Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power

Mayari and Meris looked at Kaden with surprised eyes.

And even Mayari was a little bit impressed again. Because Kaden had made her already think of all the benefits they would gain and how those same benefits could massively improve their strength and battle tactics.

He had made her invested in this discussion she hadn't even thought much of before, and now, at the end—he asked what they would give in return.

It was like a mother cooking her son's favorite meal, and just before he could eat it, just when his eyes sparkled with eagerness and joy, she asked him to recite all the lessons he had learned that week or else he wouldn't get to eat.

That's just diabolical, to be honest.

But that kind of tactic works, it motivates the child to learn.

And yes, that's exactly what happened in this meeting.

"Tell me, are you adopted?" Mayari asked, her eyes focusing deeply on Kaden. Clearly, she wasn't joking with that question of hers.

Because since when did the Warborns give birth to someone with this kind of brain?

She knew of Dain, he was chaos and war incarnate. The same with Daela, she only cared about battle and training and not these kind of mind games.

So how come Kaden was different?

It was a question Meris also asked herself.

How was he different?

I mean, it's pretty easy to get influenced by your environment when you're young, so the question was pretty legit.

But Kaden only laughed softly hearing her question,

"I have black hair and red eyes. I also share features of both my mother and father. How could I be adopted?" he responded while shaking his head slightly.

"As for why I'm different? Who knows? Maybe our dear ancestors thought a change was necessary and prayed to the gods for me to be born?" he said while tilting his head, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Something that would have triggered Mayari's lightning strike if any fifteen-year-old—except her daughter—dared to talk to her like that.

But let's be honest, Kaden had grown on her.

She liked how his brain worked, how he bore himself, how he acted.

He was interesting.

And like I said previously, when you want the attention of a woman… be different for goodness's sake.

Stop acting like any other random dude and be like Kaden.

Because by being like him…

"You got me, Kaden Warborn." Mayari admitted, a smile blooming on her face.

Meris looked at her mother, a little surprised to see her already smiling at Kaden.

Her mother wasn't cold per se. She was just like her. She could smile, laugh and all—but she was just a little bit too stern when it came to training and matters related to the family.

'But she must really like Kaden to smile at the first meeting. As expected of my man!!!!!' she shouted the last part in her head, her body trembling with pure excitement and love as she looked at Kaden.

Now her heart was at ease, because she knew her mother would not disagree. They just needed to solve the Warborns' problem. And…

'Does he really love Rea…?' she couldn't help but wonder, and immediately she became a little bit sad.

If it was a woman Kaden didn't like, she could've killed her without hesitation, but one he did like…?

Meris didn't want to do anything that could make her man sad, let alone hate her.

'Ah… fuck!' she cursed, feeling suddenly dejected.

Mayari immediately noticed the shift in her daughter's attitude. Even Kaden did.

And they both knew the reason.

Mayari looked at Kaden and nodded before saying, "We'll continue this talk later. Meris, go show Kaden our elemental garden," she said softly to her daughter.

Meris nodded her head lightly and got up. She gave Kaden a smile, "Let's go, Kaden! I'll show you our most beautiful place here!" she said with enthusiasm, trying not to let her bitter feelings show.

But Kaden clearly felt something was off. The smile and tone of her voice were clearly forced.

A subtle frown appeared on his face, because he didn't like seeing Meris this way.

But he simply nodded and followed her, walking side by side with her.

The walk was silent except for Meris briefly explaining parts of the mansion around them. And the more it continued, the more a certain sinking feeling rose inside Kaden's heart.

He… truly didn't like Meris without her usual bright and mischievous smile.

It made his heart ache for some reason.

Before he even had time to think more about it, they arrived in front of a special, imposing door. A silver door, engraved with a symbol, a crest.

It was a sky filled with the manifestations of the elements—blue snowflake for ice, fluttering blaze for fire, a green gust of swirling wind, a maroon rock for earth, blue droplets of water, and so on.

It was a majestic sight, radiating the full grandeur of the elements.

Meris put her hand on the silver door and, as if recognizing her, it opened automatically.

And they stepped forward.

This time, Kaden couldn't help but sigh in pure admiration at the beauty of the garden.

The sky above was a maelstrom of all elements possible. It looked chaotic, like a profane painter had gone mad and decided to express that madness in the sky—but still, there was a strange, unshakable stability beyond imagination.

The garden was truly… a garden. A wide expanse of flowers with different colors and shapes. There were those shaped like lightning bolts, others like flickering fire, some like snowflakes, and more. It was mesmerizing.

And in the center of this elemental sanctuary was a small river, where silver water flowed from nowhere and seemed to nourish the entire garden every single second without ever stopping.

"Wow!" Kaden exclaimed with wonder, looking around like a child, which honestly… he was, right?

Meris couldn't help but smile seeing this cute facet of Kaden. Her heart fluttered with joy from just seeing him smile so innocently.

After calming down, Meris and Kaden sat at the edge of the river, side by side, their legs dipped in the silver water. They sat there in silence, basking in the feeling of peace and the overwhelming closeness of the elements you couldn't help but feel in this garden.

Then slowly…

"Does it bother you?"

—End of Chapter 137—