A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1555: Do You Often See My Women?

Archer couldnʼt help but laugh at his daughter, nodding as he looked at his mother. ʼʼCome join us, the other babies are here.ʼʼ

Larkaʼs eyes widened, but he warned. ʼʼIf I see any of the old you come out, I swear to all the heavens Iʼll kill you, even if youʼre my mother.ʼʼ

He led his mother and Oathkeepers back to the cafe as the crowd gossiped about him and the older woman he suddenly spoke to. Archer ignored it while closing in on the window where he saw two knights trying to make the five little girls laugh, but all they got in return was a blank expression from each.

***

Larka gazed up at her son, Archer, her heart swelling at how much heʼd grown. His broad shoulders and lean, muscular frame towered over her, echoing his fatherʼs build but leaner. A chill ran through her as memories of Leonard surfaced, and she silently thanked the stars for the divorce that freed her years ago. Sheʼd reached out to her other children, desperate to mend the past, but their silence was unwavering; none would speak to her until their brother forgave her.

Her eyes softened as she watched him cradle the little girl in his arms, his devotion stirring a warmth in her chest. When he stole fleeting glances her way, her heart raced, a mix of love and longing. But guilt surged within her. Unable to hold back, she lunged forward, clutching the fabric of his shirt, her fingers trembling.

He paused, his eyes meeting hers, a flicker of confusion in his gaze, but he didnʼt pull away, giving her courage. ʼʼArch,ʼʼ she whispered, her voice breaking as tears brimmed in her eyes. ʼʼIʼm so sorry. Iʼve carried the weight of what I did for years, knowing how deeply I hurt you. What I did was unforgivable, and I wouldnʼt blame you if you hated me. But if youʼd ever give me a chance, just one, Iʼd spend the rest of making it right.ʼʼ

His voice was steady, almost too calm, as he met her gaze. ʼʼThereʼs no undoing what you did to me,ʼʼ he said, his eyes meeting hers. ʼʼBut… how about we talk over ice cream? These little gremlins, your granddaughters,ʼʼ he said, glancing at the child in his arms with a soft smile. ʼʼTheyʼve changed me, right to my core. If I were to forgive you, itʼd be as Larka, the woman standing here now, not the mother I lost years ago.ʼʼ

When Larka heard his words hit like a quiet storm, and her heart twisted with a bittersweet ache. A nervous flutter stirred in her chest, her pulse quickening at the unexpected warmth in his tone. It startled her, and from the flicker in the young manʼs eyes, it seemed to surprise him too. She swallowed, her voice trembling as she searched his face. ʼʼSo, you donʼt want me to be your mother?ʼʼ

Archer shook his head, his gaze softening, a faint, teasing curve to his lips that sent a shiver through her. ʼʼNo. That womanʼs gone, and I canʼt forgive her. But you,ʼʼ he said, his tone dropping lower. ʼʼI can see youʼre different now. Show me who this new Larka is. Let me decide if you stay in my life this time around.ʼʼ

ʼʼOkay,ʼʼ she replied, a small smile appearing. ʼʼThank you for this chance.ʼʼ

Following that, Larkaʼs heart swelled with gratitude, the weight of his offer settling over her like a fragile, precious gift. She followed him, her steps light but hesitant, as if afraid to disturb the thread of hope heʼd extended. As they stepped inside, the chime of the bell above the door drew five pairs of gorgeous eyes toward them.

Four of the children, their white hair shimmering like Archerʼs and her own, stared up with bright, curious gazes, while the fifth, who had dark curls, tilted her head in quiet wonder. Larkaʼs breath caught, her heart melting at the sight, so much of her family reflected in their faces. He set the little girl down to join her siblings, all of them clustering around him, letting out soft giggles and tugs at his hands.

Archer knelt to their level, his smile tender yet proud, and glanced back at her. ʼʼMy little ladies,ʼʼ he said. ʼʼThis is Larka, your grandmother.ʼʼ

The word hung in the air, soft but seismic, and her eyes welled up as the children turned to her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and shy warmth. She felt the sting of years lost but also the flicker of a new beginning, her gratitude deepening for the chance to be seen not as the mother who failed, but as someone new, invited into their world.

***

Archer watched Larka go into shock as all his girls gazed at her; they were warning her about hurting their father without saying a word. This made him laugh just as the young woman returned with the ice creams and milkshake, but she was surprised when she saw the newcomer standing there.

ʼʼLet me get another chair,ʼʼ she said respectfully.

After that, the young woman returned with a chair and placed it next to his. He moved it away before sitting down alongside Freya and Neoma. The two babies babbled just as Larka complemented them. ʼʼAll six are gorgeous, Arch, they look like you, but I can see the empresses in all of them.ʼʼ

ʼʼYes, they are doubles of their mothers with my features, but I love them all either way,ʼʼ he revealed.

Once they were all settled in, Archer took on the task of serving dessert to all six girls, making sure each one had their sweet treat. Freya gleefully savored her strawberry ice cream, her eyes sparkling with each creamy bite. Neoma and her love for all things rich happily scooped up velvety chocolate ice cream.

Kela, always drawn to something tangy, relished the burst of her lemon ice cream, its flavor matching her spirit. Evelyn enjoyed vanilla ice cream, savoring each spoonful her father fed her. Meanwhile, he gave Amelia and Elise a strawberry just like their big sister Freya, giggling as they mirrored her choice and dug into their sweet treats. The scene was filled with laughter and chatter, as Archer tended to the girls.

Larka watched this with wide eyes as she commented. ʼʼThey have a doting father, your order is melting, and youʼre still fussing over them.ʼʼ

Once those words left her lips, Evelynʼs little cat ears twitched, and the little girlʼs eyes snapped onto the old woman. This made his mother smile as she booped the babyʼs nose. ʼʼYouʼre a little version of your father, those big green eyes remind me of the princesses, and look at your little tail!ʼʼ she excitedly exclaimed.

Archer noticed Evelyn shiver when Larka touched it, causing him to warn her. ʼʼDonʼt touch her tail or ears, theyʼre sensitive. Especially since sheʼs a Demi-Human like Leira.ʼʼ

Larka bowed her head, a small smile tugging at her lips as she acknowledged her mistake. ʼʼSorry, I recall now, Sia mentioned that the last time we spoke, and it slipped my mind.ʼʼ

Archer, his brow arching in curiosity as he carefully spooned strawberry ice cream to Elise and Amelia. The two girls shivered thanks to the cold food, their eyes wide with joy at the sweet, chilly treat. ʼʼDo you often see my women?ʼʼ He asked, his tone light but laced with genuine interest.

The older woman tilted her head, her expression softening as she spoke. ʼʼOnly Aisha, Teuila, and a few others from your circle. They often make their way to the government offices alongside Llynial and Halime, working together on various programs.ʼʼ

Archer nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he carefully spooned creamy strawberry ice cream to Freya, who beamed, and then to the twins, Neoma and Kela, whose energetic scoops were leaving a trail of pink smudges across their chins and all over the table, letting out adorable giggles.

ʼʼThey love helping the community,” he proudly remarked. ʼʼMost of my harem work with the government, pouring their energy into projects that make a real difference for the people.ʼʼ

The twins giggled as they created a mess. Archer waved his hand, and a soft shimmer of magic danced through the air, effortlessly cleaning the sticky splatters from the table and the girlʼs faces. The twinsʼ eyes widened in awe, their delighted squeals erupting into a chorus of excited babbling that filled the cafe with infectious energy.

ʼʼThey are a happy bunch,ʼʼ Larka suddenly said. ʼʼYou were this happy before I turned into a horrible mother.ʼʼ

The mood changed as Archer turned to her, growling. ʼʼStop bringing it up, Larka. Do you want to ruin things? Youʼre no longer my mother, the woman who gave birth to me, because that Archer is dead. Youʼre a woman who works for my government who happens to be their grandmother.ʼʼ

ʼʼI know and agree with everything youʼre saying!ʼʼ she exclaimed in panic. ʼʼI said Iʼd do anything to try to make up for it and I mean it.ʼʼ

ʼʼGood, now donʼt mention the past anymore.ʼʼ