Chapter 1231: Truth
(AN: Before starting this Chapter, I want y’all to go to yesterday’s Chapter and re-read. I added a new scene for those who missed it.)
Atticus appeared in front of the main building on the hilltop.
His lips instantly curled into a smile. ’Looks like it worked.’
He could see and feel the shift in Aurora’s mind. When she had lost to Ember and noticed him inside the hall, he had immediately sensed her shame. Her anger. And he’d read her like a book.
He knew exactly what was going through her head. That was why he had told her everything, to make sure her emotions didn’t weigh her down, and to give her a new goal to keep pushing toward.
’She has the potential,’ Atticus thought. ’I’ll have to do something about her temper later.’
Aurora was all action and far too little patience. It was a dangerous flaw, especially when going up against stronger opponents. And in the future Atticus envisioned, only stronger foes lay ahead.
As he approached the door to the main house, he took in a deep breath. ’Here goes.’
Then he stepped inside, walking calmly toward the living room where he saw Anastasia reading a book to Noctis, who lay peacefully on her lap.
The little guy’s eyes were half closed, his expression calm and content as Anastasia read on.
Though he looked like he was about to doze off, his fluffy ears were perked and alert, he was clearly listening attentively.
He was enjoying himself.
As Atticus’ steps echoed through the hall, Noctis’ eyes flicked toward him. In the next second, the little beast bolted upright, eyes locking on to Atticus.
“Kuu!” he beamed, before shooting forward and drenching Atticus’ face with slobber.
“Alright, alright.”
Atticus laughed, pulling Noctis away gently. He ruffled his furry white head, earning a satisfied purr as Noctis nuzzled against him again.
“He really loves you,” Anastasia said.
Atticus turned to her with a smile. “I can say the same to you, mom,” he said, nodding toward the book in her hand. “I’ve never seen him act like this with anyone else.”
Anastasia smiled warmly and her gaze softened as she watched Noctis snuggle against Atticus. “He reminds me of you.”
Atticus gave her a strange look, and Anastasia chuckled.
“Obviously not in appearance,” she added. “But you were the same way as a child. Always curious. Always trying to help out, even when you barely understood what was going on.”
“Was I really like that?”
“You were,” Anastasia said, nodding. “A very strange child. Even your grandparents thought so.”
“Oh, right. How are they?”
Luckily, his maternal grandparents were still alive despite the devastation. He had seen them a few times since the destruction.
“They’re fine. Trying to rebuild and claw their way back to their former influence.”
“I don’t mean to brag, but I’m a god. They don’t want help?”
Anastasia shook her head. “They’re too stubborn to ask their grandchild for help. They’d rather suffer and fail than do that. But they’ll be fine, they enjoy the thrill of it.”
Atticus wasn’t surprised. His family was full to the brim with prideful people.
He nodded and gestured to a seat. Soon, they were both seated. Anastasia’s eyes stayed on him, worried. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
Atticus didn’t respond right away. He gently stroked Noctis, who had curled up in his lap, as he searched for the right words.
’I should be direct,’ he thought, turning to face her.
“Mom, I’m sure you’ve heard everything that’s going on from dad, right?”
Anastasia’s expression shifted instantly. She nodded.
“Well… I felt it was important that you also hear it from me.”
And so, Atticus began to explain. Everything he had told Aurora, the fight with the other worlds, the looming threat, the terrifying risks. That he could die. And if he did, the billions on Eldoralth would die with him.
By the time he was done, Anastasia had fallen completely silent.
She stared at her son, fighting to remain calm.
But her emotions betrayed her, and tears streaked down her face. She sighed, wiping them away with her sleeve.
“Kuu?”
She felt Noctis land gently on her lap. Looking down, she saw him peering up at her with big, innocent eyes. His ears were drooped, clearly mimicking her sadness.
She sighed again, closed her eyes, and another cascade of tears slipped free as she ruffled Noctis’ fur.
“Kuu~” Noctis made a soft, sad sound as he settled onto her lap, rubbing his head against her tenderly, as though trying to calm her.
Anastasia smiled at his effort. It was working.
She turned back toward her son, who was watching silently with a similarly sad expression.
“Stop looking at me like that, At. I’m fine.”
“You’re crying, mom,” Atticus said, unconvinced.
“Someone must be cutting onions.”
Atticus gave her a look. Even if someone was cutting onions, it wouldn’t affect someone of her rank.
Anastasia sighed at his continued gaze.
“I-it’s just…” she looked at him with a pained expression. “No child should ever be in the position you’re in now. To be burdened with so much weight. You’ve grown to be a strong person, At, but I can’t help but feel like I failed you as a mother.”
Atticus placed a firm, reassuring hand on her arm.
“You haven’t failed at anything, mom. You’ve been the best mother I could ask for.”
It pained him to say this, especially when his mother on Earth was still there, but it was the truth. Anastasia had been incredible. He had no doubt that she would face the entire world for his sake.
“But this is the hand we’ve been dealt. And we have to face it.”
“I know, At. I know.”
Anastasia cupped his cheek, staring into his eyes. “I’m proud of what you’ve become. Don’t ever forget that.”
Atticus smiled and nodded.
Anastasia wiped away the last of her tears. “Thank you for telling me all of this. I appreciate the truth, always.”
Atticus held back the slight crack in his expression and nodded. ’Damn.’
There was still one thing he hadn’t told her, one lie he was keeping close and it hurt him to do so.
’But I can’t say anything. Not now.’
“Just…” Anastasia hesitated, then spoke softly. “Just be careful. Promise?”
“I promise.”
Atticus allowed himself to be pulled into a warm, tight hug.
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