Chapter 53: I've returned, my beloved…

"We took care of Stella!" Celia said.

She had been telling all that had happened in Alex's absence. First of all, Celia told Alex that her mom and aunts fought against the hungry demons again.

They did an excellent job against them.

Then, Celia said that things hadn't changed much. In fact, the whole Deathwill Castle had reverted to what it was before Alex's arrival. Everyone did their own business…

Celia's aunt hadn't played games with her too!

"Reverted…" Alex whispered.

Celia nodded brightly, "I learned that word recently! Mom taught it to me!"

As Alex smiled, he inwardly thought, 'Does it mean that Sara also thinks the same?'

It wouldn't be weird as Sara was the one who had spent the most time with Alex. Although it was because of Celia, the fact remained the same, Alex had also influenced the dullahan momma.

But Celia was the most influenced by Alex's arrival.

As she said before, Celia had been taking care of Stella. Even though she was small, she climbed up and opened the windows so that Stella's room would get that fresh air. She and Ubo also exchanged Stella's bedsheets.

Celia also mimicked Alex and forced Stella to take care of her dirty clothes.

And then, Celia had her new friend. She played with him a lot, and they became really close, like a brother and sister.

Undoubtedly, Celia had the most development in the Deathwill Castle!

It helped that she was such a hard-working and responsible kid! She surely took that after her mother.

Alex patted her head, "I expected nothing less from you, Celia. Good job! You too, Ubo."

"Hehe!" Celia laughed, and her wolf happily woofed as well.

As they made their way toward the kitchen, Alex asked, "So how do we surprise your mom?"

Celia grinned and rubbed her nose, "Ubo. Bring me my favorite book! You must be silent!"

Woof!

Ubo nodded silently, then crept toward Celia and Sara's room. He returned roughly five minutes later with the book in his jaw. Strangely, the book had no saliva and bitten marks as if Ubo could perfectly control his strength.

Celia took the book after rewarding her friend with a pat.

She then opened it and flipped the pages.

Celia's eyes gleamed after she stopped on a specific page, and she lifted her hands, "This!"

The book was for children, so it contained many illustrations. It was a book about a prince and princess.

Celia showed the illustration about the main character and female lead in quite an intimate situation. Of course, since the book was for children, so it was not spicy stuff. Instead, it was the husband and wife hugging each other.

The prince and princess hailed from different kingdoms, but there was a chapter where they spent time as just an average couple.

In the illustration mentioned above, the princess was making dinner. Her beloved hugged her from behind, then looked at the dinner with a warm expression.

"You can't repeat the same words, Alex! Mom knows how to cook!" Celia grinned, her eyes twinkling like stars, "You must only say the first line!"

The way she spoke told Alex that Celia genuinely looked forward to him roleplaying the scene from the book. The first line was simply 'I've returned, my beloved', but that alone would cause too much misunderstanding.

Alex squinted his eyes, "You are too clever, aren't you?"

Her bright eyes, a wide smile, and the expectation written all over her face! How could Alex even refuse Celia? She wouldn't even accept his refusal, would she?!

To Alex's words, Celia smiled, "What do you mean?"

Alex couldn't tell whether she really was clueless and did all of this subconsciously. But remembering their first meeting and how Celia spoke the word father, Alex didn't doubt that Celia looked forward to a big family dream.

That must be why she likes this particular chapter about the prince and princess.

He sighed and said, "After I do it, you must immediately come out and shout 'Surprise!'. If you don't do it, I will be angry."

"I don't want to see you angry, Alex!" Celia agreed.

With the plan already laid out, Alex, Celia, Kubo, and Ubo could only continue their walk toward the kitchen.

It was time for dinner.

Sara would never allow Celia to stay hungry, so she always prepared meals. And if she was forced to leave the castle, she would organize the stuff that could be eaten at any time. Right now, she was naturally before the pot; something was boiling here.

Alex and his two little friends reared their heads, looking at Sara with squinted eyes. Only four eyes had been sparkling, though.

Perhaps, Ubo was also into romance…

After Celia's signal, Alex took silent steps toward Sara. She was in her casual clothes that could get dirty during the dinner-making process. It was just a shirt and short pants. Still, Sara was doing a hot meal.

As it could get boiling in the kitchen, Sara perspired slightly. Her shirt was glued to her, revealing a little of her bra and skin. Her short pants were also pretty tight…

Alex grew nervous as he had been requested to hug the lady in such a state. Even though he got some second thoughts, he didn't stop, and his eyes remained on Sara's beauty.

At last, he extended his hands forward.

"I've returned, my beloved," he whispered into her ear.

His hands were already wrapped tightly around Sara's curves. He stuck close to her, feeling her body and sweat thoroughly. It was a feeling and smell he would never forget in his life.

Sara didn't react, though.

Before her daughter came out with a surprise, Sara whispered, "You two should be quieter while plotting."

She gave him a side-glance which revealed her wide smile. As Sara erased Alex's nervousness and guilt, he smiled and nodded.

Then…

"Surprise! Alex is back! Hehe!" Celia and Ubo came out from the shadows.

Holding her book, Celia explained her surprise. Of course, it was useless since Sara somewhat had heard them… Anyway, Sara deeply looked at her daughter and listened attentively.

Alex had his eyes on little dullahan too. Seeing how Celia was engraving the picture of him and her mother in close contact within her heart, Alex couldn't help but glance toward Sara.

That was when he noticed that Sara's head was gone!

His heart jumped to his throat, and he stepped forward…

"Surprise!" Sara laughed. Her voice still came from where her body stood.

Celia pouted, "Mom! You can't be this mean!"

"Eh? But I also wanted to prank Alex," Sara pursed her lips, turning her eyes toward Celia.

Her head was in her hands. She simply took it off just like any dullahan could…

In place of her head, Alex saw the black hole. There was some kind of unique energy circling like a vortex within her neck.

That energy was cold.

[Your Chilling Slash has advanced.]

"That's right… You are dullahan too… I forgot," Alex facepalmed himself…

As there was no way for Sara's head to suddenly fall off her neck, she had never shown that part to him. It was the first time he saw her headless body.

Sara also didn't need her hands to take off her head. She could also make it float and look around the world with just her head only.

She was pretty skilled here.

After Sara attached her head back, she turned herself toward Alex, "Dinner will be ready soon. I hope you have an interesting story to talk about." She smiled faintly, "Glad to see you back."

"Thanks."