>BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM<
The earth ruptured, and the ground shook at the deafening roar caused by the impact I made with the surface.
Within the firm grasp of my mother, my head dug deep into the grand floor, breaking it apart.
'M—Mom…' I nearly broke into tears.
Who would have thought this day would come?
Of course, I was in no pain—neither did I suffer any damage from her actions. But, somewhere within me, my heart ached.
'… Is this how you treat your child who is just returning?'
As I thought… this woman—Anabelle—was not normal!
>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM<
The loud boom kept echoing, mixed in with my cries for the crazy woman to stop, as well as her tear-filled screams.
**********************
"Oh, my lovely baby! Look how much you've grown!"
My mom—the same one who committed domestic violence on me—was now hugging me so tightly that I felt like I would suffocate.
She kept rubbing her voluptuous chest on me, a habit she never left ever since I was a baby.
'It's a miracle I didn't die back then…'
Tears streamed from her eyes as she kept hugging me and her voice cracked. It contained such profound emotions that I couldn't help but smile softly.
Even amid the large crater caused by her actions, I hugged her and stroked her long hair.
Even as her tears and snot fell on me, I didn't withdraw from her hold.
'It's been too long…'
Just how worried had she been? How did she cope with the news?
Because of her status in society, I was sure she couldn't completely express her emotional state before others. Dad wouldn't always be around—especially since the Shadow Demon's invasion shook the foundations of the Kingdom.
He must have had so much to deal with, leaving my lonely mother to fend for herself. She only had servants to keep her company, but, even then, how reliable were they?
Especially considering the betrayal of Liliana.
My overprotective mom must have been devastated beyond words.
Because of that very fact, I needed to allow her to vent all the pent-up emotions she kept bottled down. It was my duty as her son—as well as the primary cause of her grief.
'You've done well holding on for this long, Anabelle!'
As her tight embrace continued, I dug deeper into her—never minding the two huge cushions that suffocated me.
'She smells nice…'
*********************
After the whole emotional display that lasted for a ridiculously long time, I was finally able to convince Anabelle to proceed indoors for further discussion and another round of a rollercoaster of emotions.
She would hit me in annoyance and then hug me in joy.
She would kiss me all around my face in adoration, then spank me in chastisement.
Anabelle was the very definition of weird—or could I even say absurd?
Eventually, I decided to simply shut down my mental processes when dealing with her since intellect would get me nowhere with a doting mother.
'Still… this place… it's as grand as I remember!'
My eyes looked around the house as I entered. Observing every single detail within my area of perception, I took in the warm atmosphere of wealth and family.
It was good to be home—especially when my abode was very luxurious.
Anabelle and I ascended the stairs, heading to a place I knew quite well. It was an area that was secluded from public use. Only relatives could utilize it.
It was the Family Lounge.
Once we settled in our family lounge area, my mom collapsed on one sofa with a heavy exhalation. It was clear that she was exhausted—both physically and emotionally.
After pouring all she could at me—and me accepting them without resistance—her energy bar had finally been depleted.
'Looks like we can converse normally now…'
"Haa… it's good to be back here." I smiled, looking around the spacious area.
There were couches arranged in a circular manner—with a table for tea, and perhaps, documents at the center.
I sat on an opposite couch from my mom, settling into the soft furniture with a smile. The warm and pleasant fragrance of the room tickled my nose and I couldn't help feeling relaxed.
Looming threat or not… I didn't plan on rushing this moment of nostalgia.
"Then why did you leave?" My mom suddenly replied to my statement with a question.
Her dried-up eyes looked at me with all attentiveness now.
'She's being serious.'
Anabelle had multiple sides, and one of them was when she was genuinely serious about a subject—though that hardly occurred.
"Well…"
I knew this moment would come.
It was to be expected, after all.
My mom—who hadn't seen me since I left for Ainzlark—must have been terribly shaken by the fact that I left so abruptly.
She must have also been frightened by the fact that our Campus had been invaded by Shadow Demons—after the information was made more public.
'Did she think I was captured by them? Or that I was killed?'
In any case, it was time for answers.
"… I simply had to."
I no longer looked like the twelve-year-old that she used to know, but… my Mom probably didn't see me that way.
'She still treats me like a baby, after all…'
Except for that suplex from earlier, everything was the same.
'I am fifteen now… almost an adult, but not quite one yet.'
That meant I was still a minor.
If she so desired, Anabelle was well within her rights to confine me in this place and take over all decisions concerning my wellbeing.
'… Which is why I can't mess this up!'
How much could I tell her? How much would she be able to handle? I had already thought of these things.
"I couldn't trust Ainzlark, so I left. You must have heard of the Demon Invasion on our Academy."
Anabelle nodded.
"I heard about your efforts and exploits in that place. You really… surprised me."
The look on her face as she looked at me was of wonder and curiosity.
It was to be expected.
I—as a mere kid—did many things that even adults wouldn't be able to handle. That meant that the actions that followed also had to stem from a well of reason.
"It's as I wrote in that letter I left behind for you… I simply wanted to explore the world."
