"Abby..." Minos muttered her name amidst the affectionate way she looked at him.
That was a complicated thing for him since he had always felt bad that he was the only one of his friends and classmates not to have a mother present during his childhood years.
Because of this, he felt a lot of resentment against Maisie and did not see her as a mother but only as of just the woman who had given birth to him.
And no matter how many times those around him, among them his father, Albert, had told him that she loved him, it was difficult for the young man who had cried alone on many nights to believe these words.
And even after growing up and becoming more mature, Minos still could not ignore the anger in his heart, the contempt he felt for this person.
However, he was no longer just an independent young man who could make all his decisions without caring about those around him.
Now that he was committed to Abby, he felt that part of his freedom had been lost, and he had to consider her opinions.
That was the meaning of becoming a couple, after all!
In a relationship like theirs, there was no point in one of the parties involved thinking that they could act on their personal feelings and interests all the time. No, both parties had to consider the other party and sometimes give up certain things for the couple's good.
Of course, one should never give up what is essential to oneself because of another person's wishes. After all, part of the attraction comes precisely from the authenticity of the individual's personality, which often lies behind the passion or love that the other side felt at the beginning of the relationship.
But if such a person were to change so much as to lose their authenticity or original qualities, then nothing other than disinterest would arise in the other party.
Not only disinterest but even contempt and lack of respect could arise in the other person if that individual agreed to have part of themselves 'killed' just to satisfy their partner.
How pathetic was that? Who but those desperate to hold on to a person would accept losing essential things for another's desires?
That was the point!
But even knowing this, Minos understood that his hatred for his mother did not play such an essential role in his journey as a person.
Although these feelings were a part of him, what had made him the man he was today had been other experiences.
He genuinely had no interest in proving himself to Maisie or demonstrating to the people around him how he had developed without her help.
His ambition had nothing to do with her, and all his actions were quite clear in this regard. So, he was willing to consider Abby's suggestion at least.
"Abby, let me think about it..." He finally said something as he hugged the still-naked woman in his lap.
Abby then smiled at him and kissed him on one of his cheeks without saying more.
After that, she stood up from there, giving the young Stuart an excellent view as she quickly got dressed.
As he did the same as she did, Minos suddenly heard a piece of information that also interested him. "By the way, Ruth arrived in Dry City a week ago."
"Oh?" Minos said in surprise, shocked at how many surprises he had had so far. 'Looks like they were all hiding so I wouldn't find them?'
Minos' spiritual sense was not that strong yet. So, besides not being able to sense all the auras in Dry City, he could not do anything about people near special arrays.
For instance, he would be unable to detect Ruth, his mother, or anyone else training within the Dry City Cultivation Tower rooms.
Abby then said. "She is cultivating at the army headquarters, but I think she will be coming here soon."
"I see..." Minos smiled, happy that Ruth was also around.
After that, he went behind his desk and sat in his armchair, waiting for the people outside that room.
Minos had already noticed the presence of Dillian, Gloria, and also his mother. And since he and Abby would not be doing anything else for the moment, he wanted to welcome them right away.
"Abby, ask them to come over here, please." He said to the woman who was already well-dressed in a gray dress.
...
Meanwhile, outside that office...
After leaving Minos' office, Maisie was completely red with embarrassment for having seen a scene that no mother should ever see.
At the same time, she could not help but think how naughty her son was. He had just returned from a month-long trip out of his territory, but instead of meeting with his commanders, he simply went to have sex with Abby...
How irresponsible could he be? His state was at war, but he would rather have fun with a woman than listen to the reports of his organization!
'That Minos!'
'I can't believe he was doing that in his place of work!'
'How will I ever enter that office without thinking of that image?' She stood by that door, using her aura to block the signals coming from that place.
She did not like the situation. But since Minos and Abby were having an intimate moment together, she would not allow Gloria, who was already there, to probe her son in such a circumstance.
And in doing so, she could not help but think about how intimate those two were. 'Ah... Why am I so surprised? They are already trying to have a child, so obviously they do these things...'
'But I didn't think they were so much in love...' She sighed, remembering how the two looked at each other before noticing her.
...
After a while, each of those people entered Minos' office, and soon they were seated at different spots.
Minos' mother sat in a chair across from his desk, with Dillian sitting in an armchair, one that was in front of the sofa where Gloria had settled.
"Hmmm?" Gloria made a particular sound, looking at the surroundings in doubt as she inhaled the air. 'What's this smell?'
But as a virgin who had only had a few kisses in her life, there was no way she could understand that distinct fragrance.
However, both Maisie and Abby had picked up on it and understood where Gloria's curious expression was coming from.
Abby then turned even redder as she sat down next to her fiancé.
As for Maisie, she looked at that young woman meaningfully, as if she was passing a message to Abby. 'You shouldn't do things like that in such a place!'
But since Abby could not read minds, she just looked away, embarrassed that she had been caught in the act with Minos. 'How will I look at my mother-in-law from now on?'
'What a shame!' She looked at Minos in defeat, hoping that this man would say something and get these thoughts out of her mind.
Minos then said. "Well, since you all came in here at once, let's start with the basics."
He looked at Gloria and asked. "Are you here for the church? Or for yourself?"
Gloria then bit her lips, remembering the days she had lived with 'Albert.' "Al... Minos."
"I hope to be able to talk to you alone, so for now, let's just take care of official business..."
"Yes, I am also here for the church. I want you to participate in a negotiation with your enemies in the next few days."
"I see..."
"Well, I am willing to negotiate, so I see no problem following your lead in this negotiation. But answer me one thing, does the church intend to get involved in more of this in the future?"
"I don't want at all times to have to worry about outside intervention..." He said, citing that point so relevant to the church itself.
Hearing that, Gloria's eyebrows frowned as she felt an urge to hit that young man. "You forced me into this, Minos!"
"What do you think I would do after giving you the sword that caused the death of all those people in the Walker family? Did you think I wouldn't get involved?"
...
