CHAPTER 114: SETTLING IN

Azel walked through the wide halls of the mansion where they were staying.

The place was so large that he felt he could get lost inside it if he wasn’t paying attention.

Its ceilings stretched high, the walls gleamed faintly from the polish of skilled hands, and there were maids everywhere.

He truly felt like a Prince.

Anya had gone elsewhere, off to explore something in the sprawling estate.

That left Azel by himself, with the quiet air of the household settling over him like snow.

He wanted to deliver the magic stones to Edna, she still had to get more circles in.

He passed the kitchen on his way and slowed.

A lively sound drifted out — a bubbling pot, a pan sizzling, laughter spilling into the corridor.

He glanced in.

Medusa was there.

The beautiful woman stood among the maids, cooking with them as if she were born to the task.

Her eyes shimmered faintly with the light of the stove fire.

A dab of salt and flour clung to her cheeks, and she giggled as one of the maids teased her about adding too much seasoning.

The maids looked comfortable around her, and Medusa was grinning like a girl.

Azel’s lips curved in an unbidden smile.

He didn’t intrude; some moments weren’t meant to be interrupted.

Quietly, he walked on. He had to deliver these things to Edna and check on Lillia too.

The corridor bent toward the main staircase.

As he reached the base of the steps, he saw Ellie.

She sat on the railing like a little bird, her short legs kicking in the air, silver hair catching the light.

"It’s dangerous, you’ll fall," Azel said before he thought, instinct guiding his words.

Then he remembered.

This wasn’t Earth.

This was a world of mana and strength.

Even if she slipped from this height, she wouldn’t break a bone.

"Hmph!" Ellie puffed her cheeks and flicked her hair. "Big brother, even if I fall, I won’t get hurt."

She raised her small arms up toward him, eyes sparkling, she wanted him to carry her.

Azel sighed, but his heart softened.

He stepped forward and lifted her into his arms.

"You’re heavy," he teased as he carried her, climbing the stairs with her weight cradled against him.

"That’s because I eat a lot!" she retorted proudly, puffing her cheeks even more.

Then her expression brightened. "Papa said you were going on your first hunt today! Did you hunt game?"

"I hunted a lot," Azel replied, his tone calm but his lips tugging upward. "Big brother is strong."

Ellie giggled, delighted.

When they reached the landing, she wriggled free, hopping from his arms and landing lightly on her feet.

She grabbed his hand before he could say anything more.

"Mama said I should bring you over when you got back," she chirped.

Without waiting, she tugged him forward, her small body surprisingly insistent.

Giggles spilled from her mouth, and Azel found himself laughing softly too.

Having a little sister, he realized, was... fun.

She led him through a corridor to a broad, tall door carved with northern patterns of snowflakes and beasts.

"This is the training room," Ellie announced proudly.

She puffed her chest like a little guide. "You can come train here, or spar with Papa if you want. I do it sometimes!"

Azel wanted to scoff — she could spar with Azariah? but he glanced at her hands as she reached for the handle.

Callouses, rough for her age. The evidence silenced his doubt.

The moment the door cracked open, cold spilled into the hallway.

Azel felt the air prickle against his face.

"Hehe~ My daughter-in-law! You’re talented with magic!"

The voice rang out, vibrant and teasing.

Inside the wide training hall, Diana stood clad in thick fur trousers and a coat, her silver hair bound back.

She conjured a swirling orb of ice between her palms and hurled it forward with power.

Across from her, Edna stood.

She was dressed more modestly, a robe of fur draped over her shoulders, her bearing calm yet radiant.

She lifted her hand, mana spilling from her palm.

A cluster of ice orbs formed in neat precision before she thrust them forward.

The spells collided in midair.

A burst of frost erupted, snow blasting outward in a powdery explosion.

The spray struck Azel full in the face as he stepped inside.

His vision went white.

He shook himself quickly, flinging the snow from his hair, while Ellie collapsed into giggles at his expense.

Both women turned their focus on him.

Diana’s smile spread wide.

"My son," she said warmly, "you brought a truly talented woman home. She deserves to be your wife."

"Mother-in-law," Edna murmured, cheeks blooming pink.

She bowed her head slightly, embarrassed by the direct praise.

Azel chuckled, brushing frost from his clothes. "Thanks, Mom. You two can continue later. But where’s Lillia?"

"Above you," Edna said, amusement in her voice.

Azel tilted his head back.

There, floating near the ceiling, was Lillia.

She hung upside down, hair dangling, her small form wrapped in a cocoon of purple light.

"She fell asleep," Edna explained softly, "and started floating."

"Lillia!" Azel called.

With a flicker of light, she teleported instantly into his arms.

Her tiny arms wrapped around his neck, her eyes half-closed with drowsiness.

"Papa..." she mumbled with a yawn. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers.

He remembered suddenly and reached into his storage ring.

Four packs appeared in his hand, neatly wrapped.

"Oh," he said casually. "I bought ice fish."

The word was barely out when Ellie’s hands darted like lightning.

She snatched one pack and sprinted out of the hall, her laughter echoing behind her.

Azel laughed heartily. He handed one to his mother and one to Edna.

"I love ice fish," Diana said warmly, her smile motherly and genuine. "Thank you, my son."

He waved the last pack before Lillia, but her head had already tilted sideways.

She was fast asleep again in his arms, little breaths soft against his neck.

"Seems she’s exhausted," Azel said softly.

"Yes," Diana agreed. "She learned a great many spells today."

Azel’s brow arched slightly. "Spells?"

Diana chuckled. "She’s gifted, that one. You should let her rest. But tell me — how was your hunt?"

"Oh, I just killed more than thirty Arctic bears," Azel replied dismissively, as though speaking of sweeping snow.

For a moment Diana froze. Her eyes widened, and she stepped forward quickly.

"Thirty?" Her voice carried disbelief. Her arms immediately moved over his body, checking for any wounds. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Her warmth pressed against him as her hands swept his arms, his chest, his shoulders.

Her worry poured from her in waves.

"I’m fine," Azel said with a reassuring smile. "They were weak."

Her eyes softened.

She studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I’m glad you’re safe."

He gave her a small grin, then glanced to Edna.

She met his gaze with quiet warmth, her hand brushing at a stray snowflake still clinging to his sleeve.

He inclined his head.

"I’ll take Lillia to bed, We’ll talk later." he said.

He turned and left the training room, walking through the cold hall until he reached the room from yesterday.

The chamber was quiet, nobody was inside.

He laid Lillia carefully on the bed, covering her with the covers.

She shifted slightly, murmuring in her sleep, then nestled deeper into the blankets.

Azel sat beside her for a moment, brushing her hair back from her forehead.

His eyes softened, then he leaned back, laying himself upon the bed.

His eyes drifted shut.

And in the next breath, his soul slipped from the waking world.

He entered the realm of the Goddess.

"Kyone, I’m ready to begi- What are you guys doing?"