Chapter 217: 217

Ikem looked around before asking, “I take it you all are in agreement with this solution?”

Maul nodded his head. “We have no other choice than to agree with this method. It is the best option we have.”

In response to his words, the other demigods nodded in agreement. Tide looked towards Ursula before saying, “As for Ursula’s issue with the demon Silas, at the moment it is still a problem for the humans, not us godlings.”

“After your retaliation and warning, I am sure the demon knows better than to make a move against your people. At the moment, we can each offer help by having our best thinkers come up with solutions or ideas on how he is able to take control of people with no magic signature.”

Ursula nodded in agreement to his words. Maul looked at everyone, seeing that they were already a bit tired from the brainstorming, and said, “We should end the meeting here for now. Let’s meet up again in two weeks’ time. I believe by then we all will have picked out our site of experimentation and candidates for it.”

The demigods agreed as the mirror screens started flickering and turning dark. Before Ursula’s screen could go dark, Ikem called out, “Can I have a moment with you, Ursula?”

Ursula, hearing Ikem’s words, had shame flash in her eyes for a second before she nodded, leaving the call open.

Ikem got down from his throne and walked towards the huge mirror before placing a hand on it. Nothing was said by him; instead, he waited.

A breath of relief left his mouth when he saw Ursula do the same, laying one of her hands on the mirror. The mirror did its magic as they both felt the warmth from each other’s hands.

Ikem looked into the eyes of Ursula, who looked like she was standing close to him yet so far away, and asked, “Did I disappoint you today?”

Ursula wanted to look away in shame, but she stopped herself as she knew doing that meant she hadn’t grown. She didn’t want to disappoint the second male figure in her life.

So she held on as she looked into Ikem’s green eyes, staring at her with emotions such as regret, hope, and most importantly, love. Finding herself lost in his gaze, she said, “You didn’t disappoint me. Rather, I am the one who disappointed you.”

Ikem wanted to say something, but Ursula shook her head to stop him. “Your solution, while extreme, was good. Our children have been sheltered by us for centuries. Our existence has given them a sense of security that will be detrimental in the long run, so this experience is good for them.”

Hesitating for a bit, Ursula said, “I have always known you as one who deeply cares for his offspring, so it was a surprise to me seeing you propose such a solution. My reaction to your solution is what is laughable in this situation.”

“As your lover, I should have been in agreement with you and trusted you. Instead, I stood opposite of you, making you think that I was disappointed with you,” Ursula said, her eyes filled with tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.

“Ursula,” Ikem’s deep voice called out, causing Ursula to once again focus on Ikem, who was now smiling at her. “You know of my relationship with my dad, just as I know yours.”

“My dad clearly loves me, but sometimes his actions make you question if he truly does. At one point, you see him catering to his son’s needs; the next, you see him take actions and make plans that will scare you, and the only sense of security you have is that you are somehow related to him.”

Ikem paused before looking at Ursula. “Today, I found myself acting like my father. I should have been proud since I have always looked up to him. Yet, when I saw your response to my actions, no matter if I was right, it brought me no happiness if the one I care for feels hurt by my actions.”

Ursula’s tears began to fall, but she didn’t break the connection. She leaned into the mirror, as if trying to bridge the distance between them with sheer willpower. “Ikem,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly, “our fathers’ shadows are long, and their legacies heavy. But we are not them. We can learn from their strengths without repeating their mistakes.”

Ikem nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’re right. We can chart our own path, find our own way to lead and protect our offspring. But we need to do it together, Ursula. I don’t want to be a ruler or a lover who makes decisions without considering you, without valuing your perspective.”

Ursula’s fingers pressed more firmly against the mirror. “And I don’t want to be a partner who doubts your wisdom or your intentions. I trust you, Ikem. More than anyone else in this world. It’s just… sometimes, fear gets the better of me.”

Ikem’s eyes softened, his voice gentle. “Fear is natural. It’s a sign that we care deeply. I don’t fear enough, so I am happy to have you who can fear for the both of us.”

Ikenga, watching his son connecting with Ursula, had a bright smile on his face. Suddenly, he heard his brother Crepuscular’s voice in his head. “Your son isn’t bad.”

Ikenga scoffed at his brother’s words before responding, “Your daughter isn’t bad either.”

Crepuscular, his tone prideful yet tinged with sadness, said, “It seems, brother, we haven’t been the best parents.”

Ikenga frowned, acknowledging the painful truth in his brother’s words. “Indeed, we haven’t, brother. Yet, they are still growing and trying to leave our shadow. I am happy they found each other.”

Crepuscular said nothing more, only a hum of agreement before his presence left Ikenga’s mind. Ikenga, looking at his son, shook his head.

Ikenga had had time to reflect on his behavior as a parent during the long time he spent sleeping and watching his son’s journey. He could have handled Ikem’s training much better. The way he had instilled his own ways of thinking in his son might have been helpful, but it also hindered Ikem from truly developing his own perspective.

Even the current state and outlook of the Apeling Kingdom was exactly how Ikenga had envisioned it. Perhaps Ikem had a different idea of how he wanted the kingdom to look, but Ikenga would never find out as he had never given his son that option.

Ikenga thought about using the excuse of it being his first time as a parent, but he decided that didn’t help much. For his son to talk the way he did with Ursula meant that he was growing and was now able to find his own voice, which Ikenga truly appreciated the most.

Red seemed to know of Ikenga’s inner turmoil as he patted his shoulder. “You did your best, friend.”

Ikenga nodded to his words.

Red looked around the realm before turning back to his dragon form. “I have stayed long enough. If I stay any longer, I might no longer be able to leave.”

“Leaving so soon, Red?” Ikenga asked, turning to Red, who nodded.

“I have to, but since I now know the way, I will be paying you regular visits.”

Ikenga nodded as a huge portal appeared, into which Red flew. “Take care,” Ikenga whispered as the portal closed.

Ikenga sat in silence when, all of a sudden, he felt a calling from the mortal plane. The calling or pull instinctively told him that his physical body could be brought with him.

Using his omniscient view of the planet, he locked onto where the calling was coming from. Seeing who was calling him caused Ikenga’s eyes to widen in surprise, as that was the last person he expected to be calling.

“What are you up to?” Ikenga said as he answered the call before his body was pulled away from his realm.

Back on the western continent, it had been a week since Jonas and Elara returned to the human kingdom with the priest. Erik was happy to see the priest, considering it a sign of a possible alliance between him and the Sun Kingdom.

He did what he had done for years, bringing his son in for a big hug. Jonas was happy nonetheless, pleased that he didn’t disappoint his father.

Erik made use of the priest immediately, as he no longer felt safe in his own home after his encounter with Silas. Every maid and servant that walked past him was under suspicion.

It got to the level where he was cooking his own meals and serving himself to avoid a jump scare from Silas like the last time. Gathering all the maids and servants that worked under him was easy.

Soon the priest began the long process of cleansing to find out which maid/servants that was compromised. It took two whole days for the priest to finish, yet at the end of the second day, both Erik and the priest had frowns on their faces.

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