As we all sat in the living room in complete silence, Mom was currently talking with the Von Eldritch family and scolding them for allowing this to happen to my sister.
When she finally entered the living room, she sat down on one of the sofas, holding her head and massaging it to try and remedy the stress she was experiencing.
And as Mom was massaging her forehead, she opened her eyes, looking directly at me. Removing her hand, she simply continued to stare at me before speaking.
"Stygian, you simply can't do these things. What would have happened if your father hadn't stepped in?" She looked at me, waiting for my answer.
"I simply did what was right. Seviathan had sullied my sister's honor, and what he got from me was simply punishment."
Mom looked rather surprised at what I said before turning to Charlie, who was looking away, trying her best to avoid eye contact.
"Charlie... what does your brother mean by... sullied you?" Mom said, her eyes staring daggers into Charlie's very soul and being.
Charlie, though uncomfortable, looked at Mom slightly before speaking.
"Well, I did say Stygy was going to kill Seviathan. I just sort of left out the fact that he... cheated on me?" she said, the last part in an almost whisper.
And just like that, Mom gripped the armrests of the chair with enough force to crush them to dust. Even though she had a calm smile on her face, the anger she was experiencing was obvious to everyone.
"Well dear, it seems I misjudged this situation, and misjudged your brother. I should have allowed him to finish the job," Mom said, her voice, though calm, carrying malice.
Charlie stood up from the chair she was sitting on, trying to defend the fish man.
"Mom! I know you may think it's justified, but we can't just go killing demons or sinners that displease us! If you could have just let me talk to them, I'm sure we can—" Charlie was cut off when Mom raised her hand.
"Charlie, I know you think everyone deserves a chance, and I do too. But you lack the strength needed to make the tough decisions. Sometimes killing is the only solution."
"But what if there was a different way! What if I show that we aren't some scary powerful family! Maybe that way we can finally stop all the violence and maybe even stop the exterminations!" Charlie said to Mom, determined.
"Sigh... I know how much this means to you, and I'm proud you care so much for our people. But you need to remember, Charlie, this is still Hell. Sinners, demons—they will do what it takes to seize more and more power for themselves, and it is our duty to keep them in line."
"I know! But what if we—" Charlie was then cut off when Mother spoke.
"That's enough! You shall return to your room this instant!" she yelled, her voice carrying the authority of a true queen.
Charlie, though terrified and her eyes starting to cry, gave a polite bow before leaving to her room.
Now the only ones left were me, Dad, and Mom.
Dad didn't speak much during this. He was mainly focusing on his rubber ducky, trying his best not to be noticed.
Mom quickly took notice of this and simply told Dad to go to bed and rest. Dad, understandably, was confused why he had to leave, but once Mom explained that she needed to talk with me in private, he reluctantly agreed and walked out.
Once we were finally left alone, Mom sat down next to me with a worried face, and summoning a towel, began cleaning my face and removing the blood and dirt.
"Tell me, son, why did you do it? You're normally so calm when these types of things happen."
"I already told you, Mom. Seviathan broke Charlie's heart, and he needed to be punished."
Mom continued to clean my face before speaking once more.
"That's not the only reason. You've never lost control, despite how bad things can get. Or should I remind you when your master tried getting you mad by revealing your little embarrassing secrets?"
"Please don't remind me, Mom. It's just... Charlie would always talk about him like he was the greatest thing that had happened to her. She would always try to find a way to change the subject to things like romance and how to date, but those things didn't really matter to me."
"And what does, sweetie?" she said, looking at me.
"...You. All of you. When I found out he had done something to hurt Charlie, either physically or emotionally, something just... snapped."
Mom held my hand and placed my head down on her lap before speaking.
"I know you care about us, my son. But you need to know that the things you see as fact may seem evil to others. I know you'll always be there to protect us, but you need to let Charlie live her life. Let her experience life so she can grow from those mistakes and be a better woman than she already is. Do you understand, son?" she said, caressing my head.
Thinking on what she said, I reflected on my actions hours ago, and with a clear head, spoke.
"I think I understand. Thank you, Mom."
She had a grateful smile on her face before giving me a kiss on my forehead. She stood up from the chair and left the room back to her bedroom.
Doing the same, I got up from the chair, and leaving the living room, I walked back to my bed but not before passing Charlie's room.
I thought about knocking but refrained from doing so.
So, walking back to my bedroom and opening it, I was greeted by my two maids waiting inside the darkness.
"Greetings, Your Highness." They gave a bow before moving quickly and removing my clothes.
As they removed my clothes, they began cleaning my body before getting fresh clothes for me to wear.
After they had finished cleaning my body, they began clothing me before escorting me to my bed.
They opened the blanket up, and once I lay down and was properly inside, they tucked the blankets into the bed with enough tightness to make sure I couldn't move.
And once they had finished, they simply gave a bow before leaving and closing the doors.
Closing my eyes, I felt myself falling asleep. The darkness quickly took hold, and opening my eyes once more, I was back inside the White Palace.
Getting up from my bed, I walked towards the window, and looking out, I gazed upon the bright new city I was creating with the help of the Pale King.
The Pale City.
My door opened from behind, revealing a figure wearing red.
"Your Majesty, it is good to see you again. Please, the King awaits you," the female voice spoke.
Turning around, I saw Hornet holding her needle.
"Alright, show me the way."
---
A clue for harem Charlie: Emily will be involved.