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chapter 82
“So, my wife was a woman full of secrets.”
Leto half-sighed, half-laughed in resignation.
“I wondered why you were so beautiful. Turns out, it’s because you were full of mysteries. Makes sense now.”
“Still, isn’t it kind of fun?”
No room for boredom, right?
Noah’s brazen, thick-skinned response left Leto speechless for a moment, but he quickly let it go.
Considering how much trouble she’d given him when they were dating, this level of secrecy hardly counted as surprising.
In fact, it would have been stranger if a noble family as powerful as the Advelos didn’t have secrets.
If anything, the more he learned, the more it felt like he was truly becoming part of the family — and that thought made Leto smile.
“So when were you going to tell me?”
Leto asked.
“I’ll give you a warning before I do.”
Noah smiled as she straightened her husband’s collar.
“Sister!”
Just then, Clare pointed toward the entrance.
Three people were approaching, led by a polite hotel attendant.
“The kidnapper grandpa—!”
Before Clare could shout the rest, As quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
Muffled protests followed as Clare pointed frantically at the tall, white-haired man.
“…Finally, they’re here.”
Gloria, who’d been sitting cross-legged and reading a newspaper in her sunglasses, folded it neatly and stood.
“Let’s go.”
As she rose, the family members flanking her followed like a well-trained guard.
“Wow.”
Clare, standing beside As, gasped in admiration.
“We look just like a gangster gang!”
The adults’ shoulders trembled as they tried not to laugh.
And as if by fate, the Oceanus family walking toward them were all wearing sunglasses too.
“They look like gangsters too.”
Both families were dressed in formal suits of subdued colors — appropriate for a formal meeting, yet to a child’s eyes, it looked like a secret mob rendezvous.
“Don’t say things like that,” Noah gently warned.
Meanwhile—
“Welcome.”
Leto stepped forward to greet them first.
“We’re not late, are we?”
Aitra Oceanus took off her sunglasses, her intelligent, beautiful features framed by a faint frown — more of concern than displeasure.
“You arrived right on time. I hope the trip wasn’t too uncomfortable?”
“Uncomfortable? In a car? Hardly.”
“Young man.”
Ahem. General Albus Oceanus spoke in his deep, dignified voice.
“How have you been?”
“Very well, sir.”
“Looks like you’ve been eating properly.”
“I’ve gained some weight since the wedding.”
Hearing that, As — the chef in charge of the Velo family meals — smiled with pride.
Noah followed up with a graceful greeting.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Noah Velo.”
“A pleasure, Miss Velo.”
“Please, just call me Noah.”
“Then you can call me by my name as well.”
After exchanging greetings with Aitra, Noah shook hands with Albus.
“Captain Velo — your exploits in the capital are well known.”
“You flatter me, General.”
“No need for formality. Just call me Grandfather.”
As Noah lowered her head slightly from looking up at the towering man, she noticed a small boy peeking from behind him.
When their eyes met, Karina blushed furiously.
Noah smiled warmly.
“I’m Noah Velo. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I-I’m Karina Oceanus…”
“My little sister’s here today too, so I hope you’ll get along.”
Karina turned her head — there stood a blond girl in a purple dress, looking just like a miniature version of Noah, whining to her parents that she wanted to say hello too.
Karina was visibly shocked by Clare’s boldness.
“Alright, alright.”
Finally, the adults relented, and Clare ran forward, beaming.
She had practiced her greeting for this very day.
“Hello, in-laws!”
Aitra’s composed expression cracked slightly — Clare was just too adorable.
“My brother-in-law’s always causing you trouble, isn’t he?”
“Sister! You have to say brother, not brother-in-law!”
As hurriedly corrected her.
“…Oops?”
Realizing her mistake, Clare looked flustered.
“Did I say it wrong?”
she asked Aitra.
“No, not at all.”
Aitra knelt down to meet the girl’s eyes.
“It’s only natural that my son causes trouble. You must have your hands full, clever little miss.”
“A little, but he’s fine these days.”
“I’m sorry—my little sister can be a handful sometimes…”
“But it’s true!”
Clare huffed, offended that Noah scolded her.
“Wow…”
Karina stared in awe at the fearless girl who said whatever came to mind.
“Then I guess we shouldn’t cause trouble for your clever little sister, hm?”
Aitra rose and glanced meaningfully at Leto.
“Well? Are you going to keep the elders standing here?”
Leto, still dazed by the fact that she had just called him our son, quickly sprang into action.
Finally, both families exchanged formal greetings.
“…Oh my.”
Aitra was the first to notice something — her eyes landed on Genius Advelo.
Her reaction was polite and quiet, but internally, she was in complete turmoil.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
Genius smiled kindly.
Aitra opened her mouth to ask what on earth was happening—
“Hahahahahaha!”
An enormous laugh thundered through the room.
Everyone turned to see General Albus laughing so hard his throat was fully exposed, with Gloria and Vis joining in.
“Sister, the ceiling’s shaking!”
Clare darted behind Noah, pointing at the chandelier above them, which trembled with every booming laugh.
“…I don’t think he’s figured it out yet.”
Noah whispered quietly to Leto.
Apparently, Gloria hadn’t revealed her true identity to Albus yet.
“No wonder she’s been looking for those sunglasses lately.”
“I just hope she doesn’t tease the General too much.”
If only she’d wait until after the meeting to reveal the truth.
All Leto could do was sigh silently.
He just wanted this meeting to end peacefully — that was all he wished for.
***
The private restaurant room was spacious, with wide windows showing a brilliant blue sky and the sea beyond.
“Wow! It’s like we’re floating in the sky!”
Clare pressed her face to the glass, bouncing on her toes.
Karina stood beside her, quiet but with a glow of excitement on her face.
“We’ll begin serving soon.”
After the manager bowed and left, the families took their seats around the long table.
Nine adults, two children.
Once seated, the number felt surprisingly large.
“Cousin-in-law.”
Clare turned to Karina beside her.
“Hello, I’m Clare.”
“Ah… hello. I’m Karina.”
“I heard the food here is amazing! Especially the dessert — apparently, the ice cream is to die for.”
She lowered her voice as if sharing a secret.
“They even drizzle chocolate syrup on top.”
Karina’s eyes widened in wonder.
“She’s such a sociable little thing,” Aitra said softly to Noah.
“When she greeted us earlier, I could tell she’s bright and polite.”
Clare beamed proudly.
“Thank you for the compliment, ma’am.”
“And I’m delighted to meet you too, dear.”
“My name’s Clare!”
Her cheerful smile froze as she met the gaze of the massive man seated beside Aitra.
Clare and Albus looked at each other for a long moment.
“…First of all,” Albus began gravely,
“This old man made a very big mistake.”
He bowed his head.
“I’m sorry for frightening you and your friends before.”
“It’s okay.”
Clare accepted it easily.
“My brother-in-law told me you’re not a bad person.”
“Ahem!”
Embarrassed, Albus glanced sideways at Leto, wondering what exactly the boy had said about him.
Thankfully, Clare continued helpfully.
“He said you’re super cool and have your own sense of style.”
“Oh, come now…”
Albus muttered, but under his thick beard, his lips curved into a delighted smile.
“And also…”
Clare recalled something she’d overheard a few days ago between Leto and Gloria.
“He said your bladder and urethra are really strong!”
Pffft!
Ameta, who’d been sipping her wine, spat it out spectacularly.
“Cough! Cough—!”
“Are you okay?”
Genius patted her back, trying desperately not to laugh.
“Daddy, honestly!”
Clare scolded sharply.
“That’s not polite! We’re in front of the in-laws!”
“…I’m so sorry,” Noah bowed her head, her ears burning red.
But the adults could barely respond — they were too busy shaking with laughter, doing everything they could to hold it in.
Only Leto and Albus sat frozen, unable to smile.
***
The chaotic atmosphere gradually softened as the food arrived.
While the children focused on their meals, the adults finally began to have the kind of conversation expected at a formal meeting.
Comments about how delicious the dishes were, or how lovely the weather was — a little stiff and polite, but smooth enough.
And through it all, Gloria still hadn’t taken off her sunglasses.
Naturally, Albus kept his on as well.
“By the way,” Genius asked,
“When did you two start dating?”
“Now that I think about it, I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone,” Ameta added.
Noah, cutting her steak, smiled awkwardly.
(It wasn’t exactly the kind of relationship I could announce proudly…)
There had been no confession, no formal words of love — how could they have explained that to anyone?
Leto seemed to share the same thought, his smile faintly bittersweet.
“So what did you two do for dates?”
“The same as anyone else,” Noah replied vaguely.
Just then—
“Ooh! Ooh!”
Clare, cheeks puffed full of food, raised her hand high.
