Chapter 14 Mother's Past (2)

Ethan's POV"When I reached Aurora Crest City, I applied for the voyage to the Bloom Haven Continent. Thanks to our family's branch there, I managed to secure passage aboard a reputable ship with excellent accommodations," she said, her tone turning wistful.

"I was utterly captivated as it was my first time at sea, and the vastness of the ocean filled me with awe and wonder. It was during this voyage that I met your father for the first time. He was a man of unparalleled beauty, his sharp, angular features radiating an air of mystery that set him apart from everyone else. His jet-black hair cascaded in soft waves, framing his striking face, while his deep crimson eyes seemed to hold endless secrets and unspoken tales.

He was the most handsome man I had ever seen, and his brooding demeanour only amplified his irresistible charm. You resemble your father so much that it's almost uncanny and nearly every feature of yours mirrors his, except for your hair. Naturally, his striking presence drew the attention of every young lady and woman aboard the ship. They couldn't help but steal glances at him, their admiration evident in the whispers and dreamy looks that followed him everywhere.

Your father was traveling alone and happened to be assigned the room adjacent to mine in the ship's residential quarters. Being the bubbly and extroverted person I was, I couldn't resist trying to strike up a conversation whenever the opportunity presented itself whether during dinner or in those tranquil moments when passengers gathered on the terrace or balconies to gaze at the endless horizon. Little did I know, those fleeting conversations would forever change the course of my life."

She paused, a soft smile touching her lips as if recalling a fond memory. "At first, he was quiet, almost withdrawn, but unlike those women vying for his attention, I wasn't trying to charm him; I was simply curious about him. Perhaps it was my genuine approach, or maybe my persistence, but he eventually began to open up to me. Much to the dismay of the other ladies," she added with a playful chuckle.

"Our conversations were a delight. I would share tales of my travels, filling the air with laughter and adventure. He, on the other hand, listened intently and occasionally let slip hints of his own guarded world. Gradually, without either of us realizing it, we fell into a rhythm, and that rhythm turned into love."

Her expression softened further, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "One day, he shared a secret about himself that explained so much. He was a prince of the Lucent void Clan—one of the great demon families of the Blood Veil Continent. But his clan had been decimated, exiled from their lineage for allying with the Dark Dragons, an unforgivable betrayal in the eyes of their kin. He alone had survived the massacre."

Her voice faltered momentarily, and she took a deep breath before continuing. "He told me of his quest for vengeance. He was searching for the only branch of dragons who might help him become strong enough to reclaim his honour and avenge his family. Hearing his tragic tale broke my heart. I held him in my arms, vowing to share his pain. From that moment, our bond deepened, and our love became a refuge for us both."

I could piece together what must have happened between them next but refrained from asking. As much as my curiosity burned, I didn't want to embarrass her or intrude on such a deeply personal memory.

She gazed out the window, her tone shifting as shadows of grief crept into her words. "Those were the happiest days of my life. We found comfort in each other, and for a time, even his sorrow seemed to ease. But fate had other plans. Just fifteen days after that fateful confession, we encountered something unimaginable—a colossal whirlpool that appeared out of nowhere. It was no ordinary whirlpool; it acted as a portal, transporting us from the Northern Ocean to the Southern Ocean's Death Pass."

I listened in rapt fascination. A whirlpool capable of covering such a massive distance was beyond anything I'd thought possible. The mere concept of such a phenomenon existing in this magical world left me awestruck.

She continued, her voice lowering as if reliving the terror of that day. "The Death Pass was infamous throughout the Agate Star World. Ships that ventured into it rarely returned. Of the few that did, almost all the survivors were plagued by madness or trauma. When the crew and mages aboard our vessel realized where we had been taken, fear spread like wildfire."

"The dark waters surged relentlessly, and mutated sea beasts attacked the ship with increasing ferocity. Though we managed to defend ourselves each time, the atmosphere aboard steadily spiralled into despair. Days later, we faced something far more terrifying—a monstrous storm that seemed to split the heavens. Amidst the chaos, a colossal demon claw emerged from the sea, a towering pillar that gleamed with black lightning and flames that refused to be extinguished by the torrential rain. The claw, radiating an overwhelming aura of malice, seized the ship in its grip and began dragging it into the abyss.

Knowing that survival was impossible, your father made a heart breaking decision. Using his clan's treasured artifact, he performed a forbidden magic that created a rift, much like the whirlpool teleportation. With his final act, he sent me out of that cursed space, saving my life at the cost of his own."

I could see the shadow of terror in her eyes as she recounted the harrowing details, her voice trembling as she relived the memory. "The rift transported me to the Southern Shadowlands, the closest landmass to the Southern Ocean. Grief-stricken and alone, I came to terms with the loss and discovered soon after that I was pregnant with you."

She paused, her voice growing softer, tinged with a mix of sadness and warmth. "A few days later, I rescued Clara, who had been in a dire situation herself, and together, we returned home. Your grandfather was furious when he learned of my pregnancy, enraged by the circumstances I had endured. But I managed to console him, and as his only daughter and for the sake of his future grandchild he eventually forgave me."

She fell silent, the weight of her story leaving the room heavy with emotion. Her tired eyes betrayed her struggle to hold back tears. Unable to bear her pain, I hugged her tightly, offering what little comfort I could. She held me close, her trembling breath evidence of the sobs she suppressed.

"I'm sorry, Mama, that you had to relive such painful memories," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"No, my baby," she said gently, stroking my hair. "You have every right to know about your lineage and your father."

Later, as we settled into bed, I was left reeling from the revelation. The truth of my half-demon heritage, a secret even my grandparents were unaware of, weighed heavily on my mind. Before we drifted off to sleep, Mama strongly cautioned me to keep this knowledge hidden, especially about my father and my ancestry. I promised her I would.

As sleep finally claimed us, I knew her thoughts lingered on the past, while mine were filled with a storm of questions about the future.