"Didn't Luke already inform the Madam that the Young Master is fine?" Adelin said flatly.
"It's getting colder outside. How about we wait inside, Madam?"
*Don't get sick over a child, Madam. You still have a mission you need to accomplish,* Adelin thought, glaring pointedly at Cassey's back.
Adelin strongly disliked it when Cassey Ghoramain, the person she always held in high regard, paid extra attention to Aland. She worried that Cassey would forget the goals they had previously agreed upon.
Adelin's dislike of Cassey's behavior was not without reason. Ever since Cassey had a child, Adelin had begun to resent Aland. This stemmed from her own past, where her children had heartlessly sold her to an organ trafficking ring.
Due to her husband's overwhelming debt, her children were forced to sell their own mother just to survive. Her husband, meanwhile, had died in a work accident.
Adelin, a 39-year-old mother at the time, could only accept her children committing such a crime against her. She also thought that her children needed to live more than she did.
It was in that slaughterhouse that she met Cassey Ghoramain, who was now her life's aspiration. Cassey rescued her from the place. Initially, Cassey wanted to take her away with him, but Adelin refused and asked to be sent home.
Upon arriving home, she saw her children sleeping, heavily intoxicated. Alcohol bottles were scattered throughout the house. She was furious that her sacrifice had only been used for fleeting pleasure.
Her mind, clouded by deep hatred, darkened her vision. She deliberately set the house on fire with the people inside. Soon after, she immediately remembered Cassey and returned to the place where she had met him.
She also hid the truth from Cassey, claiming that she had asked her children for permission to leave. From that moment on, she developed a profound dislike for children.
"No, I'll wait here. You know how it feels when we go home," Cassey said, smiling. Adelin responded with a forced smile.
*If Aland ever gets in my way, I will be the one to end him,* Adelin thought to herself.
A light appeared in the distance. The sound of a car began to approach. They saw the vehicle carrying Aland arrive. Cassey was instantly overjoyed; his long wait for his little prince was finally over.
Cassey walked down the stairs. Bros opened the back door, carrying the deeply sleeping Aland. Bros carefully handed Aland to Cassey.
"Thank you!" Cassey said immediately after taking Aland.
"You two may rest now!" He smiled and walked into the Mansion.
Bros and Luke merely nodded slowly. Adelin gave Bros and Luke a cynical look before following Cassey inside.
"What?" Luke said flatly.
"That old hag is acting up again, isn't she?" Bros retorted.
Luke ignored Bros's comment and walked away, leaving him behind.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"I have alcohol in my room! Want a drink before bed?"
"..."
"HEY! HELLO! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?!"
...
Cassey slowly and carefully carried Aland to her room, hoping he wouldn't wake up. If Aland realized he was sleeping in Cassey's room, he would quickly run back to his own. That's what Aland did every time Cassey brought him there.
"Please, please don't wake up," Cassey murmured right after Aland was lying on her bed.
"Phew, finally!" She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Madam, is there anything I can help you with?" Adelin asked.
"Umm... not right now. You may go," Cassey replied, gazing sweetly at Aland, who was still lying on her bed.
"Then I'll take my leave, Madam." Adelin exited the room. Now, only Cassey and her son, Aland, remained.
*My baby is so big already. It's been so long since I slept with my son!* Cassey thought, closing her eyes for a moment.
Cassey slowly and carefully lay down on the same bed as Aland. She smiled, looking at her son, occasionally touching his cheek.
"I wonder how your father will react when he sees you? It's been two years since your father saw you."
"You've grown into a handsome boy just like him (Aland's father). Even though our marriage was an unwanted one, he and your mother actually loved each other."
"I hope you don't hold any hatred toward your father. Even though he hasn't visited us all this time, hasn't shown us any affection, he is still your father. His blood flows through your veins."
*I don't really expect to be with your father, seeing as the situation doesn't allow it.*
*Watching you grow up is my happiness, too. Seeing you is seeing him! So what I mean is...*
Suddenly, Aland started to feel bothered by the gentle stroking on his cheek and hair. Seeing this, Cassey immediately hugged Aland warmly. If Aland woke up, he would probably rush back to his room.
*What is this? Smells nice, warm,* Aland thought, still keeping his eyes closed.
His eyes slowly began to open. He saw something in front of him that was still blurry because his eyes weren't fully open. But Aland thought it was just a dream-a dream where he was sleeping with his mother. Without thinking twice, he went back to sleep.
*Please, please don't wake up! This is the first time in two years you haven't refused to sleep with your mother!* Cassey thought, slightly panicked, squeezing her eyes shut tightly.
...
In the morning, Aland suspected something; his mattress felt extremely soft. He opened his eyes and saw a ceiling that looked different.
"The ceiling isn't like the one in my room!" Getting out of bed, he looked around and noticed the bed was also much bigger than before.
He frowned and shouted, "THIS IS MOTHER'S ROOM!" His face began to flush with panic.
Since the age of four, Aland no longer wanted to sleep with his mother. It wasn't without reason; Aland did it because his mother often talked about his father.
Aland hated his father because he remembered someone similar to his father during his life before regression. Another reason Aland didn't like sleeping with his own mother was that she treated him like a cute doll. She was always kissing him, hugging him, and often styling Aland's hair like a girl's.
"Young Master."
"Ah!"
A soft voice called Aland from behind, startling him half to death. He saw a small girl wearing a maid uniform, her hair flowing softly. She was holding a broom and smiling.
"Y-y-you! The milk seller!"
The maid was Avelin Lionheart, the girl who sold buffalo milk whom Aland had met at the market yesterday.
"What are you doing in my room?! I-I didn't see you here just now!" He stepped down from the bed.
"Oh, I was sweeping under the bed. Besides, this is the Madam's room!" Avelin replied, smiling.
*Damn it! What kind of dream did I have last night that I'm seeing her again? And she's even in my house!*
"My mother's room is my room too!"
"You should have asked permission first!"
"The Madam herself told me to clean this room."
"B-but still! If you see someone here, you should leave! That's rude!"
"But I wasn't disturbing the Young Master. I even let the Young Master continue sleeping."
*Look at that innocent face!* Aland thought, annoyed.
Aland paused for a moment, furrowing his brow. "Aren't you selling milk? Why are you here now?"
"Well... I got fired."
"Fired?"
"Yes! The boss said I wasn't good at selling. They were losing a lot of money because my sales were poor. That's why I was fired."
"He proudly recounted his foolishness! This kid... Aland thought to himself.
"After I was fired, I came here. The lady had offered me a job before. So, now I'm taking it!" he said with a cheerful smile.
"But why here?"
"Why not?"
"I don't like you being here!"