Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: An Unexpected First Meeting
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It was an unexpected first meeting with my grandmother and grandfather.
My body went rigid as I realized who they were.
We just stared at each other in silence.
It was a moment where one second felt like an hour.
Soon, Helena’s violet eyes, colored with surprise, widened.
I faltered and backed away.
"Peep, piiip."
Why wasn't anyone saying anything?
As I glanced between them in bewilderment, I locked eyes with the red ones.
*Hiccup.*
"Peeeeep..."
I flinched and clung tightly to Kasana's hand.
Seeing this, Ian narrowed his eyes.
He scanned me from head to toe, his aura thick with disapproval.
Finally, he spoke.
"This is my granddaughter?"
His tone was one of absolute disbelief.
But why did this situation feel so familiar?
It was a familiarity I felt I'd experienced somewhere before.
It was almost identical to when I first met Kaide after hatching from my egg.
Like father, like son, I suppose.
I straightened my coiled body and slowly observed Ian.
The feeling of fear melted away like snow once I realized how similar he was to Kaide.
Looking at him like this, it wasn't just his appearance; even his way of speaking was a carbon copy of Kaide's.
"Peep!"
I gasped in surprise. There was no room for doubt.
He really is Kaide's father!
As I stared at Ian, unable to look away, he showed his displeasure.
"Your gaze is unsettling."
"What kind of look could a child possibly have?"
"It unsettles me. What were you thinking?"
*Shake, shake.*
I shook my head vigorously, trying to say it was nothing. Ian's eyes narrowed, his gaze simmering.
"So you were thinking something."
"Ian, if you talk like that, you'll scare the child. What will you do if Aileen starts avoiding you because she dislikes you?"
Helena chided, cutting in.
At that, Ian averted his gaze as if nothing had happened and fell silent.
The pecking order was established.
Helena was clearly the one in charge.
She smiled warmly, bending her knees to meet my eyes.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you, Lin."
"...Peep?"
...Lin?
What kind of name was that? Was she shortening my name to a nickname?
Even Kaide hadn't called me that yet.
"I'm your grandmother. My name is Helena."
"Peeep."
"Did you just succeed in your transformation?"
"Peep."
"Oh my. How insignificant. It seems you'll be quite fun to raise."
*Glint.*
Helena's eyes, which had been curved in a gentle smile, glinted menacingly.
Her pupils, tinged with an unusual light, momentarily slitted.
"Peep, piiip...?!"
Scary...!
I hurriedly sought refuge in Kasana's arms.
What? What was that?
I was confused.
Helena, who I had expected to be the kindest and gentlest, suddenly felt the most dangerous.
As I shrank back and burrowed into Kasana's sleeve, Helena tilted her head.
"Is the child cold? Why are you hiding?"
"I don't believe so. It seems she's just shy around strangers."
"Shy around strangers?"
When Kasana explained on my behalf, Helena, who had looked blank, burst out laughing.
"If you hide like that, I can't give you the present I brought."
"...Pee-peep?"
"It's my first time meeting my granddaughter; a gift is a must."
My eyes sparkled, and I cautiously poked half of my body out.
"It seems you're curious about the gift."
"Peep!"
A gift!
"Would you come here?"
Helena carefully held out her hand.
I flinched and stared at the hand before me.
...Hmm. What should I do? It's still a bit awkward to climb onto her hand.
But she's offering a gift and trying to be friendly. It would be rude to refuse, right?
Alright. I'll just climb on for a moment.
I gently started forward.
It was then.
"Just because someone offers you a gift, you'd climb right into a stranger's hand."
A familiar voice reached my ears.
"Peep?"
I whipped my head around.
Kaide and Baon were standing there.
It seemed they had come out after hearing that Helena and Ian had arrived.
Kaide was watching us with his arms crossed.
As if to see what I would do.
I quickly halted my advance toward Helena.
Helena, who had been waiting for me to climb onto her palm, widened her eyes.
"Oh?"
"I'm sure I taught you not to follow strangers. It seems you haven't learned a thing."
"Pee-peeep!"
But Helena isn't a stranger.
She's my grandmother!
As I pointed at Helena, insisting I wasn't about to follow a stranger, Kaide just shook his head.
"I have no idea what you're saying."
"Peep, peeeeep!"
"Come here."
Kaide approached. As if I'd been waiting, I quickly climbed onto his large hand.
Kaide stroked my head.
"You succeeded in transforming."
"Peep!"
That's right! I succeeded in transforming!
As I brightened and spun around to show him, he let out a small laugh.
"It seems you paid attention in your lessons."
"Peep."
"Then I suppose I should keep my promise. Well done, Aileen."
I felt a sense of security different from before. The tension in my body slowly eased.
Looking back, it seems I was a little nervous about meeting Helena and Ian.
Helena, who was watching us, muttered with a shocked expression.
"My goodness. Is that really our son?"
"The shell seems to be right."
"To think I'd see him acting like a parent. It's rather moving."
Ian scoffed, as if to say he highly doubted it.
"But, Gaju. Aren't you going to greet them?"
Baon, who had been standing at a considerable distance, chimed in.
I stared blankly at Baon.
Why was he standing so far away?
Prompted by Baon's words, Kaide, who had been looking at me with proud eyes, finally turned to the two he had been ignoring and offered a belated greeting.
"It's been a while."
"Took you long enough. I thought the sun would set."
"I didn't expect you to come as well, Father."
Kaide retorted to Ian's sarcasm with a defiant attitude.
"You said you would never return. What brings you to my home?"
"I didn't come to see you, you brat."
"Is that so? The exit is that way."
"You still haven't fixed that impossibly arrogant attitude of yours."
An intangible energy clashed between the two, neither willing to yield.
W-what was this sudden situation?
I didn't know their relationship was this bad.
As if he had already anticipated this, Baon was calmly watching the scene unfold.
So he knew this would happen and kept his distance!
A deep sense of betrayal washed over me. *Glare.* When I looked at Baon, he gave a smug shrug.
Baon mouthed his words.
'What can you do? It's best to stay out of it. I'm scared of getting caught between those two as well. I wish you luck.'
The situation was heading for disaster.
Neither showed any sign of backing down.
Just as their pheromones were about to clash violently, with no hint of concession.
*Clap!*
Helena clapped her hands lightly.
"Now, I know you two are happy to see each other..., but let's stop for now, Kaide. You too, dear."
"A most wise decision."
Baon replied from his safe distance.
Helena stepped between them, bringing the situation to a close.
"Let's go inside. How long are you going to keep us standing out here?"
"I will guide you to the drawing room. Please, this way."
"Oh my. Thank you, Baon."
Baon took the lead, guiding them toward the mansion.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I was glad it ended without incident.
Helena really was amazing. She was definitely the real power in this family.
As I looked up at Helena walking beside me in awe, she seemed to feel my gaze and gave me a sweet smile.
"Peep?"
Why was she smiling?
She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
"Isn't it a lovely sight?"
"...Peep?"
"They still get along so well."
...What part of that looked like they were getting along?
Did she genuinely believe their relationship was good?
I was speechless, staring at Helena in disbelief.