"It wasn't me who initiated the connection, Lady Nala. My soul resonated with Apollo on its own. I did nothing to start the process, but at the first glance, it happened... Furthermore, his soul also initiated my Nexum..."
Beside Abigail, Mom slowly responded to the questions that were asked. But the answers didn't bring relief to Nala; on the contrary, it only left her more confused.
I also didn't quite understand what Mom just explained. But it seems that Nexum and Bonding are two different things, contrary to what I thought before. That makes everything even more complicated.
"I could understand why your soul resonated with Apollo... He has an incredible aura synchronization, almost reaching 90% even at such a young age... And contrary to what should happen, his body is not deteriorating or stagnating..."
Nala finally stopped examining me with that manic look and smile of hers, but she started testing me again with her aura pressure.
This time, the aura pressure is very different; it's not cold or giving shivers. It's more like a fresh breeze, running through my muscles from the inside. It's not uncomfortable, but I would love for these tests to stop once and for all.
"Even now, he continues to adapt to different aura waves; just being near him, I feel some tiny changes in my aura veins. But I can't turn a blind eye to the danger you put your chosen one in."
Nala's last words made me a little worried; what kind of danger is she referring to? Have I been close to death and didn't even know?
And looking at Mom, she also seems to understand what Nala is referring to. But from her expression, she feels a bit guilty for what happened.
After thinking for a moment and hesitating a few times before being able to speak, Mom said:
"I would never expose a boy, let alone a non-dragon boy, to the burden of connecting with me. But it wasn't forced, and the bonding was spontaneous, Lady Nala. Lord Akachi was also with us when it happened; even he was surprised and decided not to intervene."
"I understand, Inessa, but I want to know how the Nexum also happened... It doesn't make sense; strong and true reciprocal feelings are needed for a Nexum to be initiated. And from what I can tell, your Nexum with Apollo has already passed layer 1. I want to know how this happened..."
"I don't know either... All I can say is that as soon as I looked at Apollo, I remembered what Lord Akachi had told me before showing me Apollo... 'Hope comes to us in the most varied forms.'"
"So... Your feelings for the child were immediate..."
"Yes... As soon as I looked at Apollo, I knew he would be my motivation and support to get out of that dark pit I was in. My feelings for him were warm, intense, and strong enough for my soul to resonate..."
Humm... Yeah... I don't know what to think of these words... I'm kind of embarrassed now; my face must be a little red, or not.
Fortunately, I'm not the only one who didn't know how to react appropriately. Abigail, beside Mom, visibly blushed and started looking at nothing, as if pretending not to have heard what Mom just said.
Nala also seemed a bit stunned and with a surprised expression. I guess she didn't expect Mom to admit her feelings so explicitly.
She was stunned for a few seconds and then became thoughtful, trying to organize her thoughts or simply looking for the right words to form the next questions.
After 2 minutes of pure silence and embarrassment, Nala spoke:
"I admire your sincerity, Inessa. A great quality of yours that reminds me a lot of Gao Huo. But I still don't understand how the Nexum was started... Feelings must be reciprocal, so it would be necessary for Apollo to also have strong feelings for you."
The doubt seems to be the same; Nexum is something initiated by both parties, so it would be impossible to force a Nexum. In other words, somehow, I also have strong feelings for Mom.
But I don't remember when that happened; it was during the time I was unconscious. I woke up this morning, but it's been a few weeks since I was rescued by Lord Akachi and adopted by Mom.
So, even I don't know how the Nexum was initiated from my part. If I were conscious, I would say that Nexum could be explained as love at first sight, but that didn't happen, and I was unconscious.
"Unfortunately, Lady Nala, for that question, we will never have an answer. When Apollo grows to the point of answering our questions, he won't remember what happened today, much less something that happened a few weeks ago."
"Hahaha, this is getting more and more interesting. I want to see this boy grow up; in fact, I want to participate in raising him, Inessa. It's been a long time since I've been so curious and interested in something other than Council missions."
The vague answer was enough for Nala to smile again like a lunatic. She started staring at me and poking me even more interested than before. Fortunately, she's not testing me with her aura pressure anymore.
But what does she mean by participating in my upbringing? Is she going to make constant visits to the palace? Or is she going to live here in the village to be closer?
"I want to see every stage of this boy's development and will do my part to ensure he grows strong and healthy... Actually, Abigail, have you fully recovered?"
Nala was still observing me with admiration when suddenly she asked a question to Abigail but continued to watch me while waiting for the answer to the question.
Abigail, who was a bit distracted, perhaps because of the recent fainting, turned her attention back to Nala. Still a bit strange, Abigail answered the question:
"I'm still trying to stabilize my veins, Lady Nala, but I'm almost 100%."
"No problem... Tell me, is your territory in good hands?"
"Humm... Not exactly. It's only been 2 weeks since I left Alasia, but my secretaries aren't prepared for an absence longer than 4 weeks."
Abigail hesitated a bit before giving the answer, but I think she was trying to calculate the right response. Besides, Alasia seems to be the name of Abigail's territory, making me curious about what her territory is like.
"Send a letter there, give your guidelines and orders for the next 6 months. You will help Inessa reorganize Nenvia during this period. Also, write a letter, on my behalf, to neighboring territories to announce Inessa's return to her proper duties and activities. This is an order."
"I don't understand, Lady Nala, what do you intend to do?"
"Nothing much. I'll fulfill my mission here in Nenvia and report the results to the Council as planned. However, this boy likes to surprise me; even as a baby, he's much more interesting than any other Council mission."
I don't know if I paid attention before, but Nenvia must be the name of Mom's territory. It's good to know.
But it's not good to know that Nala can exercise her powers so indiscreetly like this. I understand that it's to help Mom stabilize, but why did she have to do it in an authoritative tone?
The atmosphere became quite strange with this attitude of hers, something that could have been avoided with a simple change of attitude. Honestly, everything could have been much more pleasant if Nala had some less impulsive and authoritative actions...
"For this reason, I've decided that I will settle here in Nenvia, more precisely, with Inessa in her palace. I intend to see how this little boy will grow up. I don't want to miss anything."
Okay... I think I didn't hear correctly... She said she's going to live with Mom in the palace? Does that mean she's going to live under the same roof as Mom and, consequently, me?
Okay... Breathe a little and think... Should I be worried?
It seems that a very unstable and rude person will live with me and the other girls in the mansion. Well, that's normal; there's always a black sheep in the family, it can be tolerated...
But why the hell does she want to keep an eye on me??? Did I become a study object? A long-term experimentation guinea pig? I DON'T DESERVE THIS.
"Very well... Inessa, are you listening?"
"Yes, Lady Nala, I'm listening."
"Great. So, do you have any complaints?"
Say yes, Mom. Say yes, please...
"No, Lady Nala. I believe your presence and knowledge will be very welcome in my home."
Why did you abandon me, Mom? Just say yes and reject the idea; she wouldn't want to stay, I think.
Damn... Now I'll have a lunatic woman watching me every day. AND TODAY IS MY SECOND DAY IN THIS PLACE.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I hope you can help me correct any spelling errors in the chapters.
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