Chiharu frowned a little, but her expression returned to normal. However, Kazuo could not take the surprise. The three people never stepped into the kitchen. Even when Sayaka served tea, she would only receive prepared items from a butler or a maid.

The unusual scene could not go unaddressed to him.

"Mom, why are you carrying serving trays? You don't have to do such menial tasks. Don't you have people for that?" He asked with his usual condescending tone.

The tone caused their hackles to rise because the meal had been made by their smallest family member.

"We have hands. Can't we carry food?" Sayaka retorted.

Her anger with her son was not only about his current attitude. She had not forgotten about his efforts to convince her to apologise to Hanae and give in to her niece after that incident. Even though they had somewhat reconciled during the flower viewing party, she was still dissatisfied with him.

With that, the three of them walked to the dining room like it was a normal morning. They did not want to keep their little chef waiting for long.

Outside the dining room, Chiharu placed a hand on Kazuo's arm to stop him from following them immediately.

"Dear, you should be a little more tactful when talking to the family." She said in a concerned and helpless wifely tone.

Kazuo looked a little confused because he did not sense anything unusual. He had always dealt with his family directly and without mincing his words. He did not like the idea of changing the way he related with them.

Chiharu understood his thoughts, but she could not agree with him. Sometimes, she was incredibly frustrated with her husband who looked handsome and smart from the outside, but he had more brawn than brains.

He thought that being harsh and direct was the best way to associate with his family. In his words, a family should be honest instead of tactful.

'There was no need to be pretentious with family.' He always said.

However, his harsh behaviour and openness when talking only revealed how foolish he was. Most of the time, he said mean things without consideration for his family's feelings.

For instance, he would call out Daiki on his decisions disrespectfully even in public, without understanding the logic behind them. He would hurt his mother's feelings by criticising the things she liked in the name of an honest opinion.

As for his brother, they were, at most, acquaintances due to the things that happened when they were younger. She could guess that it had something to do with his honesty.

If he was not so undiplomatic, he would not have been a small manager in his family's company for years. The situation of his low position was something unseen in aristocratic families, especially since he was the first-born son, and his brother was not interested in the business.

If his character was not like this, he would have long taken a position as a director, even with his average intelligence.

Chiharu had tried her best to correct his behaviours, but she was not very successful. She had to keep reminding him directly to stop speaking rashly to his family members.

"I did not say anything bad," Kazuo said with dissatisfaction.

"Ok, ok. I know. Just go with the flow. Don't question things in the house too much. You just reconciled with your mother yesterday, so don't say anything unnecessary. With Akira, things are a bit different here." Chiharu said pushing all blame to Akira.

In any case, Akira would be gone once Makiko made her big move. It would be better if they were closer to Sayaka when that happened. She would be in the best state for accepting suggestions when she became devastated.

Even as she was plotting, Chiharu sighed inwardly with frustration. Other people's husbands in Mountain Ridge were presidents of their companies at twenty-eight while she had to baby her husband and teach him everything.

Ugh! Life was truly unfair.

She decided to overlook the fact that she chose Kazuo because he was not clever and shrewd, and he was easy to control.

When they went into the living room, the family of four were eating their food with relish. It was the simplest breakfast meal possible, but they looked happier than if they were eating at a three Michelin stars restaurant.

"Mom, can I have some breakfast?" Kazuo asked with a smile.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he always found life easier and better when he followed Chiharu's suggestions.

Sayaka wanted to retort to her son again, but she did not want to ruin her morning. At least, her son was no longer acting badly, and he was trying to be a little nicer.

"Sure. The chef should have arrived. You can have her make you something." She responded before placing a piece of salmon in her mouth.

Her face became blissful as she chewed. The fish was so perfect. It was the right level of flaky. When their chef cooked, it seemed okay. But now, she realised that it was a bit overcooked and mushy in comparison to Akira's.

"I want what you are eating," Kazuo said with the hint of a spoiled tone.

"That will not happen." Sayaka pulled her bowls closer.

Daiki and Seiji also pulled their bowls closer. They were not willing to part even with a piece of vegetable. They would not share the food cooked with love by Akira even if it tasted bad. Not to mention, this simple meal had attained a level of perfection they did not know existed.

Both Kazuo and Chiharu were speechless. They could only watch as the group of four ate without concern for their feelings. The worst part is that they had not eaten at home and had come early to have breakfast at the mansion.

"So, why are you both here early in the morning?" Daiki asked as soon as he finished his food.

Not even a drop of the miso soup was remaining in his bowl.

"You should try and sleep in a little more. It has been two years since your marriage, and I have not heard any good news." Sayaka added with lifted eyebrows.

"Mom…" Kazuo felt embarrassed.

Sayaka did not speak about grandchildren often. She did not believe that a couple should begin popping out babies left, right and centre after the wedding. However, she could not see why her son and daughter-in-law would rather brave the cold, and come to their house early on a Sunday morning.

It seemed illogical.

Chiharu paled at the casual statement, and her hands trembled slightly. She pressed the weak hands against her thighs in an attempt to calm herself.

She knew that Sayaka was not the kind of mother-in-law who was anxious for grandchildren. However, for Chiharu, the topic of children always brought a visceral fear because of the past.

When she and Kazuo met…

'No one knows. No one knows. No one knows.' She chanted in her mind in time with her heartbeat.