During their next stop before reaching Agartha, they once again stayed in the same arrangements made by Evanthe.
Find more to read on m_v-l -NovelFire
"I'm preparing the meal tonight. You go and keep Seren company," Evanthe instructed.
"She's fine. I'll help you, Mother," Drayce replied.
"I'm not so old that I need help with a simple task like cooking. Don't forget, your mother is the most powerful witch who can do anything with just the flick of a finger."
Drayce had no choice but to listen to her and returned inside cottage by Seren's side, who was wrapped in a warm blanket. She had heard what Evanthe said.
"Seems like we're going to eat what you used to like when you were a child," Seren commented, to which Drayce nodded.
After a while, Evanthe entered the cottage. As she walked ahead, a few wooden trays filled with a variety of food items floated behind her, hovering in the air.
"Wow!" Seren gasped. "I want to learn magic like that."
"You will," Drayce replied.
The trays settled onto the wooden table. Looking at all the dishes, Drayce and Seren exchanged glances. They both understood that Evanthe had long planned to cook for Drayce, given that she had already arranged all the ingredients needed to prepare this meal.
No wonder she had been upset when Drayce had already cooked earlier. She must have missed her son terribly, and it must have been painful for her to be apart from him.
Evanthe looked at them. "Stop staring and start eating already, or it will get cold."
The three of them began eating together. Seren savored the taste. "Mother, everything is so delicious. Dray was fortunate to eat like this when he was a kid." She glanced at him, noticing that he was eating quietly.
For Drayce, each bite brought back memories of his childhood and the moments he had shared with his mother. Overwhelmed with emotion, Drayce chose to remain silent, and neither Seren nor Evanthe disturbed him.
Once they finished, Drayce stood up and began cleaning, avoiding eye contact with either of them. He carried the tray outside and didn't return for a while.
Seren cleared her throat nervously and looked at Evanthe, who was also quiet. "Mother, I think you should go get some fresh night air and take a walk after the meal. It's good for digestion, and we did eat a lot. I can't join you, though—I'd only end up freezing."
"We should head inside. I'm sure Seren is still wide awake after sending me out and pretending to sleep," Evanthe said with a light chuckle.
Drayce's lips curved into a slight smile as he understood what Seren had done.
"Your wife is truly sweet and cute," Evanthe commented while they walked back toward the cottage.
"She says the same about you," Drayce informed her.
Evanthe almost laughed. "Once she sees me fighting against enemies, her opinion of me might change."
They entered the cottage, and as expected, Seren was awake. Her eyes, peeking out from under the blanket, were glued to the door, seemingly waiting for them.
"Didn't you say you were sleepy?" Evanthe teased.
"I must have been missing mother's presence by my side so I could sleep comfortably," Seren's voice was muffled under the blanket.
Evanthe shook her head. "You're getting smart with words, huh? But I'm not sleeping with you tonight. It's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Seren asked.
Evanthe hummed. "I'm worried I'll get into the habit of sleeping in too late. I won't let that happen," she said as she arranged her sleeping space on the floor. "Dray will accompany you."
Seren cleared her throat awkwardly, thinking it would be strange to sleep with him while his mother was right next to them. "I think I'm fine alone."
"You won't be," Evanthe said as she lay down. "You'll freeze by morning," she added, covering herself and closing her eyes.
Drayce, who had removed his outer heavy robe and hung it to the side, slid straight into Seren's blanket, leaving her flustered.
He turned to face her and looked into her beautiful eyes. She observed his face, understanding the emotions he had been carrying from earlier. Without saying a word, she moved closer to him and hugged him, burying her face in the crook of his neck—a silent gesture of comfort.
His lips curved into a knowing smile. He hugged her back and closed his eyes. During this journey, she had been the one to bring him and his mother closer, and Drayce recognized this fact clearly.
He was truly fortunate to have her.