Chapter 214: Family Breakfast

The light of dawn streamed through the windows, softened and tinted by pink curtains.

It bathed the room in a gentle glow, illuminating the artistic decor—ceiling murals painted with care and a grand chandelier crafted entirely from glass.

Near the window sat a study table, flanked by bookshelves and cushioned chairs that invited quiet reflection.

Between two wardrobes stood a large oval mirror, its wooden frame carved with exquisite detail, radiating an air of luxury.

A thick carpet made from the hide of an organic beast stretched across the floor, plush and inviting beneath bare feet.

And finally, behind the thin curtains of the canopy bed, a vague figure rested, shrouded in soft mystery.

"There’s still no news from him..."

Dahlia softly whispered while staring at the ceiling, her feet rising and falling in a quiet, lazy motion.

It had already been over a week since she had arrived at the Grava Mansion, and the fact that there was no news regarding Regis made her feel impatient.

In fact, it had always been her priority every semestral break to go home and ask about him.

However, in all the times that she did so, there had never been a single time when she received news about Regis.

Sitting up straight with a silk pillow in her embrace, Dahlia sighed.

The image of the youth with snow white hair and blood red eyes vividly appeared in her mind.

"Just where are you right now...?"

Deciding that passively worrying would get her nowhere, Dahlia shook her head.

’I need to do whatever I can to become stronger... so that we won’t be separated again.’

She got off her bed and changed out of her pajamas before proceeding out of her room.

***

At the dining area of the Grava Mansion...

Two figures sat at a long dining table, crafted from fine wood and adorned with intricate carvings.

They were none other than Glorietta and Doron.

The former sat at the head of the table while the latter sat to her right.

They were waiting for breakfast to be prepared by their personal chefs, while four sets of plates and silverware were neatly arranged on the dining table.

Nearby, maids stood at attention, quietly awaiting instructions.

Doron was the first to speak, "How’s the situation with the Grava Duchy?"

"My husband is doing a good job of managing it... The monsters and beasts roaming in the nearby forests were being regulated while some parts of the terrain were being developed for expansion."

Glorietta answered with her elbow on the table and her chin supported by her hand.

Currently, her mannerisms, along with her messy bun and bare face, she look more like a normal middle-aged woman who exudes a refreshing aura than that of a noble duchess.

Doron raised his brow, "Gareth, huh? He’s really capable as always. I wonder how he’s doing right now?"

"I feel the same... I’m missing him more and more as days pass. I’m planning to visit him sometime this week to see how he’s doing." Glorietta responded with longing eyes.

"Perfect, are you bringing Gustav too? I’ll bring Dahlia as well."

"Erm, fine, I guess? Though I wanted to receive his special care in our bedroom with just the two of us, so I’ll leave them in your care..."

"Okay, now you’re just being gross. How can you say that with a straight face?"

"Bleh."

"Seriously, when are you going to mature?"

"Oh, shut up, Brother. Do you think I didn’t hear about Macy bragging about you in the past?"

At the mention of that name, the image of a playful woman who always teased him in the past appeared in Doron’s mind.

Alongside the playful woman was a little girl who looked at him with loving eyes.

They were the two most important people in his life.

Even after they had crossed the afterlife, they still remained inside his heart.

"..."

Noticing that Doron had fallen silent, Glorietta noticed her blunder as she covered her mouth, "I’m sorry..."

Guilt stirred in her heart, especially since he was the only sibling she was close to—and the only one she could joke around with like this.

"It’s fine. It has already been years... Anyways, it’s indeed been a while since I met Gareth. I wonder how that fella’s doing."

Although his expression did not change much, she noticed the shift in his mood.

Macy was Doron’s late wife, who had been killed by demonic humans in the past along with their daughter.

Thus, it was a sensitive topic for him.

’If only I were there...’

Regret flashed in Glorietta’s eye before she heaved a sigh and changed the topic.

"Why are Gustav and Dahlia not here yet? Should I go wake them up?"

Doron shook his head lightly, "It’s okay. Let them rest a little more. And the food isn’t here yet, anyway."

"Since the kids aren’t here yet..." He looked at her seriously after a moment of pause, "How’s the situation with the fortresses at the border?"

Upon hearing his question, Glorietta’s eyes flushed in a serious light, "One of the current priorities of the Grava Duchy is the nurturing and training of warriors that will serve as reinforcements at the border."

Although the nurturing of private forces was prohibited in the Royal Capital, the same could not be said for other places, such as cities, fortresses, and especially nobles with their own fiefdoms.

"However, the beasts and monsters in the Mystic Forest were too formidable. The Vigilcrag, Gravewall, and Ashpire fortresses are having a hard time dealing with them."

The Mystic Forest was one of the oldest places in the world that was inhabited by various monsters and beasts.

It was one of the oldest locations humanity had to keep under control to protect their lands.

The three fortresses were solely established to prevent the intrusion of monsters and beasts that threatened to destroy the human territory.

Their situation was like that of Bakurad Fortress, with them being at a much larger scale.

Doron frowned, "So they’re at an impasse, huh?"

"Yes, except that just maintaining their situation is already difficult for them." A wry smile bloomed on Glorrieta’s face.

After a momentary pause, she continued, "That alone is difficult enough, and it only becomes more challenging with the demonic worshippers active once more."

"How about asking the other races for reinforcements?"

"It’s hard. You know how the elves always look at us with contempt. Although the dwarves and beastkin are better, they still look at us as inferior beings."

"True..."

"But with the establishment of Harmonia, the king told us that the improvement of humanity’s relationship with the other races is to be expected."

"Oh, the new satellite city of Ligera?"

"Exactly." Glorietta answered with a nod.

Doron caressed his beard, "I also wanted to have a look at it, if only it isn’t far."

"Right, it might take us around a year to get there unless we can use Ligera’s teleportation circles." She responded, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and interest.

Tap~ Tap~ Tap~

At this moment, footsteps sounded in the nearby hallway.

Doron and Glorietta quickly composed themselves, softening their overly serious expressions.

Creak—

It did not take long before the door to the dining room opened, and Dahlia stepped in with Gustav following behind her.

However, as she entered, she did not wait for him and promptly shut the door in his face.

"Hey—"

Gustav’s voice was shortly cut off as his muffled shouts sounded from the other side of the door.

Creak—

"You really—"

Just as he was about to start a fight, he noticed Doron and Glorietta at the dining table, making him reconsider what he was about to say.

Meanwhile, Dahlia did not pay him any attention as she slightly bowed her head, "Good morning, Uncle. Good morning, Auntie."

Doron nodded with a smile while Glorietta had a joyful expression on her face.

"Good morning, Sweetie."

The two paid no mind to Dahlia and Gustav’s bickering, well aware that their relationship was more like that of siblings who constantly argued.

As far as they were concerned, it was fine as long as no one got hurt.

Gustav also greeted them before taking a seat to Glorietta’s right, while Dahlia sat beside Doron.

Thud—-

Then, as if on cue, the kitchen door opened and maids carrying trays of various dishes entered the dining area.

They moved at a steady pace—neither rushed nor slow—but managed to set everything on the table within a minute or two.

The spread included onion and tomato soups, fluffy scrambled eggs, stir-fried vegetables, and mashed potatoes as a side dish.

What followed was simple: they shared a conversation over their breakfast.

At first glance, they looked like a family enjoying a meal together.

Doron and Glorietta also told the children they would be traveling to the Grava Duchy sometime this week, which brought pleasant smiles from both.

Gustav felt excited to see his father, while Dahlia felt curious about what a duchy would look like.