Chapter 289 - :289 I’m not becoming the patriarch.

In the garden, a thin layer of snow rested over the ground, but the stone path and the area around the table had been cleared. A small fire burned in a metal stand nearby, giving off just enough warmth to make sitting outside bearable.

Everyone in the family was already there as Vivian and Charlotte entered the garden.

His father and mother sat side by side at the table. Edward was leaning back in his chair, holding an egg sandwich in one hand, while Salena sat near him, quietly pouring tea into empty cups. Only his grandfather was missing.

They had just finished tea and were relaxing, their voices low as they talked among themselves.

Vivian walked in while carrying Charlotte in his arms, the packet of food held carefully to the side. Charlotte adjusted her hold on it as they approached.

When the others noticed them, their faces softened at once.

His mother gave a gentle smile and lifted her hand slightly, gesturing for them to come sit.

"Come, sit down," she said.

Vivian nodded once and walked over. He lowered Charlotte carefully onto her feet before taking his seat on the right side of the table, beside his father and mother.

Charlotte handed the packet to Salena with both hands.

"I brought food," she said softly.

Salena smiled and took it from her. "You didn't have to, but thank you."

Charlotte gave a small nod, then stepped closer and stood beside Vivian. She placed a hand lightly on the back of his chair for balance.

Salena opened the packet, and the smell of grilled meat spread through the air, mixing with the scent of tea and the faint smoke from the fire.

Edward glanced at it for a moment, but didn't stop eating. He took another bite of his sandwich, chewing calmly.

Vivian settled into his seat, his posture relaxed. After a moment, Charlotte picked up a cup of tea and placed it gently in front of him.

He gave a small nod in thanks before taking it.

Then his eyes shifted toward Edward.

Edward looked the same as always at a glance, but there was a change in him. His presence felt sharper now, more steady. The way he held himself, even while eating, had become more controlled.

Despite how casual he looked, his strength had grown fast.

He had already reached the peak of swordmaster. Just one more step, and he would break into Grandmaster. On top of that, he also knew magic, which made his fighting ability even higher.

'Not bad,' Vivian thought quietly.

His brother's progress had been fast.

Thinking that, he spoke.

"It seems you've made quite the progress these past few months," Vivian said, lifting the cup and taking a small sip of tea.

Hearing him, Edward paused mid-bite. He looked up, still holding the sandwich in his hand.

"You think so?" he asked, raising a brow slightly.

He swallowed his food before continuing.

"Well… father has been guiding me for a few months now," he added.

Vivian gave a small hum in response as he took another sip.

His gaze stayed on Edward for a moment.

At this rate, it wouldn't take long for him to break through to Grandmaster.

It was early for Edward. Vivian himself had taken longer to reach that stage. But it seemed Edward had already found his path, and that was what made the difference.

Vivian's eyes slowly shifted.

They moved from Edward… to Charlotte.

She stood quietly beside him, one hand resting near his shoulder. Her expression was calm, her eyes soft as she watched the others.

'Just like her,' he thought.

Charlotte had also reached the Grandmaster stage much earlier than expected. But she had hidden it, thinking he might feel uncomfortable if she surpassed him.

His gaze softened slightly.

And now Edward was close as well.

It felt… good, seeing them grow like this.

Within the Zenithara family alone, there were already three Grandmasters. He, himself, his father… and Charlotte.

Edward and his grandfather were both at the peak of swordmaster, just one step away.

And if he counted his maternal grandfather…

There would even be one Ascended among them.

That meant, aside from the royal family, they had already become the strongest force.

If things were different… if there weren't outside threats, and if Charlotte was not connected to the Zenithara house through marriage…

The royal family would not stay calm.

They were growing too fast.

Vivian's fingers tapped lightly against the cup as that thought passed through his mind.

Then he turned his head slightly toward his father.

"Father, have you heard anything about the eastern border?" he asked.

His father, who had been speaking quietly with his mother, paused and looked at him.

He lifted his cup, took a small sip, then shook his head.

"No," he said. "It's still the same."

He set the cup down and continued.

"There hasn't been any news from inside the Zakir Empire either. Their security is tight."

Vivian listened without interrupting.

His father leaned back slightly in his chair.

"We've tried sending people in, but none have returned with anything useful," he added.

Vivian gave a slow nod.

"I see…"

His gaze lowered for a moment, his thoughts turning.

The Zakir Empire was clearly doing something behind the scenes. They had stationed their forces along the eastern border, but there was no movement yet.

And no information from inside.

That made things harder.

If they had even a small idea of what was going on, they could prepare properly… maybe even act first.

But like this, they could only wait.

The situation stayed quiet on the surface.

But it didn't feel calm.

Vivian lifted his eyes again, looking ahead without speaking.

It seemed there would be no breakthrough anytime soon.

As their conversation continued, Salena returned carrying a tray filled with plates. The smell of freshly grilled meat spread through the garden again, stronger this time.

She moved around the table one by one, placing a plate in front of each person, first Vivian, then Charlotte, then Edward, and the others.

When she reached Elena, she paused slightly and offered the plate.

Elena looked at it for a moment, then shook her head with a small smile.

"No, I'll pass," she said calmly.

Salena blinked. "You don't want any?"

Elena let out a light breath and leaned back in her chair.

"I've gotten a bit bored of meat," she said. "These past few months… every time you two go out, you bring back meat dishes."

Her eyes shifted toward Charlotte with a faint smile.

"I think I've had enough for now."

"Tsk!"

Charlotte clicked her tongue at once.

Without hesitation, she picked up a piece of meat and put it into her mouth, chewing as she looked at Elena with a slightly grumpy face.

"People these days don't know how to eat," she said.

She swallowed and pointed lightly with her fork.

"Meat is the best. You should always eat it to grow strong," she added, her tone carrying a bit of complaint as she continued eating.

Elena watched her for a second, then let out a soft chuckle.

"No, dear… I can't afford to eat that much meat," she replied.

She paused for a moment.

Then a small, mischievous smile spread across her face.

"You see…" she said, lifting a hand and lightly touching her waist, "I'm getting fat around here."

She pointed it out casually.

But there was no fat.

Her figure hadn't changed at all.

And she knew that very well.

It was intentional.

Just to tease Charlotte.

And it worked immediately.

Charlotte's hand stopped mid-air.

Her eyes slowly lowered to her own stomach.

Her expression changed.

There was no fat there either… only the round curve of her pregnancy. But Charlotte had always been someone who overthought things.

Her grip on the fork loosened.

Her face fell, and the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.

She lowered her hand and quietly placed the fork back onto the plate.

"I'm joking, you idiot."

Elena reacted at once.

Seeing Charlotte stop eating, she quickly stood up from her seat and walked over.

She leaned down slightly, her voice softer now.

"Do you see anyone more fit than you?" she said, speaking a bit faster as she tried to fix it.

She reached out and lightly touched Charlotte's shoulder.

"You look perfectly fine."

Charlotte didn't respond.

Her eyes were still lowered.

"Hehe… just look at you," Elena continued, forcing a light laugh. "The baby will be so healthy when he's born."

She kept talking, trying to lighten the mood, trying to pull Charlotte out of her thoughts.

But Charlotte stayed quiet.

Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of the table, and her lips pressed together slightly.

She had taken it more seriously than expected.

On the other side of the table, Vivian and his father continued their conversation.

Vivian had noticed the shift in Charlotte's mood, but he didn't interrupt yet. His expression remained calm as he listened.

"I was thinking…" his father began, picking up a piece of grilled meat and placing it into his mouth.

He chewed slowly, then turned his head toward Vivian.

"Now that you have grown… and Edward is also here…"

Vivian's eyes shifted toward him.

"Hmm?" he hummed softly.

There was a slight pause.

Before his father could finish, Vivian already understood where this was going.

His expression didn't change much.

He leaned back slightly and crossed his arms.

"I know what you're thinking," he said calmly.

Then, without hesitation….

"But I'm not becoming the patriarch."