Heles City, Stronghold Kingdom
(Nevare’s POV)
"Anna, can you tell about your husband, Moku?"
Although Nevare cursed inwardly at hearing that question, the smile on her face remained. "Of course, Mother!" she replied enthusiastically, like a daughter eager to share a story about her new best friend.
"Before I begin telling you about my encounter with Moku, I want to first recount what happened on the day I was kidnapped," Nevare started her tale.
She began with her conversation with Tristan, who had invited her to hunt red bear cubs.
When Nevare described her joy at the opportunity to obtain a Mana Potion, Cila and Artur smiled too, but their expressions soon shifted to sympathy.
As she recounted her eting with Bon and Jon, Cila’s brow furrowed with worry, while Artur clenched his fists in anger.
When Nevare told of her escape from Bon and Jon, only to encounter a goblin horde, both Cila and Artur looked terrified, as if they were experiencing her ordeal themselves.
When she described how Moku saved her from both the goblins and Bon and Jon, a smile appeared on Cila’s face, while Artur’s expression turned envious.
"Moku is the youngest son of the Arion king, so his chances of inheriting the throne were slim. As a result, he received fewer resources for training compared to the other Arion princes.
"Moku chose to venture into the Bog Forest to hunt. At that ti, my adventurous spirit was still strong, and I asked Moku to take with him.
"Initially, Moku refused and insisted on taking back to Heles City. However, I knew that if I returned ho, my future would be the sa as before.
"My dream of becoming a mage was still burning in my heart, even more so after realizing how helpless I was against Bon and Jon. Due to my stubbornness, Moku finally agreed to take on his journey.
"From then on, Moku and I were inseparable for two years. We faced nurous dangers in the Bog Forest, from powerful mutated animals to rare and deadly plants.
"It was from Moku that I learned how to control Mana, eventually mastering the art of transforming Mana Flow into Constellation without using a Mana Potion.
"The more ti we spent together, the closer we beca, and love naturally blossod between us.
"Not long after, Moku and I got married without his father’s knowledge, knowing that the Arion king would never accept a human female as his son’s wife."
Nevare paused for a mont, taking a sip of the tea served by the maid earlier. After wetting her throat, she continued her story with the sa great enthusiasm.
"Even so, Moku was determined to marry , regardless of what the other Arions said. Ultimately, Moku’s stubbornness forced the Arion king to accept as his daughter-in-law.
"Although my love for Moku was imnse, my longing for ho was just as strong. That’s why I planned to return ho after our wedding, and Moku agreed.
"He even promised to escort to our doorstep and ask for your permission to marry .
"However, right after the wedding, I discovered I was pregnant, making the dangerous journey across the Bog Forest impossible.
"I had to wait for our first child to be born. My first pregnancy was tough, but Moku pampered , so I never felt alone.
"When Nash was born, I felt a new life beginning for .
"My dream was no longer to beco a powerful mage but to see my son live a happy life. I no longer felt hosick because my new ho was already warm and welcoming.
"I’m sure you understand how I felt then, Mother."
Cila paused before nodding. "Have you heard about my true origins from Artur?" she asked.
Nevare nodded, and Cila continued, "I understand how you feel. I also know why you delayed your return."
Nevare then explained, "Mother, you’re right. The main reason for my delayed return was to ensure that Nash and my future children would be accepted by the Arions.
"A marriage between an Arion and a human had never happened before, so they doubted if we could even have children.
"After I beca pregnant with Nash, they wondered whether the child would be Arion or human.
"When Nash was born, they questioned whether the son of a human female could be as strong as a pure Arion.
"After Nash demonstrated his strength, they debated whether my descendants had the right to inherit the throne.
"These constant challenges required my focus on the Wilwatikta Kingdom. Additionally, as a foreigner, I had no support from the other Arions. In fact, my presence further tarnished Moku’s already low status.
"To address this, I began gathering humans who had been captured by slave traders, just as I had been.
"Over ti, I earned my own na among the Arions, and they started to respect .
"This respect was embodied in my new na, Nevare. Therefore, I hope you will call by that na. It symbolizes the hard struggle I endured for my family, and I take great pride in it."
Nevare gazed deeply into Cila’s eyes, silently pleading with her. Cila remained quiet for a mont, eting her daughter’s intense stare.
Nevare knew that Cila would recognize the sa light in her eyes—a light only a mother’s love could create, one that would never fade, even after hundreds of years of hardship.
"I understand, and I empathize with you. I am proud of you and happy that you’ve found your happiness. No matter what you do or who you beco... Nevare, you will always be my daughter!" she said, her voice gentle and filled with genuine affection, no longer the deceptive tone she had often used.
"MOTHER!" Artur exclaid.
But the two won paid no attention. Nevare rose from her chair and embraced Cila warmly. Cila welcod her daughter with open arms.
The awkwardness they felt at the east gate was gone. This ti, Nevare truly felt Cila’s acceptance.
"Mother! How can you accept this so easily?" Artur protested, his face flushed with anger.
Cila released Nevare from the embrace and narrowed her eyes at Artur. "Artur! You will never understand what a mother feels for her children. They would sacrifice their lives, their wealth, and their bodies for their children! If Nevare truly forgot us because of her children, I can understand that. For I, too, have forgotten Valya for the sake of you both!"
Artur was stunned into silence, unable to respond. He could only bow his head, but Nevare could sense the simring anger within him.
She inwardly savored a small victory. She knew that while she had regained Cila’s heart, she was not yet safe.
The mages eavesdropping on their conversation would not be easily convinced by her story. Nevertheless, Nevare was not worried.
She had prepared for this long in advance. Moku’s inner eye could read thoughts from facial expressions and body language, making it clear to Nevare that she would be interrogated upon arriving in Heles City.
"Mother, can we go to where Nash and the others are? They are not yet familiar with human customs. I’m afraid they might unintentionally be disrespectful to Father and the others," Nevare said.
"Of course, Nevare. I also want to play with my grandchildren. Ah... grandchildren, I can’t believe I’m already a grandmother, hahahaha..." Cila laughed as she led Nevare out of the interrogation room.
"You are not old, Mother. You are still very beautiful. I’m sure people who see us together will think we are sisters."
"Sisters? Ah... it seems you’ve learned the art of noble flattery, my daughter, hahahaha," Cila laughed, not giving Nevare’s complint much thought.
"Soon, Mother, soon," Nevare replied, smiling aningfully.
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(Artur’s POV)
Artur watched as his mother and sister walked out of the room hand in hand. His face twisted with bitterness. He had never imagined Cila would side with Nevare, and he felt a deep sense of betrayal.
*Tap!
The sound of footsteps echoed as a hidden door beside the room opened. Artur turned to see Zilya erge with two other mages.
Artur had summoned them to check if Anna had been brainwashed. If she had, Artur planned to subdue her with their help and then work on curing her.
"Well? When are we going to attack? Right now, Anna is only with her three sons, and from what I know, they aren’t particularly strong in combat. The only real threat will be if Anna resists," Artur said impatiently.
Zilya paused for a mont before responding, "Hmm... about that, Artur... I think... based on what we observed, Nevare isn’t under any brainwashing influence."
Artur was shocked, unable to believe what he was hearing. "What do you an?"
One of the mages Zilya had brought from the Valya House, whom Artur recalled was nad Perry, explained, "Every cell in a Mana Species’ body contains Mana. If there’s a malfunction in their body, there will be a corresponding disturbance in the Mana. This also applies to those under the influence of brainwashing. However, based on our examination, there’s no disturbance in Nevare’s body. She isn’t under any brainwashing influence."
"YOU’RE LYING!"
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