W1.A1-26: Why, Mother?

"I want you."

'What?'

Celine thought she had made a mistake in listening, but seeing the man still staring at her in seriousness, she suddenly panicked.

Carrying a bit of anger in her tone, she stated, "You must be joking, Lord."

"Not at all." But the man roamed his gaze around her body from head to toe as he spoke, "I really want you."

Celine stepped back before she turned around to leave. "Maybe I have disturbed you at the wrong time, Lord, so I'll be leaving now."

Celine was feeling quite angry at his behavior, but she knew that there was nothing she could do. Therefore, to stop herself from getting humiliated any further, she decided to leave.

As for the problem she had come here to solve, Celine had already decided to risk it all by not giving in to anyone anymore.

The last time she compromised, Vilet took advantage of that situation and gained leverage over her. That was what led to her current situation.

Deciding to make further plans, Celine started to leave the room.

"I heard that your son is in the capital."

Celine suddenly stopped in her tracks before turning around to look at the man.

"What do you mean by that?" Celine asked in a surprisingly angry tone. She seemed to have forgotten that the person in front of her was royalty.

When Vilet suggested to her that she recommend her son to the royal, she was honestly a bit tempted. But knowing what kind of person Vilet was, she didn't want her son to get involved with them.

Besides, she knew that her own son might not be in favor of such a thing. Hence, after considering various facets, she decided not to bring up the matter of his son in front of the royal.

In fact, if not for the reminder that Vilet sent a few hours ago, she would probably not have come to this place either.

But now, when she heard the royal speak about her son, she felt both angry and panicked.

"Ah, what's with that reaction, madam?" The man asked in exasperation. "I thought you'd also request that I recommend him for a higher and safer position in the army." He sounded a bit disappointed as he mentioned that. "But here you are, not utilizing the power of a royal, wasting a good opportunity that has been presented to you."

"On that note, though I do carry the power to make him get into a comfortable position," he paused and gave her a deep look before saying, "I can also make him uncomfortable."

"Is that a threat?" Celine asked while trying not to look intimidated.

The man laughed. "It is whatever you want it to be," he said. "But I was just stating the things I, as a royal, can do."

"For example," he spoke, "I could get him transferred to a chaotic border area with a forty-percent mortality rate." He chuckled. "Sounds interesting, right?"

Celine clenched her fists in anger.

"You can go ahead and try," she said. "My son is not one to get afraid of a challenge." Though his threats made her feel concerned, she knew that giving in would only make the matter worse. Hence, keeping her stance tough, she refused to let the man get what he wished.

"A tough one, I see." The man nodded. Taking a brief pause, he then asked, his tone sarcastic, "Then, will you say the same if I get him killed?"

Celine's expression, which was hidden behind her mask, froze.

But thankfully, her wits were still there, so she quickly got a hold of herself and responded in a sharp manner. "You wouldn't be here if you were that powerful," she said. "I mean, sure, you can go ahead and try to harm my son, but that's only if you and the bunch of greedy goons you have collected here are capable of withstanding the repercussions."

"Besides," she said, "you could not be trusted even if I agreed."

Saying so, she once again turned around.

"What if I can guarantee it?" The man asked. "Will you agree to it then?"

But Celine didn't even have to think as she replied instantly, "Apologies, but no." Without turning back, she added, "I don't want my son to feel disappointed in his mother."

Hearing her reply, the man sighed before muttering in a voice that was only audible to himself, "You still haven't changed."

But his expression then turned sharp again as he called out, "Lena."

As Celine was about to walk out of the room, a sudden force pulled her back in. Before she could even realize what was happening, she found herself restrained by someone.

Her hands were held over her head while an arm gripped her waist tightly.

Looking at the man who was standing in front of her, she quickly guessed the identity of her assailant.

"Easy, Lena," the man said. "You need to treat her with care, okay?"

At the moment, Celine was terrified. Before she had even been able to react, she found herself restrained.

She could only watch as the man walked closer to her, with each step pushing her heart to the depths of hell.

"You're a smart woman, Madam Celine," the man said. "The way you tried to play mind games by reminding me about the possible consequences of my action was quite clever, I must say."

"But," he said as he shook his head, "you have to know that some people can bend rules as they desire."

By now, Celine had come to accept her situation, but she was still not going to let him get what he wanted.

'I'm sorry, Danny… Your mother has to let you down again…'

Thinking of it as her last thought, Celine gave the man a fierce glare before she tried to bite her own tongue.

Too bad, though, that she found she was not in control of her body anymore. It was as if an invisible force had taken hold of her body and restricted her internal movements.

'Mana Experts!' A term appeared in her head that made Celine feel even more afraid. But she was not worried about herself anymore, as she suddenly thought about her son. She was worried that the man might act on the words he said earlier and harm Daniel.

The anger in her gaze turned to despair, but she could do nothing as the man finally appeared directly in front of her.

"You understand now, right?" he said. "There are people with real power who can do as they wish without worrying about the consequences."

Having said that, the man suddenly raised his hand towards Celine's face before taking off her mask.

A beautiful but panicked visage appeared in his sight.

He threw the mask away before raising both his hands and placing them on Celine's face, making her experience true despair.

But as she was waiting for the inevitable, amidst her despondent thoughts, an all-too-familiar voice echoed inside the room.

"Why, Mom?"