I felt chills crawl up my spine at my mother's stare.
Her dreadful presence pressed down on me so heavily that I could barely speak despite trying.
I could only stare back as she calmly approached, her expression unchanging, cold as always.
From what I remembered, she had never smiled once in my life.
When she finally stopped in front of me, she raised her slender hand and held my chin, forcing my eyes to lock onto hers.
I could feel her breath on me, and I tensed instinctively.
She scrutinized me closely, muttering in a low voice that carried to both of us.
"Interesting… such potency for cursed energy."
She removed her hand from my chin, and suddenly a blue wisp condensed in her palm.
As she brought it closer, I felt my bones vibrate.
It vanished in the blink of an eye.
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly, and for the first time, a flicker of hesitation crossed her mind.
'Should I kill him now? Or… perhaps he could be useful later…'
The thought weighed heavily.
When I was young, she couldn't allow my death. But now that I'd grown, she could easily eliminate me and claim I had been assassinated.
No one would question the matriarch, and it would fuel the Targaryans' anger in hunting more cursed monsters.
'Killing him would bring so many resources to the clan.'
Her thoughts were already spiraling when she heard someone call her… not her, but the name she went by at times.
"Mo—mother?" I managed to mutter after a struggle.
The pressure around me intensified, and the look in her eyes told me whatever Elizabeth was planning definitely wasn't good.
I had to act fast, and this was the only thing I could think of.
We rarely used that term for the matriarch, the Targaryan clan was all about rules and responsibility.
Although I wasn't the original son, maybe this would change something in her.
Elizabeth froze, and the killing intent in her eyes receded.
She didn't know why she hesitated, but…
'I've never seen someone react to cursed energy like he does… I'll study him for a year. In just a year, there's no way he can catch up to me. After that, if he proves useless, I'll eliminate him. Handing the clan to his sister has always been the plan.'
Her eyes flickered as she settled on her decision.
The pressure around me vanished instantly.
I let out a breath I didn't even realize I'd been holding.
My hand was tightly clenched.
'I almost lost my life, all because of what? I was weak?? A disposable pawn???'
I gritted my teeth and forced myself upright.
Elizabeth's gaze lingered on the room, on the traces left behind.
"Clean up and head to the training ground. From today, you'll become a cursed fighter."
Her words left no room for refusal. Before I could nod, she vanished.
The moment she disappeared, I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Standing in front of my adopted mother was exhausting.
Every moment, I felt my life hanging by a thread.
'Damnation!' I cursed inwardly and stood, calming my trembling nerves.
I glanced at the side, at Lydia, sleeping peacefully.
As if sensing my gaze, she stirred and opened her eyes.
She froze instantly as our eyes met.
"Ah!" Lydia gasped and jumped from the bed, memories of last night flooding back.
"You—young master? What happened to you?" she asked, and I felt slightly puzzled.
"What are you talking about?"
She raised a trembling hand, pointing at the mirror.
I turned and froze.
I blinked once, twice, staring at my reflection in disbelief.
'What the fuck happened to me?'
I looked starkly different from yesterday.
The first thing, I hadn't even realized I was naked.
'Then my mother just now…'
My eyes widened. She had been staring at my nakedness the whole time.
'…And she didn't even flinch? Not even a reaction?' Slightly disappointed, I pushed the thought aside.
Before, I had been only about 5'9", but now I stood 6'3".
Toned muscles lined my body, and my handsomeness had reached a whole new level.
I could hardly believe someone could be this good-looking.
It was incomparable to my past looks… almost like comparing a god to a mortal.
Sharp brows, dazzling silver pupils containing miniature nebulas, and a tight, sharp jawline… I was probably the epitome of handsomeness.
'Now we're talking!' I muttered, feeling extremely confident.
I turned to Lydia with a warm smile.
Her face flushed instantly, and she could barely meet my eyes.
'Why's he suddenly so good-looking? Did I really… last night… with me?' she thought, incredulous.
For a moment, she felt undeserving of me.
I understood her thoughts and shook my head.
"Since I said you're my woman, don't worry about me changing my mind."
I noticed her expression shift slightly and continued, changing the topic.
"The matriarch was here a few minutes ago. Said I should get dressed for training."
"The matriarch?" Lydia flinched, her face pale.
"Don't worry too much. Later, sign up and change your status to my personal maid. No one else can order you around," I said coldly, gesturing for her to get a set of training clothes.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
The duvet slid off her, revealing her naked body.
'You've got training to do… now's not the time…' Her body was so irresistible I almost pounced.
Noticing my rock-hard cock, Lydia grinned.
It seemed she enjoyed teasing me a little.
As she took a black training outfit from my stack, she bent low, revealing her slightly moist pussy lips.
Her movements were slow and arousing, and I couldn't look away.
After grabbing the cloth, she glanced at me curiously, holding it to her chest and asking,
"Would this be suitable, young master?"
"Yes," I groaned in frustration.
Lydia blinked, then slowly approached and handed me the cloth.
I dressed quickly, taking a moment to calm my raging shaft under her gaze.
Then I slapped her ass lightly.
"You've suddenly become a bad girl… I'll need to teach you a lesson tonight."
"Ahhh, master…" Lydia moaned, biting her lip, a hint of eagerness in her eyes.
"Fuck…" I bit my lip slightly, summoning the last of my resolve, and finally left the room.