The Author's POV

"Are you fine with going with me? Is your father okay with it?"

"There should be no problem..."

Amanda delicately carried the dishes over to the expansive table, which was elegantly adorned with a nice cloth that featured a floral pattern in shades of purple.

"Going where?"

Speak of the devil.

Edward appeared out of nowhere behind the two of us like a hawk before we could even finish setting the table with the dishes.

Amanda calmly looked at him.

"We're going on a short trip."

"Where exactly?"

"I'm not sure myself."

Amanda shrugged, and Edward looked at me.

I looked back at him and also shrugged.

"Don't look at me. My lips are sealed."

"...Is it dangerous?"

"Very."

I seriously nodded my head, and Edward's face slowly darkened.

Taking note of his darkening face, I quickly added.

"If you're worried about her safety, you shouldn't be. I'm also going with her. With me there, nothing's going to happen to her."

"...That makes me even more worried."

Edward commented, prompting my brows to furrow.

"I'm stronger than you."

"Are you now?"

Edward moved forward, crackling his fist in front of me.

Not wanting to be outdone, I also took a step forward. Natasha, however, intervened between the two of us and smiled at Edward before I had the chance to take any action.

"Now, now...how about you stop causing trouble. The whole reason we're having this dinner is because they'll be leaving soon. Let's be honest now; staying in the human domain is not really that safe either."

"But I'm here. I can protect―"

Edward grumbled, but he cut himself off in the middle of his sentence. After observing that Natasha's face was becoming darker, he decided to keep his mouth shut and take a seat.

The top executives of the Demon Hunter guild had their own opulent apartment built within the territory of the guild, which we were currently occupying.

Edward did not decide to live in the mercenary headquarters as my parents did, as he was capable of providing for his own safety and because he was responsible for running a guild.

"Stop fighting, you two; the food is ready."

My mother emerged from the kitchen carrying what appeared to be a large hot tray that held a large chicken. On the tray was also something that looked like a large knife.

"We're here to see Amanda and Ren off before they leave; let's not sour the mood."

She was very careful as she placed the chicken on the table and patted her hands on the apron that she was wearing.

"Are you fine with them leaving for so long?"

Edward asked, seated opposite my mother.

"I am certainly not happy, but it's not like I can stop him. For as long as he tells me that he's leaving, then I'm mostly fine with it."

"Well...fine."

Edward sat back in his chair and relaxed while pouring a glass of wine for himself.

After he had finished filling his cup, he looked over at my father, who had sneakily taken a seat at the table next to my mother, and he extended the wine glass to him.

"Do you want some?"

"No, thank you."

politely refused with a smile

Edward could insist, I chimed

"He can't take alcohol."

"Huh?"

a moment as he pointed at the bottle in

he won't get drunk off

"You'll be surprised..."

cast a sidelong glance in the direction of my father but paid no attention to

get drunk off of beer. It won't

"Ren."

that I heard

my fork and leaned toward where the chicken was, trying to get

same time, I

'I spoke too much.'

looks

Slap―!

"Ow."

wasn't even close to getting to the chicken when

own mother was to blame, and she

told you to go ahead and eat first? Wait for everyone to sit down first before

"But―"

you to be this rude. Now that we're at it,

"Pfttt..."

instant I heard a laugh coming from my right side, my face darkened, and

on her face as she sat quietly with her posture correct

clearly feigning

thought it was funny,

leaning closer to

"No."

back at me,

My eyes furrowed tightly.

I wouldn't be able to hear

no idea

to feign ignorance, and my eyes turned into thin

"I see... I see..."

my head and took my eyes away from

Pretend that you don't know. I'll see how

would let something like this

matter regarding the black eye that I needed to pay her back for. Well, that was mainly my fault...but I wasn't going to

Nola, sit next

with her phone when she arrived, was the last person to take

this point, I had no choice but to admit that she was a full-fledged addict. It seemed like every time I saw her; she

I couldn't really blame

given that she did not have any friends with whom she could play in

probably would've been no different from her had I been

case, she was apparently raising a 'pet', and she needed

"Noooo, ma! noo!"

our mother took

dinner. I'll give

didn't

"Hm?"

turned my head to look at Nola. What did she mean

afraid that I would not get anything to eat since I

edges of my lips curl

'How sweet of her.'

can feed him

"No, bu―"

"No buts!"

Nola's mood immediately took a turn for the worse, and she stomped her way over to the seat next

this scene

scene that occurred a couple of

probably overthinking

face, Nola fiddled with

'Cute.'

was nothing short of

body over to her,

don't have to worry about feeding me. There will definitely be food for me

on the head, only to have

a sulky look while muttering to herself and crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her appearance was

to

Didn't you just say

"No?"

looked at

back at

think I clearly remember you saying