Learning of Nymeria's arrival along with her parents sent an unfamiliar wave of nervousness through Taranis's heart. Without saying a word, the young prince hurried inside to prepare himself.

Half an hour later, Taranis emerged wearing a silken white robe adorned with intricate golden patterns. The attire perfectly complemented his long divine golden hair and ethereal golden eyes.

"Look at you—dressed like a prince for the first time," Voltrex teased, every eye in the hall fixed on the young prince.

Seated at the table beside Aestra and Voltrex were Nymeria, Aurelion, and one unfamiliar figure.

She was a woman of heavenly beauty, her features rivaling even Aestra's. Long, curly silver hair cascaded down her back, framing her elegant figure. Her icy blue eyes were fixed on Taranis, while her lips curved into an amused smile.

She was Lunaria El Snowbane—Nymeria's mother and the one who led the Snowbanes in Aurelion's absence.

"Greetings, Lord Aurelion, Lady Lunaria, and Lady Nymeria. My name is Taranis El Thunderbane. Please make yourselves comfortable," Taranis said, lowering his head slightly in respect.

Despite the nervousness churning within him, the young prince maintained his composure and spoke without a hint of stutter.

"Oh~ he didn't introduce himself as 'Prince'?" Lunaria chuckled inwardly before speaking aloud, a smile curling on her lips.

"Since you are the son of my dear friend Aestra, you should call me Aunt Lunaria. I will address you as Taranis as well."

"As you wish, Aunt Lunaria," Taranis replied confidently.

"Come, Taranis. Sit here," Lunaria said, pointing to the empty seat beside Nymeria.

Aurelion, who was seated to the left of Voltrex, let out a low groan as Taranis began moving toward the vacant chair.

"Sit here," Aurelion said curtly, shifting as if to vacate his own seat.

But before he could rise, Lunaria murmured softly, turning toward him—

"Dear husband, remain seated."

Aurelion stared at Lunaria with narrowed eyes and muttered, "Why should I follow your order, Lunaria?"

Ignoring Lunaria's request—or rather, her command—Aurelion continued to rise from his seat. Lunaria, however, remained unfazed. The gentle smile still curled upon her lips as she whispered, deliberately elongating each word,

"D-e-a-r H-u-s-b-a-n-d, remain… seated."

Aurelion froze instantly and shot Lunaria another sharp glare.

The two kept their eyes locked on each other for several seconds as an awkward silence settled over the dining table.

After a moment, Aurelion let out a reluctant groan and sank back into his seat.

"Hmph. I'm only agreeing because Voltrex wants me to sit with him."

He side-eyed Voltrex, forcing the latter to nod in agreement.

With the matter finally settled, Taranis moved to the chair beside Nymeria.

"This dress suits you," Taranis murmured, offering a soft compliment.

Nymeria sat frozen in her seat, still unsettled by the unexpected encounter between the two families.

Unlike the simple robes and neatly tied hair she wore when meeting Taranis in the forest, her appearance tonight was entirely different. Her delicate, luminous figure was clad in a milky-white robe traced with intricate silver embroidery. Long, flowing sleeves draped gracefully from her arms, cinched at the waist by a slender silver belt. Her ethereal white hair was left untied, cascading freely down her back like gentle snowfall caught in moonlight.

"Th-thank you," Nymeria whispered, lowering her head.

After a brief pause, she added softly,

"Y-you're shining brightly too… like the sun in the sky."

Though their voices were barely above whispers meant only for each other, everyone at the table heard them clearly—an unavoidable consequence of their overwhelming cultivation levels.

"Ahem-ahem! Let's dig in," Voltrex announced, drawing everyone's attention away from the pair.

During dinner, Voltrex recounted heroic tales of Aurelion from their recent war. Meanwhile, Lunaria and Aestra—childhood friends long separated by duty to their clans—reminisced about their past. Throughout it all, Nymeria and Taranis remained awkwardly stiff, barely touching their food.

Once the meal concluded and the servants cleared the table, Voltrex turned toward Taranis, a playful glint hidden behind his smile.

"Have you finished packing? We'll leave at dawn tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!?" Taranis exclaimed, his voice stuttering. "B-but you only arrived today!"

"I can't remain away from the frontlines for long. This time, only Aurelion and I returned—and that was solely to take you with us," Voltrex revealed before adding smugly,

"What? Don't tell me you no longer wish to come?"

Taranis's eyes widened. Voltrex had struck the nail right on the head.

In truth, it wasn't that Taranis didn't want to go. But leaving so abruptly made something heavy settle in his heart.

He parted his lips to speak, but before he could, Nymeria interjected.

"Where are you going, Taranis?" she asked, her curiosity tinged with unease.

"N-Nymeria… I… well… the thing is—"

As he struggled to find the right words, Aestra let out an exaggerated gasp beside Lunaria.

"Don't tell me you didn't tell her!? How could you hide something like that from your 'best friend'?"

"Mother, I wasn't hiding it. I just didn't find the right moment to tell her—"

"Can you tell me what it is?" Nymeria interrupted, her voice edged with irritation.

"Nymeria, I'm—"

Taranis took a deep breath.

"I'm leaving with Father… to the frontlines."

The words struck Nymeria's heart like a hammer.

For a moment, she said nothing, struggling to process what she had just heard.

"B-but why would you go there?" she demanded.

"There are dangerous people on the frontlines. It's not safe."

"Nymeria, I've always wanted to go. I want to leave these mountains—to find worthy opponents who won't hold back because of my status, and to use my power to its fullest."

To Nymeria, his reasoning sounded completely illogical.

Her heart was too clouded by emotions she didn't yet understand—was it betrayal, anger, sadness, or something else entirely?

She rose from her chair, her expression darkening as she bit her lip and whispered in a trembling voice,

"Th-then… what about me?"

Her sudden question caught Taranis completely off guard. Hell—not just him, even the parents of the duo, who heard her clearly, were left stunned, their eyes widened and mouths agape.

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