"Royal?" Sybil was the first to ask, blinking at her mother with confusion.
Layla Astra... the Clan Mistress of the Astra clan, mother, and the woman who had just been on the brink of death minutes ago simply smiled.
"Everyone has different eyes," Layla said warmly, her fingers brushing her daughter’s cheek before shifting toward Azel. "Each eye carries a story behind it, a history. And your lover’s eyes—"
She gestured gently toward him, "... have the depth, texture, and softness that usually belongs to Royalty."
Azel blinked, unsure how to respond to such an observation. Layla chuckled at his expression.
’She does have a point though but how can you tell just by looking me in the eyes?’ He thought.
"It’s just a weird hobby I have," she said. "I’m Layla Astra, your Mother-in-law. I hope you can cook."
"Yes." Azel nodded politely. "I cooked a lot... though it’s been a while."
She laughed heartily, as if she hadn’t nearly died. "Wonderful! We’ll head to the kitchen in a moment and sharpen those skills—"
But before she could finish, Sybil shoved Azel a step aside and crashed into her mother’s arms, hugging her so tightly their hair tangled.
Azel steadied himself from Sybil’s sudden force.
He watched quietly as Sybil buried her face into Layla’s chest, shaking just a tiny bit. He couldn’t blame her... it was clear Sybil was extremely close to her mother, closer than she was to her father or siblings.
Layla stroked her daughter’s hair and whispered teasingly.
"Calm down, tiger. Mommy definitely wasn’t going to die." Then she shot Azel a victorious smile over Sybil’s shoulder.
Azel actually flinched then laughed.
’I like her,’ he thought. She was fun... a complete contrast to the overly rigid Clan Head.
Which made him wonder how such a formal man had managed to marry a woman like this?
The Clan head himself stepped forward, clearing his throat in a low, dignified manner. "Lucielle, you were heading to the Capital. What happened?"
Azel noticed instantly... He wasn’t angry. He was terrified. His stern tone was merely the brittle surface hiding much deeper worry.
Layla snorted. "Quit being such a worrywart, Haji. I’ll tell you."
Sybil finally released her mother and stepped aside. Layla stretched her arms gingerly, testing her healed muscles.
Haji exhaled. "You should address me respectfully. We’re in the presence of others."
"Others?" Layla glanced around the room.
Bella and the junior healers were completely gone, having slipped out at some point after Azel’s healing.
Then she shrugged. "Everyone here is family."
Haji muttered something under his breath but Sybil’s mother caught the flicker of hesitation in his eyes when looking toward Azel.
"Oh? You’re shy of your own son-in-law?" she teased.
"We haven’t officially approved yet," Haji protested, fumbling for some ground to stand on. "He still hasn’t completed my tests."
Layla placed a hand on her hip. "I gave birth to Sybil. I carried her for nine long months. I like this man. And if Sybil wants to marry him, he will marry her."
The Clan Head trembled like a man receiving Divine Judgement.
Then sighed.
"... Yes, Ma’am."
Azel’s eyebrows rose.
’So she’s the real ruler of Astra,’ he thought.
She never exerted this weight in the game... meaning Reinhardt wasn’t someone she favored. Well it was nice seeing that she liked him.
Layla stepped forward, leaning her back against the bed while speaking. "As for how I was wounded... your guards and I were attacked by a monster."
Haji’s jaw tightened. "I gave you three-circle mages as guards. That is overkill for a simple carriage trip. I told you to take the Sky Ferry, but you insisted on enjoying nature."
Layla waved her hand dismissively. "You can’t blame a woman for enjoying good scenery, Haji. Besides... we went a little off-course."
"You... what?"
"This isn’t the first time," Layla admitted casually. "I usually take the boys to train at the foot of Sky Mountain. Monsters appear there, yes, but usually small ones. Alas... my guard mages are dead now, and I genuinely liked them too. But what surprised me was the Rank 3 Monster that attacked us. It’s by the blessing of the Goddess that I’m alive and that the adventurers found me."
[Definitely wasn’t me.] Nyala scoffed into Azel’s mind.
Layla had just explained dying in the same tone a woman usually uses to complain about a burned pie. Even Azel had to blink at the surreal casualness.
’Is she serious? She was about to die.’ He thought.
Haji massaged his temples. "You are forbidden from traveling alone. And until further notice...you are grounded."
Layla brightened immediately. "Yay."
She kissed Haji’s cheek. "See why I love you?"
Then Layla abruptly turned and pushed Azel toward the doorway. "Come, young man! We need to know if you can cook for my daughter. A husband must feed his wife."
"Mother, shouldn’t you change your clothes first?" Sylus asked. Her clothes were ripped, stained, and barely holding together.
"Eh? I’ll just wear an apron," she replied and continued pushing Azel. "Come on, chop-chop, we’re going to the kitchen."
Azel glanced back and caught a rare sight.
The Clan Head’s cheeks were slightly pink.
’So that’s how the great Haji Astra acted behind closed doors.’ He thought, wondering if it made excellent blackmail material.
...
[Astra Mansion’s Grand Kitchen]
The enormous kitchen gleamed with polished counters, enchanted stoves, several cooking stations, and enough utensils to host a banquet for a dozen nobles.
Layla Astra stood in the center wearing a maid’s apron, a white cooking cap, and was holding a wooden spoon like a commander with a sword.
Azel stood beside her wearing a butler-style apron that had clearly never been worn by anyone before him.
His silver hair looked so perfect that the two older Astra sisters kept sneaking glances at him.
Sylus... still fully bandaged from the fight sat on a stool with his arms crossed, trying not to grimace every time his ribs throbbed.
The sisters’ husbands were beside him, completely intimidated. Sybil stood at the counter, smiling widely as if she had never been stressed earlier.
Layla raised her spoon dramatically and gestured toward the family.
"Your performance will be judged by..." she paused and swept her arm toward the spectators, "...my two eldest daughters, their husbands, the injured Sylus, and Sybil."
Azel nodded professionally.
"And me!" Layla added proudly. "If you get a high enough score, I can finalize everything immediately. My husband listens to me very well."
The husbands exchanged pitying glances.
Layla clapped her hands together.
"So, Azel Thorne... what will you cook for us?"
[Author’s Note]
Had a heavy fever, really think this thing comes at least once a month. I’ll try to do Today’s Chapters even though my head hurts.