Chapter 279: Meeting?

Brandon, Elize, Ravene, Dhayun, Yverine and Eira are sitting around the couches in the living room.

Eira cleared her throat and stood up "Alright, let’s... get introductions out of the way before this gets awkward."

She gestured with her hand. "This is Florence, my mother."

Florence looked around at them and smiled warmly "Eira has told me a lot about all of you and I am pleased to meet you all."

With a faint nod, Eira gestured toward ravene "This is Sister Ravene."

Florence’s eyes brightened "Ofcourse, I know the genius Ravene Morcelle, your reputation precedes you. Thank you for taking care of my daughter. She particularly spoke a lot about you."

Eira was quite embarrassed "Mother?"

Ravene tilted her head, blinking slowly and a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Florence only chuckled softly and turned to Elize, who was sitting beside Brandon with her arm around his shoulder as if showing her dominance.

"And you must be Miss Elize... I have heard your legends even when I was a student."

Florence’s expression softened, and she leaned forward, placing a hand over her heart "I know you are his guardian and I owe you so much gratitude. Brandon is such a fine young man, but I can see that’s because someone has nurtured him with love."

Elize gaze condensed and she patted Brandon’s head "Yeah, I poured all my love into him and he is my son."

Brandon smiled gently and leaned onto her "Aunt Elize..."

Looking at them, Florence’s gaze softened as she know how important Elize is to Brandon.

Elize snickered in her mind as she continued patting his head ’Know your place... hmph.’

Ravene looked at Elize out of the corner of her eyes and shook her head helplessly.

Eira walked to Dhayun and Yverine "And mom, this is Big Sis Dhayun and Sister Yverine."

Looking at them, Florence nodded her head "Hello."

Florence turned her head toward them and her smile instantly warmed again, but now with a trace of maternal grace. "Hello."

Dhayun inclined her head politely, "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bleaufort."

"Please," Florence waved her hand lightly, "Florence is fine. Titles make me feel old."

Her words made Dhayun chuckle softly, and Yverine smiled "Good to see you, Miss Florence."

Florence slowly nodded her head "Same here, dear..."

Elize rose from the couch with her usual composed grace, brushing off her dress lightly as she said, "With all this talking, I think everyone could use some snacks and tea."

Brandon also immediately stood up "I’ll help."

As Elize walked toward the kitchen, Brandon followed right beside her.

The sound of quiet chatter from the living room faded as they crossed into the more secluded space of the kitchen.

Elize set a hand on the counter, as if preparing to begin her task, but before she could even reach for the teapot, Brandon stepped in close and his hands found her waist, gently pulling her against him.

Elize blinked in mild surprise and her lips parted as she looked up at him. "Kael..."

Without another word, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

It started softly like a habit they had fallen into countless times before.

But as her fingers slid up against his chest and his hand tightened on her hip, the kiss grew deeper.

"Mmh..."

The quiet hum of the refrigerator was drowned out by the sound of their mingled breaths.

Elize angled her head, pressing closer as she parted her lips for him.

When they finally broke apart for air, Elize chuckled softly.

"You’re supposed to help me, not distract me," she murmured, brushing her thumb against his lower lip as if scolding him.

Brandon grinned faintly, leaning forward to steal another quick kiss, "Helping you relax counts, doesn’t it?"

Elize narrowed her eyes playfully and she sighed, shaking her head.

Instead of pushing him away, she leaned into his chest, resting there for a moment.

"Hopeless boy..."

At this time, he heard a soft cough and they around to see Yverine standing at the kitchen doorway.

Her arms were folded casually, but there was a faint tint of pink dusting her cheeks, as though she had been watching for longer than she meant to.

Elize’s lips curled into that gentle teasing smile of hers "Come in, dear,"

Brandon smiled faintly "Sister Yve..."

Yverine stepped into the kitchen "I also came to help."

Elize loosened her hold on Brandon, giving him one last affectionate pat on the chest before turning back toward the counter. "Sure. Come here, dear."

But before she joined Elize, Yverine walked straight up to Brandon.

Without a word, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his lips in a gentle peck.

Her hand lingered against his cheek, "Dumbass..." she whispered, just for him, before drawing back.

Brandon’s expression softened immediately and without another word, Yverine moved past him and walked over to where Elize was arranging the trays.

She tied her hair back loosely and positioned herself by the counter.

Elize handed Yverine a dish towel and said, "Perfect timing. You can help me with the tea leaves."

Brandon leaned against the counter for a moment, watching the two women begin to work side by side.

His lips curved as a thought flickered through his mind.

’Seems like she’s slowly getting used to it...’

---

It was already night, and the soft cool wind brushed gently across the short patch of grass outside the house and a table was set outside.

Ravene leaned back in her chair, folding one leg over the other leg and with a sharp clap of her hands, she announced, "So... welcome to the seventh official meeting of Brandon’s family."

Elize smiled faintly, while Eira gave an excited nod.

Yverine, however, blinked at the statement, tilting her head in mild confusion "Meeting of Brandon’s family?"

Eira leaned forward, "Yes, Sister Yverine... it’s like a secret meeting we’ve been doing. Without Brandon knowing."

Yverine’s expression softened "And what do you all... talk about?" she asked hesitantly.

Eira grinned, "About Brandon, of course. Our future with him... his women, and whatever situation he’s currently tangled in."

Yverine exhaled slowly, lowering her gaze "I... see."

Elize sat up straighter and spoke proudly "Of course, as the first wife and his caretaker, I am the head of this meeting."

Ravene’s lips twitched, and her hand immediately slammed on the table "First wife? Don’t get ahead of yourself, cunt. You might be his caretaker, sure, but the first wife is me."

Elize just smiled calmly "Ravene, dear, just because you’re louder doesn’t mean you were first."

Ravene smirked, leaning forward "I was in his bed before you dared to even confess what you felt. That makes me first in every way that matters."

Elize also slammed her hand on the table "But he loved me first."

Eira raised her hands quickly, trying to soothe the tension "Ahaha, please, Aunt Elize, Sister Rave, don’t fight- it’s not a competition. Even though I agree with Sister Ravene..."

Elize turned her gaze at her, and Eira flinched, sticking out her tongue in mock defense.

Yverine glanced between them and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if she should.

Eventually, she muttered, "Brandon... would he really approve of this kind of hierarchy?"

Her question silenced the table for a moment.

Elize gave her a sidelong glance and with a sigh, she muttered "Don’t take it too seriously, dear. This is just... our way of keeping things balanced."

Yverine’s gaze lingered on Elize for a while and she slowly nodded.

Eira, noticing her silence, reached over and took her hand under the table, squeezing it softly "Don’t worry, Sister Yve. You’re one of us now."

Yverine’s eyes flickered up at her, and though her lips trembled faintly, she gave a small nod.

The tension lightened again as Eira suddenly sat up and clapped her hands "Alright, next topic! Tonight’s agenda is... how to deal with Brandon’s mysterious Empyrean problem!"

Yverine blinked in confusion again. "Agenda...?"

Elize’s lips curved with affection "Yes, dear. There’s always an agenda."

Ravene nodded her head "But today, it’s crucial. Seems like an Empyrean is interested in Brandon."

"Good thing nothing fatal happened. I can’t imagine what would happen if he he is a prolonged exposure of intimate contact with that ’Empyrean.’ "

"We have a small lead on this matter."

With that, she began to talk about her investigation with Astrid and Clarisse.

Upon hearing this, Eira’s eyebrow furrowed "I see..."

Ravene continued "I have already asked Charlotte to arrange a meeting with every Empyrean, but..."

She sighed, her shoulders relaxing against the back of her chair "It seems like it is not possible to summon everyone at once."

"They are all working in different countries, clearing the hardest towers and we can’t exactly summon them for what they’ll consider ’small things’ like this."

"So I have decided to travel with that ’thing’ and go and meet each Empyrean individually to test their ether signature."

Eira tilted her head curiously. "That... thing?"

Ravene groaned and closed her eyes "Let’s not talk about that ’thing’, I feel like my hair will fall out."

Yverine stifled a giggle, covering her mouth politely, though her cheeks turned pink.

Elize, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward slightly, "Then let’s move on to the next important matter... Florence."

Eira smiled dryly and replied "She is probably here, trying to woo him."

Yverine was startled to hear this "Woo... him?"

Eira turned to look at Yverine with a surprised smile "Ah, yeah... I didn’t tell you. My mom also loves Brandon and she is a potential future member of ’Brandon’s family.’ "

Upon hearing this, Yverine’s jaw dropped "W-What?"

Eira’s smile softened "Don’t misunderstand though, Sister. I’m not against it. In fact..."

She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, "I think she fits right in. My mom has always been protective, loving, and... well, perhaps too forward. But in the end, she would take care of him as fiercely as the rest of us."

Yverine’s gaze trembled "That is kind of insane..."

With a chuckle, Eira replied "I know. I... love her as much as I love Brandon and she loves Brandon."

"And I think, we all can be a family like that."