"H-How!?" Ara asked dumbfoundedly; she was too startled to form any coherent thought and could only utter a single world.
William stopped his maniacal laugh and stared back at his mother. His heart beat quickened with excitement while he clenched his fists and answered, "Using this!"
He raised his hand and showed his mother a tiny speck of rock. His smile turned into a grin as he watched Ara's beautiful face contort into a frown.
"I mixed in these tiny rocks along with the ice shards, Mother." He answered honestly; the rocks aren't that big; in fact, they were tiny, not even a centimeter long, but they had razor-like teeth.
Ara gawked at her son while her eyes turned complicated. Just before, she had thought of asking her sister to lecture William about strategy, but now felt a little humiliated yet proud that her son was able to defeat her.
'Although I have restricted my strength to an adept, it's still impressive as I have a lot more experience than a usual adept.'
She mumbled inwardly, but her frown deepened when she remembered the promise she had given to William. Her pupils dilated while her heart began to thump wildly against her chest.
She tightly knit her brows while her gaze darted around, searching for an excuse. She wasn't ready yet; she wasn't ready to tell William about her past.
But much to her surprise and relief, William said, "I will not force you to tell me your story, Mother. Not right now! I will wait... until you are ready to tell me what happened."
Ara opened her eyes wide at her son's words, 'When did my baby mature so much?' she asked herself, not believing her naïve and persistent son had grown so much.
SIGH
She breathed a sigh of relief, released her fists, and said, "Alright, William. I am not ready to tell you yet, but I will definitely tell you my story." She said, giving a promise not only to him but to her as well.
William smiled as he heard his mother's words, 'Seraphina gives good advice!' He mumbled inwardly as he recalled Seraphina and Achlys telling him to make the promise but not to force Ara to tell her story.
He nodded his head at his mother and began to walk out of the training grounds; he had to rest for a little while as it would take some time for the staff of the mansion to repair it. 'I have to ask Father to repair it fast; I don't want to wait for too long!'
Deciding to ask his father to fasten the cleaning and repairing of the training grounds, William walked toward his room, excited to meet his fiancées and tell them what had happened.
Ever since they returned from the forest, the trio has been sharing a room and always talked well into midnight.
CLICK
He opened the door, expecting Achlys and Seraphina to greet him, but all he was greeted with was silence.
The room was empty of people as Seraphina and Achlys were doing their own things.
SIGH
William sighed in disappointment that his fiancées weren't there yet and walked over to his bed.
THUD
He fell on the soft bed with a light thud as his eyes darted around the room. Expensive silks draped on the windows, blocking sunlight, while vases holding rare and exotic flowers dotted the room.
SNIFF
Their fresh smell hit William like a wave, making his mind more relaxed and calm. His gaze then landed on the painting that was in front of the bed.
It had a boy sitting in a chair; he had silver hair and bright amethyst eyes. Beside him were two women whose beauty could start wars. On the left was a woman with jet-black hair, darker than night, while her blood-red eyes shone in contrast to her dark hair.
On the right was a woman whose looks could be considered the holiest of all things. She had vibrant golden hair and bright golden eyes that shone like two suns. A small mischievous smile adorned her beautiful red lips while she tugged at the boy.
Unknowingly, a small smile formed on William's face. Without him realizing it, both girls had become important people in his life.
Achlys was silent at first, but she slowly started to open up to him and talk to him. She was still reserved and tried to support him from the shadows.
William's heart began to beat fast as he remembered the cute, blushing face of her. She would blush whenever he entered the room after training; 'She is cute!' he mumbled inwardly as he remembered her blushing face.
Seraphina was different from Achlys as she was outgoing and active; she doesn't hide her feelings for him and actively tries to make him fall for her. And she succeeded in that part.
William blushed heavily as he recalled how she teased him when they were in bed. Although they didn't do anything, she would tease him and Achlys as they turned beet red the moment they hit the bed.
William's eyelids slowly drooped down as he relaxed. His heartbeat calmed down as he gradually fell asleep, traveling to the dream lands.
.....
A few hours have passed; Seraphina and Achlys were now walking to their room while chatting with one another.
"So, what do you think about William?" Seraphina asked abruptly.
"Where did that come from?" Achlys asked while narrowing her eyes at her big sister.
Seraphina shrugged nonchalantly and answered, "Just asking!"
Achlys narrowed her eyes further while she pursed her lips and answered, "I-I like him!" Her cheeks reddened a little as she stammered.
"Duh, woman! I like him too! But what do you think about him?" Seraphina asked, her golden eyes shone with curiosity while she trudged closer to her little sister.
"I-I love him," Achlys stated while her entire face turned beet red, her heart began to pound against her chest, and she felt butterflies in her stomach.
"I love that he gives his all and learns no matter the subject. I love that he cares a great deal about his family. I love the way he cares about us!" Achlys went on with her speech, stumping Seraphina.
'I just wanted to tease her a little and watch her blush. But who would have thought I would step on a gold mine! With this, I have enough material to tease her for a few years!'
Seraphina smiled as she hugged her sister, startling Achlys.
"Eh!?" Achlys blurted out, confused by Seraphina's actions.
Seraphina didn't mind her sister's reaction and continued hugging her for a few moments.
She then pulled away from Achlys, turned around, and began to walk without giving any explanation to Achlys.
Achlys stood there, dumbfounded. 'What happened? Why did she hug me suddenly?' Achlys's mind was full of questions. Questions she wanted to ask, but before she had the chance, Seraphina started speaking.
"Do you know what I love the most about him?" she asked; she didn't stop to look at Achlys but continued walking.
'What is going on with this woman so suddenly?' Achlys mumbled inwardly before she resumed walking.
Seraphina didn't wait for her sister's reply and answered, "I love to tease him the most. Not just because it's funny; this entire world gave him the burden of saving it, literally. William may not feel it as he is still young, but what about a year later? He won't stay naive as he is growing fast, and he will realize how much of a burden is being placed on him."
Achlys bit her lip while she clenched her fists; she thought it was unfair for a man to hold the burden for the entire world, but they had no choice. Everyone would die a miserable death if William doesn't save this world and everyone in it.
Achlys stayed silent and waited for her sister to continue.
"I want him to live happily at least for his last period of innocence. I want him to know that, not just his mother's, but we too are there for him. Ready to support him through the most difficult of times. Lessen his sorrow and share his joy. I want him to rely on us too, just like we will rely on him in the future."
Achlys stared at Seraphina's back in astonishment; she didn't know that Seraphina was thinking this far ahead and was clearly surprised by her thoughtfulness. 'I was right, she deserves the main wife position more than me!' She reaffirmed her decision to give up the struggle for the position of main wife to Seraphina with these words.
They both reached their room in silence, each busy with their own thoughts.
CLICK
Seraphina opened the door and entered, followed by Achlys. Their gazes landed on the peacefully sleeping William. He had a small smile on his face, evident that he was having a good dream.
A sneaky smile bloomed on Seraphina's face as she tiptoed her way toward the bed. She slowly climbed onto the bed and looked over at Achlys and gestured for her to do the same.
Achlys followed her sister and climbed on top of the bed carefully, looking at Seraphina and awaiting her instructions.
Seraphina's smile widened as she lay down and placed her head on William's chest.
"Ah!" Achlys exclaimed softly as she understood her sister. She mirrored Seraphina's actions and placed her head on the other side of William's chest.
The girls glanced at each other for a moment before they too closed their eyes and fell asleep.