[Azure Bloom Tea Hall—Continuation]

I sat across from her, knees practically vibrating under the table, while she lifted her teacup with that calm, untouchable elegance of someone who could freeze oceans with a glance. Zephyy sat on the edge of my chair, tail flicking lazily.

’Master,’ he whispered telepathically, ’the sun is blazing out, but I still feel like we are in Frojnholm.’

’Same here, Zephyy... same here,’ I telepathied back, trying not to flinch as my pulse raced.

She finally glanced at me, the faintest trace of... what?... amusement? "I just wanted to have some tea with you, Leif. No need to be nervous."

I gave a stiff, awkward smile. "Ah... yes... Madam."

Inside, my brain was screaming. No... calm... don’t spill tea on your shoes... don’t faint... don’t say "I love your son" in a squeaky voice...

Did every single Regulfsson spawn come with an ice-block aura pre-installed at birth? Because this chill could give glaciers an inferiority complex.

She leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing like she was dissecting my soul with a single glance. "I heard a lot about you... from my son. At first, I thought it was some prank he was playing... but I realize... my son never plays pranks."

I laughed nervously, nearly choking on my own breath. "Ah... yes. He always says things with... straight faces. Very serious."

Her gaze bored into me, silent, unwavering, like a hawk deciding whether to feast on a mouse—or keep it alive for sport. I swallowed hard.

Then came the question. The one that froze me mid-laugh. "So... you really like my son?" Her voice was calm, but her words were a guillotine. "Because... I have never heard or seen men liking men in my entire life."

Wow. Straightforward. Just like Alvar. People are right, Apple falls from the tree... literally, he takes after his mother... I’m toast...

Then she spoke again, eyes still unreadable. "What if it’s not love you think exists between you and my son... just mere affection?"

My heart thudded hard. Mere affection?

I looked at her, eyes blazing with all the dramatic courage I could summon.

"Mere affection?" I repeated softly. "No, Madam. I really do love Alvar."

Her eyes flickered, just barely, but I caught it—the faintest shift in her expression.

"I know," I continued, voice steadier now, "it may sound ridiculous to you—men liking men—but... it’s not like the gods wrote any law saying same-sex souls cannot love each other. Love isn’t wrong, Madam—it’s just rare. And sometimes, people are afraid of rare things."

Her brows lifted slightly, but she didn’t interrupt. Encouraging? Maybe. Or maybe she was waiting for me to hang myself with my own words.

"So, please," I said quietly, "don’t call my love a ’mere affection.’ It... feels like an insult."

For a heartbeat, her composed mask slipped. Her eyes widened—a flicker of surprise, almost human.

I pressed on, chest tight but burning with something fierce. "Even if you throw gold coins at my face—"

She blinked. "Gold coins?"

"I—uh, yes," I said, straightening up, too deep to stop now. "Even if you throw gold coins at my face, I will not leave Alvar! You cannot buy my love."

There was a long pause. Her lashes fluttered once. Then she leaned back, the faintest quirk of amusement touching her lips.

"...Why would I throw gold coins at your face?" she asked coolly.

I froze. "...You wouldn’t?"

"Should I?" she tilted her head, her voice smooth as winter silk.

. . .

. . .

"Well..." I gulped, trying to sound brave but failing miserably. "...if you really wanted to, I could probably—uh—dodge them with style? Possibly."

Her eyes narrowed, studying me like I was a rare, confused insect. Then—suddenly— PFFT!

She chuckled. A real, human laugh. My brain short-circuited.

"I guess... I’ll have to prepare lots of gold coins as a dowry for my son-in-law," she said, eyes twinkling faintly.

Son-in-law? The word echoed in my skull like a choir of tiny, mocking birds. My knees trembled, and my pulse skyrocketed. "...So... you don’t mind me as your son’s spouse, Madam?"

Her expression softened. She leaned back with elegant poise, a faint smile brushing her lips.

"Call me ’Mother,’ dear. And why would I go against my son’s wishes?" She paused, eyes distant for a moment. "It’s... unusual. But perhaps the two of you will be making history in this empire. The first... same-sex noble couple."

I nearly dropped my teacup. History?! Me?!

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "My only concern is... I won’t have an heir."

I sprang up like a man possessed. "We can adopt! Or foster! Or... I can knit him a tiny puppet heir! There are options!"

She blinked at me, eyes wide like I’d just suggested raising dragons instead of children. Then, ever so gently, a small smile appeared.

"Well... that’s actually a very good idea," she said, tilting her head. "So... when should I come to your home to talk to the Count and Countess, my dear?"

I staggered back a step, choking on air. Did she just... approve?

"Uh... anytime madam... no, I mean... mother whenever you like! Really! I... I’ll make tea! Or—oh! We could have cake! Or flowers!" I flailed like a man possessed by nervous joy.

Her chuckle was soft and approving, like the faint warmth of sunlight sneaking past winter clouds. "Calm yourself, Leif. I assure you... I like you more than my stupid son."

I slumped back into my chair, trembling with disbelief. I... didn’t know she’d accept me this easily.

Here I was, mentally preparing for emotional warfare and projectile gold coins... and instead, she was approving me? My heart didn’t know whether to celebrate or short-circuit.

Maybe you really shouldn’t judge a book by its terrifying, frostbitten cover.

Then, as if nothing monumental had just happened, she picked up the menu with calm elegance. "Now then, my dear... what would you like to have?"

My throat tightened. I almost cried. "Cakes," I whispered hoarsely. "All of them."

Her lips curved upward—the faintest, most dangerous sign of affection. She turned to the waitress and said in a clear, commanding tone, "Bring us every pastry you have. All of them. Leave nothing behind."

The waitress blinked, startled, but nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, my lady!"

As she hurried off, I sat there in stunned silence, blinking rapidly to keep my tears from falling.

"Mother..." I murmured softly. "You’re an angel in disguise."

She sipped her tea, utterly unbothered. "Don’t get sentimental yet. I’m only bribing you with sugar so you’ll gain enough energy to deal with my son."

I choked out a laugh, covering my mouth. "That’s... honestly the sweetest threat I’ve ever heard."

Her eyes softened. "And, Leif?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"Thank you," she said quietly, almost to herself. "For loving him despite... everything he is."

That was the moment I realized—she wasn’t just cold or regal. She was a woman who’d built armor out of ice, just like her son. And somehow, I’d managed to make it melt.

***

[Outside the Azure Bloom Tea Hall—Later]

"...I suppose I should now look for a groom’s wedding attire, right? Why don’t you come with me shopping, Leif?" Madam Selena asked, looping her arm through mine as we stepped into the sunlight.

"Oh... sure, Mother," I said, heart doing backflips, "but I... uh... also have to find models for my Rainbow Fashion Show. I don’t even know if I’ll have the time."

She paused, raising a perfectly sculpted brow. "Fashion show?"

"Yes!" I said, almost bouncing with excitement. "It’s... well... extravagant. Sparkly. Revolutionary. Everyone was walking in jewelry. Admiration. Gasps. Maybe fainting. You know... the usual."

She hummed thoughtfully, a slight smile tugging at her lips. "I don’t know what that is, my dear, but... if you need models, I can arrange them for you."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. My eyes sparkled like a freshly polished gemstone. "Really?"

She nodded, her smile warm but slightly teasing. "Yes."

I threw my arms wide in exaggerated gratitude, practically glowing. "Thank you, Mother! You’re... you’re the absolute best!"

She chuckled, the sound light and indulgent. "I know I am. Now..." She leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "... When shall I visit your estate?"

I froze mid-step, the sunlight suddenly brighter, the birds suspiciously silent. And then it hit me...

I HAVEN’T TOLD MY PARENTS YET!!!!