Location: Titan Vale's Private Terminal | Corporate Airport
The private terminal was immaculate—polished marble floors, sleek glass panels, and an atmosphere so refined it could probably judge you. The staff stood unnaturally straight, the security detail subtly adjusted their posture, and even the air conditioning hummed in a manner that somehow felt... deferential.
Nevaris Vale, currently sprawled across a luxurious leather couch, took all of this in. And he hated it.
"She's already got the airport scared," he muttered, lazily crunching on a chip. His phone vibrated on the coffee table, and he glanced at the screen.
[Mother]: I expect you to be on time. Don't embarrass me.
Nevaris groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "God help me."
Freya, standing beside him with arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "You could at least pretend to sit properly."
Nevaris waved a hand dismissively. "What's the point? No matter what I do, she's going to criticize something. Might as well conserve my energy."
Freya gave him a look. "You're twenty-six. A trillionaire. And your strategy is conserving energy against your mother?"
"Survival instincts, Freya. Survival instincts."
Before Freya could respond, the terminal doors slid open with a faint whoosh.
And there she was.
Celestine Vale.
The woman who had single-handedly dictated the laws of high society for decades, armed with nothing but grace, a terrifying level of intelligence, and an unwavering ability to make anyone feel like a disappointment.
She was breathtakingly elegant—draped in a navy-blue designer coat, silver hair styled with precision, her piercing blue eyes scanning the room with the efficiency of a war strategist assessing a battlefield. Behind her, an entourage of assistants and security followed like trained shadows.
She walked forward, heels clicking against the marble floor, exuding the type of authority that made even presidents pause.
Nevaris, still slouched on the couch, lifted a hand in an exaggerated wave. "Mother. Welcome back."
Celestine's gaze barely flicked to him before continuing forward. Her disappointment was so silent, so refined, that it didn't even need words.
Instead, she stopped in front of Freya.
"My dear," Celestine said smoothly, her tone shifting into something far warmer. "It's been far too long."
Freya, a woman who had once stared down death itself without blinking, felt herself instinctively straightening. "Mrs. Vale," she greeted, composed but cautious.
Celestine took Freya's hands gently, her expression softening. "I can only imagine how exhausting it must be, looking after my son."
Freya opened her mouth, hesitated, then decided no answer was the safest answer.
Meanwhile, Nevaris narrowed his eyes from the couch. "You do know I'm sitting right here, right?"
Celestine did not acknowledge his existence.
"Honestly, Freya," Celestine continued, "I sometimes wonder how you have the patience. He was an exhausting child, and I see he hasn't changed."
Nevaris groaned, stuffing another chip in his mouth. "I am literally a trillionaire, Mother. You could at least pretend to respect me."
Celestine finally turned toward him, giving him an assessing look. "Yes. A trillionaire. Who slouches like a commoner and eats processed garbage."
Nevaris smirked. "You should try it sometime. Builds character."
The air visibly dropped a few degrees.
"You've built an empire, Nevaris," Celestine said coolly, "but your behavior remains… appallingly unrefined."
Freya, watching this, had to admit: she had seen Nevaris tear apart corporate rivals, financially ruin billionaires, and outmaneuver some of the most cunning minds in the world. But here, in front of his mother?
This was different.
Nevaris wasn't scared, exactly.
But he was very aware that he was not winning.
Celestine sighed, turning back to Freya with an expression that could almost be called fond. "Come, my dear. Walk with me."
Freya hesitated, then followed, glancing back at Nevaris.
Nevaris threw up his hands. "Sure. Just abandon me. It's fine. I'm only the CEO of the world's most powerful corporation."
Celestine waved a dismissive hand. "Yes, yes. Very impressive. Try sitting up properly next time."
Freya had to bite back a smirk.
As they walked ahead, Celestine's voice lowered. "Has he been behaving?"
Freya, without thinking, said, "As much as he ever does."
Celestine exhaled, shaking her head. "That boy thinks himself untouchable. It will be his downfall one day."
Freya didn't respond.
Celestine stopped walking, turning fully to face her. "I trust you, Freya. More than I trust anyone around him."
Freya blinked. "You do?"
A rare, genuine smile played at Celestine's lips. "You're the only one who can keep him in line. And he listens to you. That's more than I can say for anyone else."
Freya wasn't sure how to respond to that.
Celestine gently patted her hand. "I'll be staying for a few weeks. Do ensure my son doesn't do anything… ridiculous."
Freya nodded. "Of course."
Celestine smiled in satisfaction, then turned and walked back toward Nevaris.
Nevaris, still sprawled across the couch, squinted at them. "Are you done adopting my assistant?"
Celestine sat down across from him, crossing her legs elegantly. "If she were my daughter-in-law, I wouldn't have to worry about you so much."
Nevaris choked on his drink.
Freya coughed. "Excuse me?"
Celestine, ever composed, sipped her tea. "You are twenty-six. Unmarried. No serious relationships. It's embarrassing."
Nevaris groaned. "And there it is."
"I have arranged for you to meet several respectable candidates during my stay."
Nevaris threw his head back in agony. "Kill me now."
Celestine sipped her tea with a serene smile. "You're too valuable to die just yet."
Freya, watching this, had to admit: this was the most fun she'd had all week.
Nevaris shot her a betrayed look. "Don't enjoy this too much, Silent Blade."
Freya smirked. "Too late."
Celestine, clearly pleased with herself, turned back to Freya. "Freya, dear, you'll be at the dinner tomorrow, won't you?"
Freya hesitated. "I—"
"She has work to do," Nevaris cut in.
Celestine didn't look at him. "I wasn't asking you."
Freya, feeling the full weight of Celestine's expectations, simply nodded. "If you wish."
Celestine smiled in satisfaction. "Good."
Nevaris muttered, shoving a chip in his mouth. "First thing I'm banning when I take over the world is family interventions."
Celestine's eyes glinted. "Oh? Planning world domination now?"
Nevaris smirked. "Why stop at business?"
Freya sighed. "That's not a joke, is it?"
Nevaris shrugged. "Eh."
Celestine chuckled, standing. "Come, Freya. Let's leave the child to his chips."
Freya glanced at Nevaris, who looked utterly betrayed.
"You too, Silent Blade?"
Freya smirked. "You'll live."
Nevaris sighed dramatically as they left. His phone buzzed again.
[Mother]: Be presentable for the dinner. Don't embarrass me.
Nevaris groaned. "This is going to be a long few weeks."