Then, as she reached the doorway, she paused and glanced over her shoulder.
"Now, go wash up," Emily added with a light scolding tone, that sa gentle authority she used when he was younger. "I’ll make breakfast for you."
Before he could respond, she was already gone—her steps soft but purposeful as she disappeared into the kitchen.
Asher stood there a mont longer, the faint scent of morning spices beginning to drift from the far hallway. He shook his head, a quiet smile forming on his lips.
Half an hour later
Asher stepped into the dining room, freshly washed and dressed, his hair still slightly damp from the rinse. The scent of warm breakfast greeted him—a mixture of seasoned eggs, fresh bread, and spiced at that only Emily could cook with such familiar perfection.
Valeris and Veyra were already seated, casually chatting over tea, while Catherine leaned against a side wall with her arms crossed, quiet as ever but clearly listening to everything.
Emily set down a bowl in front of him with a gentle smile, but there was that unmistakable glint in her eyes again. That teasing spark.
He narrowed his gaze at her as he sat. "You’re enjoying this way too much."
"I have every right to," she replied, wiping her hands on her apron. "My boy’s finally ho, bringing not one, not two, but three beautiful ladies with him."
Asher sighed, but didn’t deny it.
Then, just as he reached for his cup, a sharp pulse of aura brushed through the air. He felt it before the others—light, graceful, and deeply rooted in nature.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Amber-hued light glimred through the hallway.
A mont later, the doors opened, and a woman entered.
Her long hair shimred like autumn leaves, and her steps were soft but confident. Draped in elegant robes embroidered with nature sigils, she radiated an aura of calm and quiet command—like walking through a still forest just before it rains.
Asher’s heart skipped, just once.
"Freya..." he murmured, almost under his breath.
Emily, who stood nearest to the door, placed a hand on her hip and gave Asher a sly look.
"Well, I suppose that damsel finally decided to stop waiting and co see you herself," she said. "She waited long enough, didn’t she?"
The tension at the table shifted. Valeris and Veyra both paused, looking up at the new arrival. Catherine’s gaze sharpened a little, straightening from her lean.
Freya stood just inside the doorway, her amber eyes scanning the room—but they stopped on Asher, and softened.
She smiled. "You look more tired than I expected."
"I’ve had a long few years," Asher replied, standing.
"You left without saying goodbye."
"I didn’t plan to."
Freya stepped forward, each movent fluid and composed, the hem of her robe brushing against the floor like falling petals.
"I ca because I knew," she said gently. "I felt your return. And I couldn’t stay away."
Valeris arched an eyebrow. "And you are?"
Freya turned toward her and gave a respectful bow. "Freya Enrose. He and I... trained together. Once."
"Trained?" Catherine’s voice cut in from the side, amused. "Last ti I rember, this guy kissed you in front of everyone and boldly said, ’You’re mine now.’"
Freya blushed, her cheeks coloring as she slowly walked over to Asher. She stood at his side, looking up at him with a soft yet steady gaze. Then, without hesitation, she sat gently on his lap and held his face in her hands.
"Yes, you told that," she said quietly. "But now let say it too... You’re also mine now."
She kissed him, gently but deeply, and he didn’t resist.
At the head of the table, Emily simply smiled, clearly not surprised as she placed another plate on the table for their new guest.
"So that’s Freya," Valeris muttered under her breath.
Veyra nodded beside her. "Yeah. The first girl he ever loved."
They both looked at her—not with anger, but with the quiet understanding of won who had already learned Asher’s heart was large... and rarely empty.
With Freya now seated beside him and the morning sun filtering gently through the wide windows, the table slowly filled with warmth and chatter. Plates clinked, steam rose from fresh bread and spiced tea, and for the first ti in years, Asher sat among the people he cared about—not for battle, but for peace.
Valeris, Veyra, Catherine, and now Freya. Emily moved with practiced grace between them, refilling cups and smiling faintly at the rare sight of her young master surrounded by love, not war.
Asher leaned back slightly and glanced toward Catherine and Freya. "So... how were things while I was gone?"
Catherine, ever composed, took a sip of her tea before answering. "After you left, I started roaming the wordl going from one place to another, diving in dungeons fighting , surving and eventaully reaching this level of mine"
Asher nodded with quiet pride. "Low World Rank now, right?"
She smirked. "Yes. I didn’t wait around for your return twiddling my thumbs, you know."
Freya spoke next, her voice calm but sincere. "I stayed on the surface mostly. The Enrose family gave resources once they realized my growth rate... scared them a little." She smiled at that. "I’ve reached Peak Soul Realm. Not quite World Rank, but I’m close. My connection to nature kept growing. I tad two ancient beasts during my solo trials. Fought off a corrupted forest spirit alone."
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. You always did love taming wild things."
Freya laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I still do. Just better at it now."
"Any near-death monts?" Asher asked, half-teasing, half-curious.
Catherine gave him a dry look. "I lost count. There was this dunegon tried to eat at least seven tis. One ti, an ancient spine-wyrm swallowed whole. I carved my way out with nothing but my aura blades."
"And I nearly drowned in a lake of mind-sap," Freya added with a shiver. "It seeps into your thoughts, makes you relive your worst regrets. Took two days to get out, but I did."
Asher exhaled slowly, his smile fading into sothing softer. "I’m glad... you both survived. And grew."
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