When Arthur and Ashley arrived home, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, ushering in a blanket of darkness.
The two glowing moons hung high in the sky, surrounded by a twinkling sea of stars, casting their ethereal light upon the world below.
Arthur parked the car in the garage and stepped out, his gaze drawn to the mesmerizing moons above.
He stood there speechless, marveling at their beauty.
Although he was aware from previous memories of Arthur that Panterra had two moons, witnessing them firsthand was an unexpected shock.
Shaking his head in disbelief but with wonder still gleaming in his eyes, he entered the mansion alongside Ashley.
"Welcome, Master Arthur and Miss Ashley," Alfred greeted them as they stepped into the living room, his expression as stoic as ever.
"Evening, Alfred," Arthur replied with a nod and a warm smile.
"Good evening, Uncle Alfred!" Ashley chimed in sweetly.
"Dinner is ready. The First Master, Second Master, Third Master, and both elder Misses are already at the dining hall along with several other family members," Alfred informed them.
"Okay," Arthur nodded before turning to Ashley. "Come on; let's go eat."
Ashley smiled and followed him as they made their way to the dining hall.
Upon entering, they were greeted by a long marble table set elegantly in the center of the room. The aroma of dinner wafted through the air as servants busily served dishes to those already seated around the table.
Among them were his second uncle Nathaniel and second aunt Emily.
Also present were three older relatives: his first uncle Julian Osborn, a middle-aged man with bright eyes framed by black hair streaked with gray, and his third uncle Richard Osborn who appeared gentle despite being in his late thirties.
Richard had deep-set green eyes and brownish hair that complemented his kind demeanor; however, Arthur knew better than to underestimate him based solely on appearances.
Opposite Nathaniel sat Margaret Osborn, Arthur's first aunt, who radiated elegance even as she approached her late thirties.
With her long black hair cascading down her back and a perfectly sculpted face adorned with luscious lips and milky white skin, it was clear she took great care of herself.
Seated around the table were also Arthur's little sister Elizabeth and three cousins: George, William, and Edward, though many more cousins were missing from this gathering.
"Big brother! You're back!" Elizabeth exclaimed excitedly as she leaped from her chair toward Arthur.
Her blonde hair bounced cheerfully with each step while a faint blush graced her cheeks.
With tender skin that seemed almost luminous under candlelight, she threw herself into his arms.
"You're growing up so fast! Remember to act like a lady now," Arthur teased playfully yet affectionately.
"I don't care about that! You're still my big brother!" Elizabeth pouted playfully before giggling again.
Arthur shook his head, a tender smile lighting up his face as he lovingly stroked Elizabeth's blonde hair. "Hey Liz, did you only see your brother? What about me?"
Ashley's cheerful voice chimed in from the side, her smile brightening the room as she looked at Elizabeth.
"Ahhh, big sister Ashley! Of course, you're the one I love the most!" Elizabeth replied sheepishly, hurrying over to give Ashley a warm hug.
"Arthur, Ashley, both of you are back! Come and sit down; dinner is ready!" Julian called out with a welcoming grin, gesturing for Arthur to take his place at the head of the table.
"Yes," Arthur nodded appreciatively and made his way to the table.
He settled into his seat, casting warm glances at his uncles and aunties gathered around him.
"Arthur, I heard from Emily that you resolved the remaining crisis at the company?" Margaret asked with an encouraging smile.
"Ahh yes, Aunt Margaret. We no longer owe anything to the bank, and there's enough breathing room for the company for now," Arthur replied confidently.
"You've done well, Arthur. Your timely assistance has truly saved us. If we had gone bankrupt... well, we wouldn't know how to face big brother or our ancestors," Richard, his third uncle said with genuine emotion shining in his eyes.
As those words hung in the air, silence enveloped them, a mix of gratitude and worry reflected in their expressions. The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"Come on now! The company is safe again; let's not dwell on sad things," Julian said lightly with a chuckle to lift their spirits. "Let's eat!"
"Yeah! No sad talk at the dining table!" Margaret added playfully while giving Richard a gentle nudge under the table.
Richard just scratched his head sheepishly and smiled back.
Arthur felt warmth swell in his heart as he watched them interact, this was family.
Shaking off any lingering heaviness from earlier conversations, he turned his attention to the extravagant dinner spread before him.
He swallowed hard, realizing that the breakfast he had enjoyed earlier was nothing compared to this feast.
The lavish meal laid out in front of him completely transformed his understanding of how the wealthy live.
Although he hadn't yet tasted any of these mouthwatering dishes but from the memories of the previous Arthur, he knows some of the dishes.
Arthur sat in his chair at the head of the table.
Around him, servants passed by silently, pouring rich red wine into crystal glasses that sparkled like stars in the dim light.
Silver-domed plates were placed before each family member, and the soft clinking of cutlery mingled with the gentle hum of conversation,an orchestra of familial connection.
As the first course was served, an enticing aroma wafted through the air, making Arthur pause in anticipation.
Steam curled up from a bowl of Starshroom Soup, its creamy surface shimmering like liquid moonlight.
He lifted his spoon with curiosity, eager to taste.
The flavor exploded on his palate,rich and earthy with a hint of sweetness that lingered delightfully. "This is…" he began but stopped mid-sentence as realization dawned on him.
Ashley beamed from across the table. "I know! The chef added frostbloom essence just for us. Aunt Margaret insisted."
Margaret chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with pride. "Of course! A proper dinner deserves a touch of finesse."
Next came Aquaflare Ceviche,a vibrant masterpiece glowing softly beneath the chandeliers.
Delicate slices of translucent fish marinated in tidepool citrus danced alongside crisp seaweed curls.
The moment Arthur tasted it, he was greeted by a refreshing wave of tanginess and saltiness.
"This one," Nathaniel said proudly, "was imported this morning,straight from the Aquarion coast."
Arthur nodded appreciatively. "It's worth every credit."
As plates were exchanged, servants unveiled Lumina Caviar,glowing pearl-like eggs resting on seaweed crackers.
The faint bioluminescent glow reflected in everyone's eyes as they sampled this exquisite dish.
Elizabeth's excitement bubbled over.
"It's so pretty! It looks alive!" she exclaimed while holding up a cracker.
"It was," George teased playfully. "Just a few hours ago!"
Laughter rippled around the table, easing any lingering tension from earlier conversations.
Soon enough, the main course arrived: Flame-Grilled Skybeast,a tender winged creature marinated in solarflare truffle butter that filled the hall with an irresistible aroma.
Arthur took a bite slowly; smoky flavors melted into warmth that wrapped around him like a cozy blanket.
"This tastes… divine," he murmured appreciatively.
Julian raised his glass high with a grin. "To divine food and a family that's finally stable again!"
Glasses clinked together cheerfully as wine shimmered ruby-red under golden light.
The feast continued with Crystalized Glowfish paired elegantly with starlit quinoa and Galactic Venison slow-roasted in starshroom glaze,each dish felt like an adventure waiting to be explored beyond their mansion walls.
Even Ashley, who is usually quite picky about her food, couldn't hide her surprise. "I don't think I've ever eaten like this before," she confessed, her eyes darting around the table in awe.
"Enjoy it," Margaret replied with a warm smile that radiated kindness. "You truly deserve this after everything today."
When the desserts arrived, the mood shifted dramatically from satisfied contentment to pure, childlike joy.
Waitstaff glided in with carts brimming with colorful confections,Skyberry Parfait, Emberfruit Tart, Nebula Cream Tart, and Tidepool Gelée that shimmered enticingly under the soft glow of candlelight.
Elizabeth was quick to dive in, her spoon plunging into a parfait layered with luscious cloudberry jam and crunchy honeyed granola.
"This one! It tastes like snow and sunshine!" she exclaimed through a mouthful of bliss.
Arthur chuckled softly as he savored his choice,the Emberfruit Tart.
The filling was warm and sweet, with just a hint of spice that lingered on his palate like a cherished memory.
As the last bites vanished from their plates, Arthur leaned back in his chair, feeling utterly content.
Around him, voices melded into a soothing symphony of chatter and laughter punctuated by the gentle clinking of glasses.
For that fleeting moment, there were no business deals to negotiate, no power struggles to navigate,just warmth and connection shared among family.