“WELCOME home, Dad, Mom,” Astrid greeted his parents who were about to enter the house.

Emmy paused in her steps when she saw her two sons standing by the entrance as if waiting for them. “Are you two waiting for us?” she asked suspiciously.

Since these two sons of hers entered puberty, they never waited like this in front of the house. It suddenly took her back to the days when the twins would sit on the doorsteps, waiting for their father to come back from a day of farming.

“I suddenly had a sense of déjà vu,” Gage said, showing that he was feeling the same way as his wife.

The twins also realized that rushing at the doorsteps just to greet their parents really did look suspicious. Especially since they hadn’t done that ever since they were kids. It was a bit obvious that the two of them were planning something. 

“We weren’t exactly waiting,” Reas said. “Aster just finished making dinner and then I heard your arrival. So, we just thought of greeting you.”

It definitely sounded like the excuse that it was. Reas really was not the type that could lie or act on cue. So, Astrid just simply walked between their parents and looped his arms around theirs. 

“I cooked a lot of delicious food. Let’s go and eat dinner, Mom, Dad,” he said, smiling at the two before pulling them towards the back garden. Reas silently followed behind.

“Then why are we going to the back garden?” Emmy asked.

“The night sky is so beautiful tonight. So, we thought of eating dinner outside,” Astrid answered. “Reas was the one who arranged the table and chairs at the garden.”

Emmy glanced behind at her other son, feeling a bit unbelieving. “Really?”

“My dear wife, don’t look down too much on your younger son’s artistic ability,” Gage said with a slightly teasing tone that was obviously directed at Reas.

Reas pretended not to hear it.

“Dad, you might be surprise at how Reas arranged our dinner venue,” Astrid said.

“Oh? Then I’m looking forward to it.”

Not even a minute passed and they arrived at the back garden. 

Spherical white lights were floating around, lighting the whole place and giving it some kind of magical feel. At the middle of it was a table filled with different dishes. The table cloth had flower petals attached to it. Even the four chairs surrounding it were decorated by small flowers. The path leading to the table was also lined up with small white lights. Along with the flowers and the trees around, it almost seemed like they would have dinner at some fairy forest.

Both Emmy and Gage looked at Reas. And expression full of disbelief was on both of their faces.

“Reas, I didn’t know that you still have this side in you,” Emmy said.

Gage, on the other hand, clapped his younger son’s shoulder. “Good job! This kind of set-up will definitely make eating dinner more appetizing.”

“Let’s just eat,” Reas said dryly.

Astrid just chuckled seeing this.

Then all of them walked towards the table. Astrid and Reas pulled seats for each of their parents. After they all sat down, they started eating.

“Dad, Mom, here try this,” Astrid said, putting portions of kung pao chicken on each of their plates.

Emmy said thanks and took a mouthful of the dish served to her. Her eyes widened. All kinds of flavors just exploded in her mouth. She looked at Astrid with stars in her eyes. 

“This is really good. How come your cooking skill just gets better and better?” she said while eating another spoonful.

Gage also couldn’t stop eating the portion that Astrid gave him. He could only give his son a thumbs-up as a sign of how much he liked the food. He had been salivating since they walked into the garden. Because he could smell all the delicious scents coming from the different dishes on the table. 

Really, since Astrid insisted on cooking food for them, he probably hadn’t tasted anything as delicious as his dishes since. His son’s cooking was even better that those professional chefs out there.

He glanced at Astrid while chowing down a piece of spare ribs. His son was indeed perfect. He’s not only beautiful and smart. He’s also good at cooking and housework. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a partner.

At that thought, he suddenly remembered the imperial prince. Emmy did say that the bastard showed quite the interest towards their son. He was just glad that they were able to handle that situation quite well. But even if that was not the case, he was willing to fight even that prince if it meant that he had to protect Astrid. He’s one of his three treasures. It’s just natural to do that much.

The dinner was very harmonious with a few laughs here and there. For dessert, Astrid took out the snowflake cake that he made. Which both of his parents loved. Especially his mother.

Emmy wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, then looked at her two sons. “Okay, spill. What do the two of you need? And don’t try to deny it. I know you won’t prepare this much if you’re not trying to soften up me and your Dad.”

Astrid and Reas looked at each other. Astrid silently saying that ‘let me tell her’ and Reas silently replying ‘okay’.

“Dad, Mom, me and Reas already got our acceptance letters for the college we applied to,” Astrid started.

“That’s great! What school is it? Are you going to the same school?” Gage asked excitedly.

Emmy didn’t feel the same as her husband. If it was as simple as that, then these two wouldn’t go through all this trouble just to tell them about that.

“No, Dad. We applied to different schools,” Astrid answered before turning back his gaze to his mother. “And they’re both at the Emperor Star.”