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

could insist, I chimed

"He can't take alcohol."

"Huh?"

stunned for a moment as he pointed at

I'm sure he won't get

"You'll be surprised..."

cast a sidelong glance in the direction of my father but paid no attention to the change in expression that appeared on his

drunk off

"Ren."

the moment that

picked up my fork and leaned toward where

same time, I tried to

'I spoke too much.'

looks very

Slap―!

"Ow."

to the chicken when someone

to blame, and

and eat first? Wait for everyone to sit

"But―"

you to be this rude. Now that we're

"Pfttt..."

side, my face darkened, and my head snapped in that direction immediately

had a blank expression on her face as she sat quietly with her posture correct and her eyes focused on

clearly feigning

it was funny, didn't

asked, leaning closer to

"No."

looked back at

My eyes furrowed tightly.

wouldn't be able

no idea what

and my eyes turned into

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

and took my

that you don't know. I'll see

would let something like this

the black eye that I needed to pay her back for. Well, that was mainly my fault...but

Nola, sit next to

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

that she was a full-fledged addict. It seemed

couldn't really blame

not have any friends with whom she

probably would've been no different from her had

apparently raising a 'pet', and

"Noooo, ma! noo!"

mother took the phone away

give the phone

didn't feed

"Hm?"

at Nola. What did she mean

anything to eat since I

edges

'How sweet of her.'

can feed him

"No, bu―"

"No buts!"

mood immediately took a turn for the worse, and

does this scene look

scene that occurred a couple of minutes ago with the chicken

probably

Nola fiddled

'Cute.'

current appearance was nothing short of

over

will definitely be food for me later. Though I do appreciate the fact that you're thinking

on the head, only to have my hand shoved

and crossing her arms in front of her chest. Her appearance was nothing

to feed

you just say

"No?"

looked at me,

back at her,

remember you saying that