Supreme Magus

Chapter 3123 Manipulation Attempt (Part 1)

?3123 Manipulation Attempt (Part 1)

”Nice to know that you are so morally flexible, Dad.” Quylla grunted, stopping her pacing.

”Arenʼt you the same?” Jirni raised an eyebrow. ”Youʼve covered for Lithʼs secrets for years, even when you knew that what he was doing was a crime and an act of treason to the Kingdom.

”Iʼm only asking you to cover for our private matters for a few months.”

”I need air.” Quylla walked out of the room and the space sealing arrays, disappearing through a Warp Steps before Morok could recover from the shock of the revelations and run after her.

”That was a low blow, Mom.” Friya said in anger.

”Maybe, but it was also the truth.” Jirni sighed. ”I swear, I donʼt understand how you can have such blatant double standards and get offended when called out on them. How is what I did even remotely comparable with Lithʼs secrets?”

”Itʼs not but…” Friya hated arguing with her mother because there rarely was a chance of victory. ”I mean, after faking Quyllaʼs death, you promised not to lie to us again. Also, we are still recovering from losing our sister.

”How did you expect we would react to the news that we might soon end up attending our motherʼs funeral as well?”

”First, I promised not to lie to your father ever again, not to you girls, and he knew everything from the beginning.” Jirni dismantled Friyaʼs arguments, making her bite her tongue in frustration. ”Second, I didnʼt expect any of this to happen.

”I wanted your father and me to Awaken in order to have a healthy baby and be capable of protecting you and Quylla the next time something crazy happens. And donʼt say that it wonʼt because you know itʼs a lie.

”Sooner or later, youʼll become Faluelʼs Harbinger and when that happens, youʼll be involved in the power plays of the Hydra bloodline. When Meln Narchat returns, heʼll target me, your father, and Lith.

”Do you really expect me to believe that youʼll sit tight and not fight that madman?” Jirni pointed an accusatory finger at Friya, nailing her. ”Do you really expect your father and me to be hostage of our weakness again?

”To be a liability to your safety and watch our little girls fight for their lives when all we can do is pray? My plan was just to gain the means to help you and your sister and keep us from attending another funeral, not to set off a conflict with the Gernoff.

”Iʼve underestimated their obsession with Oghrom and the lengths they are willing to go to uphold his law, but so what? Iʼm human, dammit. I can make mistakes and Iʼd rather die fighting against my enemies than watch you risk your lives from the sidelines again!”

Jirniʼs eyes misted with tears that she quickly wiped off. 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔴𝔢𝖇𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔢𝔩.𝖈𝔬𝖒

ʼThe hormones must be crazy even for an Awakened.ʼ Friya thought. ʼIʼve never seen Mom cry except for one of her ploys and at Phloriaʼs funeral. Also, if this was a manipulation attempt, she would play it much better.ʼ

”I understand.” She actually said. ”All youʼve said is true but it doesnʼt change the fact that knowing you lied to me again hurts. Iʼm sorry, but I need a bit of time to process everything.”

”Do you want company?” Nalrond asked.

”Yes, but not for me.” Friya replied. ”Please, stay here and protect my parents.”

”Really?” Morok pointed at Orionʼs violet aura. ”We are still at the deep violet, you know?”

”Fine, protect my mother, then, smartass.” She snarled. ”I want to be sure that nothing happens to them until I make up my mind about this whole mess.”

She turned around and walked away slowly, stopping abruptly and adding:

”And also, keep them from doing anything stupid they would cover up with more lies.” Friya would have loved to bring Nalrond with her, but he didnʼt know Jirni well enough to be objective.

The Agni would consider the matter from the perspective of a regular parent while Lady Ernas was anything but. As soon as Friya was out of the area of effect of the arrays, she called Faluel and went to meet her.

”Well, that was awkward.” Morok shrugged. ”And thatʼs rich coming from me.”

”For once, we agree.” Jirni nodded. ”Do you want to order something in particular for lunch or do you want to start discussing baby names right away?”

”Why should I take advice in naming my children from you?” The Tyrant sipped his tea, a hint of coldness in his voice.

”Iʼm probably going to die before they are born.” Jirni sniffled, bringing a handkerchief to her mouth. ”Itʼs my only opportunity to be involved in the life of my grandchildren.

”Please, do me the honor of naming one of them after me so that even if Iʼll never meet your babies, theyʼll always have something to remind them of me.”

Morok spat out his tea, feeling embarrassed and not knowing how to refuse her request without feeling like a monster.

”Wow, was that an attempt of manipulation?” Nalrond asked.

”Yes.” Jirni replied, her tears disappearing and her grimace of anguish replaced by a soft smile. ”As I told my baby girls earlier, I wonʼt attempt to manipulate them, but you two are fair game.”

Morok spat out more of his tea, drawing Orionʼs reproachful gaze.

”Iʼve guessed as much.” The Agni nodded. ”Congratulations. Mission accomplished. Please, Mother, order a hearty lunch for everyone. Weʼre going to need a lot of strength after your first lesson about Light Mastery.”

Morok spat out at ”Mother” and then again at the offer to teach them Light Mastery.

”Okay, Iʼd better put this down.” The Tyrant put the teacup on the saucer.

”Are you sure?” Jirni tilted her head in disbelief. ”I know how possessive you are of your legacy and thereʼs no guarantee Friya will help me. What if she decides to stay out of this and gets angry at you for taking our side?”

”I donʼt know you, Mother, but I know Friya.” Nalrond said, making Morok happy to have no tea in his mouth. ”That friend of hers, Yurial, died over seven years ago and she still blames herself for failing to save him.

”Do not get me started about how guilty Friya feels for being still alive while Phloria is dead.” He lowered his eyes, thinking at the nights spent consoling her while she sobbed in his arms. ”As I said, I donʼt know you, Mother, Father, but I know how much Friya cares about you.

”You gave her a home, a family, and everything she had given up on since the death of her biological father. No matter how angry she is at you right now, I know that if something were to happen to you, no matter the reason, sheʼd never forgive herself.

”Even in the unlikely case she leaves you on your own, I wonʼt. Iʼd be damned before I let her shed one more tear knowing that I could have prevented it. Also, Iʼve always planned to share my legacy with the Ernas. Iʼm just doing it sooner than later.

”So clench your teeth, my dear in-laws, because Iʼm going to spoon-feed Light Mastery to you like you are dumb toddlers. Just like you expected me to, Mother.”