The three of them sat around the large table in the middle of the garden, the soft morning light falling gently over everything.
Plates were neatly arranged, and the smell of fresh bread and fruit filled the air.
A light breeze passed by now and then, making the flowers around them sway quietly.
Charlotte sat comfortably in her chair, holding a piece of bread in one hand while slowly spreading butter over it with the other.
Her movements were relaxed, almost lazy, as if she had no worries left in the world.
After finishing, she took a small bite before turning her head slightly toward Salena.
"Are you practicing your alchemy?" she asked casually, still chewing.
Beside her, Elena sat with perfect posture, calmly peeling an apple with a small knife.
The peel came off in one long strip, smooth and even.
When Charlotte spoke, Elena's eyes shifted slightly toward Salena, though her hands never stopped moving.
Salena, who was sitting across from them, nodded lightly.
"Yeah… I have been practicing," she said, her voice soft. She gave a small sigh after that, her shoulders dropping just a little.
"But I'm doing pretty bad."
Her fingers lightly tapped against the table as she spoke.
For a moment, her eyes drifted down, as if she was thinking about something far away.
She had started learning alchemy when she was still very young.
It was also how she met Edward.
But after everything that happened between them, she had stopped completely.
Only recently, after things settled down three months ago, she gathered the courage to start again.
"Good, good…" Charlotte nodded with approval, though her mouth was still busy chewing.
She swallowed and pointed her butter knife slightly in the air like she was giving an important speech.
"You should always do something you can be proud of."
She lifted her chin slowly, her expression turning proud all of a sudden.
Her back straightened, and she placed one hand under her chin like she was posing for a painting.
"See me for example…" she continued, her voice growing more dramatic. "I, Charlotte, am the greatest…."
Before she could finish, Elena suddenly raised her hand from the side and quietly held out a small slice of apple in front of her.
Charlotte didn't even pause.
She opened her mouth without hesitation and leaned forward slightly, taking the apple slice directly from Elena's hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"....greatest…" she continued while chewing, though her words were a bit unclear now.
After swallowing, she added, "mage of the empire."
She lifted her chin even higher, clearly very proud of herself.
"And in the future, after I give birth…."
Once again, Elena's hand appeared beside her, holding another piece of apple.
Charlotte paused for just a second this time… then still leaned forward and took it.
"So… as I was saying…" she continued, chewing again, trying to keep her serious tone. "You should always…."
"Here."
Another piece.
This time, Charlotte froze.
Slowly, she turned her head toward Elena, her eyes narrowing just a little.
She stared at her for a moment, suspicious.
"Mother…" she said slowly, her voice flat. "Are you doing this on purpose?"
Elena blinked once.
Then she blinked again, her face completely calm.
"Why would I?" she asked innocently, tilting her head just a little.
"You are my daughter. How can I interrupt you when you are boasting?"
Her tone sounded polite… but there was a clear hint of sarcasm hidden inside.
"You definitely did it on purpose!" Charlotte snapped immediately, pointing at her with the butter knife.
Across the table, Salena had already turned her head slightly away.
Her lips were pressed tightly together, and her shoulders were shaking just a little as she tried very hard not to laugh.
Elena slowly brought one hand to her mouth, her expression turning dramatic.
"Why would I do such a thing?" she said, her voice full of fake innocence. "I was just trying to feed you…"
"Okay!" Charlotte raised her hand quickly, cutting her off.
She let out a small breath and looked away, waving her hand like she had already figured everything out.
"No need for excuses," she said, shaking her head.
"I understand. I was boasting… and you were feeling irritated."
She lifted her hand and wiped the corner of her eye, pretending to cry.
"Now that you have another daughter-in-law," she added with a sad tone, "you have completely forgotten me… hamh!"
"What?" Elena reacted instantly, placing a hand on her chest like she had just been accused of something serious.
"You are the first one! Why would I forget you?"
Without waiting, she leaned closer and wrapped her arms around Charlotte from behind, pulling her into a warm hug.
"Come here," she said gently. "Let me give you a big hug."
Charlotte didn't resist, but she puffed her cheeks slightly, still acting upset.
"Don't be angry…" Elena continued softly, patting her back. "I was just joking."
Charlotte slowly turned her head, showing a small grumpy face.
There was a short pause.
Then suddenly….
"Hahaha!"
She burst into laughter, her whole body relaxing at once.
"I was joking too!" she said, grinning widely.
That was it.
Salena couldn't hold it anymore.
"Hahaha….!"
She burst into loud laughter, bending forward slightly as she held her stomach.
All the restraint she had been keeping since earlier completely disappeared at once.
The sound of their laughter filled the garden, mixing with the soft rustling of leaves and the quiet morning breeze.
Even Elena couldn't hold back anymore, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she looked at the two of them.
For a while, the table was no longer calm at all.
It was full of laughter, small complaints, and light teasing… just like always.
The laughter slowly settled down, though small chuckles still escaped now and then.
The table was a mess of crumbs, empty plates, and half-finished fruit, showing just how lively the breakfast had been.
Time passed without anyone noticing.
The soft morning light shifted slightly, and before they realized it, nearly an hour had gone by.
"Ahh…"
Charlotte let out a long, satisfied sigh as she slowly pushed her chair back.
She stretched both her arms up, her body relaxing after the meal.
Her movements were slow and careful, and after standing up, her hand naturally moved to her belly, resting there gently.
"I think I will walk a bit…" she said, her tone light as she adjusted her posture.
She turned her head slightly and looked at the others.
"Are you coming?"
Salena shook her head softly, already reaching for the plates.
"I'll clean the table," she said in a calm voice.
Neither Charlotte nor Elena said anything.
There was no surprise on their faces, no protest either.
It was something they had seen many times before.
Even though there were more than enough servants in the house, Salena always insisted on doing these things herself.
She would wake up early, prepare breakfast, and then clean everything after.
At first, both of them had tried to stop her.
They felt it didn't suit her position at all.
But Salena never listened.
In the end, they had simply gotten used to it.
Elena slowly stood up as well, stretching her arms lightly before stepping closer to Charlotte.
A small smile appeared on her face as she reached out and gently held Charlotte's hand.
"Alright then," she said warmly. "Let's go. My grandchild needs some walking too, right?"
Charlotte gave a small nod, her expression relaxed again.
"Okay… Salena, see you in a few minutes," she said, turning slightly and waving her hand.
Salena looked up from the table and waved back with a soft smile.
"Mm."
The two of them began walking toward the door, their steps slow and unhurried.
The door stood just ahead, slightly open, leading outside where the fresh air waited.
But just as they got close…
Charlotte suddenly slowed down.
Her brows pulled together slightly, and a faint look of confusion appeared on her face.
She stopped mid-step, her hand tightening just a little around Elena's.
"…Edward…" she muttered under her breath.
Before Elena could ask anything…
Bang!
The door burst open loudly.
A figure rushed in so suddenly that the air around them seemed to shift.
"Mom..!"
Edward appeared right in front of them, breathing heavily.
His chest rose and fell quickly, and his hair was slightly messy, as if he had run all the way here without stopping.
His face was filled with excitement, but there was also clear exhaustion in his expression.
He bent forward slightly, taking a deep breath.
"What happened, son?" Elena asked at once, her tone turning serious as she stepped forward.
Edward lifted his head, his eyes bright despite his tired state.
"Father… and brother…" he said between breaths.
A short pause followed.
"They've returned."
