Mother's Love -II

Leon sat in silence, still processing the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed him. The warmth of the moment lingered as his mother and Aliya's laughter echoed in his ears. But beneath the fleeting happiness, grief and guilt gnawed at his heart. He clenched his fists, anger brewing not toward anyone else but himself—or rather, the version of Leon Alaric he had transmigrated into.

"How could someone even think of hurting such a beautiful and caring soul?" Leon muttered to himself, glancing at his mother, who was now gently braiding Aliya's hair with an affectionate smile.

The thought of the past Leon's cruelty, his heartless accusations, and the isolation he had imposed on his own mother filled Leon with disgust. His hatred for the old Leon grew stronger by the second, but he reminded himself that he was now in control. If he was going to live as Leon Alaric, he would rewrite that narrative—for his mother, for Aliya, and for himself.

Taking a deep breath, Leon stood up, his eyes firm with resolve. "Mother," he called softly. She looked up, her golden eyes shimmering with warmth and curiosity. Aliya turned to him as well, her innocent face filled with curiosity.

"Yes, my son?" his mother asked, her voice as calm as a gentle breeze.

Leon's heart ached at the sight of her, sitting in this decrepit building, exiled from her rightful place. "I want you to leave this building," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I want you to return to the main hall where you belong. This… this place is unworthy of you."

His mother's expression softened, but there was a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Leon, this is the life I've grown accustomed to. It's… not as bad as it seems," she said gently, though her voice carried a hint of sorrow.

"No!" Leon said firmly, his voice louder than he intended. He softened his tone but kept his determination. "You deserve better. You are my mother. I don't care what the old me thought, but as long as I'm alive, I'll make things right. You will not stay here another day."

His mother tilted her head, studying him with a mix of curiosity and pride. "You're serious about this," she said, more as a statement than a question.

Leon nodded, his resolve unwavering. "I may have the blood of a dragon in me, but I also have the blood of a human. And right now, I want to live as a human—one who values family, kindness, and love. I want to leave the past behind. I'll be the son you deserve, not the monster I used to be."

For a moment, his mother said nothing. Then, with a tenderness that melted his heart, she stood and wrapped her arms around him. Her embrace was warm and reassuring, filled with a love so unconditional it brought tears to Leon's eyes. "My dear son," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "dragon or human, you are still my child. No matter how you choose to live, I will always love you."

Leon closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the embrace. For the first time, he felt a sense of belonging in this world. The weight of his guilt lifted slightly, replaced by the hope of redemption. He would fix the damage his predecessor had done, starting now.

Aliya, not wanting to be left out, joined the hug, wrapping her small arms around both of them. "Big brother is the best!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled by the folds of his shirt.

Leon chuckled, his chest swelling with newfound determination. "Thank you, Aliya. And thank you, Mother. From this day forward, I promise to protect this family and make you both proud."

His mother pulled back slightly, placing a hand on his cheek. "You've already made me proud, Leon. Now, let's move forward together, as a family."

Leon nodded, his heart lighter than it had been since his transmigration. He didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but with his mother and sister by his side, he felt ready to face anything. Together, they would reclaim their rightful place—and Leon would rebuild his life, not as the scumbag he had been, but as the man he aspired to become.