Chapter 10: Standing Up Against His Father For His Mother

Over the course of the carriage’s journey over the dirt lane that led to the estate, the sky was decorated with the gentle colors of the setting sun.

With a satisfied expression on his face, Alaric leaned back in his seat and half-closed his eyes.

On the other side of him, Kara sat with her hands neatly folded in her lap, but her gaze continued to linger on him with a confusing mixture of feelings.

Even though she made an effort to maintain her composure, the way in which her dark, soft eyes flickered to him and then away said a lot. She was struggling to make sense of her thoughts, and her passions were seething just below the surface.

Kara had been with the family for a considerable amount of time, which was sufficient for her to acquire sentiments that she was not entirely certain how to deal with.

As a matter of fact, Alaric was a great deal younger than she was. The way he constantly appeared to toy with her body, his touch somehow kindling a thirst inside her, was not consistent with his little face and hands, which were characteristic of a youngster.

There was something irresistible about the way he handled her voluptuous figure, the way he appeared to take pleasure to tease her, even though he was not fully aware of the impact that his actions had on her.

At the very least, it was what she believed.

Kara had no idea that Alaric was so much more than a simple, innocent young man.

It was the soul of a man who had lived before, reincarnated, and possessed the memories of his prior existence that was contained within his youthful body.

A man who was completely aware of what he was doing. It goes without saying that Alaric had no intention of divulging this information to anybody, not even Kara and not even his mother.

It served as the basis for his strength, and in this world, that strength was the most important thing.

Kara’s stare lingered on Alaric for a microsecond longer than it should have, and Alaric was able to catch it. He gave her a grin and moved even closer to her as he did so.

He reached out with his little hand and placed his fingers on her leg, pushing into the softness that was there. Kara became more rigid, but she did not take a step back.

“You’re thinking about something,” Alaric stated in a casual manner, his voice being low and silky.

It seemed as like he was testing the limits of what he could get away with, as his hand continued to wander deeper, and his fingers traced the curvature of her calf.

“I…” In addition to her cheeks turning pink, Kara’s speech became shaky. “Sir Alaric, we’re almost home.”

Repeating, “Almost,” Alaric’s fingertips softly touched her leg as he continued to speak. “Not there yet.”

Kara let out a gentle sigh out of her mouth, and her eyes briefly closed for a brief second before she compelled herself to restore her calm.

To this day, even after two months of these brief “sessions,” she was still not used to the sensations that he evoked in her.

It was frustrating to witness how effortlessly he appeared to control her body; it was as if he was intentionally fueling a fire inside her that she was unable to completely extinguish.

[Kara: +28 Experience]

There was a slight ping that reverberated in Alaric’s skull, but he gave it very little attention.

Despite the fact that Kara was producing fewer and fewer points these days, every single one of them was precious. He was not the type of person to throw away opportunities, even if they were offered in a limited quantity. In the end, the flesh of a mosquito was still considered to be meat.

His thoughts drifted to his system.

Over the course of these two months, he had achieved a breakthrough and reached Level 4 of the Harem God System.

Even while he had not been able to unlock any new abilities this time around, there was something else—a weird and enigmatic force that seemed to hum just beneath his skin, merging with the powers he already possessed.

It seemed like magic, and it strengthened his “Wink of Flirtation” in subtle ways. He hadn’t been able to pinpoint exactly where it came from.

There was no question in Alaric’s mind that he would eventually acquire the ability to master this, but for the time being, it felt like an itch that was just waiting to be scratched.

—

As the sun began to set, the mansion came into view, its elegant exterior standing out against the darkness.

While they were exiting the carriage, Lyra let out a sigh of contentment and stretched her arms out in front of her. She mumbled, “Home at last,” as she walked in.

The way in which she grinned at seeing their estate caught Alaric’s attention, and he quickly turned his gaze to her.

Despite the fact that his mother had always been poised, elegant, and graceful, she appeared to have a newfound sense of lightness today.

It’s possible that the trip was the cause, or perhaps it was simply the relief of being back home. To put it another way, he was relieved to see her in this state.

Kara followed closely after them as they made their way inside for the first time. However, the atmosphere changed the instant they entered the enormous entryway of the building.

It seemed as if the walls themselves were aware that something was wrong because of the heavier aura of tension that hung thickly throughout the room.

Instantaneously, Alaric’s gaze shifted to the living room, where his father, Victor Steele, was standing, anticipating their arrival.

The smile on Victor’s face was just the opposite of welcome. His face was contorted into a frown that cast a shadow over the room, and his arms were crossed over his large chest for further protection.

Not even waiting for them to completely enter the room, he said words that were so piercing that they pierced the air.

“How dare you leave for two months without asking for my permission?”

Lyra became stunned, and her smile vanished. Because she was standing in the doorway, Alaric could see that her shoulders were stiff.

Only for a little period of time did she remain silent. The words that her husband had spoken weighed heavy on her, and she dropped her gaze while biting her lip as if she were trying to find the appropriate words to express her feelings.

In spite of everything, Victor was not finished. He moved forward, his voice becoming more elevated with each syllable he spoke. “Did you believe that it was OK to take our son and depart without notifying me? Without even telling me where you were going?”

At his sides, Alaric had his hands tightly clinched. He did not like the manner in which his father was speaking, and he did not like the way in which his mother was trembling in response to his comments. But he refrained from speaking as he watched and waited.

“Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? Do you know how dangerous it is out there?” Victor’s voice boomed through the room, filled with anger and, perhaps, a twisted sense of logic. “I am your husband, Lyra. You owe me the respect of at least telling me where you’re going!”

n order to tolerate his harsh comments, Lyra did not speak, and her lips were squeezed together into a thin line.

She did not look up, she did not answer, and she simply stood there, taking each stinging syllable as if it were a punch to the chest.

As Alaric observed the way in which she suppressed her feelings and the grief that was visible in her eyes, he felt his blood begin to boil.

All of a sudden, he was unable to bear it any longer. His voice was crisp and loud enough to pierce through his father’s wrath, and he came forward to address the situation. “That’s enough, Father.”

Victor glared at Alaric, his eyebrows lifted in astonishment as he shifted his attention to him. “What?”

Alaric said, “I said that’s enough,” maintaining a tone that was definitive and unyielding. In defiance of his father’s sight, he confronted it head-on so as not to retreat. “You’re angry, I get that. But Mother didn’t do anything wrong.”

“She left without telling me!” There was still a trace of rage in Victor’s voice as he yelled out. “She took you and disappeared for two months! How is that not wrong?”

“Because she didn’t need to tell you.” The remarks said by Alaric were icy and calculated. “You’re upset because she didn’t ask for your permission, but she doesn’t need your permission to live her life. She’s not some object you own.”

As Victor prepared to respond, Alaric interrupted him, raising the volume of his voice. “She is your wife and not your possession. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that she took me on a vacation since we both had the desire to travel and see the world. Despite the fact that you claim she ought to have informed you, do you ever find yourself at home when we might have informed you about the trip? In addition, have you even inquired on the trip’s progress? How are we doing?”

Victor’s jaw tightened and his hands balled into fists by his sides. As Alaric’s comments began to sink in, he found himself unable to articulate his feelings, and the wrath that was seen in his eyes began to fade.

Ding!

[Lyra Steele: +332 Experience]

The sound of Alaric’s system ringing in his ears was not a mere ping this time; rather, it was extremely loud. His experience was growing at a rapid pace, and the figures were flashing brightly in his memory.

After being moved by his defense, his mother had provided him with a great deal more than he had ever anticipated.

He cast a quick peek in her direction, and sure enough, tears were beginning to begin to form in her eyes. An expression of appreciation and relief in tears.

Ding!

[Lyra Steele: +137 Experience]

[Lyra Steele: +129 Experience]

[Lyra Steele: +98 Experience]

She appeared to be looking at him as if he had just removed a burden from her shoulders, and her lips were shaking as she blinked back the tears that were falling down her face. “Son,” she hushed, her voice dripping with the weight of her feelings. “Thank you.”

Alaric gave her a little nod, but on the inside, he was enjoying the surge of experience points that he was receiving.

Being able to protect his mother had provided him with an unbelievable boost, which was far greater than anything he could ever receive from Kara.

This was precisely what he had needed. However, this did not imply that he would cease exploiting Kara’s body in any way. Despite the fact that thirty experience points might not seem like much, it was nonetheless of some use.

[Kara: +22 Experience]

As for Victor, he was left standing there, suffering from a whirlwind of feelings on his face. It appeared as though he was attempting to make sense of what had just taken place as he looked from his son to his wife and then back again.

However, in the end, he was unable to provide a response. Alaric had quietened him with the use of argument alone, and for the time being, that was sufficient.

As Victor looked away from the situation, his shoulders began to fall slightly, and the tension in the room began to gradually dissolve. “Fine,” he said under his breath. “We’ll talk about this later.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he exited the room, leaving Alaric, Lyra, and Kara standing in the solitude that followed.

The excitement that was coursing through Alaric’s veins continued to cause his heart to beat, but when his mother gently pulled him into an embrace, he allowed himself to relax.

Her voice was filled with tenderness as she said, “Thank you, son,” once again. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

When Alaric felt his mother’s arms encircling him, he had a sense of warmth and comfort.

As she hugged him, her kind speech continued to reverberate in his ears, and he could feel the stress leaving his body. Her thanks meant far more than merely the experience points he had gotten.

There was a connection between them now, something that was silent but powerful, and it was constructed on the basis of his defense.

Ding!

[Lyra Steele: +187 Experience]

In response, Alaric murmured, “Of course, Mother,” while pressing his cheek into her shoulder. He was trying to conceal the faint grin that was appearing on his face.

There was an undeniable sense of satisfaction that came from making his mother feel protected and safe.

Alaric’s soul held the weight of many lives and experiences, and in this particular instance, it was evident that his mother needed him more than she knew she needed him.

This was despite the fact that she considered him to be a young man.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lyra eventually let go, and as she wiped away the tears that were in her eyes, she regained her composure.

Kara shuffled uncomfortably on her feet, visibly moved but at a loss for words as she saw the scenario unfold.

When Alaric’s eyes shifted to Kara, he couldn’t help but note the subtle way in which her body responded to the amount of tension that was there in the room.

Despite the fact that an argument carried a significant amount of emotional weight, Alaric was still able to see the desire in her eyes.

She desired him, despite the fact that she did not completely comprehend the reasons behind her desire. And he had been more than prepared to engage in it throughout the previous two months.

[Kara: +16 Experience]

Not much, but as always, it was something.

When he thought about it, his mind went back to the carriage journey.

Even now, after all that had just taken place, he was unable to forget the sensation of Kara’s silky thighs beneath his fingertips, as well as the way that her body appeared to shiver ever so little whenever he touched her.

It had turned into a game of sorts: how far could he push her until she totally gave in to his demands?

Kara was able to catch his glance, and as she hastily averted her sight, her cheeks began to gradually blush. With a smile on his face, Alaric took pleasure in the fact that she always appeared to be struggling with her emotions while he was there.

“Shall we go upstairs, Mother?” Alaric inquired as he turned his attention back to Lyra. Although his tone was nonchalant, there was a certain knowing glitter in his eyes. His eyes were looking at you.

Despite the fact that his father’s outburst had already dampened the mood, he was not going to allow it to continue to do so.

Lyra nodded, still in the process of recovering from the emotional storm. “Yes, we should. It’s been a long day.”

As the three of them started up the large staircase, the sound of their footsteps reverberated softly throughout the estate.

As the two of them made their way up the stairs, Alaric couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment.

His system had rewarded him handsomely for standing up to his father, and the sensation he experienced with his mother was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was richer, more substantial, and clearly tied to the deep emotional connection they shared.

A momentary pause occurred when they reached the top of the steps, and Lyra turned around to face him once more. “Alaric, I’m… proud of you.”

In spite of the fact that her voice was kind, it had a warmth that caused Alaric’s chest to clench in a manner that he had not anticipated hearing.

“Proud?” Inquiring with a raised eyebrow, Alaric queried.

A grin appeared on Lyra’s face, the type of smile that could only be given by a mother. “For standing up for me. For being so strong and mature. I… I just didn’t expect you to grow up so quickly.”

Alaric had a tiny ache in his chest, a sensation that was simultaneously gratifying and slightly astringent in its sweetness.

Ding!

[Lyra Steele: +102 Experience]

[Lyra Steele: +79 Experience]

He grinned, but it was more for himself than for other people. “Yes, Mother, I will always look out for you. Don’t be concerned about anything.”

Kara stayed behind them, watching the encounter with a kind look on her face. There was no resentment or animosity; rather, there was only… curiosity. This may be admiration.

~~

Over the course of several weeks, Alaric had been gradually taking away her resolve, and it was obvious that she was having a hard time maintaining the walls that she had constructed between them.

He was positive that he would finally succeed in breaking through the barrier.

[Kara: +14 Experience]

Kara’s voice was quiet as she finally spoke, stopping himself in the middle of his thoughts. “Sir Alaric,” she said. “Shall I prepare your room for the evening?”

Alaric cast a quick glance in her direction, the gleam of merriment returning to his eyes. “I think I’ll handle that myself tonight, Kara. But thank you.”

She soon regained her composure and bowed slightly, despite the fact that her cheeks had yet again become red. “As you wish.”

There was a small swaying of her hips as she walked down the corridor, and Alaric couldn’t help but let out a gentle giggle as he watched her walk away.

It was obvious that his presence was still having an effect on her, as her body was reacting in ways that she was unable to control.

When he looked at her, it was entertaining to watch her wriggle and writhe in response to his stare.