"Thank you," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "I promise, I'll make it up to all of you. But for now…" He glanced down at Isabella, still holding onto him tightly. "I need to take care of her first."
Isabella, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, looked up at him, her eyes still wet but full of love. "Adrian," she whispered, her voice soft. "Thank you…"
Adrian smiled gently, his heart aching as he gazed down at his mother. "You've done more for me than I can ever repay, Mom. The least I can do is be here for you now."
With that, he gently guided her toward the door, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders.
The rest of the women watched them go, their hearts full of both love and longing.
Though they each wanted their time with Adrian, they understood that, for now, Isabella needed him more than anyone else.
As Adrian guided Isabella to the dining hall, her arm linked in his, the others watched him go, warmth and affection filling their eyes.
But as soon as Adrian and Isabella left the room, the remaining women exchanged glances.
There was a brief, knowing silence—and then, almost in unison, they burst into laughter, each realizing what was on the others' minds.
"Alright, ladies," Sophia said with a mischievous smirk. "We all want a turn. How about we settle this… with a little competition?"
Without missing a beat, Seraphina grinned and nodded. "Rock, paper, scissors, anyone?"
The room erupted in a mix of giggles and competitive glares as they circled up, each one determined to secure her spot.
Hands flashed in sync as the game began, each round narrowing down the order.
Meanwhile, Adrian and Isabella entered the dining hall, the warmth of the early morning sunlight filtering through the grand windows, casting a soft glow over the room.
Adrian led his mother to a seat, gently helping her into the chair and holding her hand with a loving squeeze. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"Stay here, Mother," he said softly. "You haven't been eating properly, so today, I'll cook for you. I want to make something special."
Isabella looked up at him, a faint blush on her tear-streaked face. "Adrian, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do," he interrupted, smiling at her with a reassuring gaze. "This is the least I can do after everything you've done for me."
With that, he made his way to the kitchen, where the staff were already preparing for the morning meals. Politely but firmly, Adrian dismissed them, insisting that they take the day off as he would handle the cooking himself.
They exchanged glances, hesitant to abandon their duties, but eventually relented, recognizing the authority in his request.
Alone in the kitchen, Adrian took a deep breath. "System," he called out internally, "I need a recipe—something special for breakfast, preferably a traditional dish that my mother's never tried before."
The system chimed softly, requiring a deduction of Seduction Points in exchange for culinary knowledge.
Adrian agreed, watching as a series of images and instructions for a breakfast filled his mind: a warm bowl of rice topped with fresh, creamy egg yolk, savory miso soup with tofu and green onions, and a side of grilled salted salmon.
It was simple, comforting, yet elegant—perfect for a heartfelt morning meal. He also bought all the ingredients from the system that were not available in the kitchen.
Adrian rolled up his sleeves and got to work, moving with a mix of focus and ease as he carefully prepared each component.
He started with the rice, rinsing the grains with utmost care until the water ran clear, then setting it to steam.
While the rice cooked, he selected a fresh salmon fillet, coating it lightly with salt. Adrian fired up the grill, waiting until it reached the perfect temperature before gently placing the fish on the grate.
As the salmon sizzled, its aroma filling the air, he shifted his attention to preparing the miso soup, adding small cubes of tofu and chopped green onions for an extra layer of flavor.
With everything simmering or grilling to perfection, Adrian took a moment to call on the system again.
"System, about the Goddess of Fate… You didn't appear when she was present. Why? And is there something you're supposed to tell me about her?"
A pause lingered in his mind before the system's voice responded.
"Host, answers regarding the Goddess of Fate and your encounter with her require a higher level of authority. You must grow stronger to unlock this knowledge."
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly as he flipped the salmon, his grip tightening around the spatula. "Then at least tell me—were you created by her or by another deity of this world?"
"No," the system replied, a curt finality in its tone. It offered no further information, leaving Adrian sighing with a mix of frustration and curiosity.
Setting the thought aside, he focused back on the meal. The rice was done, steamed to fluffy perfection.
He plated a portion in a small bowl, creating a small indentation in the center. Carefully, he cracked an egg, separating the yolk, and placed it over the rice, adding a touch of soy sauce for flavor.
With the soup ladled into a separate bowl and the grilled salmon plated beside it, Adrian took one last look at the meal, satisfied with the result.
With a soft smile, he carried the tray to Isabella, who looked up at him, her eyes soft with gratitude.
"Here you go, Mom," he said warmly, setting the dishes before her. "I made something new for you—a traditional Japanese breakfast."
Isabella's eyes widened slightly, surprised at both the presentation and the unmistakable care behind each dish.
She picked up her chopsticks, taking a small bite of the rice and egg, the creamy yolk blending perfectly with the soy-infused rice.
Her eyes closed as she savored the flavor, a peaceful smile gracing her face.
"It's delicious, Adrian," she murmured, her voice filled with appreciation. She looked up at him, her gaze tender.
"Thank you… For everything."
Adrian's heart swelled as he watched her, feeling a sense of fulfillment unlike any he'd known. This quiet moment, this simple breakfast—they were small tokens, but he knew they meant the world to her.
He settled into the seat beside her, a content smile on his face, as they shared a meal that was more than just food—it was a celebration of their bond, renewed and strengthened in ways words could never express.