The atmosphere shifted the moment a biting chill swept across the garden. Flowers stiffened, grass grew brittle, and even the air crackled with sharp ice.
Velzard had arrived.
Her aura radiated absolute dominance, her cold gaze locked directly on Veldora. The Storm Dragon's grin twitched, his instincts screaming at him to escape.
Veldora (nervously): "…Right. That's enough family time for me. I think I'll just… leave."
He turned on his heel. Too late.
A crimson glow rippled across the sky as another figure descended — Guy Crimson, striding beside Velzard with his usual crooked grin, crimson hair blazing like fire under the sun.
Guy: "What's the rush, Veldora? We came all this way to see your new look. Don't run off."
Veldora muttered something about "bad timing" under his breath, but his escape was cut off completely.
Rudra sat unfazed in his chair, swirling wine in his glass. Milim sat on his lap, kicking her legs and happily eating cookies, oblivious to the icy pressure spreading around them.
Rudra (dryly): "Hey, tomato head. Why did you and Velzard suddenly decide to drop in? Surely not for the snacks."
Guy (grinning): "Tempting, but no. Word is, Veldora crawled into Nasca Kingdom. Naturally, I came to see his humanoid form for myself… and check how much stronger he's gotten."
Velzard's gaze remained fixed on her brother. Frost rolled across the ground in creeping lines, thin cracks of ice reaching toward the flowerbeds.
Veldora (raising his hands quickly): "…L-let's not overdo it, okay? I'm not causing trouble this time!"
Velzard (flatly): "Yet."
The frost deepened, and tension rippled across the garden.
The ground trembled slightly as another presence stirred. Veldanava's golden eyes opened, calm but firm.
His voice cut through the tension like sunlight through a storm.
Veldanava: "Velzard."
The single word halted the creeping frost instantly. Velzard blinked, caught off guard, her aura faltering under his gaze.
Veldanava (soft yet commanding): "Calm yourself. Do not freeze this garden without reason."
His tone carried no anger, only quiet authority — but it was enough. Velzard exhaled slowly, her icy pressure receding. Flowers regained their colors, and the brittle air eased back into warmth.
Velzard lowered her eyes, a faint flush of embarrassment crossing her usually perfect composure.
Velzard: "…Understood, Big Brother."
Veldora let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Veldora: "…Thank you, Big Brother! I nearly became a popsicle again…"
Velzard (snapping at him): "Don't think this means you're safe from punishment, little brother."
Veldora: "…Figures."
Guy chuckled, watching the exchange with amusement before turning back to Rudra.
Guy: "So? Tell me, Emperor — has Storm really grown stronger, or is he still the same disaster with legs?"
Rudra (smirking): "You should've come faster. That idiot already got himself spoiled by Master Veldanava."
Both Guy and Velzard turned their heads sharply.
Guy & Velzard: "…Seriously?"
Rudra: "Yes. He's gained an Ultimate Skill."
Veldora puffed out his chest proudly, arcs of golden light flickering across his fingers.
Guy: "Which one?"
Rudra: "Uriel."
Guy whistled low, while Velzard's eyes narrowed slightly.
Guy: "Uriel, huh? Not bad. At least that's just defense. Honestly, that might be the only thing keeping him alive against your and Velgrynd's wrath."
Rudra: "Exactly my thought. If he'd gotten an offensive type… well, we'd probably be sitting in a crater instead of a garden."
Guy (grinning): "True enough."
Milim (muffled by cookie): "Pfff—Uncle Veldora making craters again! Ahahaha!"
Veldora (pouting): "Oi! Stop acting like I destroy everything for fun! I've got control now!"
Velzard (cold): "Prove it."
Veldora: "…On second thought, maybe I'll just stay quiet."
While Veldora sulked, Guy and Rudra slipped easily into conversation.
Guy: "So, Rudra, how's ruling treating you? Still playing emperor among mortals?"
Rudra (grinning): "Busy, but amusing. Especially when my garden fills up with walking calamities like today."
The two chuckled, their tones relaxed, friendly.
Velzard stood silently nearby, her frost curling faintly again. She caught the subtle warmth in Guy's tone with Rudra, so different from the blunt, practical way he usually spoke to her. Something in her chest twisted.
And without thinking, her sharp gaze turned back toward Veldora.
Velzard (snapping suddenly): "And you — wipe that smug look off your face!"
Veldora (bewildered): "H-Hah?! I wasn't even smiling!"
Velgrynd (blinking): "Sister… he really wasn't."
Guy (grinning): "Tough luck, Veldora. Guilty just by existing."
Veldora: "…This family is unfair."
Milim nearly fell off Rudra's lap from laughing so hard.
Milim: "Uncle Veldora's scared! Ahahaha!"
Veldora (groaning): "…Hopeless sisters, smug demons, laughing brats… it's always me."
Through it all, Lucia watched quietly from Veldanava's side. Where others looked puzzled at Velzard's misplaced wrath, she alone saw the truth — the quiet flicker of jealousy beneath her calm mask.
Her lips curved in a soft, knowing smile.
Veldanava (noticing): "Lucia. Why do you smile?"
Lucia shook her head gently, her smile never fading.
Lucia: "It's nothing, my love."
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To be continued.
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Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
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