Villain Retirement

"...Oh no."

Perhaps even more audible than the Lord's loud and raging words was Miss Pepondosovich's stuttered gasp as she looked at the large portrait behind the Lord's throne. Now that she was seeing the painting, she could not help but be in awe of whoever sculpted the figurine Riley was holding, as they truly did capture her likeness.

Miss Pepondosovich thought that Riley was just exaggerating and feeling homesick so he was seeing all sorts of things he wanted to see, but it would seem that wasn't the case at all.

If so, what exactly was happening here? Was she truly about to witness the greatest drama that would ever unfold in the entirety of Creation?

"Answer me!" The Lord once again raised his voice. And as he did so, the knights who were just standing on the sides pointed their spears at Riley while very slowly marching closer to him,

"Why do you besmirch my mother's name by announcing in front of the citizens that you are her lover!?"

"Oh no!" Miss Pepondosovich once again gasped as she covered her mouth. And it wasn't only her, even Esme could not help but slightly widen her eyes, "Did… did he say mother? What's happening here!? Could it be that—"

"I will have silence from you, woman!" The Lord pointed at Miss Pepondosovich as she was practically talking over him, "And why did you bring his company!? I only told you to bring me the conniving philanderer! And why don't you speak!? Is your tongue merely decoration, if so — then I will have it cut down!"

"Aerith… is your mother?"

And finally, after just being quiet for an entire minute, Riley opened his mouth; his eyes, still fixated on the portrait behind the Lord's throne.

"Aerith? What nonsense are you spouting?" The Lord glanced back at the portrait before once again glaring at Riley, "My mother's name is Irene — and I will not have you disrespecting her again! Knights, bring these grifters to the guillotine so they may serve an example to the people who wishes to—"

"Erikson, calm down this instant!"

And before the Lord, Erikson, could finish his words, the sound of the door being forced open reverberated throughout the entire hall. And as soon as the wind from the outside caused the candles in the walls to dance, the knights who were previously pointing their arms at Riley all quickly backed away and lowered their spears.

"M…mother!" Even Lord Erikson quickly stepped down from his throne as he rushed to the door, "Why must you come here and tire yourself!?"

Riley did not really turn around yet, as he just let Aerith's voice enter his ears. Miss Pepondosovich and Esme, however, did not really have that patience as they just quickly turned around…

…only to see Erikson having the life smacked out from him as an old lady slapped him right on the face.

"That's… Aerith?"

"Irene," the old lady gracefully said before just leaving her son on the floor as she started walking to the throne. She passed by Riley, but Riley still did not look at her—at least until she sat down on the throne,

"Irene of House MacEalair."

And as the old lady introduced herself, Riley finally turned to look at Lady Irene. And as soon as he did so, Lady Irene could not help but almost hold her breath — there… was something with the way Riley was looking at her that she couldn't just quite explain.

"What business do you have with me, Stranger?" Lady Irene quickly composed herself. And although there were also wrinkles visible on her face, the way she carried herself filled with grace and weight was enough for everyone to know what sort of woman she was,

"When my maids were telling me that someone was claiming to be a lover of mine, I was expecting someone older — your hair and skin are white, but your youthful face tells me you are young enough to be my grandchild."

"My name is Riley Ross, M'lady," Riley bowed and kneeled as he introduced himself, "Forgive me, it would seem I made a mistake. For you to not recognize me only means that you are not the person I expected you to be. I suppose I may have been too excited not to realize you may just carry the same face."

"And this person, Aerith, you say she looks like me?" Irene squinted her eyes as she glanced at her portrait resting behind the throne, "Or rather when I was still young and beautiful?"

"You are beautiful, Lady Irene," Riley raised his head and looked Irene in her old eyes, "Even if the years have taken your youth from you. You will, for me, forever carry a beauty that can not be defeated by the passing age."

"...Oh my," Irene could not take a subtle gulp as she smiled, "Are you saying that for me, or for the person you have mistaken me for?"

"The latter," Riley nodded and stood up, "But the two of you are truly identical, you may accept the compliment if you wish, Lady Irene."

"I won't, it's not for me even if I wished it was," Lady Irene let out a soft chuckle as she covered her mouth. She then stood up from the throne, before stretching her hand toward Riley's direction, "Escort me down, Riley Ross."

"Mother!?" Erikson, whose cheek was swollen red from having been smacked by his mother, could not help but exclaim as he started to rush to his mother's side. Before he could get near, however, Lady Irene gestured to him to just stay put.

As for Riley, he did as Irene said, very gently holding her arm as he assisted her down the throne.

"Men, please have Lord Riley's companions treat themselves to the castle's quarters and bring them whatever they want. And Lord Riley," Irene held Riley's hand as she started walking,

"Please, let us talk in my chambers. I have something to discuss with you. I think…

…I may know who you are."