When he finally entered, he spotted his family already gathered.
At the head of the long mahogany dining table sat Zeoticus Gremory, a man who seemed to embody both nobility and approachability.
His hair was a deep crimson Red, carefully styled yet not overly strict, giving him an air of refined dignity.
His sharp blue eyes—calm but brimming with authority—swept over his son with warmth. Dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit with crimson accents matching the family colors, he looked every bit the head of one of the 72 Pillar Houses.
Yet, despite his regal bearing, Zeoticus carried himself with an ease that put those around him at comfort. His posture was straight, but not rigid; his presence commanding, but never suffocating. A gentle smile played at his lips, softening the weight of his noble aura.
Beside him, the ever-graceful Venelana gave Sirzechs a knowing smile, that mischievous glint in her violet eyes making him instantly blush again.
"Good morning, my boy," Zeoticus greeted warmly, his deep voice smooth yet firm.
"Good… morning…" Sirzechs mumbled, shuffling to his seat while pointedly avoiding eye contact with his mother.
Venelana giggled softly behind her hand. "Fufufu~ don't sulk so much, Zechs. You'll ruin your appetite."
"I-I'm not sulking!"
"Of course not," she said, clearly lying.
The servants glided forward with impeccable grace, setting down silver trays that immediately filled the hall with rich, savory aromas.
There was freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven, its golden crust dusted lightly with flour. A pat of golden butter, churned with enchanted herbs, melted into the soft interior as soon as a slice was torn open, releasing a comforting fragrance.
Next came smoked meats—thin slices of boar and venison, seasoned with infernal spices that left a faint crimson sheen. Their edges were perfectly crisp, yet the inside remained tender and juicy, practically melting on the tongue.
A platter of assorted fruits gleamed like jewels: deep-purple underworld grapes bursting with sweetness, pale silver pears that shimmered faintly under the light, and fiery orange citrus that tingled with both tartness and mana. Each bite was refreshing, a sharp contrast to the heavy meats.
Bowls of devil delicacies followed: spiced blood sausage laced with enchanted wine, rich black pudding flecked with tiny glowing runes of preservation, and roasted wyvern eggs topped with a sprinkle of powdered ruby salt. A tureen of creamy mushroom soup, made from fungi that only grew in the caves of the Underworld, completed the spread with its earthy aroma.
Sirzechs' eyes sparkled the instant the first tray touched the table. He didn't even bother with restraint—he snatched up bread, tore into meat, and piled fruit onto his plate like a starving gremlin freed from captivity.
Venelana raised a brow, watching her son stuff his cheeks until they bulged like a hamster.
"Dear, do eat slowly. No one will steal your food."
Zeoticus chuckled softly behind his wine glass. "A prodigy in power, but a barbarian at the table."
"Fufufu~ a valuable lesson indeed." Venelana reached across the table to pinch his cheek. "But perhaps today you should also learn about manners."
"Hey!" Sirzechs protested, crumbs flying.
As breakfast went on, Sirzechs found himself slowly relaxing. His parents' laughter, the warm glow of the crystal chandeliers, and the sheer amount of food worked wonders to heal his damaged pride. The roasted meats were heavenly, the fruit refreshing, and the bread so fluffy it almost made him forget about the morning's disaster.
Almost.
Until Venelana struck again.
"My, Sirzechs," she said casually, as though discussing the weather, "you were up quite early today. Was there something you were… experimenting with?"
The fork slipped from his hand with a loud clink. He nearly inhaled his juice the wrong way and broke into a coughing fit, his face turning redder than his hair.
"M-MOM!" he squeaked, crimson locks bristling like an angry hedgehog.
Zeoticus lowered his wine glass, brows rising in mild confusion. "Experimenting? At his age?"
Sirzechs felt his soul leave his body. "D-Dad, don't say it like that!"
Venelana's lips curved into a sly smile as she gently stirred her tea, her every motion perfectly composed. "Oh, nothing scandalous, dear. Just a little… clothes management."
Zeoticus blinked, then tilted his head. "Clothes management? What in Lucifer's name does that mean? Folding laundry?"
Sirzechs groaned and banged his forehead against the polished table with a hollow thunk. "I'm never living this down, am I?"
Venelana's eyes gleamed as she leaned her cheek against her hand, watching her son squirm. "Fufufu~ of course not."
Zeoticus, still utterly lost, stroked his beard in thought. "Well… experimenting with laundry at his age is unusual, but I suppose it's better than sneaking into the wine cellar."
"DAD!"
Venelana nearly choked on her tea, covering her smile with a graceful hand. "Ufufu~ don't tease him too much, dear. He's already flustered."
"You're the one teasing me!" Sirzechs wailed, cheeks puffed out in indignation.
The servants by the wall tried—and failed—to hide their smiles, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter.
By the end of breakfast, Sirzechs was hunched over his plate, glaring at the table as though it had personally wronged him, while Venelana hummed in victory, delicately buttering her toast.
When breakfast finally ended, Sirzechs trudged back to his room, shoulders slumped like a man who had fought and lost a hundred wars.
The System was amazing, yes. The possibilities endless, yes. It had given him inventory, stats, quests—things straight out of a dream. But he was starting to realize something far more dangerous than monsters, magic, or political rivals.
His mother.
Venelana Gremory, elegant, beautiful, and utterly merciless, was his ultimate natural enemy.
"…If the System doesn't give me a skill to deal with her," he muttered under his breath, "I'm doomed."
As if mocking him, a familiar ding! echoed in his ears. A translucent screen popped up.
---
[New Quest Added!]
Survive Venelana's teasing for 7 days.
Reward: +5 Charm, +1 Mental Fortitude
Failure Penalty: Eternal Embarrassment.
---
Sirzechs froze. His lips trembled. His entire body paled.
"…This System really is out to get me."
Another ding! immediately followed.
---
[Hidden Condition Unlocked!]
Survive with dignity intact.
Reward: Title gained — "Mama's Boy."
Effects: +10 Affection (Venelana), -10 Reputation (Everyone else).
---
Sirzechs collapsed face-first onto his bed. "Nooooooo!"
From outside, he could hear Venelana's melodic laugh echoing down the hall.
"Fufufu~ Zechs, dear, don't forget to wash your hands before training!"
The boy buried his head in a pillow. "At this rate, forget becoming a Maou… I won't even survive childhood!"