For the first time in both his lives, Sion—once a feared figure of legend—found himself trembling. Not from battle, not from dark magic, but from the intense, unified aura of four very angry women.
Raphael, standing beside him with a sly grin, nudged his shoulder. "Behold, the chosen savior of the world—quaking in the face of love. May the Goddess truly protect you, because I'm not stepping in."
Sion scowled at him, then gathered what courage he could muster. Straightening his robe, he stepped forward and flashed his most awkward smile. "My dear mother, my princesses… You're all looking radiant today. Surely, the sun must be jealous of such beauty."
Mary crossed her arms, her eyebrow raised. "Radiant, are we? Then why has our sun not shone upon us in so many days?"
"I've been working… things to do…" Sion muttered, glancing toward the hallway like a trapped animal.
"Don't even think about it," Katherine snapped, pointing at him like a general commanding troops. "One step back, and I will chase you down. Hero or not, I'll drag you back."
"Yes, ma'am," Sion responded with a salute.
Sara smirked sweetly—dangerously sweet. "Dear future husband, I do hope you're listening. If you think ignoring us is acceptable, I'll make sure you never forget the consequences."
"Yes, madam. Loud and clear," he replied like a soldier receiving orders on the battlefield.
Just as the tension eased, a small voice chimed in. "Big brother!" Janet came bounding in, arms folded. "You didn't play with me! You promised! You're a bad brother!"
Sion's face paled again. "No, no! I didn't forget! I'm so sorry, my little. I'll do anything to make up for it!"
"Anything?" Janet asked, her eyes gleaming.
"Anything," he affirmed.
"Take the day off. No work. Just play with me and stay with all of us today."
Katherine and Sara both gasped and looked at Janet like she had just revealed the secrets of the universe.
"You're a genius!" they said in unison, hugging Janet.
Defeated and outnumbered, Sion sighed with a soft smile. "Okay, okay. Today is all yours."
From behind a hedge in the garden, John peeked at the scene with a wide grin. "He's doomed… but happily so," he muttered. "Good boy."