Chapter 213

Chapter 213

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 213: I’ll Give You My Surname (3)

At first, Rejane suspected the refreshments were a discreet attempt to poison her.

Of course, such a trick would be quickly discovered.

Yet, she couldn’t think of another explanation. Surely, he wouldn’t suddenly show filial piety to someone who wasn’t even his biological mother…

“Mother, wait!”

Perhaps opening it would reveal the truth.

“You can’t open it!”

Before Ceti could stop her, Rejane’s hands trembled as she lifted the box lid.

It was empty.

Not even a crumb remained.

Mother, thank you always. Enjoy it with Ceti.

Rejane closed the lid, re-read the words, and twisted her lips into a smile.

How could they enjoy something that wasn’t there?

This had to be a political metaphor, suggesting there was nothing left to share between them.

Rejane laughed bitterly before shedding a single tear. Ceti sensed impending doom.

“Daughter, do you understand what this means?”

“No, Mother. It’s not what you think. I can explain.”

“It’s telling us to choose: leave this house voluntarily now or face disgraceful expulsion by his own hands.”

“I just ate it all myself…”

Ceti whispered, biting her lip. The lingering sweetness made her wish she’d saved even a single piece.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I meant to wait and share, but I was so hungry. I only intended to taste one piece, but it was so delicious I couldn’t stop. Aidel had nothing to do with this!”

Rejane raised her hand to silence her, chuckling softly.

“Daughter, don’t tell obvious lies. It’s alright, I understand.”

“You do?”

“Look at this box. It should have held many snacks, yet not a single piece remains. You usually eat so little, Ceti. You couldn’t possibly have eaten all this alone.”

Ceti fell silent.

True, she typically ate sparingly.

“But it was really delicious.”

“Enough to lick up every crumb?”

Ceti gritted her teeth and nodded.

Rejane sighed.

“My dear, you’re so sweet.”

“Me?”

“Just wait here.”

Rejane left and returned with a suitcase.

“Pack what you need. We should leave by tomorrow at the latest before the head changes his mind. We need to be far away by then.”

This was a disaster.

Ceti finally realized her grave mistake.

“Wait, please.”

Even with spilled water, perhaps scrubbing hard enough might squeeze out a few drops?

Desperately, Ceti tried contacting Aidel.

Unfortunately, he was away on business in Callisto and didn’t answer calls or texts.

Left on read, as they say.

Typical professor behavior, she supposed.

With no choice but to handle it alone, she persisted.

“Please hurry! Time is running out!”

“I won’t go! I can’t! This is my home!”

Rejane’s maternal instincts prevented her from leaving without her daughter. Exploiting this, Ceti managed to stall for half a day through an argument.

The misunderstanding was finally resolved when Aidel sent three more boxes of snacks the next day.

Though afterward, Ceti endured her brother’s new nickname for her: “White Pig.”

I learned from Ceti that Rejane was afraid of me.

Thinking about it, it made sense.

After all, I had destroyed the Adelwein family, announced my intention to marry Zelnya without consultation, and sent Brian away on a reverse sightseeing bus…

“Hmm.”

Rejane’s fear was understandable.

I had been inconsiderate and needed to reflect on that.

As a first step, I canceled my original restaurant reservation and booked a better venue. I also sent three boxes of those sweets from before.

“Brother.”

“Yes?”

“Keep your weekend free. We’re celebrating our parents’ wedding anniversary with dinner.”

I was at Callisto Academy at the time.

I’d come to meet with professors and assess Cadric’s intentions.

Since Brian’s capture, Cadric had been keeping a low profile, likely due to his involvement with our eldest brother.

Just look at him now.

“Wedding anniversary? But our parents’ anniversary already passed this year… didn’t it?”

His expression slightly shifted as he switched to formal speech.

Ah, perfect.

This is how brothers should interact. This is a proper sibling relationship.

“Is our mother the only mother you recognize?”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t Ceti’s mother also our mother?”

“That’s…”

“Just make sure you attend and help create a festive atmosphere. Understand? It would be good to treat Ceti’s mother as your own brother.”

I patted Cadric’s shoulder with a smile.

Cadric smiled back.

Even after receiving Aidel’s tea set, Rejane’s suspicions lingered. If anything, the gift made her more uncertain of Aidel’s true intentions.

“Can’t we just take things at face value, Mother?”

“Never be so naive, my child. Never underestimate the politics of the ten great families.”

Rejane’s mind drifted to her childhood. The Adelwein family had shown no mercy, even to their own. They would readily sell out, deceive, and betray relatives for money and power. Growing up in such a cutthroat environment, Rejane had learned to be wary of everyone.

She had witnessed countless villains who wore friendly masks, only to reveal their true nature when the moment was right. Brian had been one such person. This was why Rejane remained cautious of non-blood relatives, even after moving to Reinhardt. Though she couldn’t be certain, Aidel seemed to fit that familiar pattern.

“Do you understand, Ceti? To survive, you must question everything. Never readily open your heart to anyone.”

“Even to you, Mother?”

“That is…”

“Mother.”

Ceti gripped Rejane’s hand firmly.

“Let’s go. Father and brother are waiting.”

Rejane nodded reluctantly and began moving her heavy feet.

The restaurant Aidel had reserved was an upscale seafood buffet, so expensive that the entrance fee per person amounted to half a commoner’s monthly wages. It was, without question, an establishment for the wealthy.

Rejane frowned.

“…The Last Supper, perhaps.”

“Mother!”

Ceti broke into a nervous sweat as she dragged her suspicious mother along.

If Ceti hadn’t adamantly refused to leave the house last week, Rejane would have already fled.

“This way, Mother.”

Upon entering the restaurant, they found Aidel and Cadric already seated. Cadric quickly rose and pulled out Rejane’s chair for her.

Rejane was taken aback. The second son, who had ignored her for twenty years, called her “mother” for the first time in her life.

Cadric glanced at Aidel before continuing his greeting.

“Happy anniversary, Mother.”

“Huh? Oh, well…”

The occasion was so old that she hadn’t bothered keeping track of it anymore. She wasn’t even sure if it was their 20th or 21st anniversary. Too indifferent to check the calendar, she merely assumed it was around that time. It felt peculiar that those who weren’t even blood-related had remembered it.

“Father, Mother is here.”

“Mm.”

Turning around, she saw her husband, Arnold von Reinhardt. Thanks to reverse aging technology, he looked almost unchanged from twenty years ago. However, the wisdom in his golden eyes had deepened considerably.

Arnold scratched his head and took his seat beside Rejane.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

The conversation stalled there.

“By the way…”

Arnold, glancing at Aidel, asked casually.

“Aidel, is it confirmed that you’re marrying both wives?”

“Yes, we’ll hold the ceremony during winter break.”

“Why didn’t you bring them here?”

“Today is your special day, after all.”

Arnold glanced at Rejane and cleared his throat. Both were notably reserved. Ceti, sensing the tension, attempted to lighten the mood.

“Shall we start with the meal?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

“…”

Rejane and Arnold stood up simultaneously. Aidel and Ceti started to rise to get food but thought better of it. They decided it was wiser to observe the couple’s interaction for now.

After a while, Rejane and Arnold returned with identical meals.

“Do they have the same tastes?”

“Seems so.”

Aidel and Ceti sighed and stood up.

“We’ll be back.”

Cadric, who had been lost in thought, finally rose to get his food.

While Aidel focused on seafood, Ceti opted for meat and salad.

“Why are you starting with lobster as an appetizer?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s not classy, especially as the head of the family. In a place like this, you should know the proper meal order! And while you’re at it, bring some soup for our parents!”

“Says the one who couldn’t wait and ate all the snacks by herself?”

“Shut- shut up.”

Ceti placed corn soup in front of the couple.

“Besides, starting with the main dish makes you look like a buffet amateur. You should begin with something light to warm up your stomach.”

“It all ends up in the same place anyway.”

Aidel skillfully shelled the crab, only to have Ceti swiftly grab and eat it. Aidel’s expression went blank.

“This brat?”

“Wow, it’s delicious. This guy really knows how to shell a crab.”

“I was going to give that to Mother.”

“Oh.”

Leaving the suddenly filial Ceti behind, Aidel shelled more crab for Rejane and Arnold. Rejane hesitated before moving her fork.

It was delicious – a cliché expression, but true. The meat literally melted in her mouth. The restaurant’s expensive reputation was well-deserved.

Noting Rejane’s satisfied expression, Aidel blew on his soup before taking a spoonful. Combined with the corn soup, it was like having the finest crab bisque.

Due to the effect of the finest soup, you feel a sense of calm. Pron level decreases by 5.

Aidel frowned.

Damn it. One can’t even eat in peace.

He carefully selected foods that seemed least likely to affect his Pron levels. Then, by chance, he tried an unusual combination – pineapple pizza with mint ice cream. To his surprise, his Pron increased by about 10.

“Oh.”

This was an interesting discovery. While 10 points might seem insignificant, it was a considerable gain from food alone.

And so began the peculiar eating habits of the head of the Reinhardt family.