My Mother is the Villain

Chapter 22: Again

For powerful factions, if they choose to grant a Great Heaven Weapon to a genius who is still too young, it can be openly announced.

There is no need to keep it a secret—such matters will inevitably come to light.

By making an announcement, it also serves as a declaration that they now possess a top-tier genius with immense potential.

And that declaration carries another purpose: to gain support from other factions.

Victor thanked his grandfather before returning to his mother’s castle.

He sat on the sofa, where Emma served him snacks and juice.

But he didn’t touch them.

"Emma..." he called.

"Yes, Young Master?" she replied.

"Why are you still serving juice? Do I still look like a child? I don’t think so. If anything, you’re the one who looks small—your head doesn’t even reach my neck."

Emma was confused upon hearing that.

"I mean, it’s time I’m served wine," Victor clarified.

Only then did Emma understand. She quickly apologized, replaced the cup on the table, and poured him a glass of chilled wine.

Only after that did Victor begin to drink.

It was a fine wine—one that brought a sense of happiness and lightness to his mind.

But the effect vanished almost instantly.

He was startled when a dark red-haired woman suddenly appeared right in front of him, already seated.

"Lady!" Emma greeted hurriedly.

The woman looked at Victor’s surprised expression and smiled faintly.

"It feels quite strange seeing you this grown," she said.

Victor felt slightly awkward responding.

He was actually worried whether she had heard all the curses he had thrown at her during that time.

Cursing alone might not have been a problem—but some of his words had been far from appropriate.

"What do you want?" Victor finally asked.

Asking his own mother that question felt like drawing a clear line between them.

But to Victor, it already felt that way.

Especially after everything she had done.

"What do I want?" Margaret’s smile widened.

"For now, I only want you to grow stronger—faster," she said.

"You don’t need to ask for that. I’ll naturally strive to become stronger faster—but that’s for myself," Victor replied indifferently.

Emma froze as she watched the way the two of them spoke to each other.

"Your current methods aren’t enough. Go to your room with Emma and use the Yin-Yang Mirror. It will give you a large amount of Spiritual Energy. Tonight, the city lord’s daughter will accompany you. The city lord has already promised that his daughter will become your concubine."

Victor, "..."

Emma, "..."

Victor had expected something outrageous from this woman. Honestly, he would’ve been more surprised if she hadn’t suggested anything strange.

Still, he answered, "No."

"Why not? Has your desire for women faded after being locked up for so long? Or are you interested in men now?" Margaret fired off questions, her brows furrowing.

Emma, who had been blushing moments ago, was now completely shocked.

Of course, she didn’t want to be used like that just to aid a man’s cultivation.

As a woman, she wanted freedom in such matters—and a relationship built on genuine feelings.

Yet Victor’s refusal left her feeling strangely unsettled.

For a brief moment, she even felt disappointed, thinking her charm was lacking.

But that feeling quickly faded, replaced by relief.

To her, Victor was like a younger brother.

If something like that were to happen between them, it would feel wrong.

She wanted to remain a professional maid—supporting her young master without anything impure between them.

Victor frowned as his mother began questioning his preferences.

"I’m normal. But this—I’ll decide for myself. I don’t want you interfering," he said.

Being told who to sleep with—was he some helpless child who couldn’t make his own decisions?

Of course, he refused to look foolish because of something like that.

If he wanted Emma, he would take her himself.

There was no need to be told.

Everything depended on whether he wanted it or not.

If he did—even someone else’s wife wouldn’t stop him.

Margaret remained silent for a moment after hearing that.

Then, she nodded.

"Very well. I won’t interfere in that matter. I was just worried your brain might not have developed properly after being locked up during your formative years," she said.

"Hmph!" Victor snorted.

"Since you survived my training, I’ll naturally reward you."

Suddenly, she took something out—something that made both Victor and Emma widen their eyes.

A glass cube.

An Array Cube.

It was the same kind Margaret had used to fuse the Diamond Skeleton with Victor.

She actually had another one.

Margaret casually tossed it toward him.

It landed in his hands as he stared at it in disbelief.

"Is this real?" he asked.

"What? Do you think your own mother would lie to you?" Margaret replied sarcastically.

"You should be grateful," she added.

Of course, Victor didn’t say anything. He simply stored it away.

Margaret didn’t care and continued, "The boy whose skeleton you took has become quite famous. He was originally expelled from the Dragon Blood Sect for being useless—but unexpectedly, he awakened the Heaven Dragon Soul, granting him extraordinary potential to cultivate a Dragon Bloodline. He’s currently training at the Heaven Emperor Academy."

"You should go there eventually. Not only do you need to obtain that Heaven Dragon Soul... but your fiancée is there as well."

"Many young men are approaching her now. Don’t let someone else win her heart first."

"You’ll regret it deeply if you lose a Heavenly Woman—especially one who is also the daughter of a World Monarch."

Victor, "..."