CHAPTER 105: WINTER FAMILY [II]

Azel had a family.

He knew what a family was.

At least, that’s what he always told himself.

In his old life, family had been a flimsy concept, fragile like cracked glass that no one wanted to throw away but everyone was afraid to touch.

His parents had separated when he was young — too young to understand why but old enough to feel the empty space.

His father vanished into another life somewhere beyond his reach, and his mother, no matter how hard she tried, could not fill the void.

His older sister had tried too, in her own way, but the warmth he longed for — the kind you read about in books or saw in shows was something he never truly touched.

So he had done what was easiest.

He had buried himself in games.

Pixels became his world, and the screen his shield.

In that fabricated reality, he could be the hero, the one who belonged.

A place where he could pretend the hollow weight in his chest didn’t exist.

But now...

As his crimson eyes landed on the three people seated before the table, Azel’s mind faltered.

The calm woman who didn’t eat stood the moment he entered, tugging her flowing dress up so she wouldn’t trip over it.

Long silver hair tumbled down her shoulders, her features so refined and beautiful that she might as well have stepped out of a painting.

Her crimson eyes glistened with fresh tears that fell freely as she crossed the distance between them.

Azel froze.

Before he could think, before he could decide what to do, the woman wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.

Her grip trembled with desperation, her shoulders shaking against his chest as she wept openly into him.

"Ah—" His voice caught.

Her tears soaked into his bare chest, and Azel suddenly felt something in him twist.

His breath hitched. His chest... ached.

What was this feeling?

Why did her pain make him hurt?

"...Mother," the word escaped him like an instinct, fragile and trembling, yet true.

His arms rose slowly, hesitantly, then closed around her back.

His hands pressed gently, pulling her closer, holding her as though he had done this countless times before. "Mother... I’m here."

Her sobs broke harder at his words.

"Please... don’t let go," she whispered, her voice shattering under emotion. "I don’t want to lose you anymore. I’ve already missed out on your childhood... I can’t—"

She cut herself off with a strangled breath, burying her face deeper into him.

Azel’s chest tightened again.

He didn’t know what to do with this ache, this fragile warmth bleeding into him from her embrace.

But his hand rose on its own and gently patted her back.

"I’m not going anywhere, mother," he murmured softly.

Her shaking eventually slowed.

She sniffled, pulling back just enough to look at his face.

Tears still clung stubbornly to her lashes, but her lips curved into a trembling smile.

A smile full of relief.

She clutched his hand and guided him firmly toward the table. "Come. Sit. You’re too thin. You must eat."

Before he could respond, she had sat him down and was already pushing plates toward him.

Delicacies of every kind were stacked high, meats sizzling in sauces, fish fried with golden skins, breads steaming warm, and soups rich with herbs.

"You’re going to eat everything here." She huffed with a seriousness that felt comically motherly.

"I’m not letting you leave until you’ve tried every single dish you’ve missed."

"Yes, ma’am," Azel muttered with a small, awkward nod.

She grabbed a piece of roasted meat, sliced it neatly, and brought it to his lips herself. "Eat."

Azel hesitated, crimson eyes flicking toward hers.

The way she looked at him... it wasn’t pity.

Those eyes held pure care.

He leaned forward and took the bite.

The flavors burst across his tongue — spiced and savory but what warmed him more than the food was the earnest way she was watching him.

"You’re too thin," she muttered again, her brows furrowing as she quickly cut more. "Don’t worry. I’ll fatten you up and then make sure it turns into muscle."

The seriousness on her face made him chuckle under his breath.

Somehow... it felt good.

Azariah leaned back in his chair with a booming laugh.

"Diana, don’t overwhelm the boy!" His large hand slapped against his thigh, shaking the tableware with his amusement. "He just sat down and already you’re shoving food down his throat!"

Azel’s gaze flicked toward the man.

Diana.

So that was his mother’s name.

"Don’t tell me what to do with my son." Diana shot her husband a sharp look, protective and unyielding, before she turned back toward Azel.

Her eyes, however, softened instantly as they met his. "Besides... he brought women home with him. Quite the surprise, isn’t it?"

Azel blinked.

Her tone turned sly as she added, "Is that silver-haired lady truly your wife?"

"Yes, mom." The words slipped out naturally, and the corner of his lips twitched at how Diana’s eyes widened slightly.

A faint blush touched her cheeks.

She glanced briefly at Anya, who was still standing by the side of the room.

The maid bowed her head, but Diana mouthed something quickly toward her — something that made the girl’s cheeks color bright pink.

Diana’s smile returned. "Then I’ll just have to teach her how a proper wife of Winter should act."

She then leaned in closer to Azel with an expectant glint in her crimson eyes. "And you should have brought my granddaughter to me sooner."

Azel smiled faintly. "Oh? Lillia!"

The air rippled softly, and in the next heartbeat, the small figure of Lillia appeared right on his lap.

Her little arms looped around his neck as she tilted her head up. "Yes, Papa?"

Azel patted her back. "Grandma wants to see you."

Lillia’s crimson eyes blinked wide, then her face lit up. "Grandma?"

Diana’s expression softened instantly, her tears returning but now glistening with joy.

She reached forward with trembling hands, pulling Lillia from Azel’s lap into her arms.

"Oh... oh, you precious little thing," Diana whispered, hugging the child tightly.

Lillia giggled, snuggling into her grandmother’s embrace.

"You smell nice, Grandma," Lillia said innocently, making Diana laugh through her tears.

"You’re even sweeter than I imagined," Diana cooed, peppering the girl’s cheeks with kisses while Lillia squealed and tried to dodge them. "My granddaughter... you’re perfect."

Azariah watched the scene with a grin. "Looks like the ladies of the house have a new favorite."

The table erupted with warmth and chatter.

Diana fussed over Lillia endlessly, feeding her small bites while Lillia giggled at every gesture.

The atmosphere grew soft, and even Azel felt himself... relax.

Then—

A tug.

Azel blinked and looked down.

A small hand was clutching the hem of his exposed winter shirt.

The young girl with messy silver hair and crimson eyes stared up at him, her cheeks smeared faintly with oil from the food.

"My name is Ellie," she declared boldly, her small chin lifting as though she were announcing something grand. "And I’m your little sister, big brother."

Azel froze.

For a heartbeat, he just stared at her.

Then... his lips curved, and a laugh slipped out. "So cute."

Before Ellie could protest, Azel scooped her up into his arms, lifting her with ease.

She squeaked in surprise, flailing slightly.

"H-Hey! I’m not a doll!" she whined, but her crimson eyes sparkled with shy delight even as she pretended to pout.

Azel hugged her close, unable to stop himself from ruffling her messy hair. "Ellie, huh? I’ll remember that. My little sister."

She pressed her lips together, then leaned her head against his shoulder. "...Big brother."