A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 430: Parents and Children - III

His words suddenly stopped, and at the same moment, the chatting pact heads all turned to look in their direction.

Helen and Seraphina also quickly sensed something was amiss. This man, always polite and composed, was now staring blankly at Ansel, inexplicably caught in some emotion due to his own words.

How could a divine species lack such self-control?

"..."

Helen silently observed the oddity in Flamelle, striving to connect the dots with the information at hand, yet unable to draw any useful conclusions.

Father’s peculiarity ... and Mr. Flamelle’s peculiarity, what exactly is the connection between the two?

"Ah, that’s right, there’s something I forgot to tell you, Ans."

Flamelle, having regained his composure, smiled, his demeanor as nonchalant as if nothing had happened:

"In the time to come, I shall remain aboard the Nostrom, crafting the items I require. After investing so much time and effort, I’ve finally gathered all the necessary materials, and I do not wish to squander any more time."

"Understood, father," Ansel nodded gently, "I can comprehend."

"Hmm..."

Flamelle stroked his chin: "Aren’t you curious about what exactly I intend to create?"

"You always have your own considerations, and my insights offer little on the path of creation; you should simply pursue what you wish to do."

This perfectly considerate rhetoric was flawless, yet it conveyed an indescribable sense of detachment.

Flamelle fell silent again, involuntarily shifting his gaze away from Ansel, and after a while, he smiled again:

"I must also bring your mother along; you won’t see her during this period. When you return, be sure to greet her properly."

"...I understand."

This palpably tense atmosphere, evident to all but the two involved, plunged everyone else into silence. Seraphina looked anxious, and Helen’s eyes were downcast; they both pondered from their own perspectives what had transpired and what they should do. In their eyes, there was only the figure of Ansel.

Only that inscrutable, calm visage, impossible to discern what thoughts lay behind.

The Hydral party quickly traversed the passageway between the two realms, returning to their original world. It was still the same peak, still the hurricane howling, but with a mere wave of his scepter, Flamelle instantly transported them back to the opulent Hydral estate in the imperial capital.

The pact heads exchanged glances, then, as if by unspoken agreement, hastily found excuses to disperse. Helen and Seraphina, however, were at a loss for words, one silent, the other helpless, standing still.

In the end, it was Ansel who broke the awkward silence:

"Well then, I shall go to see mother now, father."

"Go on, go on, I won’t rush you," Flamelle said with a smile, waving his hand, "Don’t find her too bothersome; she’s also reached that age."

Ansel did not respond, simply walking towards the staircase. Only when his figure vanished from sight did Flamelle turn to look at the two young ladies before him.

"Little Seraphina, little Helen, I wish to impart some words unto you."

Within the grand and spacious hall, the current Hydral gazed upon the two young ladies before him—one already bound to his son as a pact head, and the other destined to be so. "Concerning Ans," he murmured, caressing his scepter with a voice of utmost gentleness, "you ought to understand him better than I."

"Ah, that, that… is not necessarily to be so…," Seraphina replied with a hint of trepidation. "Mr. Flamelle, surely you are more know better about Ansel, since you are his—"

"A person can undergo profound transformations in but a single day, dear Seri."

Flamelle shook his head: "Yet, the days of my sparse encounters and frequent separations from Ansel have spanned six full years."

"He is now a respected prodigy, my most impeccable successor, a truly... remarkable individual."

As Flamelle spoke, he advanced towards a sofa in the hall and seated himself, his hands resting upon his scepter, his gaze slightly lowered:

"Ans, he is no longer the child in my eyes; he has endured many trials and tribulations beyond my capacity for empathy. Given this, how could I presume to claim any profound understanding of him?"

"As a father, one must come to this realization."

The man sighed, a mixture of contentment and remorse evident in his tone:

"He has grown up, in the blink of an eye."

Seraphina and Helen tensed, aware that Flamelle was about to impart something of great significance, perhaps... words that could aid Ansel.

"But this process has been unduly cruel, excessively... unfeeling for Ansel."

A flicker of unbridled turmoil passed through the mature eyes of Hydral, his grip on the scepter trembling, yet swiftly subdued with a few deep breaths.

He looked towards Seraphina and Helen with unprecedented solemnity:

"Ladies, I confess I have not been an exemplary father."

"His childhood, his youth... they bore the burdens not meant for Hydral’s progeny. I neither wish nor will permit his life henceforth to be marred by such anguish."

"Therefore, I shall eliminate all obstacles and threats for him. And henceforth..."

Flamelle rose to his feet, his smile radiant as he declared: "Henceforth, his well-being is entrusted to you and the other pact heads."

"The pact heads are the brethren of Hydral, the extensions of Hydral’s life. Compared to me... you are undoubtedly more capable of bestowing upon Ansel the happiness he seeks."

Seraphina’s cheeks flushed with inspiration from Flamelle’s words; she clenched her fists with earnest resolve and proclaimed:

"I shall, Mr. Flamelle! No matter what the future holds, no matter the challenges Ansel faces... I will stand by his side, never to leave!"

The girl’s sincere and unadorned conviction elicited a nod of approval from Flamelle, who then turned his gaze to Helen, awaiting her response.

"...Mr. Flamelle."

Unexpectedly, Helen did not express her stance but instead posed a… grave and audacious question to Flamelle.

"To clear all obstacles for Father... might I interpret that as your potential decision to... eliminate the empress in the near future?"

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A profound silence enveloped the hall, occupied by just the three of them.

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