Chapter 59 - Talk with Astrid
[Seraphina’s POV]
After listening to Astrid’s words, I felt as though a heavy weight had settled in my heart.
At the same time...
I felt incredibly happy.
And incredibly sad.
It was a feeling I couldn’t quite describe.
Happy because of how deeply my children cared about me.
Happy because they had already begun thinking about sharing my burdens.
To others, those words might sound like nothing more than the innocent promise of a child.
But to me...
They were worth more than anything in the world.
In that moment, I truly realized just how lucky I was to have such wonderful children.
Seeing me fall into a daze, Astrid laughed.
"That was exactly my reaction."
"My brain froze for a moment after hearing little Gray say those things."
Then she continued with a grin.
"And do you know what happened next?"
"He came over and told me that you’d given him permission to enter a dungeon."
"So I asked him, ’You really gave him permission?’"
"Knowing you, I couldn’t imagine you’d let him enter a dungeon so soon."
She paused dramatically before continuing.
"Then that brat confidently said, ’Yep. Mom said that as long as I create a proper perception skill first, she’ll let me go.’"
I couldn’t help smiling.
That was exactly what I had told him.
Astrid shook her head with amusement.
"At that moment I thought he’d ask me for guidance."
"But instead..."
"He stood there like a statue for almost fifteen minutes."
"I didn’t disturb him because he looked completely absorbed in thought."
"When he finally opened his eyes, he calmly looked at me and said..."
"’I’m ready to create my perception skill now.’"
"I was completely dumbfounded."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"So... what happened next?"
Learning about my children’s achievements always felt like hearing about my own accomplishments.
No...
It felt even better.
Astrid noticed my interest and happily continued.
"So I asked him what he meant."
"He casually said he’d already figured out everything he needed for the new skill."
"Then he asked if I wanted to hear his thought process."
She rubbed her forehead helplessly.
"He said it so casually that I almost coughed up blood."
"But I was curious."
"He’d already created several original spells by then, so I knew his method had to be something special."
"So I called Amy over and had her listen as well."
"Then he explained everything."
Astrid let out a long sigh.
"By the end of it..."
"My mouth was opening and closing like a fish."
"I couldn’t say a single word."
"The way he thinks is somehow incredibly simple..."
"And unbelievably complicated at the same time."
She shook her head.
"And then..."
"That brat had the nerve to compare spell creation to cooking."
"He even said I couldn’t understand because I don’t know how to cook."
She pointed at herself dramatically.
"Can you believe that?"
"He directly called me a failure in the kitchen!"
"I smacked him on the head right then and there."
"It’s no wonder Amy keeps hitting him."
"His mouth is more dangerous than most magical beasts."
A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
Seeing that, Astrid immediately smirked.
"Oh?"
"What are you laughing at?"
"Have you forgotten?"
"You can’t cook either."
...
Silence filled the room.
I simply looked away.
Astrid burst into laughter.
After teasing me enough, she continued.
"Anyway..."
"That little brat kept experimenting."
"And before I knew it..."
"He had actually created his perception skill."
"Not only that..."
"He even developed a completely new attack method."
She shook her head in disbelief.
"It’s honestly absurd."
"I almost feel sorry for any children his age."
"If they ever have to fight him..."
"It’ll be like facing an impossible opponent."
"I can’t even imagine how strong he’ll become once he grows up."
A proud smile naturally appeared on my face.
Gray...
He truly never stopped surprising me.
Astrid smiled knowingly after seeing my expression.
"So..."
"Be prepared."
"I have a feeling he’ll ask for permission to enter a dungeon tonight."
"I also heard Amy plans to go with him."
"So I think they’ll be fine."
"If he asks..."
"I think you should let him go."
I quietly fell into thought.
After a long moment...
I gave a small nod.
"...I’ll hear what he has to say first."
Astrid smiled.
"That’s more like it."
After that, our conversation gradually shifted toward work and various family matters.
Before long, the lunch break came to an end.
With a reluctant sigh...
I returned to my office.
There was still plenty of work waiting for the Head of the Starlight Family.
I remained engrossed in my work.
Before I realized it, a gentle knock sounded on the office door.
"Come in."
A maid entered quietly, bowed respectfully, and spoke in a calm voice.
"My Lady, dinner is ready."
"Young Master and Young Lady are waiting for your arrival."
She lowered her head once more and patiently waited for my response.
I gave a small nod.
"Very well."
"Tell them I’ll be there shortly."
"As you wish, My Lady."
She bowed once again before quietly leaving the room.
After finishing the last few documents on my desk, I neatly organized the remaining paperwork and set it aside.
There would always be more work waiting for me tomorrow.
I stood up and returned to my room.
After taking a warm shower to wash away the fatigue of the day, I changed into a fresh set of clothes before leaving for the dining room.
Even before I reached the entrance, I could already hear two familiar voices arguing inside.
"...I told you to leave some for me!"
"I only ate the ones you said I could!"
"I said one cupcake!"
"You never said how many ’one’ was!"
"...You’re impossible."
A small smile naturally appeared on my face.
Those two...
No matter what the topic was, they always found something to bicker about.
As I stepped into the dining room, both of them immediately noticed my arrival.
Their argument stopped instantly.
The silence was so sudden that it almost felt unnatural.
Both of them turned toward me at the same time.
For a brief moment...
They carefully studied my expression, almost as though they had been caught doing something they shouldn’t have.
Then, almost perfectly in sync, cheerful smiles appeared on their faces.
"Good evening, Mom."
"Good evening, Mother."
I couldn’t help finding their behavior a little strange.
But after looking at the two innocent smiles directed at me, I decided not to think too deeply about it.
Perhaps they had simply been arguing too loudly and didn’t want me to scold them.
Smiling softly, I returned their greetings.
"Good evening."
Then I took my usual seat at the head of the table, and tonight’s dinner quietly began.