Chapter 358
Chapter 358
The warm clatter of dishes and the soft hum of evening conversation filled the air as the family gathered around the long wooden table, its surface polished and glowing beneath the gentle lantern light.
The scent of grilled meat, fresh herbs, and steaming rice wafted through the house, mingling with the laughter of Millie as she reached over to sneak a dumpling before anyone noticed.
Grey sat quietly at the end of the table, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar faces—each one etched with a mix of curiosity and cautious warmth.
The food before him smelled incredible, but his appetite was buried under the weight of uncertainty. His hands fumbled with each other as he quietly and nervously scanned everybody seated around him.
Clarice sat beside him, Millie to Clarice’s side, Finral sat beside an empty chair, while Vanessa was directly seated opposite Grey’s chair.
"Why aren’t you eating?" Clarice asked as she turned to glance at Grey’s untouched food.
"I don’t feel hungry," Grey replied, but his stomach betrayed him as a loud growl filled the dining room.
"Well, your belly doesn’t agree with that," Vanessa chuckled loudly, clearly amused.
"What happened? Is it the food? Or do you want extra dumplings?" Clarice asked as she quickly stood up, stretched her hand, and scooped some dumplings from Finral’s plate.
"Hey! I was about to eat that," Finral retorted, but a sharp glare from Clarice quickly shut him up.