough deference to slip gently into the conversation without turning Akidia's anger at her.

…Akidia was still able to surprise her with her reaction, all the sa.

"Lucia, dear! You too! Is your life also in danger?! You can't stay there!"

"..."

Lucia took a few seconds to comprehend this woman's kindness.

She thought she'd be considered an enemy who pulled her son into a life of danger, but here she was also fussing over her like she was a daughter and not a stranger who just barged into their ho.

"I'm fine, aunty. My job is safe, unlike Ashen's, so there's no need to worry. But thank you for caring." Lucia held her hands with both palms as she reassured her with her usual charming smile, though this one looked a touch more genuine for those who knew her real face and were able to distinguish.

And in the back of her mind, she updated her ntal profile of Akidia Hart.

A doting, loving mother who had genuine kindness in her heart.