Chapter 14: The Art of Warfare Family Edition

Vale Estate | Dinner Table

The private dining hall of the Vale estate was as extravagant as ever—obsidian table, crystal chandelier, a meal fit for royalty. Every detail exuded power and prestige. But to Nevaris, it felt less like a family gathering and more like a strategic negotiation.

Because sitting at the head of the table, poised like an empress surveying her empire, was Celestine Vale.

His mother.

Freya, seated beside him, was far too relaxed for his liking. He could tell—she was enjoying this.

Nevaris exhaled dramatically, stabbing his steak with unnecessary force. "So, Mother, to what do I owe this honor? If it's another intervention about my diet, I regret to inform you that I am a lost cause."

Celestine took a slow sip of her wine. "Your diet is atrocious, but that is not why I'm here."

Nevaris leaned back, twirling his fork. "Alright, then. Let's skip ahead to the part where you complain about my life choices."

Celestine's gaze sharpened, and her voice was as smooth as it was cutting. "You are twenty-six."

Nevaris clutched his chest in mock horror. "No! When did that happen? Freya, why didn't you tell me?"

Freya smirked. "I assumed you knew."

Celestine ignored them both. "At your age, your grandfather had already expanded our family's

The luxurious private dining hall of the Vale estate was prepared for an elegant evening. A long obsidian table stretched across the room, bathed in the glow of a crystal chandelier. The scent of gourmet cuisine lingered in the air, a perfect mix of delicate spices and decadence.

And yet, for Nevaris, the entire atmosphere felt like a staged execution.

Because Celestine Vale sat at the head of the table.

Regal. Poised. And utterly unreadable.

Freya, seated to his right, was far too composed. Enjoying herself, even.

Nevaris sighed dramatically as he stabbed at his steak with excessive force. "So, Mom, to what do I owe the pleasure? Surely you didn't come all this way just to critique my diet again?"

Celestine took a sip of wine, her gaze level. "Your diet is atrocious, but no, that is not why I'm here."

Nevaris didn't look convinced. "Alright, then. Get to the part where you remind me how much of a disappointment I am."

Freya took a slow sip of her drink, clearly entertained.

Celestine placed her glass down gently. "Nevaris."

Freya tensed instinctively. That tone…

Nevaris, however, smirked. "Yes, Mother?"

Celestine's gaze was cold, sharp as a scalpel. "You are twenty-six years old."

Nevaris let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh no! I had no idea! Thank you for reminding me!"

Freya had to press a hand to her mouth to suppress a laugh.

Celestine ignored him, her fingers resting lightly on the table. "At your age, your grandfather had already solidified our family's influence. He had established himself as a man to be respected." Her gaze narrowed. "And yet, you waste your time playing video games and consuming alarming amounts of caffeine."

Nevaris grinned. "I also run a trillion-dollar corporation. Small detail, I know."

Celestine exhaled through her nose, the Vale equivalent of barely restrained irritation. "Power is more than wealth, Nevaris. It is about legacy."

"And you think I can't build a legacy without a wife?" He leaned back in his chair, the very picture of nonchalance.

Celestine studied him for a long moment. Then, her gaze shifted.

To Freya.

Freya froze.

Nevaris noticed instantly—and oh, this was perfect.

He turned to Freya with a bright, teasing grin. "Ohhh, I see where this is going."

Freya shot him a glare that promised imminent murder.

Nevaris continued, undeterred. "Mother, if you wanted to adopt Freya as your daughter-in-law, you could have just said so."

Freya nearly choked on her wine.

Celestine, unfazed, raised a delicate brow. "Freya is competent, disciplined, and intelligent. Unlike you."

Nevaris clutched his chest. "Mother, you wound me."

Celestine ignored him completely and turned to Freya instead, her expression softening—slightly. "Freya, dear, you do know you could do far better than this, don't you?" She gestured vaguely toward Nevaris.

Freya blinked. Once. Twice. Then, she turned to Nevaris with the most neutral expression she could muster. "She makes a compelling argument."

Nevaris gasped. "Et tu, Freya?"

Celestine shook her head in exasperation. "Nevaris, despite his… successes, is reckless and exasperating beyond reason. He is unfit for personal relationships."

Nevaris raised a hand. "Counterpoint—I am a delight."

Celestine did not dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned back to Freya. "Tell me, dear, why do you continue to work for him?"

Nevaris interjected before Freya could speak. "Yeah, Freya, tell her how much you adore me."

Freya sent him a look that suggested she was calculating the trajectory needed to launch him off the balcony.

Then, she sighed. "It's… complicated."

Celestine's expression remained unreadable. "Is it?"

Freya exhaled. "He's annoying, childish, and makes my job unnecessarily difficult."

Nevaris gasped again. "How dare you speak the truth."

Freya ignored him. "But… he's also brilliant. And despite how he acts, he's never truly reckless. Every move he makes is calculated. Even when it seems like chaos, he's already three steps ahead."

Celestine listened, her face as unreadable as ever, though Freya swore she caught the faintest glimmer of amusement in the older woman's eyes.

Nevaris, meanwhile, looked smug as hell. "Aw, Freya, if you wanted to confess your love, you could've just said so."

Freya picked up a butter knife. "I will stab you."

Celestine sighed, shaking her head. "Nevaris, stop harassing the poor girl."

Nevaris grinned. "Never."

Celestine looked at Freya once more, her gaze contemplative. "Regardless, I am glad you are around. Someone has to keep him in check."

Freya wasn't sure how to respond to that.

Nevaris beamed. "See? Even my own mother thinks I'm a menace."

Celestine took a delicate sip of her wine. "That is because you are a menace."

The rest of dinner passed much the same way—Celestine subtly criticizing Nevaris, Nevaris throwing exaggerated tantrums, and Freya watching it all unfold like a spectator to the most bizarre comedy skit.

By the time dessert arrived, Nevaris was thoroughly drained. He slumped back in his chair. "Alright, Mother, I admit defeat. You win this round."

Celestine arched a brow. "Did you think there was ever another outcome?"

Nevaris groaned. "One day, Mother, I will win a battle against you."

Celestine smirked slightly. "Unlikely."

Freya simply shook her head.

This entire family was insane.

And yet…

She found herself smiling.

Just a little.