Lunch was served promptly.
"Eat as much as you like. There's plenty more," Rachel said warmly.
"Thank you," Jed replied with a polite nod.
Rachel kept sliding plate after plate toward Jed, who ate with such enthusiasm that the scene resembled a picturesque painting. The occasional exchange of words between them brought a constant smile to Rachel's face, a sight that delighted the household staff. They knew Rachel well enough to understand how rare moments like this were.
"Does it suit your taste? I heard you liked Verthi Mountain beef, so I made sure it was prepared," Rachel asked.
"It melts in my mouth. It's absolutely delicious," Jed replied sincerely.
"Really? I'm so glad to hear that. Have some more."
Jed wasn't unfamiliar with Verthi Mountain beef. Even within the same region, its quality varied greatly, but this was undoubtedly top-tier—on par with what he'd once tasted at the Bahal family estate.
He's really enjoying himself, thought one of the staff members, watching Jed eat with satisfaction.
The effort they had put into preparing this meal since early morning felt worthwhile. If he had barely touched his food, it would have been disheartening. Jed seemed to sense their efforts and made sure to express his appreciation with genuine compliments.
"This is such a treat. Thank you for serving such a fine meal. I imagine the staff worked very hard to prepare all this."
"They've all been excited about your visit," Rachel said with a chuckle. "You're quite popular, you know. I feel like I've been forgotten."
"No employee prefers their employer over a guest," Jed teased lightly. "I'm sure my staff would welcome you more warmly than they do me."
Rachel laughed softly at his playful remark, and their conversation drifted into lighthearted topics. For Rachel, this moment felt almost dreamlike—so fulfilling that she didn't even need to eat to feel full. Jed, too, seemed to avoid bringing up any heavy topics about the family, as if he understood her desire to savor this rare occasion.
"Are you finished?" Rachel asked after some time.
"Yes, it was so good that I lost track of myself while eating."
"For dessert, I've prepared strawberry cake—your favorite. Is that alright?"
Strawberry cake… Jed smiled awkwardly but nodded.
"That sounds perfect."
At Rachel's signal, the staff began clearing away the dishes, leaving just enough behind to suggest abundance without waste. Jed made sure to leave a little food on his plate as well—a subtle gesture to show he was full without implying there wasn't enough food.
"…Wow, that cake is enormous."
"It's your favorite, so I made sure it was special. Take your time and enjoy it."
As he picked up his spoon, Jed couldn't help but think: No wonder my body was so weak back then—I ate sweets instead of proper protein.
Halfway through the cake, Rachel discreetly dismissed the staff from the room. She knew Jed's visit wasn't purely for pleasantries and wanted to create an atmosphere where he could speak freely.
"Now then," Rachel said gently, her eyes warm with encouragement. "Let's talk. I've enjoyed this time immensely."
Her kindness put Jed at ease as he set down his spoon and took a sip of warm tea before beginning.
"First of all, thank you for taking in the opposing elders as promised. You kept your word."
"I don't want bloodshed within our family," Rachel replied firmly. "It was only natural for me to do so."
"With your support, I trust the elders won't interfere in the competition for headship anymore."
"As long as I'm here, they won't dare."
That assurance aligned perfectly with what the moderates had hoped for. Rachel wanted not only to stop elder interference but also to put an end to internal strife among her children altogether.
She hesitated briefly before asking cautiously, "…Do you want to become head of the family?"
"Yes," Jed answered without hesitation.
"Why? Is it for power? Or perhaps…"
"You may not understand now," Jed interrupted gently, "but one day you will. The Arahan family must always maintain its strength—it's essential."
"If that's truly your reason, then does it have to be you? Couldn't someone else fulfill that role?"
"No," Jed replied firmly. "There are tasks only I can accomplish—responsibilities that fall solely on me."
Rachel tilted her head slightly in confusion but decided not to press further. His determination was clear enough for now.
There was something else she had been curious about since learning of his visit—a question she had been holding onto.
"…I heard you asked for Tunda's forgiveness," she began carefully. "Why did you do that? Even when I asked your father about it, he simply told me to wait and see."
Jed had declared he wouldn't kill his siblings but would instead keep them beneath him—a hope Rachel shared but one she knew Genedin found nearly impossible to achieve.
Jed paused briefly before answering.
"For me, killing my siblings isn't an option," he said plainly.
"What?!"
Rachel's eyes widened at his unexpected declaration—words she had never heard spoken aloud before.
"Even if it's an Arahan tradition," Jed continued calmly, "it doesn't mean we have to follow it blindly."
"Is that really how you feel? But… didn't you just say you wanted to become head of the family?"
"Becoming head and killing my siblings are two entirely separate matters."
"But… they also want the position of headship… That means…"
"I just need to become stronger than them," Jed said confidently. "Besides, Arahan bloodlines are valuable assets in their own right."
Jed spoke from experience as someone who had seen Last Savior's ending firsthand—he knew exactly what it took to defeat the Demon King. Facing such an overwhelming force alone was impossible; knights, magicians, rival families—even estranged siblings—would all need to unite eventually.
For that future moment of unity, Jed renewed his resolve once more.
"I'll become head without killing anyone—and I'm confident I can do it."
"…So that's why your father didn't give me an answer," Rachel murmured thoughtfully.
She nodded slowly as understanding dawned on her: Genedin likely dismissed Jed's ambition as unrealistic—a lofty dream too difficult to achieve.
But if it were truly possible…
Rachel knew how challenging such a path would be; no Arahan head since Temud had ever achieved such a feat in their family's long history. Yet deep down, this was what she had always wished for—a dream she dared not even voice aloud until now.
Her voice trembled slightly as she spoke again: "Jed… if you keep that promise…"
She wanted nothing more than to support him—to help him succeed no matter what sacrifices were required on her part. The hope she once believed unattainable now felt vividly real before her eyes.
"If you keep that promise," she continued resolutely, "I'll help you—no matter what it takes—even if I have to mobilize every elder in our family."
The words of encouragement from her household staff echoed in her mind: Jed is different from other Arahans.
Now she understood what they meant—and why they believed so strongly in him.
Rachel straightened herself with newfound determination and looked directly at her youngest son.
"Tell me what you need," she said firmly. "The road ahead won't be easy—you'll need my help."
"Well…" Jed hesitated briefly before holding up his hand adorned with a ring.
"This…?! How did you get something from the family treasure vault?" Rachel exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh, Father gave it to me as a reward," Jed explained casually. "I see you recognize it right away."
"Of course! That's one of our spoils from the Great Magic War fourteen years ago!"
The ring held immense symbolic significance beyond its material value—it represented Arahan's pivotal role during that historic conflict.
For Father to part with something so cherished… He must think highly of him, Rachel thought silently before letting out a soft laugh filled with pride.
"You're amazing…" she muttered under her breath before stepping closer and ruffling his hair affectionately—a gesture that left Jed visibly flustered and embarrassed.
"…Rachel?"
"Yes," she replied knowingly with a smile. "You need a summoned beast worthy of that ring—isn't that right?"
"…Yes," Jed admitted sheepishly.
With sharp intuition befitting her reputation, Rachel immediately grasped his intentions—and while part of her felt slightly hurt by his ulterior motive for visiting her villa today—her pride in him far outweighed any disappointment.
"Follow me," she said decisively. "I'll summon one that suits you perfectly."