Chapter 335 What The Future Holds
After whispering into the man's ear Archer slapped him a few times before dropping him to the floor.
Albert jumped up and barked out. ''Boy, what are you doing? You've clearly hurt the man. He is a son of a dear friend.''
Archer looked at his Grandfather and shrugged before casting Aurora Healing on Robert. The swelling vanished causing him to look up.
When he saw Archer's glowing dragon eyes he got scared and spoke. ''Okay, I will leave her alone as she is your wife now.''
Robert stood up and rushed off the balcony looking back at a smiling Archer who walked back to the table and sat back down.
Mia and Albert looked at him angrily but curiously, but he spoke before they could. ''He would never leave her alone if I didn't hurt him but he's healed so it's fine.''
When Sia saw all this she started laughing causing her parents to look at her. They shook their heads.
Albert spoke next as he sighed. ''Well at least you didn't kill him there's that.''
The four were talking as Archer started to get to know his Grandparents whom he found pleasant and much different from his Mother Larka.
When they were done Mia turned to him and spoke in a happy tone. ''I approve of your betrothal to our daughter even though you are our Grandson but Sia has loved you for years now.''
Archer smiled when he heard her and gave her a nod before drinking more tea as the maid appeared with an extra pot.
Albert and Sia excused themselves before entering the mansion again. When they left Mia spoke up. ''So how many girls do you have now?''
When he heard the question he answered after drinking some tea. ''There are nine of them now.''
Mia's eyes widened in shock but she started laughing as she commented. ''You are a lust-filled dragon ain't you Archer?''
He also laughed but nodded his head with a cheeky smile. ''Yes, I am.''
As he spoke he saw into the Silverthrone garden and saw a white-haired woman walking along looking at all the flowers.
The midday sun shone down as a breeze blew through his hair. Mia saw where he was looking before talking. ''That is your Mother Dear. She has been here for a while trying to better herself.''
When Archer heard it was his Mother his mood soured but quickly pushed that aside and wondered what she would say to him now.
He turned to Mia and spoke with a smile. ''I will be back shortly Grandma. I want to go see her.''
She nodded her head as he cast Blink and vanished from the chair. He reappeared just behind Larka who he heard mumbling to herself.
Archer looked at the woman and he didn't feel anything toward her, no hate or love he just felt nothing.
He knew what he experienced was hell but promised he wouldn't let hate control his life.
As he looked at her he got a message from the girls asking to join him. Archer Blinked back to the balcony his Grandmother was on and asked her if they could join.
She nodded with a big smile as he opened a portal and seven girls walked out while looking around.
Archer told them what was happening and introduced them to Mia before returning to the garden while they got to know her.
Once he stopped thinking to himself Archer shook his head and spoke. ''Hello Mother.''
[Larka's POV]
When she heard that voice she stopped moving and started getting nervous as she turned around and spotted her son standing there.
Larka looked at him and was surprised by how much he had changed. They now shared the same white hair because she dyed it but he had bright violet dragon eyes.
As she gazed upon his slowly swaying tail and the four magnificent white horns adorning his head, a wave of regret washed over her.
It started to overwhelm her until Archer spoke. ''I don't hate you anymore.''
He walked closer to her but she quickly stepped back as he continued. ''Why should I continue to hate you? If it? wasn't for the way the Ashguards treated me I wouldn't have what I do today.''
Archer motioned to the balcony where her parents normally relaxed and saw a large group of girls chatting with her Mother.
Larka looked back at him and her eyes started to get wet as she realized that he had found some form of happiness. ''I'm sorry for the way I've treated you, Archer.''
Stepping forward, she continued to speak with a heavy heart, "I've been a terrible mother to you. I'm not asking for forgiveness because I know I've gone far beyond that point, but I do hope that one day we can begin anew."
When Larka stopped talking she looked down and refused to look at him out of guilt. She knew there was no chance for her but still wanted to try and do her best to make it up to him.
No matter what it took, she was now willing to do anything for him, having had the time to understand the true extent of what she had done to the boy.
However, before she could delve further into her thoughts, a hand gently grabbed her arm and led her to a nearby bench.
She looked up and saw Archer guiding her to the bench, where he sat down beside her. He leaned back, speaking with a measured tone.
"Let's see what the future holds, but I still harbor resentment for the way I was treated. However, that's all in the past as I am not the same Archer anymore."
Larka heard his words, and her gaze fell once more as he continued, seeking answers. "Why did you treat me like that?"
She shook her head and, with a hint of regret, replied, "I allowed your father to manipulate me into believing that power was everything and abused you due to being different. But now, I understand the gravity of my mistakes."
[Back to Archer]
Upon hearing her explanation, Archer nodded in understanding. He then stood up, surprising Larka, who quickly rose to her feet as well.
He chuckled at her reaction and extended his hand toward her.
She hesitated for a moment, as if holding his hand was a precious, fragile artifact. Eventually, took hold of it.
That's when Archer casts Blink to appear back on the balcony shocking everyone. When Mia saw that he was with Larka she smiled.
Archer sat between Ella and Leira who was chatting. They all gave him their usual greeting as Larka just stood there.
Once he sat down he heard Albert and Sia return. When they stepped onto the balcony they saw Larka standing there until Mia motioned for her to sit down.
Sia wondered why she was there and approached Archer and whispered into his ear. ''Why is she here husband?''
Archer turned to her and answered. ''She was wandering around the garden mumbling to herself so I brought her to Grandmother to keep an eye on her.''
Sia nodded as she sat down and asked another question. ''Have you spoken with her?''
''Yes, only a little bit. I only told her I don't hate her because I'm not letting it control my life, after meeting you girls I've realized that it's just not worth it anymore.'' Archer commented.
She smiled before kissing him on the cheek, that's when Albert was finished introducing himself as his Grandfather.
He sat down next to Mia and spoke with a hint of mischief in his voice. ''Will you visit your old Grandparents now, young Archer? Your Mother missed us and returned.''
Archer looked at Larka who kept looking at him but looked away. That's when he saw Ella approaching her.
His ears twitched as he zoned in on their conversation.
''Lady Larka. May I have a word with you?'' Ella said in a neutral voice.
When his Mother heard her she nodded before walking away with the half-elf. They stopped not far from them as Ella was the first to speak.
''I don't mean this in a disrespectful way but you can never be like how you once were, If he sees that again I don't know what he'd do or what some of the other girls would do.''
Larka nodded her head and instantly replied. ''I wish him no ill Ella. I just want to make up for the way I've treated him, I know I can't but I still want to try, my other children had a Mother but he never.''
Ella nodded as she motioned to a chair not far which pleased Archer so he could still listen to the conversation.
The two sat down as the half-elf continued. ''Well I'm not sure if you can mend anything at this point but you can still try.''
She looked over at him and gave him a glowing smile before continuing. ''He spoke to you today, maybe that is a start but he just might be curious.''
Larka looked confused before asking as she got worried. ''What do you mean be curious?''
Ella giggled before explaining. ''It's just who he is. He gets curious about things and if they interest him he will take it. But in your case, he might talk more and more to you.''
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