Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world

Closing the car door, Brandon and Ravene stepped out of the car and walked to the house.

However, hearing the engine’s noise, Elize rushed out of her house with a big smile.

”Kael! Ravene!”

Elize stood at the doorway, her apron still tied around her waist and her hands are slightly dusted with flour.

Her eyes sparkled the moment she saw them, and without hesitation, she came running down the small stone path leading to the gate.

Brandon’s face lit up instantly ”Aunt Elize.”

He walked quickly to meet her at the gate, and the moment he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her in a firm hug.

She responded without pause, burying her face against his chest with a warmth that only years of maternal love could give ”Darling...”

”I missed you,” Brandon murmured.

Behind them, Ravene approached with a soft smile on her lips, ”Elize...”

Elize pulled back slightly from Brandon’s chest and turned her head with a delighted grin. ”Ravene! Oh, it’s so good to see you, too.”

She reached out to pull her into a brief, warm side hug, patting her shoulder with genuine affection ”Still keeping him safe, I hope?”

Ravene let out a chuckle ”Every day.”

Brandon leaned down, sweeping Elize gently off her feet before carrying her like a princess.

She gasped, letting out a surprised laugh ”Oh dear... Brandon!”

But she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning against his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

”You’re lighter than I remember,” Brandon teased, looking down at her fondly as he carried her bridal-style toward the front door.

Elize gave his shoulder a playful tap, ”That’s because someone hasn’t visited in so long. I’ve been working hard to stay fit. I’m not letting myself get old just yet.”

”Well,” Brandon grinned, ”you’re doing a damn good job. Aunt Rave, isn’t she still the prettiest aunt ever?”

”She is,” Ravene agreed smoothly, brushing her hair back behind one ear. ”Though I think you’re starting to spoil her a bit too much.”

Elize laughed as she leaned her head against Brandon’s shoulder ”Let him spoil me! He’s my darling boy. He doesn’t visit often enough as it is. Let me enjoy this moment.”

The three of them reached the front door.

Brandon stepped inside first, carefully setting Elize down onto her feet in the lit living room.

Elize smiled gently ”I figured you’d be hungry. I made your favorite stew. And the bread is still warm.”

Brandon nodded his head ”You’re the best, Aunt Elize.”

Ravene, meanwhile, slipped off her coat and draped it neatly over the coatrack near the door.

”Wait a few minutes, dear.” Elize’s footsteps faded into the kitchen as she continued her cooking.

Taking that brief moment of privacy, Brandon turned to Ravene, amd without a word, he reached out, gently cupped her chin, and leaned in, brushing his lips softly against hers.

Ravene blinked and her eyes widened for a split second as the surprise kiss caught her off guard.

The touch of his lips lingered just enough to stir a flutter in her chest before he pulled back with a smile.

”...Huh?” she muttered, blinking in confusion before she pinched his cheek sharply.

She hushed softly ”Husband, Don’t kiss me like that in front of Elize... it would be a disaster!”

Brandon winced a little at the pinch, though his smile only widened as he massaged his cheek. ”Oh? You’re afraid of Aunt Elize now?” he asked playfully, tilting his head.

”Hm... interesting. Didn’t take you for the shy type.”

Ravene looked away quickly ”Of course I’m afraid,” she murmured under her breath, almost sulking.

”She’ll burn me alive if she finds out I... I wooed her friend’s son.”

Brandon couldn’t help but chuckle ”’Wooed,’ huh?”

She glared at him half-heartedly ”Don’t twist my words.”

But Brandon chuckled, clearly enjoying her rare moment of getting flustered.

He leaned in again, ”So, are you admitting that you chased me first?”

Ravene’s blush deepened ”I–you–that’s not–!” She stammered, then jabbed him in the side with her elbow, which only made him laugh more.

Before she could escalate her embarrassment, Elize’s voice rang out from the kitchen. ”Brandon! Ravene? Is it good there?”

Ravene immediately stood straighter, brushing down her coat as if nothing had happened. ”N–No, Elize! We’re just... admiring the curtains!”

Brandon covered his mouth with a fist to stifle a laugh ”Yeah. Very nice... curtains.”

Elize stomped on his foot ”You...”

---

Elize stood by the sink in her usual apron with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, humming an old tune under her breath as she scrubbed a ceramic plate clean.

Behind her, Brandon stepped in quietly.

He leaned against the doorframe for a second, watching the gentle sway of her body.

”Need help?” he asked casually.

Elize turned her head slightly, ”No need, Kael. You go and spend a little time with Rave.”

But he took a towel from the side rack and gently plucked the dripping plate from her hand before drying it with soft, circular motions.

She tried to wave him off. ”Really, darling, go relax. I’ve got this.”

Brandon, however didn’t listen to her and continued his work ”No, let me do this.”

Elize let out a soft sigh and muttered, ”Fine. You can dry. But the moment you drop anything, I’m kicking you out of my kitchen.”

”Yeah, yeah...”

For a while, the two worked quietly, Brandon drying the plates and stacking them, Elize washing the next batch.

Then, after a few moments, Brandon broke the silence.

”Aunt Elize...”

”Mm?” she replied, not looking up from the pot she was scrubbing.

”I... wanted to talk to you about something. Or rather, someone.”

Elize raised an eyebrow but didn’t turn just yet. ”This sounds serious.”

He chuckled faintly ”Maybe it is.”

She rinsed the pot and finally looked over at him, hands dripping with soap and water. ”Well, I’m all ears. Don’t tell me you’ve gotten into trouble again?”

”No. Nothing like that. Actually... it’s kind of the opposite.”

Elize tilted her head slightly, watching him with that familiar gentle gaze ”Go on.”

Brandon paused for a second, drying another plate slowly.

”I love someone.”

The water kept running, but Elize went still for a second.

Then she let out a soft exhale, smiled, and turned off the tap.

She picked up a towel, dried her hands, and leaned slightly against the sink ”I am all ears...”

Brandon smiled dryly before speaking ”I and Aunt Rave love each other.”

HUH?

Elize froze for a full heartbeat and her fingers clenched slightly around the towel as Brandon’s words echoed in her ears.

”...Rave?” she repeated, blinking twice and her voice somewhere caught between startled confusion and quiet disbelief.

Brandon nodded slowly, watching her face carefully. ”Yeah. Aunt Ravene. I know it sounds crazy. And I know what you might be thinking.”

Elize stared at him as if trying to process the information.

”...You mean Ravene Ravene?” she asked again.

”Your Aunt Ravene? My best friend since academy days? The same Ravene who used to bribe you with licorice sticks to finish your math homework? That Ravene?”

Brandon scratched the back of his neck, ”Yeah. That one.”

Elize blinked again, ”You’re not joking.”

”No,” he said gently. ”I’m not.”

A long pause hung between them with the only sound in the kitchen being the subtle hum of the fridge and the faint drip of water from the faucet.

Elize finally pushed off the counter and walked a few paces toward the table with the towel clutched loosely in her hand.

”Brandon Kael, You are telling me you are in a relationship with Ravene Morcelle? The woman who once threatened your high school principal with a lawsuit because he made you mop the hallway for being late?”

Brandon smiled faintly ”Yeah, that one.”

Elize sat down in a chair, still processing her thoughts.

She was silent for a few moments before muttering to herself, ”I always knew that woman was dangerously attached to you. But I didn’t expect this.”

Brandon walked over and sat on another chair, gently placing a hand on her knee.

”I wanted to tell you earlier. But I didn’t know how. I know she’s your best friend, and I didn’t want to break your trust.”

Elize stared down at him ”Is this why she’s been acting strange lately? And why she kept dodging my questions about staying over here so often?”

Brandon gave her an apologetic smile ”Probably.”

She exhaled sharply and pressed her hand to her forehead. ”Lords... I’m going to need tea. Or wine.”

Brandon chuckled softly, not letting go of her gaze. ”Are you... okay?”

Elize looked at him for a long moment.

Then, slowly, her lips curled into a small, exasperated smile.

”You’re still my boy,” she murmured. ”Even if my best friend’s the one who snatched your heart.”

Brandon blinked, then let out a breath of relief ”So... you’re not mad?”

”Oh, I’m going to kill her,” Elize said with a dry laugh, waving the towel dramatically.

”Absolutely. First thing tomorrow. You can stand by with flowers for her funeral. But... no, I’m not mad.”

She reached out and cupped his cheek gently ”You’re grown now. You’re allowed to love who you want. And if that person happens to be a stubborn, terrifyingly competent, emotionally repressed research mage, then so be it.”

Brandon let out a chuckle ”That’s her, alright.”

Elize smiled, her thumb brushing his cheek ”Just promise me one thing.”

”Anything.”

”Don’t let either of you get hurt. Emotionally, physically, or otherwise.”

Brandon nodded with a serious expression ”I won’t. I promise.”

Elize leaned in and kissed his forehead.

”Good. Now go help your girlfriend clean up the living room before she knocks something over trying to act like she doesn’t live here.”

He rose to his feet and smiled ”Thank you, Aunt Elize... I love you.”

”Love you too.”

As he walked away, Elize muttered to herself, shaking her head, ”Ravene Morcelle... you unbelievable bitch. You really went and fell for him, didn’t you?”

Then she smiled faintly.

”...Well. At least he’s loved. Fiercely.”