Vol.2 Ch. 41: Mother's love and her worries

Author's note:
Recurring Characters:

Peter: Mama's boy.
Mariah: Peter's mom.
Gregor: Mariah's father.
Joseph: Peter's father.
Elena: Mariah's mother.
Matteo: Mariah's brother.
Lidia: Mariah's friend, turned Matteo's wife.
Tess and Mira: Matteo's children. 13 and 16.

Dang, full family tree.
Recap: 

Peter’s throat tightened. He wanted to speak, to tell her everything he’d wanted to say during those lonely nights, but the words stuck, tangled in his chest. All he could manage was a small nod against her shoulder.

…End of Author's note...

...

“Enough crying,” Elena said, walking closer. "The Goddess was kind enough to heal you during her descent, and this is how you repay her? By crying?" 

"She's right, Mariah," Gregor said, a kind smile on his face. "Come. Bring Peter along. Let's celebrate a bit, and then both of you can go and rest." 

Mariah nodded, freeing Peter from her embrace. She grabbed his hand and led him to the table, where everyone was present. 

Peter sat down with the others and glanced at the table. It was laden with food—raspberry pie, roasted chicken glazed in herbs, baskets of fresh bread, bowls of creamy stew, and roasted vegetables drizzled with butter. At the centre sat a platter of spiced sausages, still sizzling, their aroma filling the room with a warmth fit for celebration.

As he was admiring the feast laid before him, Peter heard the distinct sound of someone's stomach grumbling. His gaze lifted and found a red-faced Tess looking down at her knees, sitting right across him. Everyone shared a chuckle at her expense before Matteo started to speak. 

"Let's start lunch. Some of us seem to be very hungry," he said, looking at his youngest, who pouted but remained quiet. 

Lidia clapped. "Enjoy, but no wine for the kids. Not even you, Mira." 

Peter nodded, only half listening as he leaned forward and started to fill his plate with his favourite things. 

"What are you carrying there, Peter?" Elena asked, her gaze fixed on the cloth bag beside Peter's chair. 

"This?" Peter said, putting the plate aside and picking up the bag. "I met this old man on the street as I was returning. He was asking everyone a couple of questions about their skills and handing out things. When I told him that I've mana sense and 28 spirit stat, he handed me these books."

"Would you mind letting me see it?" Gregor asked, raising an eyebrow and extending his hand toward him. 

"Sure," Peter quickly remarked, giving him the bag before joining Tess and Mira in enjoying the food. 

The adults at the table watched with curious eyes as Gregor took a few worn books from the cloth bag and started to read to one of them. 

After glancing at the first few pages of the book, Gregor asked, "An Old man, you say? What did he look like?" 

"Umm...he was tall, but wore a baggy gown that I think he hadn't changed for weeks. He had a large white beard. Oh, right. I think he was bald." 

"I see. And did you ask for his name?" Gregor asked, a frown on his face.

"I did," Peter said after he finished chewing the food in his mouth. "He referred to himself as Dumbledore. I almost laughed. What a silly name! No way it's real, right?" 

“Well, Father,” Matteo said. “Mind telling us what kind of books those are? Should we be worried?”

"These are books on Magical Studies. Only foundational, but still quite hard to acquire for commoners like us," Gregor said, opening another book. "The only ways that I know to access these books for a commoner are by joining one of the academies or by being in the good graces of a noble house. This is why it's a bit hard for you to believe that an old man just handed them to Peter so easily." 

"Would you've believed before today that you're daughter would be healed by Avaris herself?" Mariah asked after glancing at her son once. 

"I wouldn't have," Gregor said before offering a quick prayer to the goddess. "Maybe this, too, is a gift by the goddess to our household. Her kindness truly knows no bounds."

He handed the books to Mariah, instructing Peter to study them and see if he could unlock a magical skill. 

After that, everyone settled into the feast. Matteo and Lidia animatedly recounted the day’s events to Gregor and Elena, their voices rising and overlapping as laughter spilt across the table. When they reached Mira’s performance, both spoke with such delight that even Elena’s stern expression softened into a smile. Mariah chimed in with her praises, and Mira, red-faced, ducked her head, growing shyer with every cheer and clap that came her way.

Then it was Mira’s turn to speak. She started hesitantly, her voice low, but soon her excitement broke through. Her words tumbled out in a rush as she described the cheers of the crowd and the thrill of standing before so many people. Her eyes sparkled, and though her cheeks stayed red, her grin betrayed just how much the moment had meant to her.

Peter and Tess remained quiet during all this, focusing more on filling their mouth as if competing with each other on who could eat more, rather than taking part in the small talk. 

Once everyone had their fill, the family broke off into smaller groups. Mira and Tess, joined by Elena and Gregor, decided to step outside for some fresh air. They invited Mariah and Peter along, but the two politely declined, choosing instead to return to their room. Gregor didn’t press them, content to give the pair some personal space now that Mariah had finally recovered her memories. 

Matteo and Lidia, left to themselves, slipped into the kitchen. 

…

“Where did you get these books?” Mariah asked once she closed the door. 

“I heard people talking about a mage recently joining the Thorns gang, so I decided to give their hideout a visit,” Peter said, lying down on his bed, arms spread out. He let out a deep breath. 

Mariah gasped. “Peter!” She said, a frown on her face. “You need to stop putting yourself in dangerous scenarios.” Her eyes grew moist, carrying motherly concern. “I don't want to lose you…just like your father.”

“I-” Peter sighed. “I’m sorry, Mom. This time…I just had to. The path of magical studies is very important to me. I don't want to be in another situation where all I can do is watch as danger approaches you uninterrupted.”

“You’re there too,” he continued. “Magic…it can be very useful in a lot of situations.”

“I understand all that, but-,” Mariah walked closer to his bed and sat down beside him before clutching his hand and looking in his eyes. “As a mother, your heart freezes when I see what you’re becoming.” 

“My son,” she said. “ I can't let you become a cold-blooded murderer who can easily take human lives if it fulfills his objective.”

“They all deserve it. I don't kill everyone,” Peter shook his head. “Only those who deserve it. I can see their titles, their karma. Those people would have gotten the death penalty if they were put on trial.”

“Still,” Mariah insisted, leaning forward, her gaze fixed on his eyes. “I don't want my son to be the butcher who ends their lives.”

For a while, silence remained between them as their eyes remained locked. 

“You’re okay with me killing the bandits. The ones I killed at the gang hideout had similar titles and karma.” Peter muttered softly. 

“That was different,” Mariah shook her head. “You’re dealing with a different me. She wasn't a mother. I am.”

“What do you want me to do then?” Peter asked.

“My dear,” Mariah caressed his left cheek, a bittersweet smile on her face. “I know you’re special, that you’re perfectly capable of making your own decision…with those memories of past life that you have. But…you're also my child. You're the only thing your father has left me.” 

“You’ve your secrets. I can understand why you desire to become stronger. I’ll not be an obstacle in your path of power, but promise me this…you won't harm others in your quest for power unless you’ve no other option. Only harm someone if you’ve tried everything, not because it’ll be more convenient.”

Peter nodded. “Alright,” he said. “I promise.” 

“Thank you,” Mariah smiled gratefully before kissing him on the forehead. She got up and moved to her bed. 

“If you want anything, you can let me know,” she said. “Since we didn't have to pay any coins to heal me, we still have all that you gathered before leaving the village, along with the coins from the bandits' hideout.” 

“I see,” Peter muttered, closing his eyes as he pondered. “Do you know of a creature that can't feel pain?” He asked after some time. 

“Why?” Mariah asked. 

“I want to practice a recently gained healing skill,” Peter said. The truth was a bit different. He was still in the development phase of an aura-based healing skill, but very soon he’ll be entering the testing phase. At that time, having a live target that can be injured and healed constantly would be required. It’ll be best if that target doesn't feel any pain in the process.

"I don't know of any, but I can ask some people for you," Mariah nodded. "Anything else?... I know that there are some secrets that you can't tell me, but you can still rely on me for some stuff." 

"Nothing else that I need urgently, but I think I'll need a room that's in a private setting once I get a bit better with runic language. I've a few ideas that I want to try out, and it'll be best if they can be performed in private quarters." 

Mariah sighed. "I also don't like leeching of any more than this," she said. "Father or Matteo will never complain, but let's just find a place somewhere close to rent. We've enough money for it." 

"If you allow me to take adventuring jobs, I could contribute some more money," Peter remarked, turning his face to the side and staring at his father's sword, which had been leaning on the wall. 

"That won't be needed. We've enough gold coins to last at least a few years from the bandits," Mariah said with a shake of her head. Part of her still hesitated at the thought of letting her son take up the path of a warrior, yet she could see no other option. With his father gone, she felt an even greater responsibility to give him the care and love he deserved. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel abandoned or left to shoulder the burden alone.

“You can take on a task once or twice a week from the adventurers’ guild,” she said when she noticed his disappointment. “But any more than that, and you’ll stretch yourself too thin. You’ve got these books to study, and perhaps even magic to learn. Enchanting alone will swallow up hours once you start crafting, not to mention your healing practice. And don’t forget the inn—or your cousins. Tell me, when will you find the time for more adventuring than that?”

“When you say it like that…” Peter mumbled, his shoulders sinking a little. A faint smile tugged at his lips, though, betraying that he understood her point.

Mariah’s lips curved into a gentle smile at his concession. “Good,” she said warmly, reaching over to smooth down his hair like she used to when he was younger. “You’ve already taken on more than most your age. Just… don’t forget you don’t have to carry everything alone.”

Peter nodded, showing that he understood her point. "You've said it more than enough times, Mom," he grumbled in a teasing tone. 

"Well...forgive your mother for worrying too much about her son just this time, will you?" Mariah replied, chuckling. 

"You're forgiven," Peter said, his lips curling up. 

Peter’s words drew a laugh from Mariah, soft and warm, easing the heaviness that had lingered between them. She shook her head and leaned back slightly, the corners of her eyes crinkling with affection as she looked at him. For the first time in a long while, the conversation did not feel weighed down by grief or uncertainty. Instead, it carried the simple comfort of a mother and son finding steady ground together.

Peter reached for the cup on the bedside table, taking a slow sip before setting it down again. His smile lingered, faint but genuine, and though he tried to mask it, the relief in his eyes was plain. Mariah caught it instantly, and her heart swelled with quiet pride. She wanted to believe that no matter what path he chose, he would be fine. For today, at least, that belief felt easier to hold.

...End of Chapter...