The snow was lingering longer than usual this year, so everyone ended up stuck indoors for longer than expected. However, that didn't change the fact that today was Ash's turn for date night.

A little over three months of being part of the family wasn't that long at all. It certainly wasn't long enough to see what sorts of dates the others were arranging for their mate, especially when it had been the cold season the entire time. However, Ash didn't just want to repeat the same things everyone else had been doing.

For a male, becoming mates with a female was never the end of the wooing phase because it never ended. If you just coast along doing as little as possible, you were likely to end up messing something up, eventually, and then your female wouldn't have any memorable things to look back on that could soften her heart so she'd be more likely to forgive you more quickly.

Now, Ash would hardly consider himself inadequate in most aspects, but even he knew he was bound to mess up something. If nothing else there was still the dark secret of how he had killed his own brother. Maybe he had done so to protect Iris and, as a result, her people, but it was still something that could very easily get him into trouble. So, this date night was definitely a big deal for him.

However, Iris wasn't aware of any of this. She could tell Ash seemed a bit nervous, but she could only assume that it was because this was still one of their first few dates. The others had been in the family for a while before date night started, except for Birk. So, it was more of an exciting opportunity for them to spend some one one-on-one time with her and they wholeheartedly embraced it.

Some of them tried to bring her to nearby places to admire the scenery to impress her. Meanwhile, others were just happy to spend time together and didn't care if they stayed home enjoying one another's hobbies or playing games. Either way, Iris was happy because she loved her seven husbands and she enjoyed spending time with them.

While she wanted to reassure Ash, she decided to stay quiet for now and just let things unfold. However, she was extremely confused when they arrived at their destination only to find themselves in the combat training gym. There was a large stack of pottery off to one corner and Iris couldn't help but look at it in confusion. However, Ash soon explained

"I wanted to try something different from what you usually do. I had considered something along the lines of combat since you seem to enjoy it so much, but I'm too strong and could easily hurt you. Even just working out together seemed wrong since you're pregnant now.

So, I decided to go a different route with things. This is all of the discarded pottery that either broke during the process or was otherwise unfit for use. I also brought along this antler pickaxe for you to use."

Iris furrowed her eyebrows even further in confusion as she questioned

"What exactly are you suggesting?"

Ash sighed as he took her hands, one after another, and wrapped them around the pickaxe. Once he was sure she had a firm grip on it, he pointed to the pottery and said

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Now, I want you to smash the pots. Just trust me, you'll enjoy it. Besides, the ceramics workshop needs the broken pieces back for a future project, so we're helping them out."

Iris felt nervous, but relented as she gingerly swung the tool back before smashing it forward into the pots. Pieces went flying everywhere, but it felt exhilarating. Her heart pounded faster as adrenaline pumped through her veins and she took another swing. By the time she finished breaking everything into small enough pieces, she had a huge grin on her face.

Ash stood back the entire time, just watching. He seemed quite satisfied when Iris turned back to look at him, blushing in embarrassment as she said

"Sorry, I might have gotten a little too swept up in the moment."

Ash adamantly shook his head as he reassured her

"No, that's a good thing. Honestly, I may not have been your mate for very long, but I've known you for long enough to know you needed something like this.

You always work so hard, always stressing about being the perfect leader. You're always worried about failing and how everyone could be disappointed in you. However, no one expected you to do as much as you already have.

We can handle you losing your temper, throwing a tantrum, and making mistakes. We can always fix things if they don't pan out how you want them to. However, what we can't fix is you. If you don't make sure you aren't overworking yourself and stop bottling up your emotions, it won't end well."

Ash had been more honest with his words ever since he became Iris's mate. He was even tender and, occasionally, romantic. Yet, it was still a bit strange for Iris to hear him speaking like this. Perhaps he really was worried about her and she really should try to take care of herself more.

Iris nodded, wiping away the beginnings of tears from her eyes as she replied

"I'll try to keep your words in mind. It's just been hard trying to find the right balance with everything. Females aren't spoiled all their lives in my old world and we have to work just as hard as males do. So, it's hard to adjust to many of the cultural expectations here.

Besides that, I just haven't been able to relax for very long with all of the tasks the Beast Deity assigns me. She wants me to help the people of this world, starting with those closest to me. There are often even consequences for failing the tasks. Granted, for the most part, they'd just mean losing opportunities to further improve our lives in the future, but I still don't want to disappoint her and everyone else."

Ash hugged Iris close before pulling away and saying

"I understand where you're coming from, I really do. I always had to help my father and the first prince manage the city with little to no chance of getting the title of king. Yet, I always had to behave in a way that was befitting of someone acting on their behalf."

Iris snorted as she interjected

"That seems hard to believe. You do have a habit of saying rather harsh things to complete strangers and even those closest to you. Hell, you still regularly throw insults at Ember."

Ash pressed his lips firmly together, breathing audibly through his nose, before composing himself and explaining

"Things were different back then. Besides, I think you forget that, for males, being strong and intimidating gives you more power, which is more important than anything else. Well, outside of making our mates happy, of course."

Iris just nodded, letting the issue go. Ash had clearly been working hard to change his attitude for her and she didn't want to keep talking about such a sore spot for him.