Return Of The Supreme Beast Tamer
Chapter 117: Thank Goodness I Am Still The Baby Of The Family

Chapter 117: Thank Goodness I Am Still The Baby Of The Family

[Valhalla family’s estate.]

A soft shimmer of displaced air heralded the arrival of Amara and Leyla in the opulent privacy of Amara’s bedroom.

"This is entirely my fault, Master. Because of my impulsive actions, Master had to reveal herself," Leyla said, her gaze fixed on her feet, a deep sense of remorse evident in her posture.

Amara turned to face her devoted disciple, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "No, Leyla, it wasn’t your fault."

As she spoke, the intricate, silver-white armor that had encased her moments before dissolved into trails of shimmering light, the ethereal particles coalescing and disappearing into her right earring.

"It was merely a misunderstanding... However, next time, please communicate before acting. If you hadn’t employed the specific skill I taught you, I would have remained unaware of the danger you were in," Amara sighed softly, then moved towards her antique dressing mirror and sat down.

"Master," Leyla said, her voice soft as she finally looked up at Amara.

"What is it, dear one?" Amara asked, her attention focused on gently running a comb through her long, brown hair.

"Why did you choose me as your successor? Why not Katherine or Adonis?" Leyla asked in a low, hesitant voice, the question clearly weighing heavily on her mind.

Amara’s hand stilled, the comb resting silently on the polished wood of the vanity. Slowly, she met Leyla’s gaze in the mirror, a thoughtful expression clouding her features. She exhaled softly before rising and turning to face Leyla directly.

"When your mother... my dear friend... passed away and entrusted you to my care, I was, admittedly, taken aback. We were close, best friends even, but why she chose me over her own family remained a perplexing question," Amara began, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"From that day forward, this family embraced you as one of our own. You are our daughter, Leyla, and Christopher, Adonis, and Katherine cherish you as their sister." A warm smile touched her lips.

"What I am trying to convey is that you are as precious to me as they are. While you may not be my daughter by blood, you are most certainly my adopted daughter... and also my valued disciple." She stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

"I chose you, Leyla, because you possess a unique affinity, capable of safely wielding my full power. Yes, conventionally, I perhaps should have designated Adonis or Katherine. However, the moment they attempted to absorb my powers, their mortal forms would be overwhelmed, resulting in their demise. They simply are not compatible."

"But... I am?" Leyla asked, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and trepidation as she stared up at her master.

"Correct," Amara affirmed gently.

She reached out, her hand cupping Leyla’s cheek in a tender gesture.

"You possess the rare light attribute, which makes you the optimal, indeed the only, candidate."

Amara then moved towards the discreet changing alcove and began to remove her elegant dress.

"To be entirely truthful, my dear Leyla, there was also a degree of... perhaps selfishness in my decision to take you in. I have trained you rigorously in all aspects, with a singular, paramount objective: to protect my son, Christopher. While you have never lacked for material comfort or affection within our family, you were undoubtedly denied the carefree liberty of a typical teenager. And now, you stand on the cusp of adulthood."

She emerged from the alcove clad in a simple, flowing nightdress and walked towards her large, canopied bed. Settling onto the soft mattress, Amara looked at Leyla, her smile warm and inviting.

"So, Leyla," she began, her voice soft but carrying a hint of anticipation, "what are your thoughts on formally changing your surname to that of the Valhalla family?"

"....?!"

Leyla froze, her breath catching in her throat, her mind reeling from the unexpected proposition.

"This... this is a matter that should rightfully be discussed with the Master of the household," she stammered, her usual composure momentarily shattered.

"Oh, my sweet child," Amara chuckled softly. "Ethan and I have already had this very discussion. I was simply awaiting the opportune moment to share this with you. You should cease carrying the title of ’maid’; it is a label that diminishes the true place you hold within our hearts. So... what do you say, Leyla?" she repeated, her eyes twinkling with affection.

Leyla’s gaze flickered from the intricate patterns on the Persian rug to Amara’s loving face. "I am deeply honored by your offer, Master... but I... I cannot accept it."

BAM!

"Why not?" Katherine’s sharp voice cut through the air as she burst into the room, her brow furrowed in concern.

"...?!?"

"...!!"

The two women stared at Katherine, with a slight frown.

"Well, look who finally decided to join us," Amara said, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.

"You... you knew I was eavesdropping?" Katherine asked, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Of course, my dear. You weren’t exactly being subtle right outside the door. And you, Adonis, you may as well come in too," Amara added, her gaze shifting to the door.

Leyla turned to see Adonis step into the room, his expression mirroring Katherine’s blend of concern and curiosity.

"Now then... what brings you two here?" Amara asked, her tone gentle.

"Well... Dad mentioned a few... things about you, Mum, and we came to make sure you were alright. And then we couldn’t help but overhear your..." Katherine trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor, a sheepish expression on her face.

"Told you something about me?" Amara’s eyebrow arched slightly.

"Yes, Mum! When were you planning on telling us you are Silver Sword?!" Adonis blurted out, his eyes wide with a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

"Oh... that man," Amara sighed softly. "Well... you two are adults now, and perhaps it is time you knew. But you must promise me that this information will remain a secret." Her tone shifted, becoming serious and firm.

"But why, Mum? If everyone knew---"

"---No, Katherine... you must promise me this will not leave this room... Christopher shouldn’t know about this... yet," Amara interrupted, her gaze intense.

’Huh? Did she just say Christopher shouldn’t know? Is Mother concealing something significant?’

This thought echoed in both Katherine’s and Adonis’ minds.

Amara lowered her gaze, a shadow of worry crossing her face: ’I have accumulated dangerous enemies in my past. If they were to discover my identity as Silver Sword, my family’s lives could be jeopardized.’

She then looked up at her two children, her decision firm:

’As for Christopher... when the time is right, I will reveal everything.’ She nodded to herself, then addressed Katherine and Adonis.

"Returning to our initial topic... what are your feelings regarding Leyla formally joining the family? I believe she is concerned about your perspectives on this matter, and I need you both to be completely honest." Her gaze was direct and unwavering.

Katherine’s face softened. She walked towards Leyla and wrapped her arms around her shoulders in a warm embrace.

"To me, Leyla has always been my sister. Honestly, having two brothers can be both a blessing and a curse. If Leyla hadn’t been there for me when we were younger, I wouldn’t have had a sister to share secrets and laughter with. In my heart, Leyla became my sister a long time ago. Nothing has changed that." Her genuine smile brought forth small smiles on Amara’s and Leyla’s faces.

"That’s true," Adonis added, stepping closer. "Leyla has helped us in countless ways, far more than we could ever repay her. Not only did she extricate us from numerous childhood scrapes, but she also selflessly took the blame for many of the mischievous things Katherine and I did."

"Blames?" Amara raised an eyebrow.

"Let’s just leave those stories in the past," Adonis said quickly, then turned his attention back to Leyla. "What I want to say, Leyla, is that you are already family to us. Nothing will ever alter that. So, for our sake, please accept Mum’s offer."

Leyla looked from Katherine’s affectionate embrace to Adonis’ earnest expression, and tears welled up in her eyes. Overwhelmed by the depth of their acceptance, she found herself unable to articulate the emotions swirling within her.

"Oh... don’t cry, silly," Katherine said softly, tightening her hug. "You’re officially my elder sister now... Thank goodness I’m still the baby of the family," she added with a playful grin, which finally elicited a watery chuckle from Leyla.

"Alright then," Amara said, her smile radiating warmth.

"It is settled. Two weeks from now, following the conclusion of the Tamer Competition, will be Leyla’s nineteenth birthday. We will make the official announcement then."