I Refused To Be Reincarnated

The icy realisation caused her body to shudder. Death stood before her, and the one who brought it to her doorstep was her own son. She had lived long enough amidst the corrupted nobles to know not to trust anyone. Not her father, not her cousins and even less a commoner.

Panic. A dreadful panic seized her thought process, shackling her logic and making her ignore Nathan's words.

Like a cat having its tail stepped on, she turned, rushed, and opened the cell. A light glinted as she drew a short dagger from her boot and placed it under Alina's jaw.

"If you move, she's dead!"

Her cracking voice echoed menacingly, yet her rapidly rising chest and ragged breathing broke her threatening image.

"Nathan, come here! I'll get us out!"

However, Nathan sighed, shook his head, and rolled his eyes. Stepping to her, he noticed a hopeful smile stretch her lips. Meanwhile, Alina's face presented a complex mix of emotions. Hope flickered in her trembling eyes as tears rolled to her trembling lips.

With a simple gesture, a finger over his lips, he showed her to remain silent as he passed Eleanor and stood behind her.

"Great! Now, let the two of us leave. I'll release the harlot a few kilometers aw..."

As Julius' eyes trembled in fury upon hearing the snake woman insult her mother, his brow shot up in confusion, and his mouth hung open in shock.

Simultaneously, Adam shrugged, knowing it would happen, as the sound of Eleanor's body plopping to the ground echoed in the fetid underground prison.

His steely green eyes uncaring, Nathan knocked her down before she could escalate the situation further.

"Julius!"

Free from the threat, Alina picked up her tattered dress and lunged at her son.

Similarly, Julius rushed at her, his tears glistening in the dimly lit prison.

"Mama!"

They embarrassed each other in tenderness, tears of relief and joy gushing down their cheeks. Enjoy new tales from empire

Although he found the warmth he had dreamed of for so many years, Julius couldn't help but notice his mother's poor physical state. Her limbs were as thin and frail as twigs, her hair as dry as straw, and many blue concussions covered her once spotless skin.

Adam noticed them, too. He even caught a missing tooth and a few scars here and there, making him realise what will happen next. After all, no one knew Julius better than him.

Subtly, he circled the mother and son, positioning himself before Eleanor. Even if the scene warmed his heart, and he owed Alina much, he would uphold his promise. Because if words lost their meanings, why would he speak them?

As he watched, Alina whispered amidst her tears, her voice cracking with emotions.

"I knew you would survive. I missed you, my baby."

"I missed you, too. Sorry... sorry for taking so long to save you," Julius said, the emotions he had suppressed for many years exploding in his chest.

He always regretted that fateful night... No, he hated it. Not only did he lose his mother, but he also lost against Smith and almost died in Gaston's hands. Even after surviving thanks to his brother, fighting with his life on the line and ending in a four-year coma, he could do nothing to save her.

Without his brother, he couldn't even protect himself against most threats. For months, he lived in the woods, travelling by foot in the dangerous wilderness, everything to avoid the Ashford's regular combs. Animated by the brilliant hope of reuniting with her one day, he never gave up despite the harshness.

And after five years and a half, that joyous day came. He could finally feel her warmth again and enjoy her presence. How many times did he dream of walking the streets with her and his brother? Of eating a hearty meal or appreciating the calm breeze and the scent of nature under the bright sky together.

Despite his longing, he endured, endured, and endured again, hiding his deep emotional distress behind layers of confidence. But in truth? He was just a boy. That's why he never asked for help. Why would mighty individuals like Shepard move a finger and risk death to help him?

It was the same for Selene. He clearly had no interest in him or Adam and only invited them for a night to enter his soul sea the following day. They were acquaintances at best but by no means friends.

But it didn't matter anymore. His brother somehow fixed everything while he was stuck in that mysterious place. And now bright rays pierced the ominous clouds tormenting his young heart.

Yet a dark spot hidden in a bleak corner remained. His teeth cracked as his eyes landed on Eleanor. That hateful witch had mistreated his mother for years!

Gently, he pulled back from his mother's embrace and held her wet, sunken cheek affectionately before rising to his feet.

Then his eyes hardened, and his heart roared vengeance as he glared at Eleanor.

Without a word, he mobilised his Qi as he lunged like a horrifying tier-three magical beast, ready to eviscerate the person he hated the most.

"Calm down!"

He saw Adam yell and move on his path. But he wouldn't stop. Despite all the respect he had for his brother, Eleanor had to die today!

With swift movements, he fainted to the left before spinning and pouncing to the right, confusing Adam, who stood before his target.

As he almost passed him, he noticed his brother's twitching odd eyes and clenched fists. Then he heard his anger-filled voice reverberate like a feral roar.

"I told you to calm down!"

Echoing his words, the earth rumbled and cracked as thick walls rose to encase Eleanor's incapacitated body.

"Think carefully! Do you really want to make me a liar? To what end? End her suffering?"

Adam's voice resounded in his ears again as he stopped in his tracks. Glancing at him, he saw the disappointment dancing in his eyes and realised...

He realised that fueled by his anger, he would have killed her before his mother right after reuniting. That's what his brother's eyes told him. No words were needed between them. They knew each other better than their own selves, and he knew that his spoken words were not what mattered.

His body trembled with hesitation. What an impressive sight he offered Alina after so many years apart. But he couldn't forgive Eleanor, either.

Amidst his deep internal struggle, he felt a gentle, wooden hand grab his shoulder.

"Sometimes, life is more cruel than death. She lost everything today: her father, noble positions, the right to appear before us, and her future."

Adam's words lingered for a second, seeping into Julius' heart before he ruffled his hair with a warm smile.

"I always warned you about anger. Let it go and take your mother out before she worries too much."

Rooted, his face turned complex. Different emotions distorted it for a moment before a calculative light flashed in his eyes.

"You are right... thank you," he said, turning and helping his wide-eyed mother up before leaving the underground prison.

Even if she deserved death, he had to let go of that past or become a vengeful animal no better than the corrupted nobles they disliked so much. Kill her because he had the bigger fist now? Wasn't that exactly what they did to him?

No. He would forget about her existence as long as she never appeared before him again. But If she did...

His eyes narrowed dangerously.