Chapter 551: Flexing, Family, and Food
The dining hall was… massive.
I had seen war rooms smaller than this. The table stretched so far it felt like it could seat an entire army battalion, maybe that was the plan. Every one of North’s thirty relatives had already taken their seats, chatting, smiling, and pretending not to stare at me.
Anne gestured politely toward the head of the table. “Billion, please sit here.”
I froze. The head seat? The only one with an oversized chair that looked like a throne?
Internally, I wanted to protest: Why not let me sit anywhere else? Maybe the kitchen? Or the roof?
But everyone was watching. So, with a forced smile, I nodded and took the seat.
The moment I sat down, all conversation paused for a heartbeat, like they were evaluating if I sat correctly or not. Then the chatter resumed. I exhaled quietly, pretending everything was normal.
That’s when she walked in.
North stepped into the room wearing a light blue dress that shimmered softly as she moved. Her hair was tied loosely, and the morning light caught her eyes just right, bright, sharp, and full of mischief.
The cheeky smile she gave me confirmed it, she was enjoying every second of my suffering.
I could almost hear her saying without words, Welcome to my world.
She walked gracefully to the table, bowed slightly toward her grandparents, and came to sit beside me, on my left. On my right, Anne took her seat with a gentle smile.
Then, before I could even ask what was happening next, the doors opened.
Lincoln and a dozen servers entered the hall in perfect formation.
What followed looked less like breakfast service and more like a military operation. They blurred forward with superhuman speed, placing plates, glasses, and steaming dishes all across the table in one synchronized motion.
Dishes clinked, aromas filled the air, and within seconds, the table looked like a festival.
I blinked. “Do they… always move like that?” I whispered to North.
She grinned. “Only when we have special guests.”
Before I could reply, one of the elderly ladies, the younger sister of Ned, if I remembered correctly, leaned forward with a sly smile. “North, you look so beautiful today. Is there something special about this morning?”
North’s spoon paused midair. “Breakfast, Aunt Lira,” she said sweetly. “Nothing more.”
Her aunt chuckled, glancing at me. “Ah, of course. Just breakfast with the guardian of Vaythos. Nothing special at all.”
Laughter rippled down the table.
Plates of food began to appear in front of me: steaks, fruits, pastries, even roasted meat. It was too much for breakfast, but I decided not to comment. Across the table, the younger members of the Winter family kept stealing glances at me like they were studying some rare animal.
The table was already buzzing with chatter when Anne leaned slightly toward me, a warm smile on her face.
“Billion, let me introduce you to North’s elder brother,” she said, motioning toward a calm, silent man sitting a few seats away. “This is Ethan. He doesn’t speak much, but you’ll get used to him.”
I turned my head slowly to meet his gaze. Ethan was eating casually, a piece of meat balanced perfectly on his fork. He had no expression on his face..
He looked up briefly, saw me, and in a tone that was both casual and polite, said, “Hi, Billion. Hope you’re having a great time.”
Then he went right back to his food, chewing slowly as if nothing had happened.
I blinked, caught off guard by the brevity of the introduction. That’s it? That’s all he says?
Anne chuckled lightly. “Yes, that’s Ethan. You’ll notice he rarely speaks, but he observes everything. Don’t take his silence the wrong way.”
I nodded slowly, intrigued. While the others continued their animated conversation, I couldn’t help but study him.
I let my perception quietly scan him.
Level 173.
Not bad. Quiet, deadly, and clearly trained. I wasn’t surprised, North had mentioned he worked under Dante, but seeing it firsthand made me realize just how much control and discipline he had.
I gave a small, respectful nod back. “I see,” I muttered under my breath, mostly to myself.
He looked at me again, casually, and raised his fork as if to silently say, Noted. Then he took another bite of his meal.
I chuckled quietly, shaking my head.
North, sitting beside me, leaned closer with that mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “Don’t worry, Billion. He’s harmless.”
I smirked.
Before I could respond, one of the younger cousins sitting near Ethan leaned forward, excitement written all over his face. “Mister Ironhart, is it true you destroyed a mountain with one hit?”
I paused, fork halfway to my mouth. “Uh… maybe. But I don’t recommend it. It’s hard on the joints.”
They laughed, and another cousin immediately followed up, eyes wide with curiosity. “Then how did you get that strong? What’s your secret?”
I leaned back in my chair, pretending to think deeply. “Squats,” I said seriously. “Lots and lots of squats.”
The table erupted in laughter, even Anne trying to hide her smile.
Ethan shook his head. “I doubt that’s the full story,” he said, though I caught the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.
Another gentleman spoke up. “What do you think of the Empire, Sir Billion? People say you don’t like politics.”
I smiled at that one. “The Empire’s been through a lot, but it’s stronger than ever. As long as it protects the people, I’ll support it.”
That earned a round of approving nods from the older relatives.
Then one of the more curious cousins, a girl with braided hair, leaned forward. “And those beasts that fight beside you, who are they? Are they… like pets?”
I froze for a second, feeling North’s elbow lightly nudge my arm under the table. She was clearly enjoying this.
“They’re… companions,” I said vaguely, avoiding too many details. “A little temperamental, but loyal.”
And then the questions started coming. They began lighthearted, curious, playful, even a little cheeky but gradually shifted toward serious topics: worries about the present, expectations for the future.
I listened, answered what I could, and quietly enjoyed the breakfast. The conversation, the laughter, the teasing, it all felt… heartwarming. The minutes passed quickly, almost without me noticing.
One by one, people got up, said their goodbyes, and left the room. Soon, only Anne, North, Ethan, and I remained, in one of the quieter chambers of the manor.
Anne stepped closer, her expression soft but serious. “North has told me she’ll be leaving with you on a mission. Please… take care of her. She’s the only child I have.”
I glanced at Ethan, who was leaning casually against the wall. He remained silent.
Anne noticed my glance. “Ignore him,” she said lightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “He doesn’t care about his mother, so I don’t consider him mine either. But promise me you’ll take care of her.”
I nodded firmly. “Of course. As I said before, North is important to me.”
Anne’s face softened into a warm smile. “Alright. That’s all I wanted to hear. Enjoy your time and your journey, don’t push yourself too hard. The small moments in life are the really important ones.”
She turned and walked out.
Ethan finally moved. He walked toward me, each step measured, his eyes locking on mine. There was no sarcasm, no teasing, just a simple, serious request.
“Please… take care of her,” he said.
I saw it in his eyes: the rare care he carried for his sister, quiet but real. I nodded. “I will.”
Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving the room hushed.
Finally, it was just North and me. Her mischievous eyes sparkled again, but beneath them, I could see the trust she carried.
“I hope you’re not angry at me,” she said, stepping closer and taking my hand. “When they heard you were coming, everyone wanted to see you in person… and I wanted to flex a little.”
“Angry? Of course not,” I replied with a chuckle. “What greater honor can a man have than to have his woman flex using him? A warrior’s sacrifice, in my book.”
She laughed softly, then leaned forward and hugged me.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Mother was really worried about me. Seeing you should have calmed her down a little.”
I held her for a moment.
“Good,” I said gently. “Then my job here is done… at least for now.”
She pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said softly, her smile lighting up the room.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!