Chapter: Meet the Parents – And Try Not to Explode Anything
The grand drawing room of the duchy was filled with tension. Not the dangerous, war-is-coming type. No, this was worse.
In-laws.
Kazriel stood tall, regal, and exuding deadly charm.
Aria stood beside him, hand tangled in his like it belonged there—because it did.
The nobles? Sweating. The servants? Avoiding eye contact.
The parents?
Trying not to explode.
Duke Leonhart, Aria's father, cleared his throat with a sound that could fell kingdoms.
"So, you're the man my daughter has… become unreasonably attached to overnight."
Kazriel smiled. "Guilty. Would you like to hear the details? Candlelight, shared wine, emotional damage healed through body warmth—"
"KAZRIEL." Aria's cheeks flushed. "Behave."
Duchess Mireya, Aria's mother, covered her mouth.
"…I think I like him."
On the other end of the room, Kazriel's mother was in silent shock.
"This is the first time my son has ever smiled without blood on his hands."
"I think she bewitched him," Kazriel's father muttered, only to get elbowed by his wife.
"Or maybe," she whispered, "he finally met someone worth fighting for, not just fighting."
Cue Aria giving Kazriel a wink that sent his soul straight into panic mode.
"Anyway," Kazriel added, "we're very in love. We may or may not have shared a bed. Fully clothed. Mostly."
His mother dropped her teacup. Aria's father reached for the ceremonial sword on the wall.
"Please don't," Kazriel said dryly. "I can obliterate entire battalions. You think a family dinner will break me?"
Aria elbowed him. "Stop being smug."
He looked down at her and smirked. "You love it."
She sighed. "Unfortunately, I do."
A long silence.
Then Duchess Mireya clasped her hands.
"Well, they're idiots, but they're adorable idiots."
"Agreed," said Kazriel's mother. "Shall we start planning the wedding?"
Everyone nodded. Even the fathers, albeit through gritted teeth.
Later that night, as Aria and Kazriel walked out of the chamber, hand in hand, he leaned closer and whispered,
"Bet I scared your dad more than the entire Imperial Council."
She grinned. "You turned my mom into your fangirl. That's scarier."
He pulled her in, kissed her temple, and murmured,
"Next time, I'll bring a sword. Just to mess with them."
"Or a baby name list."
He froze. She laughed.
Would you like the next scene to be wedding preparations, more steamy teasing, or a noble trying to break the engagement and getting absolutely wrecked by Aria and Kazriel?