> "My fiancée...? She's really my fiancée?"
That thought kept echoing in Kael's head even after this morning's absurd incident.
That girl—with silver hair, sharp eyes, and a mysterious smile—had really sat on his stomach and claimed to be his fiancée.
And crazier still, no one seemed even remotely surprised.
After getting dressed in his usual training clothes, Kael decided to head to the dining room. Before dealing with magic, mana, or whatever madness awaited him next... his stomach came first.
But as soon as he opened the dining room door, he froze.
Four people were seated at the table.
His father—calm and composed as always, unmoved even if the world were to end.
His mother—smiling far too brightly for someone hosting breakfast.
Her—Irelith.
Sitting with elegance, legs crossed, sipping tea as if this were her palace.
And beside her, a young man Kael had never seen before.
Tall, broad-shouldered, silver hair tied neatly, and eyes that looked like they could read minds. Yet when he saw Kael enter, he smiled faintly, somehow both friendly and intimidating.
"Good morning, my dear fiancé~" Irelith greeted, waving casually like nothing had happened.
Kael stood frozen in the doorway, his brain still processing those words.
"...Y-yeah, morning," he replied hesitantly.
He pulled out a chair and sat down carefully across from them. It felt less like a breakfast table and more like a negotiation between kingdoms—with forks and spoons as weapons.
His father only nodded once, as expected.
His mother looked almost too excited. Her eyes sparkled like she was watching a perfect romantic scene play out in real life.
The man beside Irelith chuckled softly.
"You look tense," the man said in a calm, deep voice.
"Relax. I'm only here to make sure my sister doesn't burn the house down."
Kael glanced at his mother in a panic.
"She... can actually do that?"
His mother smiled sweetly.
"Not yet. But it's possible."
Kael gulped.
Irelith glanced sideways and said casually,
"Don't worry. I won't do anything... unless you bore me."
Kael sighed and began eating.
What should've been a simple breakfast now felt like part of a secret political treaty. Even the toast tasted like a signed contract.
"Wait... it's still morning. I haven't even trained. Why does it feel like my life's been flipped upside down every day now?"
Without thinking, his gaze drifted back to Irelith.
She was calmly slicing her bread with practiced grace, like a surgeon handling a delicate procedure.
> "She's seriously not an ordinary girl..."
Irelith noticed his stare. She set down her utensils and looked directly at him.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Kael?"
Kael blinked.
"Me?"
She nodded, raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile.
"You used to look at me like that when we were kids. What is it? Are you enchanted? Want to hug me?"
Her tone was teasing, but Kael couldn't tell if she was joking... or testing him.
He smiled slightly and replied with equal sarcasm,
"I was just mesmerized by my beautiful fiancée. Is that not allowed?"
Irelith froze for a second. Her cheeks flushed lightly before she quickly looked away and picked up her teacup.
"Hmph. You really are different now... But not bad."
Kael chuckled softly.
His mother giggled, placing a hand gently on his father's arm.
"Look at them. Don't they look good together?"
His father responded with a single approving nod—an expression of utmost enthusiasm from the man.
Irelith's brother placed down his teacup and gave Kael a calm, firm stare.
"I'm Raevan. Irelith's older brother. If you ever make her cry, you'll answer to me."
Kael stiffened, but Raevan chuckled.
"Relax. That's just standard big brother protocol."
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Alright... let's review. Don't make her bored. Don't make her cry. And don't let the house catch fire."
Irelith raised her cup slightly in mock salute.
"Smart boy."
The tension in the room began to ease.
Though the morning had started awkwardly, it now felt... almost normal. Or at least, the noble family version of normal, where everyone smiled politely while hiding dozens of secrets behind their eyes.
And for Kael, one thing was becoming very clear:
> "If this is just the beginning... then my life's only going to get messier from here."