How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 645: A Mother’s Care..?

Riley rubbed his forehead and exhaled a weary sigh, observing the woman across from him as she put on a masterclass in motherly devotion. Of all the scenarios he had envisioned for the day, Aera playing the role of a doting parent was the most unexpected. He was under no illusions; he knew she hadn't abandoned the schemes she was weaving around Seo. Aera simply wasn't the type to surrender just because she had been told to stop.

Despite his previous warning, he had anticipated her return through some clever loophole or subtle angle. However, this approach was jarringly direct. It was practically brazen. 'She isn't even attempting to mask it... what kind of game is she playing now?'

Her voice was melodic, her movements gentle, and her smile radiated warmth. To any casual observer, she appeared to be a devoted mother trying to bond with a reserved daughter. But Riley saw through the facade. Aera was a creature of calculation; every gesture was a move on a chessboard. Yet, she executed the performance so flawlessly that even he felt a momentary flicker of doubt.

"Here, try another one, Seo~," Aera sang softly, guiding a dumpling toward the girl’s mouth. "You may be powerful, but you still need proper nutrition to grow, don't you? Fufu~"

Seo looked like a bewildered kitten being cornered. Her gaze darted between the food and Riley, her stoic expression hiding a silent plea for intervention. Riley decided he had seen enough. Leaning forward, he intercepted the dumpling from Aera’s chopsticks and ate it himself without a word.

Aera blinked in genuine shock for a fleeting second. "My, my... Riley, dear, that was intended for Seo."

"You shouldn't let her spoil her appetite," Riley countered with a flat tone. "Our ramen is on its way."

Aera’s lips curled into an amused line. "Fufu~ is that your reasoning?"

"It is," he deadpanned.

She hummed, glancing at the spread before her. "Hmm... that poses a dilemma. It seems I may have been a bit overzealous with my ordering~" On her side of the table sat two full plates of steaming dumplings, untouched and clearly meant to serve as props for her "loving mother" act. Riley clicked his tongue. "Don’t worry about it. I’ll finish them."

"Fufu, how thoughtful of you~ here, say ahh~"

Aera lifted another dumpling toward Riley as if the absurdity of the situation were perfectly normal. She held the chopsticks before his mouth with the patient grace one might show a toddler. Riley stared at her, his expression demanding to know if she was actually serious. "Riley?" she prompted gently.

The look of pure innocence on her face was a complete mismatch for the woman he knew—the one who could manipulate any circumstance to her benefit. Yet, she appeared so earnest that he felt like the irrational one for doubting her. To avoid making the scene even more uncomfortable, Riley leaned in and took the offering. As he chewed, Aera’s smile widened with a sense of pride he had never seen her show toward Seo before.

"Delicious, isn't it?" she remarked. "Dumplings were always Seo’s favorite back at the estate. I suspected her tastes hadn't changed, so I asked the chef to prepare them with a more eastern flavor profile specifically for her."

"Is that so..." Riley muttered.

The irritating truth was that she wasn't lying. Seo genuinely loved dumplings, nearly as much as she loved her blade and her ramen. That realization made Riley uneasy; it meant Aera was investing real effort into this ruse instead of relying on her typical cold tactics. He surveyed the room and noticed that half the patrons were now staring. It was a bizarre sight: Seo looking overwhelmed, Riley being hand-fed, and Aera projecting a maternal aura that felt entirely alien on her.

The scene resembled a strange family gathering, or perhaps a date crashed by a doting mother-in-law. Riley had originally intended to drive her off the moment she appeared. A single pulse of mana would have sent her packing. But a confrontation here would result in chaos—overturned tables, panicked guests, and ruined food. He and Seo were regulars here, and he had no desire to involve the shop in their family drama. Consequently, he remained still, his jaw tight as Aera continued her performance. Seo, meanwhile, chewed slowly, her brow furrowed in confusion as she watched the two of them.

The waiter arrived, placing their orders down with a cheerful grin. "Apologies for the wait! Two super-bowls of x10 extra-spicy special ramen—enjoy!"

A pungent wave of spice rose from the bowls. Riley remained unfazed, but Seo’s eyes sparked with a tiny, hidden glint of excitement. Aera didn't miss it. "Fufu... it appears you have quite the fondness for ramen as well," she noted, turning her full focus back to the girl. Seo tensed. Gathering her courage, she finally looked Aera in the eye.

"Mistress—"

Aera’s finger quickly pressed against Seo’s lips to silence her. "Shh. Call me ’Mother.’"

Seo’s hands clenched in her lap. "But..."

"Fufufu... I can understand why you hesitate." Aera’s expression softened with a rare touch of melancholy. "After all, I was the one who forbade you from using that title in the first place."

Seo blinked, looking as though she were hearing words from a complete stranger. Aera leaned in, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "However, I want to change things. I have wished to mend our bond for a long time." She reached out and brushed the back of her hand against Seo’s cheek. "I am aware that I haven't earned your love or respect. Not in the past, and certainly not now. For that, I am truly sorry."

Seo sat frozen, her breath hitching as her eyes trembled with an emotion she usually kept buried. Aera offered a sad smile. "I neglected you out of petty spite. I allowed childish jealousy to blind me, and it destroyed the connection we should have had." She swallowed hard, keeping her hand steady against Seo’s skin. "Please, let me try to make amends. Even if it takes years. Even if you want nothing to do with me right now."

Riley watched the exchange in silence. Seo was at a total loss for words. How could she possibly respond? In truth, she hadn't harbored deep hatred for Aera; she had simply accepted the coldness as her reality. She knew her biological mother and Aera despised one another, but she hadn't let that define her own feelings.

"Ok..." Seo whispered with a small nod.

Aera’s smile returned, though it felt a bit too bright. She then shifted her gaze to meet Riley’s freezing stare. For a split second, her composure flickered. That sharp blue gaze made her skin crawl, as if he were peeling back her skin to see the truth beneath—but she maintained her mask. Everything was proceeding according to her design.

"Fufu~ I realize I'm being quite forward... perhaps even a bit pushy," Aera said softly, her hand over her heart. "But I promise you, my only goal today was to be with Seo. I want to repair what I broke." Her voice grew even more tender. "I know I may not deserve forgiveness, but please believe that my intentions are exactly what they seem."

She sounded perfect. She acted the part of the repentant mother to a tee. But Riley didn't blink. He didn't believe a single syllable. And Aera was well aware of his skepticism. She kept smiling regardless, confident that her opening move had landed.

"Are you certain your motives are strictly about Seo’s well-being?" Riley asked. His voice was steady, but he allowed a hint of his overwhelming pressure to leak out.

Aera’s practiced smile remained. "To be honest? No... that isn't the entire truth." She narrowed her eyes slightly, the predatory glint returning. "It is also because of you."

Riley’s eyebrow arched.

"Yes," Aera continued with total audacity. "Just as I wanted to reconcile with Seo, I wanted to meet the man who managed to support her when the family would not. I wanted to see the one who captured her heart and inspired such change in her. I wished to know you personally, Riley Hell."

She reached out and placed her hand over his with practiced ease. "So, if you wouldn't mind... perhaps you could tell me the story of how you two met?"

In that moment, the true depth of her scheme became clear in her eyes. Riley realized her shamelessness truly had no bottom. "Very well," he murmured. "I suppose my mother-in-law is entitled to hear the tale."

Aera’s eyes widened, caught off guard by his sudden cooperation. Before she could speak, Riley gripped her hand firmly, interlocking their fingers. He sent a sharp pulse of mana directly into her palm. Aera stiffened, her smile becoming a strained mask. Seo, oblivious to the magical struggle happening inches away, continued to eat her spicy ramen in peace. The rest of the restaurant had fallen into a stunned silence, the customers gawking at the bizarre tableau: Riley and Aera holding hands intensely, a girl eating ramen as if alone, and an atmosphere so heavy it felt like the air itself might shatter.