I Am the Only Fertile Woman in the Game-Chapter 204: Silver Snake

The setting sun’s afterglow spilled onto the ancient castle’s stone walls, covering them with a layer of golden radiance.

The two ten-year-old children together pushed open the heavy gate and entered the castle, where they were greeted by a long corridor, its walls adorned with oil paintings and tapestries. However, the colors of the paintings had faded, and the tapestry patterns were blurred, as if everything was veiled with a layer of dust. At the end of the hallway stood a huge glass window through which the scenery outside was rendered dreamy by the glow of the sunset, but the window glass was full of cracks, as if it would shatter at any moment.

The girl nervously clutched the boy’s clothing. Holding a lamp, she whispered, "Brother, maybe we should go back. Father forbids us from running around recklessly."

The boy pressed his index finger to his lips, his light golden eyes filled with seriousness and tension. "Be quiet, Lilia. Don’t you want to see Mother?"

Clutching her lamp tightly, Lilia’s doll-like big eyes flickered and shimmered with tears, "I do."

Harvis, holding his sister’s hand, whispered as they walked, "I don’t care how stepfather might punish me, today I must see Mother. Besides, Father and stepfather are no longer close brothers; he won’t stand by and watch me be punished by stepfather."

The two of them walked through the long corridor together, the dark and quiet atmosphere sending shivers down one’s spine. After all, they were but two children in a chilling ancient castle, understandably afraid.

They climbed the spiral staircase, passing by the magnificent banquet hall, up to the top floor.

Harvis had heard from the servants in the Imperial Court that a Queen named Daisy had once lived here, and they also said that the stepfather had rebuilt this place for Mother.

Lilia, holding the lamp, searched for the direction, asking, "Brother, are you really sure that Mother is here?"

Harvis nodded, "My servant has seen stepfather enter the top floor every night and only come out the next morning."

"How can you be sure he’s going to see Mother?"

"Because every morning when he comes out, his eyes are red."

Father and stepfather had had a dispute over something unknown, even injuring each other. Afterwards, the stepfather had ordered the expulsion of Father, banning him forever from entering the Imperial Court.

Harvis clenched his fist. Holding Lilia’s hand, and seeing her little face, so much like Mother’s, filled with bewilderment, he said, "Do you know why Father always holds you in his arms and stares into space?"

Lilia’s little nose was a bit red, and she said, "Because Father misses Mother."

Harvis nodded, "Don’t cry, Lilia. Today we have to find Mother for Father."

Harvis had seen Ruka sitting alone deep into the night, awaiting the dawn on several occasions.

In his memory, Father’s shoulders were broad like mountains, as if no difficulty in the Interstellar could defeat him. Father’s figure was so tall, letting Lilia ride on his shoulders, taking them to watch the stars.

But since Mother left, Father’s shoulders were always drooping. He seldom spoke, no longer socialized, and his usually neatly combed hair was now untidily draped every day. His arms bore many scars, the deepest one on his wrist, ferocious like a centipede. From his wrist up to the crook of his forearm, dense scars crisscrossed his skin.

Harvis had asked Bonnie, who exactly was the one that hurt Father.

Bonnie, looking dejected, lowered his gaze and said, "It was Father himself."

The two children finally found the entrance leading to the top floor. They walked in and discovered that the place was brilliantly lit, a stark contrast to the desolation of the ancient castle. In the center of the grand hall lay a thick red velvet carpet, soft as if it were a cloud. Along either side of the carpet stood opulent golden balustrades, engraved with exquisite patterns and designs, glinting with the sheen of metal. Enormous marble columns were placed all around the grand hall, each pillar carved with intricate patterns and topped with gold statues that seemed to silently guard the glory of the palace.

Lilia was stunned by this magnificent scene. She had grown up in the Imperial Court and was raised like a little princess by everyone there, and she had seen many fine things. But even so, she had never experienced such an opulent palace.

Harvis jogged to the gilded glass windows of the inner sanctuary, gesturing to Lilia. She hurried over and Harvis let her stand on his shoulders, lifting her up high.

Lilia clung to the window sill and peeked inside. The decor was even more lavish than the outside, with brilliant silk curtains hanging all around. The curtains were embroidered with gold threads, depicting complex patterns like a series of exquisite paintings.

As she strained her eyes to see past the curtains, she caught sight of a huge crystal coffin. Just as she tiptoed to get a better look at the person inside, Harvis, unable to support her weight any longer, collapsed to the ground, and Lilia tumbled down on top of him.

"Is Mommy in there?"

Lilia said uncertainly, "I didn’t see clearly... but Uncle Leberli wasn’t inside. Should we sneak in and have a look?"

Harvis nodded, helped Lilia up, and they quietly entered the inner sanctuary.

Upon entering, it felt like they had stepped into an ice cellar.

Lilia hugged her shoulders, shivering uncontrollably.

"Brother, why is it so cold here? Mommy can’t be inside; she would catch a cold from the freeze."

Harvis was no longer the playful little boy he had been years before; he vaguely knew something but hadn’t told Lilia. Now he silently and carefully headed straight for the crystal coffin, with Lilia following closely behind.

As they ascended the steps, they finally saw the person lying inside.

Her long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, smooth and glossy, sparkling in the light. Her complexion was as white as snow, her features delicate, with her eyes gently closed, as if deep in a dream. Her lips were soft like rose petals, with a natural flush of color.

"It’s Mommy!" Lilia cried out with excitement.

She saw her mother’s hands crossed over her chest, her fingers slender and elegant, dressed in a lavish silk gown. She was surrounded by thick velvet curtains embroidered with gold threads, illustrating complex flowers and vines. A faint fragrance pervaded the room, as if wafting from her dream, filling the space with tranquility and peace.

Lilia wanted to rush over and embrace her. In the next second, a silver snake appeared out of nowhere, baring its fangs with its mouth wide open at her.

Harvis immediately shielded Lilia, and the two children fell to the ground. Fortunately, the snake didn’t really want to bite them; it was just a warning.

The silver snake moved within the crystal coffin, its vertical pupils sending out an alarm, and suddenly the area was filled with an overwhelming spiritual power that Harvis and Lilia couldn’t withstand.

Decisively, Harvis grabbed Lilia’s hand and they ran out of the hall. As soon as they did, the oppressive force dissipated.

"Brother, who was that just now..."

"I’ve seen him once when I was little..." Harvis looked back at the hall, his expression complex. Although he had never seen that man’s Beast Form, he remembered his spiritual power and aura. "So he has been guarding Mommy all this time..."