...

Sitting on his wife's office couch, Kairoso leafed through military reports, but exhaustion weighed heavily on him. The past few days' events had drained him, making it difficult to focus. Annoyingly, though, he had little time to rest, as the work had piled up in his absence, forcing him to push through the fatigue.

With the immediate danger of the Demon Run behind them, he needed to pull a significant number of soldiers back from Kratikal. Yet, the real challenge wasn't organizing their withdrawal but finding new assignments for them, if possible, securing overlooked territories needing protection.

Kairoso aimed to make their reassignment permanent, hoping to anchor them to the new areas by helping them find a partner. To do so, he carefully considered their marital status and gender, seeking regions with an imbalance that would make it easier for them to settle and form lasting connections.

Alexander had proposed the idea, casually noting that family ties could anchor anyone to a region, even if it was the Outer Circle. No one would willingly leave their spouse behind.

After much consideration, Kairoso agreed with Alexander's suggestion. He began writing to villages, gathering data on their male-to-female ratios, marital statuses, and his soldiers' personal preferences. It was a massive undertaking that promised lasting stability, ensuring these rural areas would be more than just temporary assignments.

'I need a break—' he sighed, tossing the list aside and glancing at his wife. The reason he wasn't in his office but here was simple—her relentless work ethic had a way of motivating him.

She sat across the room, deep in her own work. Budget and policy proposals piled high on her desk, neatly arranged by priority.

An inkball hovered above her head, delicate strings extending toward the paper, moving with slow precision as they transcribed her thoughts. Any lapse in concentration would be met with immediate regret—a harsh yet effective way to master such a contraption.

The contrast between them was always striking. While she dealt with the finer points of governing their fief, Kairoso remained more detached from worldly affairs, focusing on upholding the Temple's doctrine.

His battlefield duties stemmed mainly from his wife's position—his heart was far more aligned with the Temple than the nobility. Fortunately, their goals often overlapped, especially in their territory, where he spent most of his time in Kratikal, managing the wild demon population.

Looking back at his stacks of papers, he sighed, 'Hm, impossible to concentrate—' He mused, unable to keep his thoughts from drifting away, especially after yesterday's events.

Alexander's determination and sacrifice were admirable, but as Kairoso observed him more closely, he noticed a dangerous glint in his son's eyes. Ambition flickered there—far greater and more consuming than predicted.

However, Kairoso never liked to intervene directly but preferred to act as a safety net for his pups when they inevitably made mistakes. As such, he had prepared contingency plans long ago, knowing his son's problematic and reckless nature would require them sooner or later.

Despite his non-involvement in noble matters, as a Druid, Kairoso's influence allowed him to bypass much of the nobility's control. In the event of severe punishment, he could invoke obscure theological laws to shield Alexander from the worst-case scenario.

It would mean that Alexander would be exiled to some remote nature-dweller territory for a decade under the guise of repentance or introspection. While he probably wouldn't like it, it was by far a better choice than having him slave away in a mine for fifty years.

Even his wife was unaware of this, likely preferring he would avoid any involvement. Religion and politics rarely mixed well, often leading to petty conflicts and unnecessary complications.

Fortunately, there was no need for Kairoso to intervene. Alexander hadn't crumbled under the pressure but instead would face it head-on. Admirable, without a doubt, yet also reckless—a combination that stirred conflicting emotions in him as a father.

Alexander had the kind of brilliance any father would be proud of. Yet, Kairoso wished his son could be just a little less... himself. It was an uncomfortable feeling he didn't like harboring about his own blood.

Sadly, his concern wasn't unfounded. Alexander had a habit of pushing too far, too fast. Eventually, he would take on more than he could handle, just as he had now. When that inevitable mistake came, it would tighten around him like a vice, leaving no room for error. And when it did, all eyes would be on him—watching, judging.

This time, his puppies were fortunate that Pascal was the one they had angered. She was known for her diplomatic cunning, rarely acting on impulse, which kept the situation from escalating further. But soon, Alexander would face the leader of the Eros Alliance, an ancient monster with a far more complicated and deadlier reputation—a being who could crush him with nothing more than a glance.

Sensing the magnitude of that challenge, Kairoso had already begun formulating a plan in case his son failed.

'I must pull him out of that mess if things go wrong. No matter what that old bastard thinks—'

Kairoso sensed a change in the air. His thoughts shifted from the reports and contemplation to a familiar smell approaching. The scent was different—Alexander's nervous energy mixed with something else... affection? He sensed a surprising shift in his son's emotional state. The boy was in love.

Before Kairoso could fully process this strange mix of emotions, the door to the office swung open.

"Good mornin'!"

"He... llo—" Sarah added, her voice much more reserved.

Kairoso raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, 'Well, this is unexpected.'

His wife, however, was never one to hold back her thoughts. She allowed the inkball to retract into its bottle. Her previous clumsy and endearing demeanor had vanished, replaced by a more composed and inquisitive air—a blend of disbelief and curiosity in her expression, "Now, how exactly do you plan to surprise me? I'm quite intrigued."

Looking at his puppies, it was clear why they had come. Alexander stood tall, dressed in his finest attire. For once, he looked every bit the nobleman his bloodline demanded. His fur and hair were neatly groomed, and he had a composed posture.

Makeup concealed his scars, softening his face and giving him a slightly more feminine appearance—a current trend in noble society. He had transformed from the usual wild storm into something more presentable, dignified, and, oddly enough, endearing.

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Beside him stood Sarah, a few inches taller yet visibly out of her element. She, too, had dressed to impress, her usual muscular physique softened by the estate's cosmetician, concealing the muscles she often took pride in. Nervous energy radiated from her as she fidgeted with her hands, her eyes fixed on the floor, unable to meet their gaze.

"You both smell... very similar. Quite the sisterly bond, eh?" Kairoso remarked with a grin, breaking the silence with a lighthearted joke.

Alexander didn't take the comment well, glaring at his father with thinly veiled hostility. His son visibly despised the current trend of noble society, and the teasing only added fuel to the fire. On the other hand, Sarah seemed to enjoy it, her occasional glances toward Alexander betraying her approval of the joke.

'Hang in there, boy. That's the price we pay—' Kairoso thought with an inward smirk, amused by the situation.

Ultimately, Alexander brushed off the remark, refocusing on why they were there. He stepped forward with confidence while Sarah hesitated, following more slowly. Her unease was palpable, but she remained close to him, unwilling to stray too far. She couldn't bring herself to meet her Mother's gaze, a detail that didn't escape anyone's notice.

"Interesting—" their Mother said, leaning forward, her voice full of curiosity.

Alexander stopped a few feet from his parents, serious and composed. He had a distinct air of maturity around him—something he rarely showed. It was as if he had already decided, and no one could sway him.

He said confidently, "I'm here to announce that Sarah and I are together. We want to make it official and get engaged."

His words landed with the weight of a hammer, and the room went utterly silent. Sarah agreed with a nod, still visibly anxious, her voice barely emitting a whisper, "I... want to be engaged to Alex."

Kairoso blinked, caught between pride and surprise. The boy had actually done it. Yesterday, he left Sarah to calm Alexander down because of her caring and gentle nature—never imagining it would lead to this. He had known she harbored feelings for Alexander, but not that things would escalate this quickly.

"I see—" his wife rose slowly from her seat, her expression unreadable. Her movements were deliberate as she crossed the room to stand before them. She examined them both, her eyes narrowing slightly, "—I truly didn't expect this."

Kairoso leaned back further, content to let his wife take the lead. She had always been better at these matters, and he had learned long ago that sometimes, it was best just to watch and support when needed.

Alexander's signature grin returned, breaking his composed facade, "Why the surprise? I thought you'd be happy."

Kairoso chuckled inwardly, finding the situation oddly familiar. Alexander's unwavering decisiveness was a mirror of his wife's stubborn resolve. Once he set his mind to something, there was no turning back—it was impossible to shake him.

"I guess you accepted her feelings. Do you even understand what that means?" she asked sharply.

"Make you a Grandmother? Sure, but let's take things one step at a time." He smirked, the tension deflected by his usual teasing.

Sarah flushed red, her pheromones flaring up as her emotions took over. Her head lowered even more, clearly flustered by the comment. Kairoso, sensing her growing anxiety, decided to help out, 'Can't be too strict.'

He extended his [Energy] toward her, calming her. It was enough to keep her grounded, at least while she was here—later, it would be Alexander's problem. He grinned inwardly, amused by the thought of him trying to calm her down.

"Alex, what about Merlin's moralistic views?" His Mother ignored his comment, deciding to press him instead, her sharp eyes locking onto him.

Although the question seemed simple, it implied a lot more. His wife wanted to ensure Sarah wasn't manipulating Alexander. Their daughter's mind was clouded by an overwhelming mix of emotions and pheromones, making terrible ideas appear appealing and justified.

Second, she wanted to gauge his resolve. Should Alexander sway, she would probably delay the engagement, giving them more time to determine whether he was ready for such a decision—a calculative measure to protect Sarah.

Alexander shrugged casually as if the answer was obvious, "The only constant in life is change."

The tension in the room grew palpable as Alexander and his Mother locked eyes, a silent standoff reflecting the unresolved strain from the previous days. Fortunately, beneath the surface, there was still an air of playful challenge—she accepted his answer.

"Interesting saying—" she mused, her tone soft but dangerous, "—You realize, of course, that I need to know who your Architect of Warfare and Prime Beastlord will be."

Both titles were deeply ingrained in their household's traditions—positions filled by those with strength and intellect, ensuring the family's future stability. Though the titles weren't official noble ranks, they carried the weight of responsibility, safeguarding the family's success.

The first Prime Beastlord, or Fenrir, was called so because he had a way with demons and monsters, making them fear him. Even before they could see him, they would bow down.

The Architect of Warfare was his wife, Aetherfang, a genius warlady able to succeed against armies overwhelming in size, so many steps ahead that one wondered if she had even built the battlefield by herself.

Despite the embellishments, no one could say for certain how much of the stories were true. But that didn't stop the Moorgrelian nobility from boasting about them, using these tales as badges of pride and honor.

As such, when Alexander's mischievous smile began to surface, Kairoso cut in before he could voice whatever rebellious thought had come to mind, "I know what you want to say, and the answer is no. This tradition isn't something you can simply discard, Alexander. Think carefully before you speak—" his voice firm, almost threatening, "—really think about it."

Alexander had always enjoyed building systems from scratch, a way to improve their fief—but now wasn't the time for that. He needed to rein in his ego, even if his ideas were superior to the traditions they upheld.

Sighing, Alexander relented, "Fine. Sarah hates administration, so she can handle the battlefield—" He turned to her, his voice softening slightly, sounding flustered, "—That is... if you're okay with it."

Kairoso nodded inwardly, liking that he had the instinct necessary for a sensitive husband. From experience, he knew that the women of the Leonandra household were initially cute and somewhat submissive. Later, they would become thickheaded and proud, not liking it if the husband ignored their opinion. He chuckled inwardly, 'I learned it the hard way.'

"I think that's... a good idea?" Sarah nodded cautiously, her voice uncertain.

She agreed because she wanted to stand beside Alexander, but deep down, she didn't fully understand the gravity of what she was committing to. Leading a household like theirs would demand strength, wisdom, and experience—qualities that couldn't be cultivated overnight.

Kairoso frowned, expecting some tensions to arise, 'That's not a good answer.'

Producing suitable heirs was paramount in their nobility. Some achieved this through harems, others by selecting partners based on strength, and a few turned to spiritual practices—whatever means were necessary to secure the continuation of their bloodline.

Their household was no different. Take Narsiz, for example. Even if he wanted to marry Linuel, Kairoso's wife would never grant him the position of heir if Linuel was deemed unsuitable, no matter how kind or well-meaning she might be.

The Silver-Tail household was a cautionary tale. The last Lord made a mistake by marrying an outsider unfit for the position. This poor choice led to the deterioration of his fief and, eventually, a coup—luckily restoring balance in time.

The Guard Households were like a chain—if one link was weak, it would be replaced. A few takeovers had occurred in their history when households mismanaged their affairs or failed to produce reliable heirs.

Kairoso became increasingly worried, 'Mari doesn't look too pleased.'

He saw the worry mixed with wrath in his wife's eyes. She didn't pose the question lightly. She was testing Sarah—probing—but she failed.

"I don't accept your engagement yet—" she said slowly, paying attention to only Sarah. The atmosphere became heavy, and Alexander was ready to intervene but was smart enough to let it play out first.

"—understand this, Sarah—I won't tolerate weakness. Are you really prepared to take on that role? Do you even know what that means?"

Sarah answered immediately, stepping forward and showing her resolve, "Yes! I love him! I am ready to learn and will do everything I can!"

Kairoso frowned, 'Even worse answer, damn it—' He prepared himself to intervene, too, seeing how tense his wife became. Love was beautiful, but unnecessary to become the next Lady. Sarah would inherit tremendous responsibility, and taking it lightly was not an option.