Chapter 13: Obviously, We Get On the Bus Before Buying Tickets!

That night, Leon spent some rare alone time with his mother, giving her a shoulder and back massage.

“Mother, does that feel good?” Leon asked.

“Mhm~ Leon’s technique has improved. Thank you so much.”

Alisa let out a relaxed sigh. Her son’s skillful fingers relieved the day’s fatigue bit by bit.

Most people wouldn’t bother learning massage techniques, let alone a legendary Sword Saint. But Leon said he had secretly picked it up as a birthday gift for his mother.

To outsiders, he seemed cold and aloof, but Alisa knew the truth—her son just wasn’t good at expressing himself. Deep down, he was a kind child who valued his relationships more than anyone.

“Thank you for the compliment. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

Alisa blinked, then seemed to think of something.

“I’m happy to hear that, but Leon—have you thought about your future family?”

“Huh?”

“Still playing dumb? I’m talking about little Fiora, of course. Shouldn’t you consider showing off your massage skills to your fiancée sometime?”

Alisa’s sudden shift caught Leon off guard. His hands slipped for a second, and Alisa’s expression changed slightly.

Leon panicked, “Sorry, Mother! I used too much force just now!”

“…You silly child. Come sit next to me for a bit.”

Feeling guilty, Leon sat down beside her, but his mind kept replaying that word she’d just used—fiancée.

Marriage… with Fiora? Isn’t that moving a little too fast?

We’re not even friends yet.

But if Fiora really was willing to accept me…

Alisa, reading her son’s complicated expression, smiled knowingly.

“Leon, do you know what your face looks like right now?”

“I don’t… Is it strange?”

“Yes. To someone who doesn’t know you, you probably look like you’re about to explode from being wronged.” Alisa chuckled. “But I know my child—you’re actually just really shy.”

“Mhm.”

Leon didn’t bother hiding it. In front of his mother, he usually spoke honestly.

“I can tell you like that girl. This is the first time you’ve ever shown interest in someone since you were little. My son has finally grown up into an excellent man. Mother is proud.”

“Mother…”

Leon felt warmth spread in his chest.

When he was younger, his father had warned him that women were terrifying creatures—that he should stay far away from them, especially the beautiful ones. And then came a string of life experiences that only reinforced that belief, leaving him with a subconscious fear of the opposite s*x.

But Fiora was… different.

She didn’t approach him the way other women did. She didn’t try to butter him up or flirt. Her indifference made Leon even more curious about her, drawing him closer the more they interacted.

“But Leon, you’re such a fool—you have zero experience! That girl Fiora is super dumb! Aren’t you worried someone else might snatch her away?”

Alisa had long since labeled her son as a hopeless lolicon—the kind who wouldn’t even let an airhead go.

Leon stiffened at her words.

Now more than ever, he was convinced it had to be Fiora. No one else even crossed his mind. He couldn’t imagine what he’d do if she ran off with someone else.

“…Mother, what should I do? It really feels like Fiora doesn’t like me.”

“It’s fine. I’m very experienced in these matters.”

“I’d like to hear the details.”

Seeing her son’s eager gaze, Alisa grinned smugly.

“It’s simple: get on the bus first, then buy the ticket. A naïve girl like Fiora is easy to get your hands on.”

“Mother! What are you talking about?”

“That’s exactly how your father and I got together!” Alisa said proudly. “Back then, Collet was also a shy and reserved boy. So I drugged him to open his heart and unleash his desires. We went at it for three days and three nights.”

Leon’s eyes widened in horror, but Alisa just kept going, as if telling an everyday love story.

“The first three days, his willpower held strong, so I gave him more drugs. He cried a lot for the next three days, so I kept going. After nine days, he stopped struggling and became as obedient as a baby, sticking by my side ever since.”

Leon broke into a cold sweat. His mother was saying something terrifying… and she sounded so casual about it.

Only now did he realize that all the women around him were insane—including his own mother!

How had he been stupid enough to ask her for advice? There was no reference value in this at all!

He couldn’t help but start to pity his father.

Maybe that warning about women being terrifying wasn’t just hot air.

“So, Leon, do you want me to help you?”

“…This… I…”

“I know you’re still a virgin, but I also know you read plenty of dirty books. You’re not completely clueless. Don’t you want to hold little Fiora?”

Leon’s heart stirred.

Just imagining the scene, replacing the characters from the R-rated books he had seen with himself and Fiora, he immediately felt that the idea was too dangerous and terrifying.

Leon believed that this kind of thing could only be done when a good emotional foundation had been established, with mutual consent, and in preparation for the future.

I’m not acting out of these despicable desires!

How could I do something like that to Fiora?

I won’t let my desires control me!

Leon shook his head fiercely, forcing those dangerous thoughts away.

“…Mother, it’s late. You should go rest.”

Throwing out this excuse, he fled.

Alisa watched her son’s panicked retreat and smiled.

“What a shy boy. Don’t worry, Mother understands. I’ll use all my skills to help you get little Fiora!”