My Celestial Ascension

"Congratulations, Mother-in-law! You've finally recovered and can walk on your own again. I'm so happy for you," Selena said as she stood up, her voice trembling with emotion. She hugged Vanessa tenderly, tears streaming down her face as she rested her head on her shoulder.

Vanessa smiled warmly and patted Selena's back. "It's all thanks to my wonderful son-in-law. You should thank him for everything he's done for us. If not for him, I'd still be lying in bed, counting my remaining days."

She stole a quick glance at Yuan, who smiled back at her.

Selena pulled away from the hug with a small smile, quickly wiping away her tears. "You're right, Mother-in-law. I must thank him. He appeared like a saint and has done so much to help us."

"Indeed!" Priscilla chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement as she approached Vanessa and hugged her warmly. "Not only did he cure you, but he also helped us uncover the traitors hiding in our family."

"What?! Traitors? In the family? This is unbelievable!" Vanessa exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. She struggled to comprehend the notion of betrayal within her own family.

Selena gently guided Vanessa to an empty sofa and helped her sit down.

"Let me explain," Selena said, her tone soft but serious. She began recounting the events that had transpired when Yuan and his wives first arrived at the palace.

Vanessa listened intently, her face growing more astonished with every word. She couldn't interrupt; Selena's story demanded her full attention. As the details unfolded, Vanessa learned the shocking truth: the traitors were none other than one of her daughters-in-law, Agatha, and her grandson, Fedrick.

Selena paused, but Vanessa could sense there was more to the story. She waited silently, her intuition telling her that this betrayal ran deeper than it seemed.

Her suspicions were confirmed when Selena revealed the group behind Agatha and Fedrick: Golden Skull, the infamous organization that once annihilated an entire empire with their Forbidden Magic.

"Unbelievable…" Vanessa whispered, her voice heavy with disbelief. "To think that Agatha and Fedrick would align themselves with such a dangerous organization… And to believe in their madness. It's beyond comprehension."

"Mom," Valeria interjected, her expression serious, her gaze steady. "Fedrick is dead now. Because of him, countless people lost their lives. A village was nearly destroyed—if not for my husband's intervention. He saved the village. Three of my sisters are from that village, and it was Rose who ended Fedrick's life."

Vanessa froze for a moment, letting Valeria's words sink in. She exhaled deeply, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. "I see… Well, he deserved it. Not only did his actions cause so many deaths, but he also dragged his own mother into this mess, turning her into a traitor like him."

Vanessa's voice softened as she spoke, a flicker of sorrow in her eyes. Despite everything, Fedrick was her grandson. Knowing his fate pained her, but she couldn't deny that his choices had led to his downfall.

She felt a twinge of sadness knowing that one of her grandsons had died recently. Even though he was a traitor who betrayed the family for a criminal organization, he was still her grandson in the end. Like any other grandmother, Vanessa felt sorrowful over the loss. However, at the same time, she was furious with him for betraying the family and endangering them with his reckless actions. It wasn't just the family he had jeopardized—he had put the entire empire at risk by associating with such a dangerous organization. They posed a threat to the entire continent, not just a single empire.

"So, what did you all do with Agatha? Did she also... die?" Vanessa asked, her expression clouded with concern. She was well aware of Agatha's character and how deeply she had loved her son. It was no wonder she had been swayed by Fedrick.

"She is fine. However, we have confined her to her room and assigned a few capable and loyal Imperial Knights to guard her," Selena replied, a reassuring smile softening her face.

"I see… She didn't have much of a choice, which is why she ended up betraying the family even though she didn't want to. It's all Fedrick's fault, but he's paid the price with his own life," Vanessa sighed, leaning back against the sofa. She felt overwhelmed by everything that had transpired during her time in bed. The sheer weight of it all was shocking.

As she sat there, her gaze drifted to Yuan, and for a moment, her expression turned dazed. A memory of their intimate moment in her room resurfaced, making her stiffen. She quickly controlled her emotions, composing herself to appear calm before everyone.

After a pause, Vanessa turned to Philip and asked, "How are the preparations for the Grand Auction coming along? Are there any issues with the citizens regarding the event?"

"No. Except for a few small skirmishes, which are normal for a city of this size," Philip replied confidently. He smiled and continued, "I've increased the city's security, which has significantly reduced the number of incidents. I believe everything will proceed smoothly."

Vanessa shook her head, her voice growing serious. "I doubt that. Don't forget that the Golden Skull was involved with your son. They're likely to create trouble for us to tarnish our reputation in front of our guests from other nations."

"Strengthen security in and around the auction venue. Ensure that everyone is thoroughly checked before being allowed entry. This is essential to guarantee the safety of the event."

"Tens of thousands of people are expected to participate in the auction. Our enemies could easily blend in among them. We must stay vigilant and monitor any suspicious groups or activities," Vanessa explained, her tone firm as she fixed her gaze on her son.

"I-I understand, Mother…" Philip nodded like an obedient child, earning a pleased smile from Vanessa at his compliance.

Shortly after, Philip gestured for a servant and instructed him to summon Minister Vesta to the palace. The servant quickly departed the living area and left the palace grounds.

'I need to ensure Minister Vesta reinforces the security around the auction venue and the residences of our special guests. I can't afford any unexpected incidents while they're in the capital.' Philip's thoughts were heavy as a serious expression settled on his face. If even one of the special guests were harmed during their stay, the consequences would be disastrous for the Lionheart Empire and the Imperial Family. It would tarnish their reputation, and other nations might reconsider future alliances. Such a scenario could be catastrophic for the Empire. Philip clenched his fists. His mother was right—he needed to stay ahead of their enemies to protect both the empire and their family from the unpredictable Golden Skull organization.

A few moments later, Selena called for a maid. A beautiful young woman entered the living area, clad in the standard maid's uniform. She bowed gracefully to everyone in the room.

"Go and inform the chef to prepare a feast for us. We must celebrate this moment—Mother-in-law has finally recovered from her illness," Selena said warmly, her smile lighting up the room.

"As you wish, Your Highness," the maid replied with a soft bow before leaving to head to the palace's Imperial kitchen.

"Is this really necessary, Selena? A simple meal with the family would be enough," Vanessa said, her smile tinged with awkwardness. She felt that such a grand gesture wasn't needed just for her recovery.

"It's absolutely necessary, Mother-in-law! This is a joyous occasion, and we must celebrate it properly," Selena insisted, nodding firmly with an excited gleam in her eyes.

She added with a grin, "Besides, none of us have had lunch yet, so why not make it a feast instead of a regular meal?"

"I agree with Sister Selena," Priscilla chimed in, her wide grin matching Selena's enthusiasm. "This is a special day, and we should celebrate it properly."

Eventually, Vanessa relented, her awkwardness fading as she was swept up in their enthusiasm.

Some time later, another maid entered the living area and announced that lunch was ready. She informed them that the dining table had already been arranged with plates and settings.

"You may go now," Priscilla said with a polite nod. The maid bowed once more before leaving the room.

Selena stood up from the sofa, a small smile gracing her face as she looked at Yuan and his wives. "Yuan, the feast is ready. Let's go celebrate Mother-in-law's recovery," she said warmly.

Yuan and his wives rose from the sofa as well. Valeria gently helped her mother to her feet, knowing Vanessa might feel sore after her intimate time with Yuan earlier.

"Please, lead the way, Lady Selena," Yuan said with a polite smile.

Selena nodded and led everyone to the dining area. They arrived shortly, greeted by a table laden with numerous delicious dishes. The enticing aroma of the food filled the air, making everyone's mouths water.

Soon, they all took their seats and began enjoying the feast. The atmosphere was lively, and everyone seemed to savor the meal. Xi Meili, however, stole the spotlight by devouring most of the food on her own, leaving the Imperial Family stunned by her monstrous appetite.

After the massive meal, they all returned to the living area, their spirits lifted by the celebration. Vanessa, in particular, couldn't help but gaze at Xi Meili's striking appearance, her curiosity piqued by the young woman's unique horns.

"Yuan, what race of Demi-human is this beautiful lady?" Vanessa finally asked, her tone laced with curiosity. "I've never seen horns as unique and stunning as hers."

Xi Meili's expression darkened slightly at the question, but she restrained herself out of respect for Valeria's mother. She kept her composure, though it was clear the term "Demi-human" didn't sit well with her.

Sensing her discomfort, Yuan gently patted Xi Meili's head and guided her to sit on his lap. Turning to Vanessa, he smiled and said, "Lady Vanessa, please don't refer to Xi Meili as a Demi-human. She takes great pride in who she is, and calling her that could offend her. Her pride won't allow others to look down on her. After all, she is one of the second-most prideful beings in the entire world."

The Imperial Family exchanged surprised glances at Yuan's words. Their curiosity about Xi Meili only grew stronger.

"So, she isn't a Demi-human? Then what is she? What kind of being is she?" Fiona asked, her voice brimming with intrigue.

Yuan chuckled, his tone laced with pride as he replied, "Xi Meili is a dragon—a true dragon. She is the last Primordial Chaos Dragon, one of the most powerful beings in the entire universe."

The room fell into stunned silence, everyone marveling at this revelation.

"And as for Fang Xiaoyan," Yuan continued, pulling her closer, "she is a Phoenix—an Eternal Vermilion Phoenix. She's also one of the strongest beings in the universe and the most prideful creature of them all. Their pride knows no bounds—they won't bow their heads to anyone."

As he finished speaking, Yuan placed a gentle kiss on Fang Xiaoyan's cheek, his affection for her evident.