The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Feeling a hint of pride, Aeric wanted to say that's not what happened, but that would only help Eros's plans, it would only create arguments between him and his mother.

So, he sacrificed his pride, not just to defeat his father, but also for his mother. He did it to allow Mother Guinevere's compassion for him to show.

The Mother of Starlight went ahead to explain that that was why she had brought Delva.

She continued by saying that Delva was an intelligent girl. A daughter to one of the richest tradesmen in the town.

She was not an Awakened Player like most people in the Starlight Region because of the low Divinity, — which worried Aeric a little because what good would she be of him if he couldn't [Claim] anything from her — but she was very resourceful and promises to be a good friend to Aeric.

Delva chimed in with a smile. Aeric suddenly felt a pair of toes climb up his leg as she looked at him tauntingly. 'Oh... hells.'

"I promise to be that and more too, my Prince. I will always be at your beck and call. I will listen and I will be loyal..." her toes went higher, "... and even obedient."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Looking at her for a while and then glancing at his mother who was oblivious as to what was happening, Aeric sighed and finally gave in, saying; "With all that on the table, how exactly can I refuse?"

Delva chuckled, and Mother Guinevere smiled happily.

"Great then! Delva will be on your side as a trustee and friendly companion. She will serve as your rock and helper. An assistant and as a friend."

Delva beamed at him as she took down her leg, clearly excited for the job.

Clearing his throat, Aeric continued with his meal and after silence at last and some time passing, he finished his meal.

Aeric rose to his feet, excusing himself with a kiss to his mother's cheek. And then retrieving his gloves from the servant as he left the dining room.

He began to ascend the grand staircase, but in that very moment, the heavy castle doors creaked open.

Aeric turned to look at it.

From the outside, his two sisters, Rosette and Misty stepped inside, both clearly tired but their presence commanding their usual attention. Both were striking, but evidently they had had a day. Their features sharp and proud, their regal attire immaculate but their eyes weary and fed up.

Rosette's sharp gaze locked onto Aeric. But she didn't say anything. She glared at him, and it felt like everything was in slow motion.

Aeric met their gaze, looking at Rosette particularly who refused to back down. Misty glanced at her sister, then at Aeric, reading the unspoken tension.

After a while of keeping the gaze, Aeric turned away, indifferent and unbothered. "Sisters," he said simply, continuing up the stairs.

Rosette's eyes narrowed. 'I know what you are, Aeric! And I will catch you one day!'

In fact, she had already caught him that very day, but of course she couldn't remember any of it. All she was left with was the knowledge that she knew deep in her heart that Aeric was hiding something.

Aeric disappeared down the corridor, his boots echoing against the stone. Once in his chamber, he leaned against the door, exhaling deeply. The weight of the day settled on him as he stared out the window, images of battling the beasts of the Dungeon and escaping just in time still faintly visible in his mind.

A faint smile curled his lips.

~ ~ ~

Night came soon and the room quickly turned cool, illuminated by the soft glow of enchanted sconces casting flickering patterns against the stone walls.

The large bed, draped in rich silks and adorned with golden tassels, beckoned him, but he resisted its lure for now.

He shrugged off his royal clothing and his boots, his movements deliberate, the tension in his shoulders from the day's stress evident. As the fabric fell to the floor, he caught his reflection in the ornate mirror. His gaze lingered, tracing the faint scars earned from the Dungeon Clearing that day.

'Damn. I barely did anything and saw the amount of scars I got.' He stared at himself longer. 'Somehow, I'm even excited to do it again.'

The events of the day played in his mind: the Dungeon Challenge, his recent conversation with his mother, the introduction of Delva, and the veiled tension with his sisters. It was a chaotic tangle of emotions, but one thread stood out — the triumph of progress.

He was making progress, and that was undeniable.

A soft chime echoed in his ears, and a translucent notification appeared before him.

[ System Alert: It is time to begin cultivation. Continue with Body Tempering. Progress: Bones.]

He called on his maid and handed her his clothes, then put on his simple one for the cultivation exercise.

At this point, Aeric had realized that the Body Tempering was working very well. As an evidence, back in the Dungeon, he had been able to shoot out pure Divinity from his fist. That was something that most Awakened Players were unable to do.

Also he had been able to coordinate the Divinity in his body and channeled it to his hand in order to activate the [Heal] Skill and help Alzera.

As he said, progress.

Aeric exhaled, his breath steadying as he prepared himself mentally. He moved to the center of the room, settling onto the woven mat laid out for such practices. His posture straightened, legs crossed, hands resting lightly on his knees. He closed his eyes, shutting out the world.

Then, he connected with the imagination of the river of Divinity flowing deep within his body — a vast, shimmering stream of ethereal energy. Its currents were swift, its glow mesmerizing. Slowly, he reached out with his will, attempting to lift one of the glowing bubbles of Divinity from the river.

But of course, like in the morning, the effort was immense.