Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1215: Asian Parenting

The laughter of the reunited family echoed through the lab where Aurora usually worked her magic.

For a moment, the air felt light again as relief, warmth, and the strange comfort of familiar scolding all mixed to create a wonderful atmosphere.

Then Gideon cleared his throat. He adjusted his monocle and straightened his posture until the familiar academic sharpness returned to his face.

"Daughter," he began with a tone that was clipped and professional. "We’re truly glad to have been freed and to see you in good health, but all we said about your attitude toward the art of alchemy remains entirely valid."

Aurora froze. Every muscle in her body locked. Her fingers twitched above the bubbling cauldron as memories of her father’s old lectures rushed to life. Long nights of measuring, recalculating, and rebrewing under his scrutiny filled her head.

"H-Hey! You can’t be like this!" she blurted in panic. "You literally escaped prison five minutes ago! You see your daughter again after a many months of cruel separation and uncertainty!!!"

"But we can," Naomi replied without missing a beat.

She crossed her arms and nodded toward the equipment. "You brought your friends in here to chat. How many times have we told you that the lab is a sacred space? Conversation belongs outside."

"But Moooom!" Aurora groaned. "Do you know how many potions I make in a day? I got bored! And we just got back from a very stressful situation! I needed their company!"

Quinlan had to admit. Aurora was right, at least in some capacity. She was not just an Alchemist; she was the Essenceweaver, arguably the backbone of their group, as she cast many AoE shields and buffs on them all.

She saved just as many lives as Seraphiel had.

But unlike the other combatants, Aurora was to return from war, and instead of unwinding with a nice, warm bath and filling meals, she’d rush to the lab to stock up on the potions they used.

No one expected her to do this, but as the only Alchemist-classed member, she thought it her duty. Quinlan suggested they buy Alchemist slaves to help her with the work, but she refused, saying she didn’t trust outsiders with these recipes and that she’d have to teach them.

But she was not ready to have apprentices, nor did she have the time to correct their mistakes.

That being said, Quinlan could finally rest. Aurora got the two best helping hands she could ask for... Though she might not want to ask for their help, considering the scene playing out before Quinlan’s eyes.

He remembered how Aurora’s daddy kink developed as a result of her parents being very strict with her ever since she showed extreme talent for alchemy, which happened very early on in her childhood.

Her youth was a bit oppressed as a result... but in exchange, an extremely competent alchemist was created.

Quinlan didn’t feel that it was his right to think badly of Naomi and Gideon. They were strict, but ensured their daughter had a very bright future. In a cruel dog-eat-dog world like Thalorind, they were more than right to do this.

He thought of it as Asian-style parenting.

From across the room, finally leaving her sulking corner, Kitsara padded over. She slid up behind Quinlan and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his back.

Quinlan chuckled while he held Seraphiel from behind as well, forming a small wall of affection while the trio watched the family chaos unfold.

Three big smiles adorned their faces.

"Those are horrible excuses," Gideon decreed. "Any good alchemist knows that socializing does not belong in the lab. If you are unfit to work... Well, you make sure you are. But if you’re deathly ill, then you rest. You do not brew."

Naomi leaned toward the cauldron, inspecting the mixture with an appraiser’s precision. She sniffed once, frowned, and said, "This batch will be at least five percent less effective than if I’d made it myself."

Aurora’s eyes widened. "That’s because you’re better at alchemy!"

Naomi shook her head. "I’m better because I’m a responsible adult. You’re more talented than I ever was. You just lack proper discipline."

Aurora blinked, caught off guard. The compliment hit harder than she expected.

Before she could recover, her parents had already flanked her with Naomi on the left, Gideon on the right.

And just like that, each began giving rapid-fire instructions.

"Your heat control is uneven again."

"Too much stabilizer; you’re muting the reaction."

"Don’t overmix it! You’ll separate the mana threads!"

"Argh! My peaceful life, nooo!!! I feel it shattering right before my very eyes," Aurora cried.

Her parents did not care one bit.

"Rotate the rod properly! Properly, I said!"

"Are you cooking soup or a high-tier mana potion?!"

Aurora scrambled to keep up with tears of grief forming in her eyes. Her eyes then bulged as Naomi slapped her hand away from the cauldron. "You’re not rotating correctly! Have you gone deaf?"

"M-Mom, I am doing it correctly!"

"You’re not," Gideon replied flatly.

The scene had devolved into a strangely cozy chaos. Gideon’s sharp instructions, Naomi’s firm corrections, and Aurora’s flustered protests filled the lab with life.

Quinlan finally laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Alright," he said softly while squeezing the hands of his elf and fox lovers. "Let’s give them their moment."

He turned toward the door, leading Seraphiel and Kitsara out of the lab.

Aurora caught sight of him leaving. "Hey! Don’t you dare leave me behind!" she cried, half desperate, half laughing. "Please!"

Quinlan looked over his shoulder, grin wide. "Have fun, my beloved plump princess."

Aurora’s face went scarlet. "Don’t call me that in front of my parents!" she squeaked. "I didn’t even introduce you properly yet! I just told them your name!!"

Seraphiel laughed softly as they reached the door. "They seem... occupied. Proper introductions can wait."

Behind them, Naomi clucked her tongue as Aurora’s stirring faltered again. *Slap.*

"Ow!"

"Your rotation is getting worse."

"Because I’m busy begging for mercy!"

"We told you; no socializing in the lab. Stop playing."

Aurora groaned but kept stirring while her parents loomed like twin shadows of discipline over her shoulders.

Despite her cries, however, the biggest of smiles formed on her lips. "Mom, Dad... I missed you."

The strictness left the pair for a moment as they gently smiled in return.

But then Naomi’s eyes squinted. "Are you trying to turn your parents sentimental to make your life easier?"

"Mom!! I don’t believe you!" Aurora protested.

Quinlan’s laughter drifted through the hall as he disappeared with his two companions, leaving the young alchemist surrounded by family, chaos, and the familiar scent of mana and home.

It was loud, messy, and utterly perfect, he thought.

The trio emerged from the stairwell leading up from the underground lab. Truth be told, the lab wasn’t up to par with the best in the kingdom just yet. But Quinlan hoped the experienced pair could help him and Aurora decide how to go about making the best lab in the kingdom.

As they moved up, the air gradually lost its sharp alchemical tang and filled with the familiar fragrance of polished wood and lavender oil.

The stone corridor gave way to the mansion’s main hall.

Waiting near the base of the staircase were Anna and Beatrice, the household’s first two maids.

Both girls straightened immediately at the sound of footsteps.

When they caught sight of Quinlan emerging, their faces lit up.

"Master Quinlan," Anna chirped with a fond voice as she bowed deeply.

Beatrice followed suit with a shy smile. "Welcome back."

Quinlan gave them a single nod and a welcoming smirk. "You two have kept the mansion standing, I see."

Their eyes lit with quiet pride.

Behind him, Kitsara’s tail flicked. "Hmmm~ Are you flirting with the maids, Quin?"

The maids both froze, cheeks reddening in perfect sync.

"They are teens, you perverted woman..." Seraphiel shook her head.

Quinlan didn’t even bother to acknowledge the suggestion of the Slutty Foxy.

Instead, his hands shot out, aiming for their perfectly round buttocks.

*Smack.*

*Smack.*

"Ah!" Kitsara yelped, ears twitching wildly.

Seraphiel jumped as well, but she soon giggled slyly.

Quinlan grinned. "I have work to handle first. I’ll play with you both later."

"Aww..."

"I’ll visit Mom!"

Quinlan’s grin lingered as the two women before him broke into motion.

Kitsara, with her teasing bounce, tail flicking like a metronome of temptation while she shook her butt from side to side to ensure he saw it.

Seraphiel, with her calm, elegant, and graceful poise, fitting for a noble elven lady.

What wasn’t fitting for a noble elven lady was, however, the sinful swaying of her delicate hips as she traversed the hall.

For a brief moment, Quinlan just stood there, watching the twin rhythm of movement as if gravity itself demanded he appreciate the view.

He was mesmerized.

Then...

"Khm!"