A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~"

The sun shone brilliantly today, and Annelisa was tending to the flower beds in the western courtyard of the manor.

From her wonderfully light-hearted tune, it was evident that Lady Hydral was in high spirits today. The thriving, delicate, and vibrant flowers bore testimony to this.

Although she knew her son would have to travel far today and could not keep her company, she was not saddened. The events of yesterday had made her realize that Ansel truly intended to be a kind-hearted person.

For Annelisa, there could scarcely be better news in the world.

"Since I've already held him back a day... it would be improper to fuss further."

Her hands gently caressed the tender petals, and a smug smile of mastery spread across her face—a mother's intuition, a genius born, not taught.

"But he should be back tonight, what should I send with Ans..."

Annelisa mused to herself, "Should I call Saville... Oh, Saville's not here, I shall make the trip myself then."

She planned to traverse Hydral City, collecting gifts and well-wishes from the residents for Ansel, recalling the smile on Ansel's face yesterday, Annelisa felt there could be no better gift.

Just as she was eagerly preparing to finish tending to the flowers and set out, a soft and serene voice came from behind.

"Good morning, Mother."

"Hmm?"

Annelisa turned around in surprise, looking at the smiling Ansel, slightly puzzled:

"Ans, aren't you continuing with yesterday's tasks?"

"No," Ansel shook his head, "I'll wait for father to return from the Zero Realm Enigma before I depart."

The woman paused, then a teasing smile appeared on her face.

With her hands clasped behind her back, leaning forward, she took steps towards Ansel, asking in utter astonishment:

"Oh my, isn't this our little Ans who isn't the least bit worried about father's safety?"

With a twinkle in her eye and a smile at the corners of her mouth, Lady Hydral circled her son, expressing her curiosity with amusement: "Why, now you don't even want to start your tasks, waiting for father to return?"

Find more to read at empire

Ansel's gaze drifted past Annelisa, settling on the flowers behind her as if to divert the conversation:

"Mother... remains as formidable as ever."

Rather than teasing her son, such flattery clearly pleased Annelisa more. She followed Ansel's gaze to the impeccably tended flowers and plants, lifting her chin proudly: "Of course, they are beautiful, aren't they?"

"Beautiful indeed."

Ansel tilted his head slightly: "But, Mother, the essence of [Nature] you wield, in the Zero Realm Enigma, it hardly seems of aid to Father, does it?"

The woman paused for a moment, then, annoyed, reached out to pinch Ansel's cheek: "What do you mean, are you saying I'm merely decorative? If it weren't for your father needing an anchor, I wouldn't stay here! Leaving you alone in such a large house!"

She threatened him in a huff, and as if to prove her capabilities, with a mere gesture, the ground beneath her feet rumbled. The soft earth rose, shaped, and solidified, finally transforming into a cold, hard stone giant.

"The power of nature is formidable! Don't think for a moment that all I do is dabble in flora."

Ansel, in silent contemplation, stepped forward and gently caressed the stone giant. He could feel the seemingly ordinary statue's connection with the earth, nearly indestructible.

His mother was right; the power of nature was not to be underestimated, yet...

From an angle Annelisa couldn't see, Ansel's eyes shimmered with a twisted, fierce gleam.

Yet, it was not enough.

"Mother, don't you possess any more powerful spells?"

The young Hydral, controlling his own self, looked up at his mother and asked.

"You child..."

Annelisa's brow furrowed slightly: "Why such a strange question all of a sudden?"

Her maternal instincts sensed something amiss, but Ansel's performance was too flawless, leaving Annelisa momentarily unable to pinpoint the oddity.

Ansel paused briefly, then responded softly: "Because... the words you spoke to me yesterday made me realize how vital an outstanding Head of Soul is."

"So, I wish to learn from you, what qualities an outstanding Head of Soul should possess."

This response initially stunned Annelisa, then made her burst into delighted laughter, holding her face:

"Oh, you should have said so earlier, it's just a small matter... Hehehe, Ans, you do have a way with words!"

She leapt from the palm of the colossal stone giant, allowing the statue to dissolve back into the earth. The ruptured soil and overturned turf seemed to rewind in time, restoring themselves to their original state. As a mother, her part was acknowledged by her child, and Annelisa could hardly contain her joy.

Lady Hydral took Ansel by the hand, leading him to the edge of the garden. She cleared her throat with professional poise, seemingly to elevate her own authority slightly.

"The role of the Head of Souls, Ansel, you must be well aware of it."

Ansel nodded, "As one of my eight pact heads, it primarily shares the burden of worldly information... that is, the pact head that counters the abyssal erosion."

"Exactly, although each pact head has this function to some extent, your mother, and your future Head of Souls, will bear more erosion than the other seven combined—it's truly unique!"

Annelisa was evidently proud of her role, and the deep tenderness in her eyes further underscored her dedication and strength as the Head of Souls.

Neither Annelisa nor Flamelle showed any signs of madness, which is why young Ansel believed his father, Hydral, would have the longest lifespan. He thought that Flamelle could live at least another thirty years.

"So the primary essential condition is—an absolutely powerful soul."

Annelisa raised a finger solemnly in front of Ansel, "Even if becoming the Head of Souls greatly enhances the quality and strength of the soul, the chosen one must possess a soul of extraordinary power beforehand."

Ansel understood, "Only then can one qualify to withstand the erosion."

"Right, next is the character. The abyss's erosion can drive one to extreme emotions, so on top of having a strong soul, he or she must have a VERY VERY good character—just like your mother!"

-->