CHAPTER 142: EX 142. CRINGE DINNER

The silence that followed Leon’s greeting lingered like a breath held too long.

"I would like to thank you... for saving my son."

Leon had expected those words. He knew this was the reason Luke came in person. Still, hearing it directly, from the man who once couldn’t hide his disdain, felt strange. Almost surreal.

The Ferans and the Kaels had been at odds since the celebration months ago. The moment Dayton Feran insulted his family in front of the nobles, and Leon shut him up, that was the spark. Since then, tension had simmered. Leon always assumed retaliation would follow, and when he was arrested at the mall shortly after, the Ferans were the first name on his mind.

But Darian Kael dug deeper.

The truth was messier. The tip hadn’t come from a noble family, it had come from a Grounder. An anonymous one who killed themselves not long after reporting. That, more than anything, had unsettled both father and son. The Ferans were many things, but they weren’t behind that. Which made everything murkier.

Now, looking into Luke’s eyes across the quiet room, Leon didn’t see the veiled smugness he remembered. No cold judgment. Just sincerity. He could’ve sent a messenger, or a gift. Nobles usually did. But he came in person.

’And this is the man I once made kneel in his own house,’ Leon thought. ’It takes guts to stand here now.’

Leon held his gaze. Then he spoke.

"You don’t have to thank me, Lord Luke."

Luke’s brows lifted, caught off guard. But before he could respond, Leon continued, voice calm and unwavering.

"I didn’t save Eden for recognition. I did it because it’s my duty, as a captain, to protect my squad. If something had happened to him under my watch... that’s on me."

Luke’s breath hitched slightly. He stared at Leon, this young man he’d once dismissed as a brute, a hothead, someone who solved everything with fists and fury. But now, there was something different. A weight in his words. Responsibility, Discipline and Maturity.

’We shouldn’t have meddled with the Kael’s,’ Luke thought.

Without a word, Luke rose from his seat. He stepped forward, and extended a hand.

"Combatant Leon," he said with a respectful nod. "You’ll make a great Lord one day."

Leon stood slowly, surprised but composed. He took the hand firmly, met the older man’s eyes.

"Thank you," he said.

And for the first time, the space between the Kaels and the Ferans felt... a little less cold.

****

As the door closed softly behind Lord Luke, the atmosphere inside the accommodation seemed to shift. The weight of formality lifted, leaving only Leon and Elizabeth in the quiet that followed. Elizabeth tilted her head, with a mischievous smirk on her lips.

"I didn’t think you could act so mature," she said, voice laced with mock surprise.

Leon turned toward her with exaggerated offense in his eyes, his brows rising like she’d just accused him of murder. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, dragging out each word as if they wounded him.

Elizabeth shook her head, unable to hide the grin spreading across her face.

"Never mind."

But Leon wasn’t about to let it go. He leaned forward, one hand over his chest.

"For your information, I am the most civilized person I know."

Elizabeth nearly choked on air.

"It’s okay, Leon. I believe you," she said between stifled laughter, clearly not believing a word.

Just as Leon opened his mouth, likely to continue his award-winning campaign for Most Civilized Human Alive, the front door creaked open again. Nikko stepped in, only to be greeted by the tail end of whatever chaos she’d just interrupted.

"Thank the stars," Elizabeth muttered under her breath as she slipped toward the kitchen, dodging Leon’s next bout of egotism.

Nikko raised a brow.

"What happened?"

Elizabeth called back with a casual smile, "Nothing to worry about, Supreme Heir."

Nikko lingered for a beat, visibly confused, but ultimately let it go with a shrug.

"I’ll assume everything went well with Lord Feran?"

Leon nodded.

"Yeah. Surprisingly well."

"Good," Nikko said, voice easing. "We wouldn’t want you upset for tomorrow."

Leon blinked.

"Tomorrow?"

"You’ve already forgotten?" she asked, half amused. "You’re getting promoted."

"Oh, right..." Leon said, rubbing the back of his neck as the realization finally hit. His mind had been too full to even think about the ceremony.

"It’s fine," Nikko said. "Alright then, Combatant Leon, see you tom—"

"Hey, don’t be like that," Leon cut in with a grin. "Why don’t you join us for dinner? Elizabeth’s a really good cook."

Nikko froze, just a second, caught off guard by the offer. Her lips parted like she might decline, but then she caught Elizabeth glancing over her shoulder with a knowing smile.

"...Thank you for having me," Nikko said at last, her usual edge softening.

"It’s the least I can do." Leon said as he led her to the dinning table

And just like that, the room felt warmer.

****

The table was neatly set, nothing fancy, but it had that comforting feel of home, warm lights overhead, steam rising gently from each plate. Elizabeth had gone all out. The rice was fluffy and fragrant, each grain separate, perfectly buttered with a light hint of spice. The sauce was rich, deep red with flecks of green herbs and sautéed onions, and the steak, tender, grilled to medium perfection, had been sliced into even, juicy portions. Just the right amount of char, the kind that made your mouth water before you even picked up a fork.

They ate quietly at first.

Too quietly.

Leon noticed it right away. The clinking of cutlery was the only sound filling the room. Nikko sat straight-backed, chewing with the sort of politeness that felt a little too polite. Elizabeth, meanwhile, had that subtle smirk she always wore when something was brewing.

Leon opened his mouth, about to cut through the tension with a casual,

"This is amazing, babe." But he was too slow.

"You like Leon, don’t you?"

Elizabeth’s voice landed in the room like a thunderclap.

Nikko, mid-sip, sputtered, wine spraying out as her eyes went wide, utterly caught off guard. She turned toward Elizabeth, stunned and blinking like someone had just slapped her with a raw fish.

Leon froze. His face twisted like he’d just bit into something foul.

"Shit."

So much for a peaceful dinner.