Chapter 12: Mother and Son
[Katherine's PoV]
Katherine's blank look slowly turned into an inquisitive one as she was unable to fathom the meaning behind Luciel's actions.
Despite the impulsive behavior she had exhibited that even wounded the child before her, Luciel was still able to maintain his composure as if the intense pressure she emitted was nothing but a passing breeze.
'Without a doubt, his body possessed a soul from another world, and his outside appearance is nothing but a facade.' Katherine silently thought as she continued evaluating Luciel, raising her impression of him several notches.
As depression and a sense of guilt washed over her, she resented herself for unreasonably going out of control. 'My unsightly actions just now revealed my true self to him. I guess there's no point acting all cozy and warm towards him now, right?'
'After all these years, I am still the same, nor will I ever change in the future.' The frustrating fact which she was helpless against only made her more saddened.
'Yes, I am a lunatic, that I fully know. There might only be one person in this lifetime who would open his entire heart to a demented woman like me. And now he's gone.' As Nathaniel's lovable face surfaced in her mind, her eyes started to quiver as tears started welling in her eyes.
'Furthermore, how could I inflict pain to someone whom I have blood ties. And to my child with Nathaniel, no less!'
The extreme of remorse took over her sanity, including the bottled-up emotions within her. Katherine strongly felt the urge to release it all by ravaging everything with her own hands.
Grief, regret, confusion, rancor, and self-loathing. At this instant, her mind was in complete disarray. Unconsciously, she began emitting her potent killing intent which far exceeded what Luciel had experienced before.
Katherine's vision suddenly darkened as she was about to strike down the insignificant figure before her. His tiny frame with his frail limbs would certainly break like a fragile glass.
As she readied herself to lunge at the boy before her, the negative emotions within her ballooned even further, ready to burst out. But before she could strike, a warmth akin to sunshine swept over her body as it steadily pacified the ferocity caged in her heart.
She could now see a tiny hand grasping hers. The hand of the child was visibly trembling as his face looked so comical while beaming an awkward smile.
"Mo..mother?", as Katherine escaped from her stupor, she heard the fearful voice of her son.
Amidst the overwhelming bloodlust she emitted that permeated throughout the room, Luciel did not let the fear dominate him nor run away but instead held her hand tighter by the moment. His deep crimson eyes, although a bit unsteady, never left Katherine's gaze.
'Such courage and resoluteness.' This time, Katherine truly admired Luciel from the bottom of her heart. His tiny body was comparable to that of a towering castle, so steadfast and inviolable even at the center of a raging storm.
*****
[Luciel's PoV]
The moment he extended his hand towards Katherine, the incredulity plastered on her face was abruptly replaced with apathy. Her eyes which were full of emotions suddenly lost their color as they remotely resembled that of a human.
The temperature inside the room then dropped several degrees which made Luciel's body stiff.
'No, it's not that the surrounding temperature has plummetted, it's my body that's feeling cold.' He realized this fact thanks to [Vanguard Spirit] which was the upgraded version of [Nerves of Steel]. He was still able to retain his clarity and think calmly although he was still perturbed due to the killing intent Katherine was emitting.
His physical body was in a completely different state, though. His knees were trembling so much that a brief lapse in focus would instantly bring his entire body onto the solid ground, groveling.
Luciel was full of disbelief that even despite him having full control of his consciousness, his body still faltered in the presence of a higher order of strength. 'I'm so weak', he bitterly thought. 'To think that a mere bloodlust from her alone reduced me to such a pathetic state.'
'But I cannot back out now, not when I have come this far.' As Luciel resolved himself, he mustered all the courage left in him and grabbed Katherine's hand, clasping with his.
He transmitted his body heat to his mother, hoping Katherine would break free from her disturbed condition. There was no trickery nor complicated reason behind his action, Luciel just hoped that the blood which connected the two of them would prevail over the terrifying state Katherine was experiencing right now.
"Mo..mother?" Despite his unsightly state, Luciel managed to speak in a hoarse voice with a crooked smile on his face, expressing his concern.
After what felt like an eternity, the suffocating sensation coming from Katherine vanished as Luciel could finally breathe normally again. His shaking legs that were as soft as tofu managed to gain their strength.
Before he could appraise the situation, Katherine's slender arms embraced him tightly as her alluring scent tickled his nostrils.
Taken aback by the sudden development, he took a step back from Katherine's crouching position but her shapely body was firmly pressed against his tiny frame with enough force to render his resistance futile.
With a barely audible which only Luciel could hear, she then said, "I'm so...sorry.."
"Are you...willing to talk now, mother?" Luciel softly asked, while placing his hand on Katherine's shoulder.
"uhmm.." She just issued a mumble in agreement, her head still buried in Luciel's tiny chest.
*****
After a certain amount of time.
'Wait a minute..what's with this awkward situation, where do I start? Luciel was internally screaming due to the uncomfortable situation he was in.
After the dramatic event which was more of a test of courage than anything, he was now baffled as to how to approach Katherine in a way that wouldn't be perceived as unpolished and unnatural.
If only Katherine acted her usual self and never exposed her genuine character to him, things would have been much easier to handle.
'Well, what do I know. Everything might just be part of her plan.' He then immediately threw the thought at the back of his mind after her interaction with Katherine which seemed genuine.
'I can't be always distrusting people but I should prepare myself for any eventualities. It's the least I could do to protect myself.'
As Luciel was occupied with his thoughts, Katherine was basking in the tea's aroma as she elegantly took small sips with a serene expression.
They were now sitting on an open-air terrace of the Mathia's residence. Such leisure and luxury were without a doubt can only be afforded by the most affluent noble families.
Luciel was puzzled as to how to start their discussion and since Katherine looked like she has no intention of saying anything first, he resolved himself and acted his part.
'ehem..' Luciel faked a cough in order to gain Katherine's attention who seemed to be so engrossed in her tea.
As someone with minuscule experience in the field of social interaction, Luciel only had one card to play in this situation.
He then calmly remarked, 'Such fine weather, won't you agree?'
As Luciel looked in Katherine's direction, her gaze was fixated on the grim-looking horizon. The overcast sky was shaded with gloom as if it was a musty rag which hasn't been washed for years.
'I'm stupid, is [Quick Thinking] actually bugged or something?' Luciel, having kicked himself in the foot, blamed his incompetence on his skill.
Then a voice filled ridicule yet with a curious undertone entered his ears, 'What was your name?'
"Lucie-" Having understood her real question, he swallowed back his words and answered truthfully, "Luther..Luther Rivera"
Relishing in her tea, Katherine then closed her eyes as if to imprint the name in her mind and continued, "Tell me about your story, Luciel"
'About time, huh', Luciel composed himself and organized his thoughts.
"I once lived in a modern world, far advanced than this underdeveloped.." Luciel then succinctly narrated the events of his past life, omitting insignificant details in the process. His misfortunes and the reason for his eventual suicide.
"So basically, you died a virgin whilst knowing your woman cheated on you", Katherine said in a mocking tone, disparaging Luciel's miserable life prior coming to this world.
Katherine's unhinged comment that could be considered as a humiliation deeply stabbed his heart. He could not say anything to refute her words as he himself knew it was true.
"You were weak. You could not even protect those close to you much less keep a woman far above your league."
Luciel only hung his head in shame and frustration as she accepted each of Katherine's words.
"But, it's all in the past. And you're Luciel now, my son." As Luciel was about to raise his head, a pair of soft hands gently held his face by his cheeks.
A pair of azure eyes as if the vastness of the ocean was contained within stared at him, "Listen, Luciel Vonbert Mathias", Katherine spoke in an overbearing yet soothing voice.
"Here, it is you who will deprive others. From birth, you had been given the privilege to exploit those below your status. As a member of the ruling class, the mass will prostate in absolute submission to your words." Luciel felt his hair stand in response to Katherine's cold, apathetic voice.
At this moment, despite Katherine's composed speech, Luciel could discern a hint of veiled aggression in her voice.
"Your enemies shall cower in fear just by the mention of your name. Any offense against you will be dealt with severe punishment. Those who mock and humiliate us will have to forfeit their ability to speak."
Katherine then positioned herself behind Luciel, her arms gently wrapping his tiny body while placing her head near Luciel's face, and whispered.
"Given our family's exceptional genes and your unparalleled talent, bedding even the most demure and headstrong maiden across the land would only be a child's play to you."
With a brief pause, she continued, "So raise your head"
'This woman...she is certainly teasing me.' Taken aback by her unexpected words, Luciel attempted to turn his head but he suddenly felt an alluring and warm breath waft the back of his ear.
'Poof~'
'You-', Luciel could only stare dumbfoundedly at Katherine's mischievous behavior which was inappropriate to her age and supposedly noble demeanor.
Katherine only gave a chuckle as she stared at Luciel with playful eyes. She once again sat in front of him, pouring tea into her teacup with refined movements.
Luciel could only sigh in resignation at her odd conduct. "Enough about me, let's hear your story", Luciel inquired, bracing himself for what was to come.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone