It was already past breakfast time when Tsar and Shura arrived at home. Both of them were well aware that their father was about to scold them.

As they entered the cottage-like house, they noticed a black-haired man who looked around 30 years old sitting on a wooden chair, idiotically staring at a luminous rod-shaped object with a smile on his face. Both twins were taken aback because, following their mother's death, they had rarely seen their father smile.

When Alkis, the father, noticed the twins standing, his face lost it's previous smile and gazed at them inquisitively, asking them,

"Why are you so late today? Getting some woods and fruits shouldn't take this long."

"We had to wait till the wild animals had gone far away since there were strange noises coming from the forest."

Before Tsar could even think of an answer, Shura answered right away, as if she had thought of an excuse before even arriving.

Alkis was silent for a moment before speaking,

"Hmm... I see, well go get to cooking, I have other things to do."

The twins were taken aback; they had never expected to get away without even a reprimand, but they did what Alkis instructed to avoid irking him.

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Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

When they arrived in the backyard, they began to burn the wood and placed a metal pan on top of it. Then they started seasoning the meat that had been preserved in the storage. When it came time to make the curry, Tsar grabbed the knife and began chopping vegetables with such speed and precision that passerby would mistake him for a noble chef if it weren't for his short stature and baby face.

Shura couldn't help but admire such a sight,

"No matter how many times I look at you cooking, it never ceases to amaze me."

Tsar couldn't help but chuckle

"Well, I hope it tastes as good as it looks"

"That it certainly will."

When the twins returned with the food and fruit salad, they again noticed Alkis staring at the same luminous rod-shaped object with a foolish grin on his face. He didn't notice the twins standing nearby this time. The twins waited for 5 minutes till Shura couldn't take it anymore and said

"Father, the food is ready."

For a moment, Alkis was taken aback when he heard a voice out of nowhere, but he quickly realised the situation and said

"Alright, you may proceed to the table; I will be there shortly."

The twins were again surprised by Alkis' laidback attitude today but didn't say much.

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Except for Shura's occasional praises, the three of them said nothing during the breakfast. Tsar was seen hesitating about something as he kept bringing the food closer to his mouth before dropping it back on the plate, which Shura noticed but chose to remain silent about

When the breakfast was over and Alkis was about to leave, Tsar chose to break the ice and said,

"Father, tomorrow is mother's fifth death anniversary, I was thinking if we could go to her grave together and-"

A violent punch landed on Tsar's face before he could continue. Tsar lost his equilibrium and fell backwards on his hips as a consequence of this. Even while his nose and mouth was bleeding, his eyes contained nothing but disappointment and sorrow

"Don't you dare mention her. Even after killing her, you have the audacity to ask me, her husband, to come with you? Don't test my patience, Tsar."

Alkis yelled in an enraged manner and left the cottage with the luminous object in his bag,

Alkis had lost his calm for the first time today, but even after seeing his violent side, the twins' expressions remained unsurprised, as if this was a common occurrence.

Shura approached Tsar after Alkis had left, started cleaning his wounds and said,

"Don't worry, you have me; you don't need that scum to come with you to make mother happy."

Tsar was surprised at first but soon smiled warmly and said,

"Yeah, you are right, mother would be happy to see us doing well..... Father will go visit her separately too."