Aske felt a bit uncomfortable.

If Medea's incident was because he was drugged; Eleanor's incident was because he was set up; then Miel's incident seemed to leave him without a suitable excuse.

As an adult male, having women take the initiative in such matters is, in a certain sense, a bit embarrassing.

But when Miel made her move, his mind indeed went blank for a moment, and by the time he came to his senses...

In short, the consequence of not being proactive for a long time is that every time he should take the initiative, he's a beat slower than the woman.

With that moment of delay, the dominance changes hands along with it. Although the results haven't changed, the process is quite embarrassing.

No, he has to take the initiative!

With such a resolve, Aske decided to be a real man and not be arranged again.

Shortly after he made his decision, as if the heavens were testing him, Matilda found him in the Great Palace.

"Nora is here?" Aske was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, the Holy Daughter wishes to see you." Matilda was slightly nervous because she was afraid that after her sister returned, this brother-in-law would tell her, and she might be questioned.

However, those luxury items were too tempting... ah no, it was because Adelaide sister asked, after all, both sides were sisters, offending either side wouldn't be good.

Besides, Adelaide sister also said that if Sofie sister really questioned, she could take it on for me.

Thinking this, Matilda gathered her courage again and said:

"Just in the south of the city, at the newly built manor by Sigel Manor, the Holy Daughter is already waiting for you there."

"Hmm." Just as Matilda was thinking about what other reasons to persuade him if brother-in-law disagreed, she heard Aske nod and smile:

"Alright, I'm heading over now."

"Eh?" This response caught Matilda off guard, but she soon was overjoyed, quickly saying, "My car is just outside the palace, let me take you over, brother-in-law?"

"Is that so, then please go ahead."

Unable to figure out why his sister-in-law was so proactive, Aske simply agreed.

...

Nora.

Indeed, it's been a long time.

In the car's rear seat, Aske, still lost in his thoughts, suddenly heard his sister-in-law Matilda curiously ask:

"Brother-in-law, how did you meet the Holy Daughter?"

"Your sister never told you?" Aske replied with a smile, "We used to be in a mercenary group together."

"Mercenary group?" Matilda was a bit incredulous.

Regarding The Azure Longsword, Eleanor didn't shy away from it after returning but wasn't very interested in elaborating either. However, even the few words spoken during casual chats were rather sensational.

For instance, the White Emperor and Red Witch of the Northern Realm Helensing Empire, the Holy Daughter of the Italy Church Court, the Storm Empress and Scarlet General of the East Solomon Empire, and the ghost fleet captain of the Mediterranean… all were dominant forces, leaders wielding life and death power over thousands, demigods.

Of course, if viewed from a social circle perspective, impressive people naturally tend to gather with impressive people, which is understandable.

Yet about Aske, this squad leader... to be honest, over the past six years, Eleanor hardly mentioned his name.

Occasionally when Otto II brought it up, she would just smile sadly, without speaking, causing both Diophano and Matilda, although aware of this person's existence, to think he was a minor figure who sacrificed early on.

Otherwise, how to explain that everyone else achieved fame and success, yet he remained unknown?

Unexpectedly, this guy emerged after six years of silence to marry the sister, and forces from both the north and south wanted to snatch this man, leaving Matilda speechless.

Annoying, I'm also a Princess! Why don't princes from various countries compete for me!

Aske was unaware of Matilda's envy and jealousy; he only sighed with a sense of loss, saying:

"In short, it's a long, long story..."

Spanning ten years, a novel could have one to two million words, naturally impossible to detail it in the car, especially with the driver present.

Anyway, the car soon arrived at Sigel Manor in the south of the city and stopped at the reception area inside.

Stepping out of the car, Matilda curiously glanced around this newly built manor, comparing it to her family's residence in the Saxony Duchy.

Aske, however, showed no interest in the architectural style and garden layout. Because from the moment he stepped out, his gaze remained on a spot of white under the front porch.

Though the person wore a white robe concealing their figure, with a hood obscuring their face, Aske knew it was Nora.

Even if Miel arranged part of it… some things, ultimately he'd have to do himself.

"Nora, long time no see." Aske waved to her.

The white silhouette paused, seemingly surprised to be recognized instantly.

After a moment of silence, she took off her hood, revealing soft flaxen hair and a face that seemed just like yesterday's clear beauty.

"Yes, long time no see, Squad Leader."

Beside them, Matilda silently widened her mouth, then self-consciously lifted her skirt and hurriedly walked towards the side where the manor's owner, Earl Sigel, was signaling her not to stand in the way like a third wheel.

Aske followed Nora through the porch, and they arrived at a small room behind the manor.

The room was neatly arranged. Specifically, it's set up in the style of the manor's main hall on Fire Island, allowing Aske to feel nostalgic and sentimental.

"If I recall correctly, the day I left, Fire Island should have been with you, right?" Aske was thoughtful.

"Yes." Nora chuckled, gesturing to the chair by the dining table, "Please sit."

The dining table in the main hall had nine chairs; initially, everyone sat indiscriminately, later forming a consensus of positions. The one Nora pointed to this time was exactly Aske's usual seat, far from the kitchen.

Thus Aske sat in that spot, while Nora went to the kitchen. Shortly after, she returned with a plate of fish sashimi, drizzled with steaming oil, topped with scallions, garlic segments, and chili flakes, looking extremely appetizing and enticing.

"Oh, it's been so long since I tasted your cooking, truly missed it." Aske said with a smile.

Though in his perception it seemed he'd only been away for 6 days, he certainly wouldn't bring this up to Nora now.

"Enjoy." Nora smiled gently, placing the fish sashimi and cutlery before him, while holding the tray beside, seemingly awaiting his response.

Thus, Aske picked up the cutlery, emotionally taking a piece of fish into his mouth.

Before he could swallow, tears suddenly streamed down.

The overwhelming lemon acidity nearly tooth-achingly strong, accompanied by fish gall bitterness creating a nausea urge, with overly rich chili oil simmered beyond recognition disguised as common cooking oil, combined to form a complexly disconcerting taste—barely entering, he hastily spat it out, tears and mucus flowing uncontrollably.

"Delicious, Aske?" Nora amusingly observed his expression, chuckling, "I call this dish 'A Long-lost Greeting'."

"The bitterness symbolizes my agony over the years waiting for you; the acidity represents my jealousy hearing of your marriage to Ellie; and finally, the spiciness reflects the intense anger I felt seeing you for the first time earlier with nowhere to release it."

"Through this dish, did you sense my complicated emotions, Aske? Or perhaps you prefer another title?" Her finger tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Perhaps, Ellie's husband?"

Just as the words fell, Aske activated body conceptualization to clear the horrific taste remaining in his mouth completely.

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