A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1273: You’ll Make Wonderful Mothers

Archerʼs unexpected words left them momentarily stunned. Nefertiti turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief. ʼʼBut husband, she insulted you! I cannot stand when women think theyʼre better because they want one spouse,ʼʼ she protested, frustration clear in her tone.

He only chuckled, his gaze settling on the woman in question. She stiffened under his stare, fear creeping into her expression. Then, with an air of absolute confidence, he addressed them all. ʼʼA dragon does not trouble himself with opinions of rats.ʼʼ

When all the women apart from Nayeli heard this, they burst into laughter, even Colestah, who turned to her cousin with an amused shake of her head. ʼʼWhy would you insult him?ʼʼ she asked her tone both chiding and bewildered.

ʼʼArcherʼs been nothing but kind to us. He even gave our people free food without asking for anything in return,ʼʼ she concluded.

ʼʼHe has dozens of women just like the dragon kings of old and I find it disgusting,ʼʼ Nayeli retorted as if she had a good point, which only achieved in pissing everyone off again.

Archer chuckled, his laughter echoed throughout the living room. ʼʼSo, you donʼt like harems? Thatʼs fair,ʼʼ he said with a calm smile. ʼʼMost women wouldnʼt share a man and I wonʼt judge you on it.ʼʼ

His tone was light, carrying no offense, just simple amusement. Then, his gaze sharpened as he leaned forward, his next words carrying a quiet weight. ʼʼBut thereʼs one thing youʼre forgetting, Nayeli.ʼʼ

Archer let the moment linger before revealing the truth with an amused expression. ʼʼIʼve been with most of them for years, and not a single one is unhappy. Ask yourself, why do you think that is?ʼʼ

The womanʼs voice was sharp as she challenged him. ʼʼI bet you bribe them with gold or threaten them, donʼt you?ʼʼ

Archerʼs smile grew wider, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He leaned back casually, unfazed. ʼʼGold doesnʼt buy loyalty, and threats donʼt build trust,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼWhat I offer them is far more than that: respect, freedom, and the choice to stay.ʼʼ

ʼʼIʼve never restricted them. Nefertiti and Leira here work on many things across Draconia just like Hecate does. Now stop insulting me like a child and act like the woman you areʼʼ he finished speaking.

Archer stood, his patience snapping at her continued dirty looks. His voice was low but cut through the tension. ʼʼIʼm going to check on the Domain,ʼʼ he muttered before vanishing without another word.

The moment he was gone, five sets of eyes turned toward Nayeli, their gazes burning with silent fury. Hecate, her red eyes glowing with barely contained rage, stepped toward the water elf without a word.

Then, with a vicious snap of her hand, she slapped Nayeli hard across the face. ʼʼDonʼt you ever insult my husband again!ʼʼ Hecate snarled, her grip tightening on the womanʼs collar as she lifted her off the ground.

ʼʼYou donʼt even know him! Who the fuck are you to judge him?ʼʼ she demanded.

The slap echoed in the room as Hecateʼs fury erupted, her hand meeting Nayeliʼs face with another stinging strike. She shoved the woman roughly onto the sofa, her voice seething with venom. ʼʼYouʼre lucky heʼs not the old Archer... because if he were, you and your entire empire would be dead.ʼʼ

Colestahʼs eyes widened in shock, her instincts screaming at her to step in and help Nayeli. But before she could move, a blade pressed against her throat. Leira stood behind her, silent as a shadow, the sharp edge of her knife glinting in the dim light.

Her emerald eyes burned with a dangerous intensity, her voice a whisper of lethal intent. ʼʼDonʼt move, Empress,ʼʼ she warned, her tone calm but ice-cold.

ʼʼNefertiti will handle your disrespectful cousin. And yes...ʼʼ Leira leaned in slightly and revealed. ʼʼI know my husband well and heʼs seriously considering burning the Moonriver Empire to the ground, thanks to her.ʼʼ

Hecate met Colestahʼs gaze and dipped her head, her expression laced with apology. ʼʼIʼm sorry for this, but for our husband, we canʼt help but be protective. Heʼs been through more than you know.ʼʼ

With that, the succubus stepped toward the trembling Nayeli, her voice heavy with sorrow. ʼʼDo you understand why he has so many wives? Tell me, what do you think?ʼʼ

The water elf shook her head while holding her cheek, but Nefertiti sighed before casting a healing spell. A pink glow healed everything as she continued, ʼʼTo get slapped by the most timid wife is something else. But now give me your opinion.ʼʼ

ʼʼHeʼs a playboy?ʼʼ Nayeli answered.

Nefertiti giggled softly before settling beside her, offering a glass of wine as she prepared to reveal the truth. The others gathered around, including Colestah, who was curious to find out more about him.

ʼʼWell,ʼʼ she began, swirling the wine in her glass, ʼʼI met him many years ago, and the first thing I noticed was the terrible aura that surrounded him, an overwhelming force of pain and rage. Shortly after that, I witnessed him reducing entire kingdoms and armies to ash. The Southlands will forever bear the scars of his flames.ʼʼ

She took a slow sip, her pink eyes drifting toward the window, lost in thought before continuing. ʼʼWhen Ella told me about his childhood, I finally understood why heʼs so different. Honestly, Iʼm surprised heʼs not a villain. He had every right to become one.ʼʼ

As Nefertiti finished speaking, the water elves listened intently, their expressions serious. Suddenly, two violet portals shimmered into existence, and from them stepped Ella and Sera.

Hecate and Leiraʼs faces lit up at the sight of the newcomers, but it was Nefertiti who greeted them first. ʼʼHello, you two. Thanks for coming.ʼʼ

She turned toward Ella with a thoughtful gaze. ʼʼEl, could you explain to these elves what Arch went through?ʼʼ

The half-elfʼs eyes narrowed in suspicion when seeing Colestah and Nayeli before she questioned. ʼʼAre these the water elves the ones he told me about?ʼʼ

ʼʼYes,ʼʼ Nefertiti nodded before gesturing toward the white-haired elf. ʼʼThis one pissed him off, and now heʼs retreated to the Domain to cool down.ʼʼ

Ella took a deep breath, calming herself before joining Leira and Hecate. A warm smile spread across her face as she turned to them. ʼʼCongratulations, ladies. Iʼm truly happy for you both. Youʼll make wonderful mothers.ʼʼ

The women hugged her while beaming with happiness radiating from them. Following that, Ella turned to Nayeli. ʼʼDid you have a mother and father?ʼʼ Your next read awaits at

ʼʼYouʼre a half-elf—a High Elf, at that,ʼʼ Colestah suddenly remarked, drawing everyoneʼs attention to her.

She swallowed hard before continuing, her voice cautious. ʼʼYouʼre radiating an aura similar to the people of the Nightshade Empire.ʼʼ

Ellaʼs eyes widened as a smile appeared. ʼʼYes, I believe I am, but that doesnʼt matter for now. We can discuss that over some tea.ʼʼ

While they spoke, Sera stared at Nayeli as she let out a menacing growl. ʼʼShe upset him by claiming he bribes us.ʼʼ

Before anyone could react, the redhead vanished, leaving everyone blinking in stunned silence. A beat passed before the realization hit, and chuckles spread through the room as they sensed her excitement through the tattoos.

Ella threw up her hands with an amused sigh. ʼʼOf course, itʼs her. Why is it always that little gremlin who can snap him out of a mood? That girl is an absolute menace, but somehow, he worships the ground she walks on.ʼʼ

ʼʼSeraphina was the one who saved him, remember?ʼʼ Hecate revealed. ʼʼTalila told me he was crazy and ready to snap when they first met but changed when they reunited and it was because of her.ʼʼ

Everyone nodded before Ella turned to Nayeli, who nervously answered her previous question. ʼʼYes, I have parents. Why?ʼʼ

ʼʼSo did Archer, but they never loved him,ʼʼ she said, her voice heavy with sadness. ʼʼThey abused him in every way imaginable, tearing him down until he was nothing more than a ghost haunting the Ashguard household.ʼʼ

Ellaʼs hands clenched into fists as a deep frown creased her face. ʼʼI tried to protect him… but what could a little girl do against a duke?ʼʼ

Her voice wavered as the memories surfaced. ʼʼI watched them beat Archer, starve him until he was skin and bone while they ate expensive meals. Sometimes… Iʼd sneak him bread, but it was never enough.ʼʼ

Everyone was shocked at her words, as they didnʼt know some of it. Ella took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her dress as Archer had given her permission to reveal what she wanted to.

ʼʼYou donʼt understand,ʼʼ she whispered, her voice barely holding together. ʼʼThey didnʼt just hurt him. They destroyed him.ʼʼ

Her light blue eyes glistened with tears as she continued, her tone hollow. ʼʼDo you know what itʼs like to hear a child scream until his voice gives out? To watch as heʼs locked in the dark for days with no food or water, just because he looked at them the wrong way?ʼʼ

[Drop some powerstones, comments, and gifts to help the novel grow; I appreciate all the support you can give]