"Sure then… find a way to go near him. Big Brother and I will do the rest." The voice answered.
"En… maybe do plant one on your cousin and the second prince too."
The voice seemed to have paused for a short while before she answered with a subtle trace of excitement, "Remember that you are the one who ordered me…"
"Do as I say…" After Crown Prince Ranon's acknowledgment, he did not hear the voice anymore.
'Though the Pope told me not to do any movements until we get out of the Empire… It's not bad to sow some seeds of chaos..' He smiled sinisterly as he thought to himself.
After all, he will never let go of an opportunity to sow chaos in this land that has always been a thorn in his family's side.
If not for the fact that he and his team wasted the entire duration of the tournament to figure out how to move without being detected by the extremely cunning Seirende Knights, he would have long brought chaos during that time.
If not for the Anti-curse committee dogs…
Remembering how suffocated and strangled he felt during that time he could not help but curse out. How could the Seirende become so fast in figuring out how to counter curse users like them?
'As expected, I have to take down the Anti-curse committee first.' He planned for himself. While he was visualizing what kind of chaos and disorder he will be shown later on, he could not help but emit a sinister look in his eyes.
It was good that no one was in the carriage at the time other than him, for they will be extremely terrified by the way he looks at the moment.
The evening eventually arrived, and once again, the Seirende Imperial Family showcased their great capability to prepare everything at beyond acceptable levels in just a short time.
Though the banquet is only available to those who were at the hunting competition earlier, the grandeur and luxury did not diminish even a bit.
Just looking at the hall decorations and the selection of food and wine, it would be more than enough to comfort the participants who were disrupted in the contest earlier.
Now everyone is going around, socializing with each other. They kept expressing their admiration for the figures who shined best during the mishap earlier.
The obvious one would be the terrifying display of strength by Leon, who unfortunately just showed his face at the start of the banquet and mysteriously disappeared.
Unbeknownst to them, Leon was rushing to head home because his son, Little Han, was waiting.
"Daddi~~~" When Little Han saw Leon's figure approaching the plushie playground, he immediately abandoned the toys he held and rushed to his side.
Little Han was already brought home by Olivier who was the assigned Blade-nanny for today.
After seeing how the toddler left him who sat with him in the plushie playground, Olivier mumbled rather helplessly, "Tsk… look at this little heartbreaker, abandoning me without hesitation upon seeing his father…"
Leon, of course, heard his lament, and so he looked at him and said, "Good work for today… Tomorrow we have something to settle, so have a good rest."
pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ Olivier smiled and bowed, acknowledging that Leon already dismissed him for today's mission. He said his goodbyes and retreated. He knew that there was something big that happened earlier and so Leon's words told him to save strength for a lot of work coming the next day.
"Bubbyeee Umcle Owvier!!!" Little Han lifted his head which was originally nestled on Leon's shoulders as he waved adorably at Olivier who was preparing to leave.
"Bye bye little master! Let's play again soon!" Olivier's heart warmed, having such an adorable child around made him feel happy. For some reason, he also felt the urge of wanting to find a wife so that he too can have cute little children at home.
Now it was only Leon and Little Han around, Baobao and Rosea had also long retreated.
"Have you eaten, my son?" He asked while he caressed Little Han's tiny head whose same shade of red hair was starting to grow out pretty lusciously.
"Yessh!!! Nanny Rossie's food is yum!!" Little Han's eyes sparkled brightly as he started to animatedly describe his day to his daddy by waving his hands and increasing the tone of his voice.
Leon, despite having to ferociously fight just a while ago, listened to his son who was on his lap. This expression was filled with loving and gentleness, it was as if the person who beheaded the monsters earlier was a completely different person.
Occasionally, the living room would have a light sound of chuckles and squeals, it was clearly warm, only that another person in the bright happy cottage is missing.
After some time, Little Han glanced at the grand piano which was left unplayed since Eli's departure.
"Daddi… Johann miss mommi…" Little Han dejectedly mumbled, Leon saw it in his own eyes, the lonely expression of his little son, filled with yearning.
He realized that while his son appeared to be completely alright about not seeing Eli… the poor child has been holding back.
Leon was filled with heartbreak, he cupped his son, and let him rest in his arms. Little Han reciprocated by clinging to his father's chest.
"Sniff… hic… hic.. Miss mommi…. Miss mommi so much…sniff." Leon slowly felt something warm wetting his upper garment as he heard his son's muffled sobs.
"I miss your mommy too…" Leon uttered with trembling as his hands rubbed Little Han's back comfortingly. He was heartbroken and could only comfort his son who was deeply longing for his mother.
He wanted to make his pain and heartache go away, but he cannot do anything but stay with him and soothe his crying.
He prayed that somehow, Eli and Kayden would soon come back, because after this…
They will be separated once again.
He could not bear to lie to his son that they will soon be together, but he could not bear to let him cry like this either.
"Son… would you like to pray to the Creator, to protect mommy?" Suddenly a thought came to his mind.
As a paladin and someone who has seen the Creator himself, Leon always saw Eli stop either in the early mornings or late at night, praying to the heavens.
It was also because of him seeing her like that, that he too developed such a habit. They once talked and agreed about teaching Little Han about the matters of the heavenly realm as well as the existence of Elise, though it has to be when Little Han is already capable enough to understand such matters.
However, Leon saw that it is time for Little Han to become accustomed to praying. As both an offspring of a Paladin and a Prince of the Empire, he will soon be taught by the curriculum how to do these things as part of his responsibilities.
"Pway???" Little Han blinked, he seemed to understand a little but still looked confused.
"Yes… we pray to the heavens to protect your mommy so that she will not get hurt in the faraway land…" Leon explained slowly and simply, the kind that Little Han's mind can accept.
"Ohh… Little Han want pway for mommi!" Little Han's crystal eyes flashed a look of understanding as he replied.
"Alright… then…" Leon smiled, carrying his son back to the bedroom and teaching him to pray.
However, he was quite unsure of what posture he had to teach his son.
When Eli prayed, she mostly kneeled at her bedside clasping her hands together solemnly.
When they, the members of the imperial family prayed, they were not particular about their posture, sometimes they would just bow, or look at the heavens.
'I'm not good with this…' Leon resisted the urge to scratch his head dejectedly. He wondered how Eli would have done this…
Little Han was waiting for him patiently as he watched him struggle in deciding. But in the end, Leon sighed and decided to teach the way Eli does her praying.
"Since you are still little, you just stay seated here… daddy will kneel while we put our hands together like this…" Leon then let Little Han sit crossed-legged in the bed, while he knelt at the bedside.
Then he taught him to clasp his hands and say, "Now we say politely our wishes to the heavens, to the Creator… I say mine first alright? Then you follow…"
"Oh…" Little Han cutely mimicked his daddy, clasping his chubby little hands and placing them under his chin.
When he saw his father close his eyes, he closed his eyes as well.
"Oh Creator who sees from heaven, please protect Eli and my friend Kayden in their journey. Keep them safe and sound…" Although Leon is doing this to teach Little Han, his words of prayer came sincerely into his heart.
Little Han had his eyes closed, but after his father's words, he sneakily opened one eye to check if Leon was already done with his prayers.
Leon opened his eyes, to Little Han's surprise, startling the child. But Leon said gently, "Go on, it's your turn son…"
"Oh…" Little Han firmly closed his eyes once again, firmly not wanting Leon to catch him opening his eyes once again.
Then with a cute sincere voice, which was still shy yet full of pleading and longing, Little Han uttered his very first prayer,
"Cweeetor (Creator) pleeze let mommi go home tomorrow… I miss mommi… pleeze? Thaykyuuu…"
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter