Despite Ash's efforts to impress his mother, his attitude set the tone for the rest of the meal. Even Viola's efforts to change the topic of conversation didn't seem to help things any.

"Who made dinner tonight? It's a lot better than usual!"

Ash smirked as he replied

"I thought you might appreciate it, sister. I've been memorizing some of the recipes commonly used in Blue Springs City. I haven't had as much time to practice the recipes as I would have liked, but I'm sure it's still better than anything your mates could have made."

Of course, Ash's mother wasn't going to just let things be just like that. She just had to interject with her own comments to bring the mood back down.

"You know, I hear Ares was also trying to learn how to cook before he passed away. I wish he hadn't tried to chase after that worthless female, maybe then he'd still be with us... Surely there were one or two worthy females among our people?"

Ash rolled his eyes before stuffing a large chunk of roasted meat in his mouth to prevent himself from saying something he might regret. He really wanted to lash out at his mother for saying such horrible things about his mate, but he needed to calm down first, or else he'd risk starting a war. He was no longer someone who represented Red Wood City, he was someone who represented his mate and their people, so he had to act like it.

Luckily, Viola seemed to feel the same way as him as she exclaimed

"Mother! You don't know what you're saying! Iris is a wonderful female. I wish I could be more like her even!"

Viola's mates were quick to reassure her that she was perfect just as she was at such a comment. Still, Ash smiled gratefully at his sister, feeling more composed and ready to discuss the matter with his mother.

"It isn't right to demean a female you've never even met. Besides, considering both my brother and I were interested in the same female, that should speak for itself. Even if that doesn't convince you, surely you don't have so little love for your sons that you would bad mouth their mates in front of them?"

Mother's eyes went wide as she seemed surprised, but she soon recomposed herself before replying

"Oh, yes, I forgot you've recently become a mated male. I suppose it is nice to know that I won't have to worry about attending your funeral in a few years as well."

Ouch, that hurt. Well, Ash was quite used to his mother not really caring for him or most of his other brothers either for that matter. How Ares had gotten his mother to be so smitten with him from a young age was beyond him. Several of the other scorpion hatchlings in this family had already perished over the years, leaving only him and his eldest brother. The other cubs and hatchlings weren't even eligible for the throne unless his father didn't have any sons left by the time he died. So they had lived a much more carefree life, even if they had also been denied love and attention from their mother.

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Unbeknownst to Ash, his eldest brother had been carefully observing him throughout the meal. After hearing about how Ash had been trying to convince others to leave with him for a different city and all of the public works projects he had been in charge of, he had been rather suspicious. However, it would seem that his younger brother had become more mature and respectable in his time away. His attitude had mellowed out a bit, but he still had enough bite to fight back when others spoke down to him or his mate. He was more rational and his bleak worldview had been resolved. That was more than enough to earn his respect.

It was a bit strange to consider, but the two of them would likely end up having a closer relationship now than had ever been possible before. Ash had been a rare exception as he had become part of the leading family of a neighboring city without any cause for a war to break out. It was better to maintain the peace their two cities had known up until now. There was plenty for both of them to gain from a positive relationship and so they were more free to grow a brotherly bond than they ever had been before.

It was even fascinating how this Iris character had won over their sister. That was something he would have to keep an eye on, but, thus far, it seemed to be a good thing for his sister. She seemed more joyful and motivated than she had been before. While she had collected all sorts of talented males to help raise her status, it had never been because she had goals of her own. Now she seemed interested in investing time and resources into starting her own businesses and growing her influence through hard work. It was good to see.

Despite how clueless their mother was to Ares's role in the wild beastmen's actions over the recent years, even Ash's eldest brother wasn't clueless to it all. Ash had informed him of their movements previously and they had worked together to take precautions against a potential attack. Ares had likely died thinking that no one would ever catch onto his role in things. However, that was exactly what they had wanted him to think.

After dinner, Ash was pulled aside by his eldest brother who asked

"So, I'm guessing you're the one who did it?"

Ash instantly knew what his brother was asking. Even talking in hushed voices wasn't enough in a place like this, so they had to talk in such a vague manner as this, but the context was clear. Ash just nodded once in response. His elder brother pursed his lips before replying

"I see. Has your mate been good to you?"

The suggestive tone made it clear that Ash was being accused of making a move for Iris. Well, it wasn't exactly something he was embarrassed about. It wasn't like his eldest brother would judge him either. While it wasn't uncommon for males to mate with females for other reasons, his brother had chosen a female whom he genuinely cared for.

"I don't have as much political power as you might assume. She treats all of her mates equally and cares more about us using our talents where they're best suited than she does about our strength. I don't know that it would be a life suitable for everyone, but I'm happy."

His brother nodded, patting him on the back and giving him a nod of respect before going his own way. Ash's brother could understand very well how he could be happy, but that his words weren't exactly untrue. Ares tended to be greedy and well-loved, it was likely that someone like him wouldn't have been happy with things as they were and would have ruined the female's happiness in the process of prioritizing his own selfish desires. Still, he was happy for Ash and wished him a happy future with his new mate.