Chapter 116 A Family Worth Protecting

Anna’s expression softened.

She extended her arm to reach across the table and laid her hand over his.

“Is there anything you want to know, dear? Any question you have you can ask.”

Her voice was warm and reassuring.

As softly as a breeze on a summer’s day.

Victor took a deep breath.

“Mother! Mothers! Do innocent civilians get killed? What about the residents?”

The question lingered in the air like a scythe waiting to cut.

The women exchanged glances.

Their faces changed from worry to something more… recognition, maybe, or pain.

Clara was the first to speak.

“Don’t worry, Victor. When most of the innocents were injured in the war, the Ruling Empire will surely participate and put an end to the war.”

Victor recalled that at that time, then-Suncloud Kingdom along with other kingdoms that made up the nearby region, were under the control of an Empire.

The Blazing Sun Empire, a fourth-rank force.

The Blazing Sun Empire wouldn’t meddle in the kingdoms’ wars while they observed the rules of engagement.

And the Blazing Sun Empire Law would punish the perpetrator if it were the citizens who would suffer during the war.

“I see,” Victor said slowly.

“So the Empire protects the common people?”

“To an extent,” Anna replied.

Her voice was measured.

“We don’t care who’s king or not in the kingdoms – all we want is stability.” “But if the war brings destruction and chaos in its wake and cost too many innocent lives, we’ll impose a ceasefire.”

“That’s… Reassuring, I suppose,” Victor said.

Clara nodded.

Her purple hair swaying.

‘It’s not perfect but it’s much better than nothing. The Empire’s rules are very strict. Anyone who violates the rules in the kingdom will be severely punished.

Victor fell silent again.

Processing this information.

Anna squeezed his hand gently.

Her fingers warm against his.

“Victor, calm down. The war is distant.”

“I know,” Victor said.

“I just… I can’t stand innocent people being tortured. Here or on Earth-“

He caught himself, remembering that he had nearly slipped.

But Anna didn’t seem to notice.

You have a kind heart, my son. That’s a good thing. But you shouldn’t be bothered too much.

Let’s just talk about it later.

The border is too far from here. Even if the army of Obsidian Dune Kingdom traveled without a stop, it would take more than a month to reach this place.

Clara nodded in agreement.

“In addition, the suncloud kingdom will not be so easily invincible. Suncloud: General Pepper Suncloud is the strongest of the warriors in the Kingdom of the Suncloud. It will not give up to even the enemy for an easy venture.”

“”So I think the Suncloud City has at least two months of time,” Anna said.

Victor listened to the discussion silently.

Two months.

That was both a lot of time and not enough time.

A lot could happen in two months.

He could grow stronger.

He could prepare.

But for what?

He had no intention of going to war.

His mother had already forbidden it.

And honestly, he didn’t want to.

He wasn’t a hero.

He only ever wanted to take things easy with his family.

“Thank you for explaining, Mother,” Victor said.

“I understand better now.”

Anna smiled.

Her red eyes warm.

“You’re welcome, my son. Now, eat the pastry so it does not get cold.”

Victor chuckled a little and lifted his pastry.

“Yes, Mother.”

There was relief all round.

The women went back to their plates, talking of lighter subjects.

Clara mentioned a new pill formulation she wanted to test.

Skyla and Lane talked about the garden.

Rias recited what she was reading.

Victor listened to them.

A warm feeling spreading through his chest.

This was what mattered.

This was what he was fighting for-not merely a living but a life.

I will protect this, he thought.

Whatever does happen I will protect my family.

—

That evening, after the meal was cleared and the dishes done, Victor entered his room.

He lounge on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

The gentle glow of the spirit lamps created shifting shadows on the walls.

His chat with mum had left him with plenty to ponder.

The war.

The Empire.

The innocent people…

It was all so overwhelming.

He reflected to himself, “On Earth, I did not have to care about all of this.

War was something that was happening overseas, in another country.

It never affected me directly.

But here… Here, it’s different.

Here, danger is real.

Here I have someone I love might be harmed.

He clenched his fists.

I need to get stronger.

Not just for myself, but for them.

There was a sudden rap on the door.

“Come in,” Victor said.

The door opened, and Anna stepped inside.

She was in a simpler nightgown now-a soft black fabric that settled around her in a way that reminded me of liquid.

The light material was form fitting and clung to her body making her F cup chest look immense.

Her neckline was plunged low and deep, baring the creamy expanse of her collarbone and the swell of her bosom.

Her long black hair was loose and spilled over her shoulders like a river of the moon.

Her gentle, red eyes were warm and tender and Victor’s heart ached from the love he saw in them.

She was beautiful.

Not in the manner of an untried maiden but in the fashion of a middle-aged woman who had loved and lost and come back hardened and wise.

Her entire frame conveyed she was elegant and graceful.

The nagging aroma of jasmine on her skin was enough to make Victor’s head go soft.

Victor was so taken with her looks that he lost himself for a moment.

His breath catching in his throat.

“Victor, can I come in?” she asked hesitantly.

“We’re in already, Mother,” Victor said with a small smile.

Anna chuckled.

The sound of wind chimes in the early morning breeze.

“I suppose I am.”

She went to bed and sat down beside him.

And then, she pulled him softly into her arms, as if for no reason.

Pressing his head to the warmth and softness of her breasts.