"Ren, this is Aunt Venelana. Come and introduce yourself to her." — When Masaki saw Ren coming downstairs, a happy smile appeared on her face as she gestured for him to sit beside her.
Ren approached with lazy steps, one hand in his pocket and a half-interested look, as if he were checking on something that belonged only to him. He sat next to Masaki and greeted Venelana in a quiet, barely-interested voice:
"Hello… Aunt Venelana."
Venelana smiled lightly and said gently:
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ren. Masaki has spoken about you."
Ren merely raised a brow, a faint mocking smile passing across his face:
"Yeah… I'm sure you've heard more than you actually know."
Masaki giggled softly and tapped his shoulder lightly:
"Ren! Don't be rude. Just try to be a little polite."
"Alright, alright…" — Ren raised his hands in surrender, though he clearly had no intention of changing his attitude.
He flashed a wide smile — half mocking, half lazy — and looked at Venelana with a faint spark of challenge in his eyes:
"Polite… I'll try. But don't expect me to change who I am, Mother." — he said with a slow blink, hinting that it was just a joke, and that his cold, dismissive personality wasn't going anywhere.
Venelana sat calmly, her violet eyes observing Ren with a balanced expression — half impressed, half reserved — yet she showed no sign of being bothered by his careless behavior.
Masaki laughed again, then glanced between the two women with a warm smile:
"It's alright, just try to be nice today… at least until breakfast ends."
Ren shrugged indifferently, but inside he felt a faint, strange warmth. He didn't care much about guests, but he didn't want to ruin the pleasant morning atmosphere Masaki had created.
Soon, Bambietta and Candice prepared the breakfast table, and the three of them began eating the meal Masaki had made while discussing the reason behind Venelana's visit.
Ren raised his eyebrow slowly, his expression filled with curiosity and doubt:
"Zekram Bael?" — His voice was calm, but it carried clear surprise at the unfamiliar name.
Masaki nodded gently, her eyes carrying a mix of warmth and caution:
"He's the ancestor of the Bael family who survived the Great War… your great-grandfather." — She paused for a moment, then added with a soft smile: "I was planning to visit him, and he told me he wants to meet you as well."
Venelana waved her hand lightly, a small smile forming on her lips as she referred to a man who seemed extremely powerful, yet described him with words that hid a strength not to be underestimated:
"A kindly old man who loves his family… despite his stern appearance."
Ren looked between the two women again, his eyes shining with a mixture of surprise and confusion:
"And why would this great-grandfather want to meet me?"
Masaki and Venelana exchanged a brief look, as if trying to decide the simplest way to explain something to a young man who only cared about what suited him:
"Because… he wants to get to know you. And he feels that your presence is more important to the Bael family now than ever." — Masaki whispered in a calm tone, carrying both responsibility and caution.
Ren smiled faintly, shrugging in his usual indifferent way, his voice tinged with a trace of familiar sarcasm:
"Well… looks like we're scheduled for a trip to the Underworld. What do you think, Mother?"
Ren threw a light wink toward Masaki, a teasing smile mixing playful affection with childish mischief — a small moment of intimacy between them amid the warm morning — while his eyes held a quiet challenge wrapped in gentle fondness.
Venelana smiled softly, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes:
"Your relationship with your son is truly wonderful… unlike my eldest, cold and distant from the family. How about letting me spend some time with your boy?"
Masaki looked at Ren briefly, then turned back to Venelana with a warm, tender smile:
"Alright… but remember, this boy is extremely stubborn, and he won't be easy. So don't try to change him or control him. Just spend time with him… and things will be fine."
She added lightly, with a playful touch:
"But if you try to take more than your share, I'll come back and spend time with both of you together."
Venelana laughed softly, and the room filled with warmth and playfulness. The atmosphere became lively, a natural, vivid moment of connection between generations.
"…" — Ren stared silently at the two mature women who had come to an agreement about him without even asking for his opinion. He just ate quietly, not really caring, as long as Masaki was happy.
He finished breakfast quickly while the women talked, recalling memories of the past, with Ren joining the conversation from time to time whenever they addressed him.
"…" — Ren watched the two elegant, mature women sitting across from him — each carrying a presence that demanded respect yet radiated calmness. It felt as if each of them had woven her years into beauty, grace, and composure. Ren sat quietly, observing without complaint, his hand moving slowly as he handled his food. He didn't care much about what was happening, as long as Masaki was content — that alone was enough for him to participate without reservation.
Breakfast was neatly arranged before him, the bright colors of the dishes blending with the morning sunlight filtering through the window, giving the room a warm and intimate atmosphere. Ren ate at a moderate pace while the women spoke passionately, recalling old memories and laughing at fleeting moments, filling the air with affection and nostalgia.
From time to time, Ren would offer a short reply or a small comment whenever the conversation turned to him. Each word carried a warm, subtle awareness of everything around him. Those small moments were filled with tranquility, as if time itself paused to give them a chance to connect naturally, effortlessly — all wrapped in a gentle human warmth no other force could recreate.
...
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