The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

"This kind of action from the both of you is what I can not tolerate! Not any more!"

Mother Guinevere's voice echoed in the grand hall of the Starlight Castle with an intensity that shook the walls, her sharp tone filling every corner as she scolded Rosette and Misty, who stood before her with lowered heads.

"It was his first day in the Institution and you were supposed to be looking after him. How could you leave him — your own brother — out there?" Her voice trembled with fear and anger. "Do you have any idea what dangers lurk beyond our borders? He is the only son of Eros and already hated by half of this Realm. And you… you abandoned him!"

Rosette, angered eyes cast down, dared to whisper. "It wasn't our fault, Mother. He got himself injured during the game, so we thought—"

"Thought? You thought?" Guinevere's voice tightened, barely held back from hysterics. "No, you didn't think, Rosette. If you did, you would have brought him back, no matter the cost." Her gaze flashed between them. "You would have followed him to wherever he was taken to and you would have watched after him till he was better."

"Did you not consider what might have happened to him, how he must've felt, knowing you just left him out there?"

Both sisters fell silent, visibly chastened. Misty, who felt like she was truly sorry and guilty, had a torn look on her face, understanding her mother's anger. But Rosette, who only believed that this was another example of Guinevere's obsession with Aeric, was only more angry.

She had forgotten about the little guilt she had felt back in the Veiled Maze, and all she felt now was anger for the way her mother was scolding her. All because of him. Always because of him.

"I am truly disappointed in you girls," Guinevere said. "Amongst all the Daughters, you're the only ones to have a brother. You'll regret it later if you do not cherish Aeric now that he's still with you."

After a final, angry gaze, Guinevere turned sharply and called to her Knightguard. "Have my men arrived in Dawn Region yet?" Her voice was laced with urgency.

"I want them to demand my son's presence immediately! Go to Mother Aurora, ask for forgiveness for intruding her but make it clear that the matter is urgent. My son was last seen with Celestia of Dawn, riding for a healer. They better have word on him by now."

"I will inquire, your Majesty." the knightguard bowed his head, turned around and began to match hurriedly towards the large door. But then he stopped.

Mother Guinevere's anger was still hanging in the air with her words but the grand hall doors groaned open and the wind from outside breezed it all away.

Every head turned. There, walking with a calm confidence that was completely different to the worry surrounding him, was Aeric.

He didn't look hurt, troubled or discomposed at all. In fact he almost sauntered in, his gaze briefly meeting his mother's astonished face. Relief washed over Guinevere in an instant, her fierce anger dissolving into raw, uncontainable joy.

"Aeric!" she exclaimed. She rushed forward, her arms enveloping him tightly and pushing his body to her softness. Her voice became gentler, yet there was an edge of desperation in it.

"My special son… I was so terrified. I have already sent knightguards over to the Dawn Region, spies are in the Moonlight Region to ascertain whether you have been kidnapped. I would have done anything, anything, to bring you back. But here you are. Safe. You have no idea the agony I felt thinking you were out there, alone."

She held him by the face and squeezed right, checking every part of him for marks or injuries.

Aeric gave her a gentle smile, hugging her warmly again. After such a day, his mother's affection was what he needed.

However, what he needed more was to be left alone, especially after catching a glimpse of his two sisters standing. He could tell that Mother had scolded them in some way, but he didn't really care. It wasn't going to change anything.

Giving Mother an almost dismissive smile, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Mother, it's alright. I'm fine," he assured her, his tone gentle but with a hint of fatigue. "But I am very tired and all I want now is to get some rest."

Guinevere's fingers hovered over his shoulder as if reluctant to let go, but Aeric's eyes had drifted toward the grand staircase. "Your sisters must apologize to you first for abandoning you today, Aeric. Listen to them."

Climbing up the stairs, he cast a brief, indifferent look at Rosette and Misty. Misty shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, while Rosette stared straight at him before bringing his head down.

"I don't care about their apologies, Mother," he said with a sigh. "I don't bother to care about them at all."

This saddened Guinevere. Just like every other mother, she didn't want her children fighting and disliking each other. And so she called after him as he took the steps up to his chambers.

But Aeric only responded with a "Good night, mother" and opened the door to his chambers.

He stepped into his chambers and shut the doors, at the same time shutting out the worried murmurs below.

What a day!

Feeling the weight of the day's events bearing down on him, Aeric dragged his feet and moved straight to the bed, collapsing onto its soft, silken surface. His head sank into the plush pillow as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

[Cultivation exercise begins in 30 seconds]

Hurriedly, he got up, took off his clothes and put on simpler clothings which would allow for easier Divinity Cultivation.

[Cultivation exercise begins in 10 seconds]

[10, 9, 8...]

Aeric drank enough water and stood at the center of the space in his room. [3, 2, 1]

[Begin Cultivation Exercise]

[Exercise will focus on Body Tempering and Meridian Cleansing]

[Take position: Divine Tortoise Method]

[Begin].