In the Crawford household, the soft clinking of silverware filled the wide, warmly lit dining hall. The entire family sat gathered around the long bronze-wood table, Aunt Irina, her son Venedikt, and the Crawfords, with steaming dishes arranged neatly across the polished surface. Two dishes were unmistakably of Russian origin: pelmeni drenched in butter and herbs, and a steaming bowl of shchi cabbage soup. The other two were classic American comforts: roasted chicken with garlic glaze and creamy mashed potatoes crowned with gravy. Everyone wore smiles, but none reached their eyes. A quiet tension hung in the air, thicker than the scent of spices that lingered from the kitchen. "Mother… It's for work," Venedikt finally said, his tone careful, almost pleading. "So, can you not be angry?" "Who said I'm angry?" Aunt Irina replied curtly, her gaze fixed on her plate as she spooned soup with practiced precision. "If you are not angry, then why aren't you serving me like you always do?" Venedikt countered weakly, trying for humor but sounding defeated. "Well," Irina said, her tone sharp but tinged with wounded pride, "clearly my sons no longer need their mother when they can so easily forget her feelings. Why should I bother with small gestures when my presence doesn't matter?" Latest content publıshed on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁 "I agree with my sister," Lady Kathleen added, nodding solemnly. "You boys barely make time for family anymore. Once a month is all we get, and last time you were gone, and now Andrei isn't here this time." Alex was a little caught off guard by his mother's support of Aunt Irina, but didn't find it strange. The two had grown close over the months, practically becoming best of friends. He decided it was wiser to stay silent, much like his father, who quietly enjoyed his breakfast without daring to intervene. "Mother, Aunt," Venedikt said, voice calm but firm, "The Ancient World is in a turbulent state. If we want to keep growing and secure our place, rest isn't something we can afford right now." He paused, then added with a faint smile, "But I understand why you are upset. So, I will stay home for two days, so will that make up for it?" "Nope," Aunt Irina replied almost instantly, her expression unchanging. Kathleen, beside her, shook her head in agreement. "However, you tw can make it up to us," "In the past few months, I have made a few good acquaintances," Irina said, her tone softening slightly. "They have been eager to meet you, to introduce their children." "Since you're both connected to such an influential organization, it's only right for others to hold such a desire." Her smile turned sweet, too sweet. "So if you two agree to organize a gathering tonight at your guild house, you will have my blessing to do as you please afterward." "Mother, we are just part of a small mercenary group working for a rich employer," Venedikt said, exhaling in resignation. Alex finally spoke, fully aware of their mothers' motives, yet he also knew they deserved such simple happiness. "You can arrange the gathering," he said softly. "I'm sure this is just a ruse to introduce them to some young ladies," Sophia muttered under her breath. "Sophie, I didn't quite hear that," Kathleen said suddenly, the corners of her lips lifting in a knowing smirk. "Nothing, Mother," Sophia replied smoothly, reaching for her glass, though the faintest smile couldn't be hidden. Breakfast ended soon after, the last of the dishes cleared from the table amid faint clinks of porcelain and silver. The two ladies rose together, quietly exchanging whispers as they carried plates toward the kitchen, though their discussion was hardly subtle. Every few words that reached Alex's sharp hearing made it clear that tonight's gathering had been planned long before either brother set foot in the house. Normally, mornings would have followed a familiar rhythm. The family would head out together sometimes to the amusement park, the aquarium, or the riding stables. Following it, I went to a live event and then a shopping trip that ended with dinner at a cozy restaurant. The brother had to fill their few hours of togetherness with laughter and small memories before night fell and their second life called again. When evening came, Alex and Venedikt, alongside Andrei, would deal with other important matters. Three back-to-back meetings filled the night. The first meeting was with the representatives overseeing their organization's operations and growth, the second with promising new Awakened and candidates close to awakening, and the last with the five individuals who had entered the Ancestral Realm beside them. Venedikt also had his share of responsibilities: inspecting the guilds and groups funded by the persona of Sheikh, reviewing reports from both worlds, and keeping count of the Awakened individuals across the globe using the galactic system. Between all that, their twenty-four hours rarely left time for something else. If no new crisis demanded their attention, they would simply return to their lives in the Ancient World until the next brief visit home. But today's rhythm broke that pattern. Their mothers were too busy and far too excited preparing for the evening event. Rather than ordering everything, they chose to cook for themselves, wanting a few dishes to carry their personal touch. From the sound of clattering utensils and exchanged laughter, the kitchen was now their warzone. Sophia, on the other hand, had already vanished upstairs, eager to prepare her outfit for the night, a task she seemed to take far more seriously than usual. As for Alex and Venedikt, though they had many decent clothes, that didn't stop their mother's verdict. Lady Kathleen had ordered them to go shopping with Alex's father, to get a proper attire for tonight. And so, a short while later, the brothers found themselves being ushered out the door by their smiling and utterly determined mother. The day slipped by quickly than Alex expected. Between helping Aunt Irina taste-test dishes, being told by his mother what ladies like, and being dragged across the city by his father for clothes shopping, the hours melted away in easy laughter. For a long time, life felt almost ordinary, a rare word in his vocabulary. It was a strange sort of peace that melted away all his accumulated worries. After three years of one storm after another, and knowing seven more awaited them, these small, mundane moments felt like stolen breaths of fresh air. By eight o'clock, the preparations were complete, and their family went to the guild mansion, their second home, as Aunt Irina proudly called it. Located just outside the city, the sprawling estate glowed with artificial light, like some large, rich family estate. Inside, the robotic caretakers had done their work well. The grand hall stretched wide and open, easily able to hold a hundred guests, though only twenty were invited. To the right, long dining tables shimmered with neatly arranged dishes, steaming starters on heated plates, and chillers humming softly with rows of colorful beverages. To the left, a cozy circle of sofas awaited conversations and gossip, while projectors and sound systems were subtly embedded into the ceiling. The entire space was a delicate balance between warmth and quiet luxury. Alex's attire was simple but sharp. Black dress pants, a dark turtleneck sweater, and a long trench coat that brushed his knees. The ensemble was completed with a sleek watch and Chelsea boots polished to mirror shine. Venedikt, on the other hand, went with quiet elegance, a silver kurta tailored just right, paired with loose pajama-style pants and a long coat a shade darker than the rest. A moon-dial bracelet gleamed faintly at his wrist, completing the look with subtle confidence. Their parents and Sophia were also dressed modestly for the occasion, carrying both pride and shock at seeing how grand the mansion felt. By half past eight, guests began to arrive, friends, acquaintances, and quite a few unfamiliar faces Alex had never seen. The entire family greeted each other at the door with a polite smile. Alex checked for awakened signatures, but thankfully, none appeared. Not that their presence would have mattered now that they had a deal secured with Zero. Kathleen's eyes gleamed every time someone complimented her boys, while Aunt Irina was already making plans to introduce them to at least three different lovely young ladies. Venedikt muttered under his breath, "This is going to take a while." "You can always tell Aunt Irina if you already have someone special chosen," Alex teased, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. "Yeah, sure," Venedikt replied dryly. "And then Mother wouldn't rest until there's a wedding, followed by a grandchild for her to spoil." Alex chuckled softly, raising his glass. "Can't argue with that." Venedikt's gaze drifted toward the group of chatting guests and their parents, who were happily entertaining a few curious strangers. "That aside... I'm sure you noticed." "No words needed," Alex said, his tone turning sober, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Sophia has awakened." Venedikt's brows furrowed. "How? She was supposed to be within the secured zone. No great opportunities to offer any changes, so it shouldn't be possible." "Exactly," Alex murmured, setting his glass down. "A mystery even to me, but there's no mistaking it; her mana's stabilizing and is growing on its own." He paused for a breath, his voice dropping. "I had hoped she could stay untouched by all this... by what's coming, but it seems life doesn't care about what we wish for." For a moment, both brothers sat in silence, the hum of quiet laughter and soft music filling the hall.