The cold night air clung to Alex's skin as he hurried back toward the hidden hole in the estate wall. The bustling streets of the city were now behind him, but his mind was still racing from everything that had happened.
His stomach was full from the delicious meal he had eaten at the inn. His mind was restless from his encounter with Freya. And his heart was uneasy, knowing full well what awaited him back home.
"I just need to sneak back in without getting caught."
As he reached the hidden entrance, he took one last look around to ensure no one was watching.
Then, with quick, careful movements, he dropped down on all fours and crawled through the narrow opening in the wall.
The moment he emerged, the familiar sight of the estate garden greeted him—a peaceful contrast to the chaos he had just left behind.
But he didn't have time to admire the scenery.
"Now to my room—quickly."
Moving as silently as possible, he rushed through the moonlit courtyard, slipping past the dimly lit hallways of the mansion.
The guards stationed near the entrance were too focused on their patrols to notice him. The maids had all retired for the night.
Everything was going smoothly.
And after what felt like an eternity, he finally arrived at his bedroom door.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly pushed it open and stepped inside.
Darkness.
The room was pitch black, the only source of light being the faint silver glow of the moon outside his window.
Carefully closing the door behind him, he reached toward the nightstand, fumbling blindly for the lantern.
Just as his fingers brushed against it—
A soft, chilling voice echoed through the darkness.
"Are you searching for something?"
Alex froze.
A chill ran down his spine.
He knew that voice very well.
And before he could react—the room suddenly lit up.
The warm glow of the lanterns illuminated the room, revealing a silhouetted figure sitting on the edge of his bed.
Alex's heart sank.
Sitting there, her arms crossed, was his mother—Ava.
Her black eyes were cold, filled with an unreadable emotion.
But what truly sent waves of fear through Alex's body was the long wooden stick in her right hand.
His soul nearly left his body.
("Fuck my luck.")
He forced an awkward smile, trying to act innocent.
"M-Mom… you're still awake?"
Ava narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening around the stick.
"Where did you go, Alex?"
Her voice was calm, but dangerously sharp—like the edge of a blade just before it strikes.
Alex gulped. "Uh… would you believe me if I said I accidentally went outside?"
Ava let out a soft chuckle—but there was no humor in it.
"Oh? Really?" she mused as she stood up from the bed, her figure casting a shadow across the room.
As she took a slow step forward, Alex instinctively took a step back.
"I wish I could believe your lies," she said, her voice deceptively sweet. "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Alex held up his hands defensively.
"Mom, I swear! I was—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Ava suddenly grabbed his shoulder, spun him around, and—
CRACK!
The stick met his backside.
"AAAH!" Alex yelped, his body jolting in pain.
His already weak body felt the pain twice as much, and he staggered forward.
CRACK!
Another hit landed, making him cry out again.
"M-MOM! I'M REALLY SORRY! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!"
Ava's cold, motherly discipline continued. "You should be sorry!" she scolded.
Each hit wasn't too strong, but with his current weak physique, every strike felt like divine punishment.
Finally, after a few more hits, Ava stopped, her anger seemingly satisfied.
Alex collapsed onto his bed, rubbing his sore backside.
("How did I go from being an independent man to getting spanked like a little kid?!")
Ava sighed deeply and kneeled beside him. Gently, she cupped his cheek, her cold expression softening.
"Don't ever do that again," she whispered. "I was worried sick."
Hearing the genuine concern in her voice made Alex feel a sting of guilt.
"Your father confirmed that you were inside the city, but until then… I was so afraid."
She stood up and headed toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned and added, "Your food is on the bed. Don't even think about skipping it."
Then, she left the room, closing the door behind her.
Alex let out a deep sigh, finally alone.
He turned his head, and sure enough, a tray of steaming hot food sat beside him on the bed.
His stomach groaned in protest.
("Damn it, I already ate at the inn… I'm too full.")
But remembering his mother's words, he forced himself to eat.
Even if it killed him, skipping a meal would probably end up with an even worse punishment.
Minutes passed, and he finally finished.
Feeling uncomfortably stuffed, he got up and changed his bed sheets, which were still wrinkled from earlier.
Finally, he collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.
His mind drifted to his encounter with Freya.
Her mysterious beauty, her playful attitude, the way she toyed with him so effortlessly.
The moment she had plucked the rice from his lips and eaten it replayed in his head.
Alex turned onto his side, staring at the ceiling.
"Did I just fall in love at first sight?" he whispered to himself.
Then he shook his head.
"No, that's ridiculous. It's probably just her natural charm, not actual love."
He pushed those unnecessary thoughts away and let his eyes drift shut.
As sleep slowly took over, he whispered one last thing.
"I need to stay away from women like her… but why does part of me want to see her again?"
And with that, he fell into a deep slumber.