As Raezel stepped inside and sat at the humble dining table, a subtle discomfort settled over him. The people of Velmor, especially Nyra's parents, treated him with such reverence that it made him uneasy.
Raezel couldn't understand why they saw him as some kind of deity. He wasn't here to be worshipped, not even by those who feared his mother, Medusa.
Yet, every gesture from Nyra's parents felt like a silent acknowledgment of his supposed superiority.
Across the table, Nyra sat casually, watching him with amusement. She knew exactly what was going through his mind.
The meal began with awkward silences. The clinking of utensils against ceramic bowls was the only sound filling the air.
Finally, Nyra's mother broke the silence.
"How's... how's your mother?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity.
Raezel, caught off guard, blinked twice.
"Sor—who?" he asked, unsure if he had heard her correctly.
Beside him, Nihaga—ever the calm presence—spoke before Raezel could.
"Queen Medusa," he clarified, his voice steady. "What could possibly happen to her?"
Nyra's mother instantly realized her mistake. "Oh, of course. That was a... foolish question," she muttered, embarrassment creeping into her voice.
Raezel chuckled softly, his tone light. "She's well, ma'am. Thank you for asking."
He wasn't offended, but he could tell Nyra's mother now wished she could disappear into the floor.
Unfortunately for her, the awkwardness wasn't over yet.
After a long pause, Nyra's father suddenly asked,
"What does your father do, Raezel?"
The room went dead silent.
As soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes widened in horror.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly added, "Ah, sorry, that was—never mind."
Nyra's smirk widened.
Her father had just asked the son of Medusa what his father did.
Raezel, however, remained calm. He tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "That is an excellent question."
Nihaga, suppressing a smirk, cleared his throat. "Perhaps one best left unanswered."
Nyra's father nodded vigorously, his face pale. "Yes. Yes, of course."
Nyra, unable to hold back, leaned forward. "Well, that went well."
Her mother, desperate to salvage the conversation, blurted out another question.
"Wha—what do you plan for your future?"
Nyra chuckled. "You're really struggling, huh?"
Her mother shot her a glare. "I'm trying, Nyra."
Nyra stretched, leaning back in her chair. "It's alright," she said. "My parents have all these questions. They never thought they'd be sitting with the son of Medusa."
Her mother quickly nodded, eager to steer the conversation into safer waters.
"So, uh... what do you like to eat, Raezel? Any preferences?"
Raezel offered a small smile, appreciating the effort.
"I'm not picky," he said, glancing at the meal before him—stew, bread, and a variety of vegetables. Simple, but made with care. "Food made with effort is always the best."
Nyra's father let out an awkward laugh. "Well, that's a relief!"
Then, after a moment, he scratched the back of his neck. "You must be used to fine dining, though... I imagine."
Raezel shrugged. "A little food, a little company. That's enough for me."
Nyra's mother blinked in surprise, then smiled. "That's... actually very humble of you."
And just like that, the tension began to ease.
With each passing moment, the questions grew more trivial.
The once-overwhelming pressure in the air softened into something more familiar.
Raezel wasn't here to judge them.
He wasn't here to make them feel small.
As the conversation continued, the questions became borderline absurd.
At one point, Nyra's mother, in a moment of innocent curiosity, asked,
"Do you ever miss the sea?"
Raezel blinked. "I've never been to the sea, actually."
Nyra's father chuckled. "Well, you might like it. I mean, it's… far away from the mountains, I suppose."
For the first time, Raezel let out a genuine laugh.
"I'll keep that in mind."
And just like that, the dinner no longer felt like a royal visit.
No one felt like a deity.
No one felt like they were beneath anyone else.
It was just a family sharing a meal with a guest.
Even if that guest happened to be the Son of Medusa.
As the dinner wrapped up, Nyra's parents—though still a little nervous—had finally settled into a rhythm.
They were no longer treating Raezel like a god.
Just a guest.
"Thank you for joining us, P-Prince Raezel," Nyra's father said hesitantly. "It's an honor."
Raezel nodded, keeping his tone light. "It was a pleasant evening."
Nyra stood up, stretching. "Alright, I think that's enough talking for tonight."
Her mother smiled, relieved. "Yes, you're right. We can talk more tomorrow."
As they cleaned up, Raezel and Nihaga took their leave, with Nyra following them out to the gate.
She couldn't help but smile at the thought of her parents still trying to comprehend what had just happened.
The night felt unusually peaceful.
For the first time, Raezel felt just a little more human to her.
Maybe it was his calm warmth, or the way he carried himself—not as some divine terror, but simply as a man trying to find his place in the world.
Nyra smirked. "See you tomorrow."
Raezel returned the expression, his golden eyes softer than before.
"See you tomorrow, Nyra."