"MOTHER, are you alright?"

Tilly blinked several times before her attention diverted back to Julian.

Right now, they were still in her room. They already dropped the subject about Lucina Morganna and was now talking about Julian's control over his fire Mana. She wanted to know what else she could teach his son about his power.

But all of a sudden, her conversation with Duke Sherwood a while ago played in her mind again…

"Lady Nystrom, as a token of gratitude for allowing me to witness a history in the making, let me share a very valuable piece of information to you," Duke Sherwood said with a smile. "There's a rumor going around among the higher nobles in the empire. Apparently, a lady with a pair of pink eyes is being backed up by the White Tower to become the future empress."

Tilly thought nothing else would shock her.

But after hearing the pieces of information that the duke generously relayed to her, it still blew her mind.

Aside from Luna, there was only other survivor from the Colorless Coven. And that was Stella, the witch's sister. Apparently, Stella was killed by Lahara after she made the medicine that made Nia Moonchester infertile.

But a few days ago, Luna found out that her sister was alive.

Obviously, the White Tower kept Stella alive all these years.

"The White Tower's empress candidate might possess the ability that we thought only Nia Moonchester has," she said carefully. "This lady you're talking about… she can carry Aku Moonchester's child in her womb, can't she?"

Duke Sherwood just smiled before he sipped his tea.

Ah, that was a smile that meant "yes."

Luna will be very angry once she hears about this, Tilly thought to herself. I wonder why would Stella want to give birth to a Moonchester…

"Mother?"

She smiled at his son. "I'm alright, Julian. I���m sorry for spacing out."

Julian shook his head. "It's okay, Mother. I know that you have a lot on your mind right now. I'm just grateful that you still have time to spend with me."

Her oldest was so mature.

It couldn't be helped because he was reincarnated with the memories of his past life. But she was hoping that Julian would loosen up someday. She wanted to give his son the childhood that he probably didn't enjoy in the past.

"Julian, I know that your father will soon train you and Winter on how to kill him," she said seriously. Her heart was heavy because of the decision that she and Kiho ended up with. But they both knew that they should prepare for all the possible outcomes of the upcoming divine civil war. Of course, that included the worst-case scenario where they would lose. "But can I have a portion of your time, too? You have a strong fire Mana. I want to personally help you control your power. I'll teach you the things I taught Winter for the past years."

Julian smiled and nodded. "I'd love that, Mother. I want to spend more time with you."

She couldn't help but hug her oldest. "Aww, you're so sweet, baby."

His son blushed but he seemed happy with the attention he was receiving from her. And she was glad that she could make her son feel at home in her arms.

Anyway, their bonding moment was interrupted when she felt Kiho's strong bloodlust.

"There aren't enemies though," Tilly said, making Julian nod in agreement. "What's making Kiho this angry?"

***

"HOW'S WONG?" Kiho asked Winter. "Is that sc*m still alive, huh?"

Winter nodded. "Of course, Uncle Wong is still alive, Dad."

"Ah, what a shame."

"Shh," his son scolded him. He even put a finger on his nose. That was so adorable. "Dad, Mom will get mad at you again if you don't stop your petty jealousy. You should know that Mommy's Keepers will never have romantic feelings for her."

"You'll understand me once you fall in love with someone in the future, little rascal," he said while gently patting his son's head. "Anyway, back in the day, Wong hated me so much. There was even a time where he tried to gouge my eyes out because he knew it was my weakness…"

He trailed-off when he noticed that Winter flinched.

"What's wrong, son?" he asked worriedly.

Winter shook his head, then he gave him an awkward smile. "Nothing, Dad."

He raised a brow at that. His son was lying to him. "What happened, Winter? You flinched a while ago. I even saw fear cross your eyes."

He had a habit of closely watching his loved ones when he was around them. And that was how he noticed the change in his son's mood earlier.

"It's really nothing, Dad," his son said, then he tried to change the topic. "Should we check on Mom and Brother Julian."

"Stay where you stand, Winter Nystrom."

Winter literally froze in the spot because of the strict tone that he used.

He then summoned his staff, then he pointed the crystal ball at the end of the shaft at his son's direction. Now that his memories had returned, he also remembered the techniques that he mastered in the past. "I hate using this but it looks like I can't convince you to be honest with me," he said. "Winter, this water technique is called Water Memory Retriever. Watch carefully."

When he spun the staff in his hand, the aura of Winter's ice and water Mana was released from his body. The aura of his son was a beautiful shade of blue, just like his. A few moments later, it was absorbed by the crystal ball in his weapon.

"This technique allows me to take a peek at the memory of other people," he explained to his son. "It works when there's a precise memory that I want to see. Right now, I asked the water particles in your body to show me the memories that you have with Wong. And right now, those images are showing up in the crystal ball."

The Water Memory Retriever was a convenient technique.

But of course, it wouldn't work on strong people who could protect their memories. It only worked on Winter now because his son didn't know how to protect his mind from being invaded yet. Soon, he had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to see that technique on Winter.

His thoughts were cut-off when a particular piece of his son's memory showed up in the crystal ball.

He felt anger in every fiber of his being when he saw Wong try to gouge out Winter's eyes.

"Is he crazy?" Kiho snarled, then he turned to Winter who flinched when he saw how angry he was. He didn't mean to scare his son, but he couldn't control his anger. His golden eyes were probably glowing menacingly at the moment. "Winter, do I understand it correctly? That Wong tried to gouge your eyes out?"

"Uncle Wong already apologized, Dad," Winter said, panic evident in his voice. "And Mom also punished him…"

"But I am yet to punish that bastard," he hissed. "I know that he's angry at me, and I don't mind if he come at me like he always did in the past. But to lash out on my son is unforgivable!"

God, he wanted to kill Wong at this very moment.

"Kiho?"

He turned and saw Tilly and Julian come out of the room.

Ah, the two must have felt his bloodlust. They also looked worried. He tried to calm down for his family but he really couldn't forgive Wong for what he tried to do to Winter.

"Hon, what's wrong?" Tilly asked worriedly as she walked towards him. "Why are you so angry?"

"Wong," he said in a low growl. His anger wasn't directed to his wife and he knew that she was aware of that. "He tried to gouge out Winter's eyes."

His wife suddenly looked guilty.

"I apologize, Kiho," she said in a guilty and formal tone. His wife really sounded regretful and it broke his heart a little. It wasn't her fault so her apology wasn't really necessary. "Wong is one of my Keepers but I failed to discipline him. I promise that it won't happen again."

That was enough to quench his anger.

For now.

He dropped the staff but before it hit the floor, it turned into liquid and was absorbed by his body again.

"It's not your fault, Tilly. Please don't apologize," Kiho said, then he gently pulled his wife for a hug. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself for realizing that I wasn't with you and our son during the times that you needed me most."

"It's not your fault that you were separated from us, Kiho. You've apologized enough for that," Tilly said as she hugged him back. Then, she kissed his jaw. "I will scold Wong again later."

"Okay," he said, then he carried his wife in his arms.

"Hey," she playfully complained, then she lightly hit his chest. "What are you doing in front of the kids?"

"They've monopolized you enough for today. It's my time to monopolize you. And we need to get ready anyway."

They barely had time left, to be honest.

Even though the Moonchesters were enemies, they still wouldn't make them wait. Both he and his wife had respect for time.

"Well, you're right," Tilly gave in, then she wrapped her arms around his neck before she turned to Winter and Julian. "Boys, please play with Luna and Roarke first. Your father and I need to get ready since we have a meeting with the Moonchesters later."

Winter and Julian both nodded.

"We understand, Mother."

"Okay, Mommy."

When their sons turned to him with a pout, he smirked at them.

"Later, brats," Kiho said smugly. "Your mother is mine."

Tilly rolled her eyes at him, then she playfully hit his chest. "You're so petty, Kiho."

He just laughed at his wife's scolding.

Yes, he was in a good mood now that Tilly and their children surrounded him. But deep inside, he was still seething.

Wong, brace yourself, Kiho said to himself. You'll pay for trying to hurt my son.

***

WONG suddenly felt a shiver down his spine.

"What's wrong, Wong?" Kelsi asked while they were boarding the ship. "You suddenly went pale."

"I suddenly feel cold," Wong said, then he scratched his chin. "And for some reason, I feel like my life is in danger."

"I heard that the Black Serpent has already retrieved his memories. I remember that back in the past, you were always after each other's throat," Kelsi said playfully, then she laughed while lightly hitting his arm. Although if she hit an average Mana-user with that kind of strength, she'd probably get them killed. "Maybe the Black Serpent is already plotting for your death?"

***

TILLY's legs were still wobbly, and she confirmed it when her knees buckled when she stepped out of the grand carriage.

Thankfully, her husband was behind her to catch her.

"Careful, honey," Kiho whispered seductively in her ear. "Do you want me to carry you?"

Tilly's whole face turned red when she remembered that in a span of fifteen minutes, Kiho managed to make her knees this shaky. "Shut up," she whispered, then she nudged him lightly at his ribs. "We're in the temple so have self-control, okay?"

He just smiled playfully, and then he suddenly turned serious.

She understood why.

Another carriage arrive at the "secret" parking lot of the temple.

Much to their shock, the carriage's door opened right away. Then, a frantic Lucina Morganna came out and charged angrily at her.

"Give him back!" Lucina Morganna screamed at her. "Give my Julian back to me!"

"My Julian," huh?

That pissed her off.

When Kiho stood protectively in front of her, she gently pushed her husband aside so that she'd be the one to face the bitch.

Of course, it had to be her.

You really have the audacity to claim my son as yours, huh?

Lucina Morganna opened her right hand, creating small balls of black flame. But before she could even threw those pathetic, weak fire balls at her, she was already in front of the bitch.

She grabbed Lucina Morganna's wrist and without blinking, she literally bitch-slapped her. She didn't use her Mana but her physical strength was enough to send the bitch flying. In fact, she hit the carriage. That was how strong the impact of her slap was.

Lucina Morganna looked shocked by what happened. She remained sprawled on the floor while her hand was placed on the cheek that was just slapped. Plus, she looked like she couldn't believe that it only took her one slap to end up that way.

Of course, burning the bitch was the best option.

But this time, she wanted to hurt Lucina Morganna with her bare hand. But if the bitch attacked her again, she'd definitely roast her to death. She just held back because she didn't want to jeopardize the deal that she offered to Nia Moonchester.

"Julian is my son, Lucina Morganna," Tilly snarled at Lucina Morganna. "And from now on, I will reclaim every single thing that you stole from me, bitch."

***

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