Chapter 61 - Lifting the veil

Aiden got woken up from his little mid-day nap with a loud knock on the closed door. His father's voice shifted his brain back to gear, as he curtly called out for him.

"Lunch!"

After he said that, Aiden could hear the footsteps. Sighing, he stood up from the bed and quickly stretched his limbs. Thinking back on the short shout-fest that was supposed to be a talk with his mother, he summarized what he knew. He had to come up with a solution to their problems during lunch, and free them of the Nightmares grasp.

'So, the fact that father lost his job and that he is currently wasting away in sorrow is faulted to me not helping, but instead going to the local school to further my education? How the hell am I going to convince them that this was the right choice? Argh, this is so hard!' he grumbled.

He was prepared for almost any challenge he could think of. Well, almost anything. He wasn't too confident about battling 'enemies' with his wits alone. Aiden may have been social in his previous life, but that's all gone and done. He is not that person anymore. Heck, he doesn't even remember anything about that life.

From the conversations over the years, the only thing he managed to squeeze out from Enya was that he was supposed to remember them, but due to some 'unlucky' accidents, they are sealed. She also said that there is a chance for him to regain most if not all of his sealed memories, but as to how, she could not, or would not say.

Managing to successfully wake up and finishing his stretching routine, Aiden left his room and went to the kitchen where both of his parents were already seated. They were silently waiting for him, with all food prepared already. It was a traditional lunch, with 3 courses. The first the soup, the second the main dish, and for the final, some coffee with desserts. Well, traditional for this locale.

The soup, which was broth, was fresh and delicious. Tasting it, Aiden couldn't help but loudly slurp up his first spoonful of it. The middle-aged man, his father grumbled, while the woman, his mother also voiced his annoyance.

"At least mind your manners! Is making us suffer the only thing you can do?!"

Aiden looked at the woman, with a confused expression.

"I'm not sure I follow your logic, mother. That was just my instinctual response, voicing my fondness of the taste. If anything, you should be delighted. That was a natural reaction, conveying my feeling, that the soup you made is delicious."

The father continued to grumble under her breath, while the woman scorned at the response.

"Manners! Etiquette! This is not how we raised you! If you like the food than politely thank the chef. Don't act like a pig!"

Aiden gently smiled at the woman and tried to showcase as much kindness and love in his voice, he spoke.

"Mother, you are right. I behaved incorrectly, and for that, I apologize. As for the food, I would like to say: Thank you. I may have not tried the other dishes yet, but the soup is wonderful. Thank you for doing all this effort trying to please us."

With his monologue finished, he continued consuming his soup. This time, however, he tried copying their spoon movements and act as politely as possible. He decided that he will roll with the flow and try to convey kindness and filial piety. Hopefully, that will break through to their hearts, banishing the Nightmare surrounding it.

"Humph!" A loud snort was the only response Aiden received for his heartfelt effort. He didn't mind though, this was another small step towards the right direction. The rest of the first dish was finished in silence.

The main dish was another traditional course of the locale, fried chops with mashed potatoes. Just the smell itself was mouth-watering for Aiden. He had a really hard time holding himself back, trying to act politely and not just jump in and gobble everything up.

The strangeness of the situation didn't even occur to him. Back in reality, while he preferred specific foods (mostly meats), he didn't 'like' the food in the traditional sense. He prioritized everything based on the energy, (or in other words: Soul Power) it could provide. Here, in the illusion, however, he genuinely thirsted, hungered for the taste. It was very… human-like.

After giving it a taste, he looked at his mother, and with the same gentle smile just like before, he gave his praise for the food.

"Khm, continuing my previous words, this is also very tasty, flavourful. If you wouldn't mind me saying, this dish is absolutely mouth-watering, mother!"

As if a slight crack appeared on the invisible bubble that the Nightmare represented on her heart, the middle-aged woman was at a loss for words on how to react. There was no sarcasm, no additional meaning behind those words, just pure kindness, and gratitude. Not sure how to react, she looked at Aiden, and without smiling, she curtly responded.

"Thanks."

Aiden was visibly delighted upon hearing this response. He finally got through! Even if it was just for a short bit, he managed to get a genuine response. There were no negative emotions conveyed neither from him nor from his mother.

The rest of the lunch went uneventful. After the main dish was consumed, the lady made some coffee and picked up the chocolate pudding that was safely stashed away in a big white electronic box that they called "refrigerator".

Aiden continued his assault against his mother's heart, and after tasting the dessert and sipping from the coffee, he thanked her with the same kindness that he conveyed before.

"Mother, once again, thank you for this wonderful treat. I really like it!"

The imaginary cracks became wider as she heard an honest and kind thank you, filled with filial love. She elicited a small smile the first since Aiden woke up in this illusion. Seeing the results, and the small curve at the edges of her lips, Aiden could scream in happiness. Not because of the non-existent filial love, as he still had no real feeling towards these 2 strangers, but because this was a huge step forward. He expected that he would need to put in a lot more effort to push through.

'Haih! Progress!' he exclaimed inwardly.

[Now is the time Aiden. Bring up the discussion you had with her before lunch.] Enya suggested.

Agreeing with her, as this was the best chance he had, he stood up and looked at both of them, trying the logical approach, he spoke.

"*Khm*, Mother, Father, please let's talk about the issues you both are having with me, and let's work it out. We are a family, and I'm sure you both agree that we shouldn't be living like this. Let me say this before anything else: If I made you disappointed or angry with any of my choices, I am sorry. My decision, however, to go study at the Academy and carve myself a path for a better future shouldn't be shunned by any of you, it is something you guys should push me for."

Then, looking at his father, he continued.

"Father, the fact that you lost your business and are now without a job is unfortunate, but at the same time that is not a reason to give up on life and just waste away in the living room. You should move forward, and not lament on the past."

Aiden turned towards his mother and addressed her as well.

"Mother, I know you are stressed about our family's future, and I appreciate all the effort you have put into this family. Still, you should be happy for me, and for my choices. This morning score was amongst the best in the academy, and that should be reason enough for celebration. I may very well have a bright future ahead of me, and you shouldn't worry about me not caring for you guys."

Finishing his speech, he sat down, and while looking at their reactions, continued sipping from his coffee.

While his father's face turned increasingly scarlet as his rage boiled, the mother was sending mixed signals. Her emotions were in turmoil, she didn't know what to do. Aiden's words were true, thinking about it she didn't even know why she was so angry with him at all. She is her mother, she is his son… she…

'...I love my son, what am I doing?!' The Nightmare's hold on her heart was already growing weaker, but upon coming to this realization, the last strands of its grip were cut, and warmth replaced it.

The opaque blackish miasma evaporated from her body and vanished into the air. As if a heavy veil was lifted from her heart, she looked at Aiden, and the first time since forever, she gave him a genuine, kind smile.

"Thank you son, I'm sorry, I don't know what came ov-" she couldn't finish her words as from her left, the rage-filled man stood up, and with the kitchen knife in his hand, he bellowed towards Aiden.

"Pesky brat, who do you think you are to lecture me?! I'm not going to stand for it anymore!"