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."

refused with a smile

Edward could insist, I chimed

"He can't take alcohol."

"Huh?"

for a moment as he pointed at the

wine. I'm sure he won't get drunk

"You'll be surprised..."

no attention to the change in expression that appeared on his

can even get drunk off

"Ren."

speaking the moment that I

and leaned toward where the chicken was, trying to get

I tried to change

'I spoke too much.'

chicken looks very

Slap―!

"Ow."

to the chicken when someone smacked me in

my own mother was to blame,

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

"But―"

Now that we're at

"Pfttt..."

side, my face darkened, and my head snapped

was that Amanda had a blank expression on her face as she sat

clearly

thought it was

closer to her.

"No."

back at

My eyes furrowed tightly.

wouldn't be able to hear

have no idea what you're talking

continued to feign ignorance, and my eyes

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

nodded my head and took my

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

I would let something like this

the 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 let that

Nola, sit next to

her phone when she arrived, was the last person to take a seat at the

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

couldn't really blame

friends with whom she could play in light

from her had I been

'pet', and she

"Noooo, ma! noo!"

our mother took the phone away

give the phone back to

but I didn't feed Ren

"Hm?"

head to look at Nola. What did she mean

she afraid that I would not get anything to eat since I would be the last one to

could feel the edges of my

'How sweet of her.'

him

"No, bu―"

"No buts!"

the worse, and

this

odd reason, it reminded me of the scene that occurred a couple of

was probably overthinking

face, Nola fiddled with the utensils in front of

'Cute.'

was nothing short

over to

you don't have to worry about feeding me. There will definitely be food for me later. Though I do appreciate the fact that you're thinking about

on the head, only to have my hand shoved back

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

to feed

just say

"No?"

at

back at

I think I clearly remember you saying that you