"Arth, meet your new brother—your bigger brother."

  Arth's eyes widened as he stared at Zarn, who merely smirked back.

  Mico, startled, stood up and looked over with wide eyes.

  A few moments earlier.

  "Huh?" Zarn and the Patriarch's shocked voices echoed through the courtyard.

  "Yeah, why are you two so surprised?" the Matriarch asked. "He's a boy any family would want. Plus, he's really adorable."

  "We are not other families, and even they wouldn't adopt someone directly into the main patriarchal line," the Patriarch said, standing up.

  "So? You're right—we're not like them. Besides, I see no reason not to adopt him," the Matriarch retorted.

  "Erm, ma'am, I think I should put this out there—I'm an adult," Zarn interjected.

  "We know. We did a little digging into you. I hope you don't mind," the Matriarch responded.

  "I don't mind. But if you know I'm an adult, why suggest adoption? It's impossible—and illegal—to adopt an adult," Zarn pointed out, trying to show her the absurdity of the situation.

  "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I thought it through before suggesting it." The Matriarch leaned closer to Zarn, smoothing out his clothes. "I can't adopt an adult, true. But you see, you're in the Sky Region now. Here, you're not considered an adult yet, remember?"

  "Fuck!" Zarn cursed in realization. The laws in the Sky Region, where Light City was located, were different from the rest of the world. To qualify as an adult here, one had to be at least eighteen. Drenda city was located at a neutral Region, and the rules over at the city was different, at seventeen, he was already considered an adult in the city.

  "Hey! Did you just curse? That's wrong—kids aren't supposed to curse," the Matriarch scolded.

  "What? I'm an adult! I can do and say whatever I want," Zarn shot back.

  "Not in Light City, you're not. And as your mother, I have the right to limit what you say," the Matriarch countered.

  "You are not my mother," Zarn said indifferently. "And also, why would you decide to adopt a stranger? You don't even know if I'm working with the people who tried to kidnap Arth."

  "I told you—we did some digging, remember? We know a lot about you. Almost everything, actually. So I know you aren't working with them."

  "Oh yeah? And how reliable are these sources of yours?"

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  "Eerily accurate."

  "Then why wasn't Nathaniel found out?"

  "Oh, we knew. Kendrick was just in the dark about it. Isaac was confident that Kendrick could handle Nathaniel if he turned, which is why he went to help the other city without hesitation. As for the attack, that was completely unexpected—they not only got past the city officials but also the protector in charge," the Matriarch explained.

  "Hmmm." Zarn confirmed once again that politics was bullshit.

  "You don't believe me? Seriously, I know a lot about you—including Ghost Hands. I also know about your frequent sickness and constant weakness. It's quite sad, really... an adorable child like you having to go through that."

  Under normal circumstances, Zarn would have taken that as a threat or an attempt at leverage. But strangely, he could tell she didn't mean it that way. In fact, it really felt like she pitied him—like she actually cared.

  "You're a strange woman," Zarn concluded after analyzing her.

  "Yes, I am. And you're a strange boy—the perfect mother and son duo," she said with a teasing smile.

  "You already have a son. Why do you want me?"

  "Because he's a daddy's boy. I want my own mommy's boy."

  "..."

  "Let me let you in on a little secret." The Matriarch leaned closer, whispering a whisper that wasn't really a whisper. "My husband was also thinking of adopting you. He most likely would have proposed this later. He wants to use you as a weapon to beat the younger generation of other families. But I won't allow that. You are not a weapon—you are my precious son."

  Zarn sighed in mental exhaustion.

  "Just go ahead and accept it already. Don't forget, you're no longer an adult here, which means you can't fly home without my—our—help."

  "I feel like that was a threat," Zarn said lightly. This his mother was a special case. Wait—she's not my mother.

  "Yes, it was. Effective, right?"

  "Not really. I could get back to Drenda through other means," Zarn replied. "I really don't want to get involved in the political world." He added, making his reason clear.

  "Oh, you don't have to do any politics. Arth can handle that, and you can focus on whatever you want. Momma will support you all the way."

  "Tch. You're making it hard for me to say no," Zarn muttered, ruffling his own hair. After all, I want a family too, he thought.

  "Arghhh." Zarn groaned before turning to the Matriarch. "Fine, I accept—but on one condition. Don't treat me like a child. I'm a grown-up."

  "Yes, yes, of course." The Matriarch accepted immediately. She had felt pity for the young boy when reading through his files. Then she fell in love with his adorable face when she saw his pictures.

  His talents and strength were extraordinary, and he was also a natural summoner. He is a prodigy—like Arth, but older. She wanted him. And now, he had agreed to be her son.

  I am now the mother of two adorable prodigies, she giggled to herself.

  "Now that that's settled, I should introduce us. I, your mother—Mia Rudrug—am the Matriarch of this family. And that man standing over there, watching all of this in bewilderment, is your father—John Rudrug, the Patriarch of the family."

  "It's nice to meet you, I guess... And I am Zarn. Well, now it's Zarn Rudrug," Zarn said, a little emotion creeping into his voice.

  "Yes." The Matriarch's smile widened at hearing Zarn add the surname himself without her prompting. "Now, let's go see your brother."

  ---

  Arth looked between his mother, father, and Zarn. "Wait—you guys aren't lying?"

  Zarn walked over, ruffling Arth's already messy hair. "Sup, lil' bro."

  "Hell yeah!!!" Arth's scream resounded through the entire mansion.