CHAPTER 85: FAMILY MAN

The small dining room of the inn was filled with warmth.

The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting golden light over the wooden walls.

The table was crowded with plates and bowls, their steam carrying the scent of herbs, stewed meat, and fresh vegetables.

Everyone sat together in the little room, and for a moment, It felt like they were a big family.

Lillia sat on Azel’s lap, spoon clutched in her small hand, though more of the food had ended up on her chin than in her mouth.

Azel, patient as ever, guided her movements, showing her how to scoop, how to tilt the spoon without spilling, how to bring it carefully to her lips.

"There," he murmured, steadying her tiny hand. "Not too much at once."

Lillia puffed her cheeks as she swallowed. "Papa, it’s hard."

"You’ll get it."

His smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Next bite, slower."

Edna watched them from across the table, her own spoon paused mid-air.

There was no mistaking it — her chest warmed at the sight.

Azel, strict but patient, and Lillia, eager but clumsy.

It was a picture of the ordinary life she had once thought impossible.

Most of the things she dreamed about had become possible... ever since she met him.

By the time they were finishing, Azel reached into his storage space and pulled out a pack wrapped in parchment.

He placed it on the table in front of Edna with a casual motion.

"Here," he said.

Another, smaller pack appeared in his hand, which he opened for himself.

Edna blinked, curious, and tugged at the string.

The parchment fell away, and the scent hit her at once — charcoal smoke, grilled meat, and that faint sweetness of marinated glaze.

Her breath caught.

They were Chicken kebabs.

The same ones they had eaten together on that day, when she had snuck out of the castle dressed as a commoner.

The same ones Azel had bought from that little street vendor, brushing her hand when he passed the skewer to her, walking beside her as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"He remembered..." The words left her lips before she could stop them, barely more than a murmur.

Her fingers lingered on the stick.

That memory had been simple and yet Azel had carried it forward, placing it here before her as though it had always mattered.

Her chest tightened, but she kept her eyes on the food, unwilling to let him see how flustered she was.

Across the table, Medusa groaned dramatically.

’Ugh... I ate mine too fast.’ She flopped onto the table, pressing her cheek against the wood. ’I was so excited I didn’t pace myself. Now I don’t have any.’

Azel looked at her blankly. "Want one?"

He extended his skewer toward her without much thought.

Medusa lifted her head, blinking at the offering.

The kebab was still hot — its juices glistened under the light, the heat trapped perfectly thanks to his storage magic.

Her gaze flicked to Edna, who was focused on her own food, chewing slowly, lost in thought.

’This is one of the few moments I can claim Master,’ Medusa thought, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

Instead of reaching for the stick with her hand, she leaned forward slowly.

Her lips parted, and she closed around the kebab.

Her tongue slid forward, rolling against the skewer as she drew the meat into her mouth.

When she leaned back, her tongue trailed along the stick, leaving a glisten of saliva that slid down onto Azel’s fingers.

"Thanks, master~" she said, smiling with feigned innocence, her voice dipped in honey.

Edna nearly dropped her spoon.

Azel blinked at her once.

Then twice.

His expression flattened, though his ears had turned the faintest shade of red.

Without a word, he set the now-damp stick down on the edge of his plate.

"You’re welcome," he muttered, too casually, before turning away.

As though the act had never happened, he lifted another kebab and offered it to the little girl still on his lap.

"You haven’t had this before, have you?" he asked.

Lillia sniffed at it curiously, nose wrinkling at the smoky aroma.

"No, papa. But it smells... really good."

"Don’t stick it to your nose," Azel said, tilting it back before she got sauce on herself.

She pouted. "Feed me. Feed me like you fed Mama."

Edna’s spoon froze mid-air, her face flushing scarlet.

Medusa, across the table, was suddenly as red as the sun, her shoulders shaking as she suppressed the need to squeal.

Azel sighed, helpless, and brought the skewer to Lillia’s mouth. "Open."

She bit down happily, chewing with wide eyes as the flavor filled her mouth.

Her little face bloomed into delight.

"Papa, it’s so good!" she exclaimed with a muffled mouth, smiling with greasy cheeks.

Edna exhaled, covering her lips with her hand to hide the smile tugging there.

The sight of Azel patiently feeding both Medusa and Lillia — whether he realized it or not was disarming.

He made it all seem so easy, so natural, as though family had always been his role.

’He’ll be a very good father... I’ll make sure I have his kid...’

Dinner carried on in warm silence after that.

When the food was gone and the plates cleared, they each drifted to their rooms.

...

Later that night, Azel pushed open the door to Edna’s room.

She was seated cross-legged on the bed, her eyes closed, her breathing slow and steady.

Around her floated five glowing cores, each one pulsing faintly as she drew in their lingering energy.

Mages at the two star level could usually absorb two or three at a time but she showed why she was a prodigy with mana.

Her concentration was absolute, her hair shifting gently in the aura that surrounded her.

Azel lingered at the doorway, watching for a moment.

She looked untouchable like this, and fierce as well.

"I’ll need to spin the Fate Wheel more," he muttered under his breath.

With a soft sigh, he turned away, leaving her to her meditation.

In his own room, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He willed himself forward, reaching for that familiar thread to the Plane of Light.

The heaviness in his body gave way to a strange weightlessness.

His limbs grew distant, his breath shallow.

Then, with a final tug, he felt himself rise.

His vision tilted — his body remained on the bed, motionless, as though asleep.

[If your body is in danger, the System will forcefully eject your soul from the Plane.]

"Nice," Azel muttered, faintly impressed.

Then the world blinked.

He stood in the radiant chamber once more — the Plane of Light.

And there she was.

The goddess.

Azel’s eyes widened, his jaw slackening, threatening to hit the ground.

"Darling~ Welcome back~" Her voice was a sing-song purr, playful and dangerous.

His throat worked before his voice broke out:

"Wh — what are you wearing?"

[Author’s Note]

3/5, the rest will come afterwards.