Chapter 44: Family Meal
Kage felt profoundly awkward in this gathering.
’When did I last share a meal with another person?’
The last time was the day before his eighteenth birthday in his past life, where they’d all prepared a meal together—his mother, Taro, even Shinro who feared the kitchen more than battle.
Things had moved quickly since he regressed, so quickly he hadn’t even remembered to have a proper meal with his mother.
’It’s been almost two weeks since I regressed...’
And so much had changed in that time. Though certain things still remained the same.
It would take him a whole year to return to Middlepass and see his mother again. Sitting here as his elder brother’s beautiful wife served their meal, Kage couldn’t help feeling wistful, aching for his mother’s presence.
As she placed a bowl of gently braised lamb before him, Kage lowered his head with an awkward smile, glancing at her eyes.
He understood where Aira had gotten her beauty. The lady was a more terrifying version of it, as if carved from the mythic green jade moonlight said to have hidden its face because the world turned ugly.
She was graceful and commanding, with long turquoise hair that flowed like water, shifting in shade as she moved beneath the light of the vast chandelier.
Her eyes were a deeper teal—calm and wise. She wore layered robes of white and silver embroidered with wave-like patterns.
After serving everyone, she finally sat at the head of the table. Kage looked around, and as if reading his expression, her sonorous voice reached him.
"Your brother usually doesn’t join us for lunch. He’s working by this time."
Kage nodded shyly.
"I see..."
Aira’s eyes sparkled as she leaned on the table, swinging her little legs.
"Papa works very hard for me and elder brother Kazan!"
Next to her sat an equal level of cuteness, but Kage remained unimpressed for two reasons. The first was obvious; the second was that Kazan wore a frown on his face.
He had pale black hair with turquoise roots and grey eyes marking the blood of Iron and Storm running in his veins. However, he looked like a child with anger issues.
The lady released a graceful smile.
"Alright, let’s eat."
As they ate, the dining hall fell silent, filled only with the gentle clink of steel utensils against ceramic bowls and side plates.
Throughout the meal, Aira’s mother shifted different dishes toward her children and Kage.
There were vegetables—many of them. A shredded crispy root with vinegar that tasted bittersweet but perfectly complemented the lamb soup. Amber rice cakes grown in the lush vegetation of the Aurelian Dominion.
Kage lowered his head respectfully each time she pushed dishes toward him, and instantly felt displeased with himself.
He had never been in the presence of anyone who gave him the caring vibes of his mother, and the way he was acting now was completely out of character.
He didn’t like it at all. But it wasn’t as if he could plunge the silver fork in his hand into one of her eyes and walk out alive.
Kage was tempted to prove himself wrong. But then, what would be his gain? Whether evil or good, if he had no gain in it, he would not partake.
’Consider yourself lucky, you strange woman...’
"So, Young Lord... is the meal to your liking?"
Kage nearly jolted. Goosebumps prickled his skin as the lady chose the worst possible timing to call his attention.
Swallowing the leaf and shred of meat in his mouth, Kage let out an awkward laugh.
"Well, it’s really nice. I’m not much of a gourmet, so I don’t know how to piece my words together."
He pointed his fork at a plate of tangy, pungent condiment that resembled ancient chutney.
"When I take this with that, it gives a very soothing taste that balances out the bittersweet notes this leaves. I think they’re all excellent. I haven’t detected any flaws so far."
The lady’s mouth opened slightly, her cheeks flushing.
"Is that so? I’m glad you’re enjoying it."
Meanwhile, a grumpy little voice muttered from across the table.
"Of course you wouldn’t detect any flaws. The flaw is the one eating the food."
Kage’s expression turned cold.
"Kazan!"
The lady’s sonorous voice snapped sharp and dangerous.
Kazan lowered his head with a frown, paused for a few moments, then pushed his chair back and stood.
"I’m done with my meal, Mother. I shall now take my leave."
Her voice stopped him before he could take a step.
"Stand there."
Her tone had shifted. Before it had thundered with rage; now it rang calm and commanding.
Kage was stunned to see Kazan frozen in place. The lady rose and crossed to him, standing before him.
"Kazan. Apologize to your uncle."
Kazan frowned.
"I have simply spoken the truth. We are taught supremacy in strength of mind and body. None is supero—"
A sharp slap cracked across the dining hall, shutting him mid-sentence and snapping his head sideways.
"I do not care what you are taught, boy. You will not disrespect anyone in my hall. Apologize."
The boy shot his mother a look full of rage.
Immediately, a more vicious slap struck his face, dropping him to one knee.
"Apologize."
From the second blow, his left cheek swelled red and his left eye watered.
He gave Kage a reluctant look, his voice trembling.
"I’m... sorry."
The lady’s voice bore down on him like crushing pressure, a lethal glint in her eyes.
"...Properly."
Kazan lowered his head toward Kage.
"I am sorry for what I said to you, young uncle. Please forgive me."
The lady looked at Kage with a tender smile and bowed her head.
"Please... forgive us, young lord."
Kage frowned slightly.
"You don’t need to bow. Besides, I was never angry. It might have been out of place for him to say, but it’s the truth. It would be disgraceful and petty for someone like me to bristle at a child speaking honestly. So please, raise your head, my lady."
Kage exhaled and looked at Aira, who had claimed Kazan’s leftover portion and devoured it halfway.
She froze mid-bite and shot Kage a furious look, her mouth stuffed.
"Bwhot?"
Kage shook his head.
’I don’t know which to fear more—the lady’s terrifying slaps or this little one eating her feelings through them.’
Kazan and the lady returned to their seats, the young lady smiling as if she hadn’t just unleashed a borderline manic side moments ago.
"You can ask for more if you’d like, young lord. Okay?"
Kage nodded.
"Yea..."
Meanwhile, Kazan glared at his sister.
"You glutton! Who said you could eat my food?!"
"You said you were done with it! You ungrateful, unfilial son!"
"Give it back!"
"No!"
"I said give it here!"
"Ahhh, Mama! Elder brother Kazan is hurting me!"
Kage watched the two of them and sighed.
Then the doors of the dining hall opened and gentle footsteps entered. Immediately, both children froze. Aira shrieked.
"Papa!"