"Papa!" Aria called my name, surprised as I suddenly pulled her into my embrace, placing her beside Erina.
"Evan!" Erina was a bit tense to see Aria beside her in my chest. She could sense Aria's discomfort and that she wanted to push her away from my hold.
Before they could react, I brought their faces closer to mine and began to sing.
"Laaa-la~"
"Laaa-la-la-laaa~"
"Laaa-la-la-la~"
Erina and Aria stiffly stared at me, their lingering emotions melting away as I sang.
"Serenity Hymn," I murmured softly, my voice becoming tender and exquisitely soothing.
Aria calmed down, her anger and jealousy fading away as the melody enveloped her.
Erina's eyes widened as she listened, remaining in my embrace. My voice was so beautiful, the rhyming words unparalleled by any singer she had ever heard on TV, as if she were listening to an angel. The moonlight shining on my skin only made the moment more exquisite for her.
"This skill isn't just any normal skill," I explained, my voice still laced with the melody. "During my travels in another world, I helped a cursed soul find peace. After breaking the curse, it turned out she was an ancient spirit of harmony and wisdom."
In return for ending her suffering, she bestowed upon me the power of the Serenity Hymn. When someone sings it, their voice transforms into a sweet, rhythmic sound. No matter who hears it—whether human, spirit, demon, elf, dwarf, or even a god—their mind will quiet, and all worries and anxieties will vanish, if only for a short time. Peace and pleasure will fill their being. Though I've lost many of my essential skills and blessings, this is one gift I can use without draining my mana."
I reflected on this as my soft voice continued to fill the room. Both Erina and Aria stared at me, their emotions visibly shifting as the melody took hold.
Erina, who had been trembling, suddenly felt her fear of Aria dissipate. A warmth began to spread through her body, and she sensed a hidden love for me blossoming within her.
Aria, who had initially stiffened in my embrace, now looked up at me with a blushing face. Her heart pounded, but my voice calmed her, dissolving all jealousy and hatred. Her possessive and loving gaze returned, softer now, and more affectionate.
"Laaa-la~"
"Laaa-la-la-laaa~"
"Laaa-la-la-la~"
As I continued to sing, I was unaware that my voice had traveled out of our home, reaching the ears of our neighbors.
"Huh, did you hear that voice?" A woman stirred from her sleep, nudging her husband.
"What? I didn't hear anything. Don't disturb me, the match just started," he replied, engrossed in his game.
"Mom, come and watch the match with us!"
"Yes, Mom, come and watch."
The man ignored the voice, his eyes glued to a cricket match on TV with his two kids.
"You all need to sleep; it's too late."
"Laaa~ la"
"La~ la~ laaa~"
Once again, the sweet voice echoed through the room. Everyone looked at each other in surprise and shifted their gaze to the ceiling.
"That voice, what is it, Mom?"
"You heard that? I told you I heard a voice."
"I think it's an angel."
"It's so beautiful; I've never heard anything like this before." The husband paused the TV and listened intently to the song.
Residents in the neighboring houses also woke up, drawn to the enchanting melody, finding joy and peace in the ethereal sound.
"Who is singing this song this late?"
"Wait, I might know this song, it's the singer from the show I saw yesterday."
"Shut up, it's not that person. I think it's a woman, it sounds so smooth and beautiful."
"Where is this coming from?"
"It seems to be coming from every direction."
A woman quickly grabbed her mobile phone and started streaming the song. "Hello everyone, this is Tina. Suddenly, at midnight, someone in our neighborhood started singing, and the voice is absolutely beautiful!"
As I continued to sing, I remained unaware of the commotion outside. Both Aria and Erina listened to me quietly.
"Laaa~ la~ la~ laaa~"
When I finished singing, I sighed. "I haven't mastered this skill yet. If I used it to its full potential, it would be even more effective."
I glanced at Aria and Erina, who were looking at me with blushing faces. I chuckled and gently petted their heads.
"Papa, your song is so beautiful, like a fairy," Aria said, her voice full of admiration as she reminisced about the song I had been singing.
"Son, I didn't know you were such a good singer. Why didn't you tell me? You could have become famous," Erina remarked, surprised.
I sighed at Erina's words and let out a sweet chuckle. "Mom, music and songs aren't meant to seek fame and fortune. They are meant to touch the hearts of those who have lost their way and show them a brighter path. I sing for you and Aria to bring calm and protection into your lives."
Erina seemed lost in thought, wondering what had transformed me into someone with such a profound outlook.
Suddenly, I felt a painful pinch on my skin. I looked at Aria and saw her expression of jealousy. My body instinctively wanted to retreat from her intense gaze, but I knew that doing so would only worsen the situation.
"Aria, you shouldn't pinch Papa. My body is fragile, and it might get hurt," I said gently, hoping she would stop. Thankfully, she released me but then wrapped her arm around mine, pressing her cheek against my skin.
"Papa, don't talk to her. Talk only to me," Aria said, her eyes locking onto mine, her hand slowly sliding under my shirt.
Erina examined her hand moving under my shirt, she found it very bizarre and taboo to see her touch was so close than it should be. She wanted to intervene but stopped because of Aria.
I shrug my shoulder "Aria, my princess. Don't act spoiled, and you shouldn't move your hand around my skin freely, especially in the presence of others. It's a bad touch"
"Wuaa Papa, I wanna touch your skin, I want to, I want to", She confronted me and continued to brush my skin.
"Aria, I said—" I wanted her to stop acting lustily, at least in Erina's presence, but my body suddenly glowed in white, and my body returned to its normal form.
My dark hair and black eyes had returned, and all the wounds and scratches from my fight with Alan had healed.
"Papa, what happened to you?"
"Son, you're back!" Erina exclaimed, relieved.
I examined my body and found no visible wounds. "I think transforming my body must have healed me. If I'm not mistaken, this effect will continue every time I transform."
I looked at Aria and Erina; they both stared at me with bewildered expressions.
Aria was stunned to see my original appearance. She stared at my face, and a wave of worry washed over me. I feared that she might refuse to call me Papa because of my unappealing appearance.
"I don't look good to women and smell bad. I can't deny why Victoria called me ugly and odorous. If Aria thinks I'm ugly... My heart won't be able to bear it," I thought, anxiety flooding my mind. I glanced at Aria and saw curiosity in her eyes.
"Aria, this is my true appearance. What you saw before was just a transformation," I explained. Aria listened silently as I continued.
"Aria, do I look ugly to you?" I asked, waiting for her answer.
Aria immediately shook her head. "No, Papa, you're not ugly. You're the most handsome and beautiful Papa in the world."
My heart swelled with warmth at her reply. I gently petted Aria's head as she leaned against my chest.
"Thank you, my daughter. Your words fill my heart with love and hope," I said, continuing to caress her. Aria closed her eyes and rested against me like a contented kitten.
"Mmm~ I don't care how you look. I only want to stay with you," she said, burying her face deeper into my chest.
I turned my head and saw Erina's perplexed gaze. She had been listening to our conversation but didn't fully understand. I let out a small chuckle and spoke.
"It's too much to explain right now, Mom. I think it's getting late."
Erina looked agitated, realizing she had to wake up early for work.
"I-I lost track of time! I have to sleep now, ahh!" Erina reluctantly tried to leave my embrace, but she stumbled and almost fell.
"Mom!"
I caught Erina before she fell and looked at her with concern.
Aria, who had woken up, saw what had happened. Her calm expression quickly turned pale and cold as she bit her lip and clenched her fist. She stared at us with a sulking expression.
"Mom, what happened? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I just need to take my medicine and get some rest. I'll be okay after that."
"Let me take you to bed," I said, lifting Erina in a princess carry and carrying her to her room.
"Evan!" A surprised exclamation escaped Erina's lips. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw me carrying her like a princess. Her face turned red, and she felt a mix of emotions as her body relaxed.
"Papa..." Aria's eyes widened in shock as she looked at me carrying Erina. Her expression was a mix of envy and killed intended, but she didn't say anything and just observed us.
I set Erina down on the bed and looked around for the medicine. I found the bag and examined the pills inside.
Erina watched me, her gaze lingering on the pills. She wanted to speak up, but Aria stood behind me with a cold stare.
Erina swallowed her saliva and didn't dare to speak, quietly lying on the bed.
"What is this? Do they really think something like this would relieve Mom's pain, even temporarily? These pills are nothing more than expensive candy," I mused as I examined the quality of the medicine. The drugs and syrup were of such poor quality that they likely wouldn't have any significant effect on her condition.
I might not be a doctor of modern science, but I learned a lot about healing magic, creating pills, and treating injuries during my time at the holy church academy.
I can't create another liver and kidney for Mom, and get rid of cancer from her without any heavenly-grade item. But I can at least suppress them for a temporary with healing magic.
However, my mana is too low to heal her properly. I sighed, resigned to this limitation, and then looked back at Aria.
"Papa, is there something you need? Tell me, I'll do anything," Aria said, her voice filled with determination.
"Aria, please help heal Mom. Her condition isn't good," I requested, desperation clear in my voice.
"What?!" Aria exclaimed in shock, staring at me with her mouth agape.
She immediately shook her head, refusing to heal Erina. "No, I don't want to heal her."
"Aria! Don't say that, please heal Mom. Her condition is bad. Please!" I pleaded with her, but she remained steadfast in her refusal.
"I don't want to. That woman is too close to Papa; I hate her," Aria said, her eyes filled with animosity as she glared at Erina.
Erina, feeling the intensity of Aria's gaze, tightened her grip on my hand. The stress seemed to worsen her condition, and she began to cough up blood.
"*Cough Cough Cough*"