Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 1073: Family Supper

A Monolith stood beside the approach to the Corridor, its maul braced against the floor, while Gunners watched from sheltered positions behind it.

Kaiden followed his mother’s attention upward as Gorefiends shifted on the perches overhead. She was plainly pleased by the strength gathered around them, taking her time to inspect the defenders before looking back at him.

"The new ones are all at the cap," he told her.

"Good."

Her hand closed around his elbow with a satisfaction that made him grin. He offered it properly, and she kept hold as they continued toward home.

By the time they reached the Verdant Expanse, the women had brought the filled containers back through the island gate and ridden the carriage home. Nyx was lifting the last cases from the platform with her spatial power while Alexandra held the palace doors open for her.

Together, Kaiden and Vespera crossed the clearing to the palace, where Alice hurried down the steps to greet her mother.

Yunohana welcomed Vespera at the doors, then accompanied them into the dining room. The family had set places around the table, with a clear space at its center for the food coming out of the containers.

When Yunohana took her place beside Kaiden, Aria had transferred the grilled fish onto platters and Calypso was arranging the sliced beef beside the rice and vegetables.

Alice and Alexandra returned from the kitchen with tea for the table and a pot of freshly brewed coffee for Vespera.

Fragrant steam rose as Bastet lifted the lid from the last dish, and Kaiden’s appetite returned with enough force to make him grateful they had finally stopped moving.

Alice stopped beside her mother’s chair with the pot.

"Coffee?"

"Mm."

She filled the cup Vespera held out, then set the pot within her reach.

"Thank you."

"Nothing to eat, Lady Vespera?" Alexandra asked.

"Just coffee."

"Mom’s not a morning person," Alice whispered into the blonde girl’s ears.

Beside Vespera, Luna had begun constructing a meal that required a second bowl.

Vespera watched a piece of beef disappear beneath a generous helping of sauce, then lifted her cup while the Storm Valkyrie reached for the rice.

Nyx passed her another dish.

"Here, bestie. Before you start eating the table."

Aria was separating a portion of fish from its bones, listening with a pleased smile while the meal gathered pace around them.

He had his mother across the table, his beautiful moon on one side, and Yunohana on the other. Alice was telling Vespera about the carriage, with Alexandra supplying the parts of the explanation his sister skipped in her enthusiasm.

Across the table, Vespera caught him looking.

"Is something wrong?"

"Nope. I’m just happy."

Her fingers remained around the cup.

"I see."

Aria rested her hand over his beneath the table while Yunohana reached for the serving spoon.

"Would you like some more fish?"

"Please."

Kaiden held out his plate, and she added another portion beside his rice.

Vespera set down her coffee.

"I did ask her to feed you."

"I am a very conscientious hostess," Yunohana replied.

Luna made a noise into her bowl.

"What?" The shrine maiden looked toward her.

"Nothing, Miss Milf. Very conscientious."

"She fed me lunch too," Kaiden added helpfully.

"I bet she did."

Yunohana considered the purple-haired menace across the table, then reached for the platter nearest her.

"Would you like more beef, Luna?"

Luna glanced at the platter.

"...Yeah."

"I thought it was Nyx who was supposed to be the glutton?" Yunohana smiled with perfect innocence.

Nyx began laughing before the meat reached her friend’s plate.

"I’m not a glutton."

"Could’ve fooled me~" The space babe purred.

"Fatty... Watch it."

"Ohh, so scary~"

"..."

The meal went on until even Luna slowed. Bastet was trying to identify the ingredients in the fish sauce with Alexandra, while Calypso helped herself to the last piece.

Yunohana refilled Alexandra’s cup before the maid could rise to fetch more tea. Beside their mother, Alice was complaining that nobody had told her about the visit to America until it was already over.

A few minutes later, Vespera checked the time on her phone.

"I should go."

Kaiden rose with her.

"Come again soon?"

"I will."

Yunohana accompanied them to the palace doors while his mother thanked her for the coffee.

"Next time, I hope we can tempt you into eating with us."

Vespera replied nothing to that, then turned to hug her son goodbye. Kaiden held her for a long moment before letting her go.

His mother descended the steps and took the path toward the Twilight Sink, returning to the American gate by the route they had walked together. Kaiden watched her go with Yunohana’s hand resting in his.

...

After supper, the family rode the carriage back across the chasm and left the dungeon through the island gate. The yacht was still waiting below the cave, its lights bright against the dark water.

The captain took them back to the marina, where the estate’s cars collected them. By the time they reached the Moon-Thread gates, Yunohana was resting against Kaiden in the back seat, quite content to let him hold her.

She kept his hand when they stepped into the estate’s entrance hall.

"Would you sit with me a little longer?" she asked.

He turned toward her at once.

"Today is still my recovery day. XP grinding starts tomorrow."

"Good. We could have some tea in my room, perhaps."

Her fingers tightened around his as she made the invitation. After arranging supper for his whole family, Yunohana suddenly seemed very interested in whether he would accept a cup from her in private.

They found Aria in the corridor leading toward the guest rooms, with Bastet and Calypso farther ahead. The silver-haired beauty came to him for a goodnight kiss, resting her hands against his chest while he bent to meet her.

"Sleep well, my beautiful moon."

"You too, Kai."

She squeezed his hand before turning to Yunohana.

"Thank you for today. He looks very happy."

The shrine maiden glanced at him, and the affection in her smile made him feel thoroughly spoiled.

"So do I, I think."

"Mm. You do."

Aria kissed him once more before joining the others. Their conversation followed them down the corridor, leaving Yunohana to guide him toward the estate’s quieter inner wing.

Her sitting room overlooked a garden lit by low lanterns. Beyond the open screen, water trickled into a stone basin beneath the branches of a maple. Kaiden took the cushion she offered beside a low table while she asked an attendant for tea.

Then they were alone.