He turned to Fafnir, who was still sulking. Not just because he’d been tossed, but because now the “princess” was ignoring him altogether. Grumpier than ever, Fafnir pouted dramatically on the couch. Kallus sat beside him, scooped the white ball of fur into his arms, and gently patted him. “Calm down, Fafnir. She’s just excited. You’re not hurt or anything, right?”

Fafnir gave a loud huff, as if to say, “It’s not about the fall—it’s my pride! For all the loyalty I show, she just tosses me aside like that?”

Kallus chuckled, “Yeah, yeah… you always say that when Luna does this. But the moment she brings out treats, you spin a full 360 and act like nothing ever happened. One treat and you’re curled up in her lap like nothing ever happened.”

Fafnir twitched his snout, turned his head away dramatically, and gave one final huff—as if to say, “That was then, this is now. This time, I’m really mad!”

Kallus grinned wider. “Oh yeah? That’s what you said last time, and the time before that. At this point, I’m beginning to wonder—are you my companion, or Luna’s?”

Fafnir let out a sharp little grumpy growl—short and almost theatrical—that sounded suspiciously like a huff. His ears flicked in annoyance, and with exaggerated dignity, he turned away from Kallus.

“You’ll see,” the growl seemed to say. “This time I won’t budge. Hmph. I mean it. My pride’s taken a hit, you know… a serious hit.”

But then, in the very next breath, he added….

“…Though… if she offers me a really good treat… I might consider forgiving her.”

Kallus almost choked.

His mouth twitched, and he had to stop himself from falling sideways onto the couch.

“Are you serious right now?” he muttered, reaching down to pinch Fafnir’s ear lightly before flicking his forehead. “Just seconds ago you were throwing a fit, acting all betrayed. And now you’re saying you’d forgive her if she bribes you with food? First, you say you won’t forgive her, and now you’re demanding high-class treats just to agree to be bribed again?” He gave him a mock glare. “Pick a side, You little wolf.”

Fafnir gave no response. None at all.

Instead, Fafnir ignored him entirely, turning back toward the TV, pretending like Kallus didn’t exist.

Clearly, Fafnir was ignoring Kallus, ears perked like a wolf that had far more important things to do—such as watch the next anime battle.

Kallus could only sigh, shaking his head at the little wolf. ” Unbelievable…”

He turned his attention to the TV too, just then…..

Thud

Thump.

In a blur of motion, Luna came bounding into the room, her excitement not only unfaded but now switched to full throttle.

She jumped onto the couch with a bright smile, scooped Fafnir right out of Kallus’s arms, and settled him on her lap like nothing had happened and it was as if the most natural thing to do.

She pet him with gentle hands and a cheerful hum, acting like nothing had happened.

Fafnir, sticking to his earlier pride, let out a protesting growl and squirmed a bit more, as if trying to break free from Luna’s hold—though the effort was clearly half-hearted and nowhere near enough to actually escape.

“Aww, what are you doing, Fafnir?” she asked playfully, scratching under his chin.

Fafnir continued his act a little longer—weakly now, without any real conviction. He wriggled just for show, wanting Luna to know he was still angry and that he needed something to cool off that irritation.

But his struggle was half-hearted at best, and it was clear to both of them he wasn’t really trying to escape.

And Luna, understanding Fafnir better than even Kallus did, smiled sweetly, already knowing what the little guy wanted and how to make him happy—how to help him forget the small incident just now.

Then, as if conjuring it from thin air—pulled from her own separate spatial storage—she produced a juicy chunk of cooked meat, glistening with seasoning, steaming hot, and waved it in front of his nose. “Here! You wanted more of this earlier, didn’t you?” she grind waving it just inches from his nose.

Fafnir instantly froze, sniffed the meat, and his eyes lit up like stars. He wagged his tail furiously, hunger shining in his gaze like he hadn’t eaten in years.

Kallus, watching this unfold, could only stare in muted disbelief.

Fafnir gave a high-pitched, excited woof, his tail wagging rapidly like a blur. He nodded once—then again—violently, unable to hide the hunger.

Blinded by hunger and unable to resist the smell, Fafnir wuffed again, hurriedly with even more enthusiasm.

“Deal.”

“Alright, then!” she said happily, and began feeding him chunk after chunk, one by one, like a queen feeding a spoiled little prince.

Kallus sat beside them, arms folded, mouth twitching uncontrollably. He facepalmed.

“So much for ‘this time is different,’ huh?” he muttered.

He leaned slightly toward the wolf. “You. You traitor.”

Fafnir didn’t even glance at him.

He was too busy chewing contentedly.

And Luna? She was no better. Completely focused on pampering her little wolf, she couldn’t care less what her big brother had to say now.

Kallus let out a breath and leaned back.

“I give up,” he said to no one in particular. “I’ve officially lost to a wolf and a six-year-old again.”

A few minutes passed in peaceful silence.

The five of them—Kallus, Luna, Fafnir, Solaris, and Lunara—were all watching the TV together, comfortably sprawled on the large living room couch.

Even Solaris and Lunara, in their tiny phoenix forms, were perched elegantly nearby, their beady golden and sapphire eyes focused on the screen with surprising intensity.

Then a gentle voice rang out from the hallway. Soft, loving, and unmistakably that of Amelin, their mother.

“Okay, kids! Lunch is ready! Come to the dining room and help me set the table so we can finally eat,” she called cheerfully. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m starving!”

Kallus chuckled and called back, “Got it, Mom! Be there in a second.”

He turned to Luna and patted her head.

“Come on, Princess. We’ll finish the anime later. Time for food.”

“Okay!” Luna chirped with a bright grin. She jumped off the couch, After she had fed him enough, Fafnir—being Fafnir—leapt onto her hand and promptly climbed up to settle on her head.

Luna, used to his antics by now, didn’t protest and let him perch there like a living, fluffy white hat.

Even minutes later, she was still wearing Fafnir proudly, as he refused to budge, happily anchored atop her head with all traces of his earlier anger completely forgotten.

If anything, he seemed even more motivated to move now that lunch was on the table.

Luna twirled toward the phoenixes on their perch and called out, “Solaris! Lunara! Let’s goooo!”

Solaris stretched her wings, glowing with a soft golden aura, and in a smooth flap she flew onto Luna’s shoulder. Lunara mirrored the motion, fluttering up and landing gently on Kallus’s.

The gang of five made their way down the polished hallway, sunlight beaming through the windows as laughter and little footsteps echoed off the walls.

Kallus guided Luna as they quickly helped set the table, arranging plates for themselves and their mother. He noticed his father’s seat was empty and could sense from the ambient energy that his father must have stepped away on one of his duties.

With a practiced hand, he placed smaller plates and bowls at the phoenixes’ perch-table, customized to their miniature sizes, and another dish at the end for Fafnir, who was already licking his lips.

Kallus then made his way into the kitchen.

There, he found Amelin surrounded by a few floating containers, already halfway through preparing the final arrangements. The warm smell of roasted meat, herbs, and baked starches filled the space like a comforting embrace.

“Hey, Mom,” Kallus said warmly as he walked in. “Let me help. You’ve already done so much.”

Amelin smiled without turning. “If you can carry those last two trays, it’ll help a lot.”

“Of course,” he nodded.

He carefully picked up a couple of the warm containers, their contents perfectly sealed with preservation enchantments, and began carrying them to the dining room.

Amelin followed right behind him with the last set.

Together, they finished setting up the meal.

Kallus took a moment to portion out food for Lunara, Solaris, and Fafnir, arranging their plates with care. Each one had exactly what they liked: for Fafnir, lightly roasted meat with mana herbs; for Solaris and Lunara, sweet-fruit salad mixed with ashberry petals and firegrain seed—perfect for phoenix diets.

With everything set, Amelin gave a little sigh of contentment.

“Alright,” she said, brushing her hands, “now we can finally sit down and enjoy a nice meal together.”

Kallus nodded and glanced at his little sister, who was already trying to sneak a bite early while pretending not to be seen.

He smiled.

Yeah, he thought. This is what I fight for. This warmth, this laughter… this family.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep