{I wanted to let everyone know that I have a p-a-t-r-e-o-n with two new exclusive stories on it. One is The Aeternus Universe, and the other is a new story with a basketball system. I hope you guys will give it a chance. The link is https://www.p-a-t-r-e-o-n.com/easyread. Remove the dashes. Webnovel censors the word.}

I watch a woman in an elegant-looking dress quickly run down the hill to us. I've never seen Amelia wear something so nice. She is almost to us, and that's when I see tears in her eyes. I sheath my sword and wait for her to reach me. She leaps the last little bit and latches on to me with her arms. "I can't believe you're really here... Why didn't you respond to any of my letters!?!" She pulls away and smacks the back of my head. It doesn't affect me.

It might help her. The knights and guards look confused, and they sheath their swords as well. I don't really have an excuse for not checking any mail or letters from her. In truth, I was just so busy I didn't have time. I always planned to visit her in person, and now I've kept that promise to myself.

Even though she isn't my birth mother, she still loves me. I'm her son to her, and that's why it's going to be weird if Amelia and mom ever meet for real. "I'm sorry for not responding to anything, mom." As I say those words, the looks on the guard's faces turn to ones of dread. They have now found out they drew their weapons on the son of the Countess. "I've been really busy, and every time I was in a place that I could check, I'd forget to. I hope being here makes up for some of that?" She nods her head and hugs me again.

I should do the right thing, and I hug her back. After a few seconds, I have to peel her off me. As she cleans her eyes of tears, she sees the hooded Sally behind me. She can tell she's a girl because of her hair and feminine figure.

She looks apprehensive, and steps away from me, and stands in front of Sally. "Who is this young lady? I don't remember you mentioning any girl in your letters." I chuckle to myself. I motion for Sally to remove her hood, and she does. Her cute pointy ears and beautiful features are shown. "An elf? I didn't think their race approved of any partnerships other than with each other. In fact, they are very strict about that. They have severe punishments for it." Amelia sure knows a lot about the elven race.

Sally looks down in slight disappointment. "Oh honey, I didn't mean any offense by it. I was just surprised. I want to thank you for taking care of my son. He loved to be alone. That worries a mom." Sally looks up with a small smile.

Sally is actually 103 years old and has seen so much more than us. The men who captured and did everything to her are old men by now, but several potions for the rich keep them young. I know for a fact they are using these. The rich will never want to die. "I'm Sally. It's really nice to meet you miss Zern. Your son has helped me through so much and given me even more. You did an amazing job with him..." Amelia has an echo of pain on her face.

I never told Sally that we didn't know each other till the new people came to Gaia. She looks at me in confusion, and I give her a motion not to talk about that. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know what your relationship was, so I just assumed..." Amelia looks at me in slight anger. This one is on me.

I place my hands on both their shoulders and try to bring them out of their current state. "Let's go inside and talk more. I'd love to see how much Jackson has hooked you up with." Jackson wanted to make me a Duke, and that's not something I was interested in.

I foolishly told him if he wanted an in with me, he would make my mother's life so much easier, which he interpreted to make her a noble. "I've never seen a mansion like this before. It probably gives all the room needed for the kids." My attempt to change the subject doesn't work all that well. Amelia rolls her eyes and starts to walk towards the mansion. It worked well enough. Sally follows at my side. We make it up to the door, and I look inside the immediate room.

There are butlers and maids. There are also guards standing at the sides of every door. Being sentinels. "Lady Zern! Please don't run away like that! I was worried sick!" The head maid speaks and rushes to check on Amelia. It's cool to see she has people that really care about her. The maid looks at Sally and me and has slight apprehension. "Who are these two? I wasn't told we are hosting guests today." Amelia smiles and walks away from the maid, and stands next to me.

The maid is looking very confused, and so is everyone else in the room. She must not have told them she has a real son. This is going to be an interesting conversation. I wonder if any will find out about me being the son of Michael.

I smirk and decide to take the reins. "I'm Slayer Zern, Amelia Zern's birth son. It's really nice to meet all of you." I watch the shock of all the people in the room. Many didn't know she has a son like me. "I must say I'm grateful to all of you for taking care of my mom. Her life was so much harder than it is now. While I know, she doesn't like the noble life. It's great to see she is safe." Many quickly bow in a typical way when meeting nobility.

Technically I am a noble since my mom is one now too. I don't relish that thought, but it's not like anyone can force me to be a noble. We all hear a couple of kids run into the room and make a ruckus. Breaking the awkward silence. You can always count on kids to make a great distraction.

I look at the kids running around and notice they are also more healthy-looking now that they are in a better place. "We are going to be in town for a couple of days, and I was wondering if you knew of any events that require formal dress clothes?" Amelia looks at me in confusion and waiting for an explanation. "I said I'd take Sally to a place where she can try on her red dress in public. She hasn't gotten a chance yet." Amelia looks at Sally, and they exchange looks that I can't deduce.

Amelia waves Sally over, and they walk out of the room. I try and follow, but Amelia makes sure I don't. I sit on the couch instead and let them do whatever they want. While I'll go to an event with Sally, I'm not wearing a suit. I prefer to remain the way I am.

I put my feet up and release a sigh of relaxation. I don't know when those two will be back, but taking a moment to myself seems like a good idea. "I was never told by Lady Zern she has a son..." I hear the head maid speak to me. "You look very familiar too. I've seen your face. I just can't quite... Oh my..." I stand up and stare at her.

Many in the room are intently listening. "I could never imagine she kept such a secret to herself... No wonder the king gave her the Countess position. It's because of you..." This woman is far smarter than I expected. Most people can't find me out based on my looks alone. They usually have to inspect me or see me fight with my wings or title on. "You can be sure I won't say anything..." She walks away and into another room.

I'm getting strange looks from everywhere, and I grow frustrated. "Everyone leave the room. I want it to myself." They all obey and leave. I sit back down on the couch and rub my temple. If the maid figured out who I am, then others in this mansion will also be able to.

I head towards the door that Amelia and Sally left through, and I start to walk the halls of the mansion. After walking, I can hear two voices speaking to each other behind a cracked door. It's Amelia's and Sally's voices. I know it's incredibly rude to spy, but I want to know what they are talking about. I stand at the side of the door and listen carefully. I can barely make out what they are saying.