"Logan, this is my beloved mother!"
"Delighted to meet you, madam!" Logan greeted her with a polite nod.
"And this fine lady is like a second mother to me!"
"Charmed, indeed!" he exclaimed with equal warmth.
"And here comes my little brother, striding in!"
"Hello!" Logan offered a friendly wave.
...
As Jean introduced his family, Logan respectfully acknowledged each member. Present were Jean's mother, a second motherly figure, his third and sixth brothers, and three spirited younger sisters.
Under the watchful gaze of so many, Logan remained cautiously still.
After a brisk round of introductions and light compliments aimed at easing the slightly stiff air, Jean quickly grabbed a package of sweets from a table nearby. "Father, these are from Logan, a special treat just for you. I bet it's something you've never tasted before!"
"Never tasted?" Lalar chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "My dear, I've savored the likes of dragon meat; there's little I haven't tried."
"But Father, this will surpass even dragon meat in delight!" Jean shot back playfully, pulling out a packet of exotic candy bars, unwrapping it, and approaching his father. He selected one and gently placed it into his father's mouth.
"Hmm?"
"What is this?" Lalar's brow rose in surprise. As the candy dissolved, a burst of sweetness flooded his senses.
Sugar!
Oh, such sweetness!
Despite his vast experiences, this was his first encounter with such a unique confectionery.
"Mother, second mother, wouldn't you like to try some too?" Jean, noticing his father's amazed reaction, couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction.
"It's wonderfully sweet!" her mother declared after a taste.
"Sweet, indeed, though it sticks to the teeth a bit," her second mother commented, experiencing the novel texture of maltose clinging to her teeth.
"Sister..."
"Sister!! We want some too!" The excited chorus of Jean's three younger sisters rang out, unable to contain their eagerness.
The youngest, a sprightly beast girl, clung tightly to Jean's leg and refused to let go.
"Alright, alright, everyone will get their share!" Jean laughed, reassuring his eager siblings as he began distributing the treats.
Soon, Jean's two brothers each sampled a piece of the unique candy.
"If I drink any more, my stomach will burst, and I'll pee my pants more than anything!" Logan joked with a smile, playfully grabbing Jean's hand.
"Disgusting!" Jean retorted with a pinch and a roll of her eyes.
"You know you can't handle your liquor; you should have just said no. Why force yourself?" Jean chided, her face flushing as Logan continued to fumble with his hands.
"It's my first time here; refusing didn't seem right," Logan sighed, shaking his head.
"By the way, what time is it now?" he suddenly asked, sitting up sharply.
"It's not even afternoon yet; you should rest some more," Jean advised gently.
"No rest for me, I have things to attend to when I get back!" Logan declared, swinging his legs out of the bed and slipping into his animal skin shoes.
"By the way, what did my father say to you?" Jean inquired, her curiosity piqued. She knew her father had sought a private audience with Logan, deliberately excluding her, which hinted at a significant discussion.
From the approving look on her father's face afterward, Logan seemed to have earned his favor.
"He just gave me a friendly warning," Logan chuckled, crossing his legs as he sat beside Jean, pulling her close and whispering playfully into her ear while playfully biting her ear, "He said if I marry you, I must never bully you!"
"Stop it, you're the already bullying me now!" Jean protested with a mock struggle, allowing him to hold her a bit longer in a playful embrace.
"Alright, I should get going," Logan said as he gently released her and stood, straightening his clothes. With the successful production of maltose underway, he was eager to capitalize on the opportunity for market expansion and not waste a moment more than necessary.
"Wait, there's something else I forgot to mention!" Jean called out as he was about to leave.
"My brother wants to meet you," she said.
"Your brother wants to meet me? Wasn't he away?" Logan turned, his interest piqued.
"He returned at noon," Jean explained. "He tried the maltose you brought and has been insisting on meeting you ever since."
"He's waiting downstairs right now!" she added.
"Waiting downstairs?" Logan repeated, slightly taken aback.
"Why didn't you wake me sooner?" he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and frustration. "It's not good to keep your brother waiting so long!"
"If you make him wait, he might just start investing in your maltose business himself," Jean remarked coolly.
"Hmph," Logan grunted, acknowledging the situation.
Soon, Jean led him downstairs where an impressive young British werewolf stood up immediately upon seeing them. The beastman stature and demeanor exuded confidence.
"Hello, I apologize for keeping you waiting!" Logan said, his embarrassment clear.
After all, this was not just anyone, but Jean's brother, soon to be his brother-in-law.
"Hello!" the beastman replied, his voice carrying a warm authority. "You indeed are a handsome fellow. No wonder my little sister Jean has taken such a fancy to you."