Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Grandmother... Grandfather.
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We were guided to a reception room on the first floor of the mansion.
The reception room was situated in a spot with a very beautiful view.
Sunlight streamed through a large window that took up one wall, offering a clear view of a beautifully decorated garden and pond.
I was set down on an ivory Chesterfield sofa.
The sofa was adorned with several plush cushions on either side.
We sat facing each other on separate sofas.
Tea and refreshments were already laid out on the table.
It seemed someone had been instructed in advance, knowing Helena and Ian had arrived.
Kaide stared at me, still perched on his hand, without setting me down.
"Peep?"
"We can't have a proper conversation with you in this form."
"......Peep."
It was true. Everyone could only guess at what I was saying.
Kaide called for Baon.
"Baon."
"Yes, my lord."
"Tell Rosaria to bring some clothes for Aileen."
"I will relay the message."
Having finished his duty, Baon took a step back and bowed.
"I hope you have a pleasant time."
*Click.*
The door to the reception room closed. Silence filled the air.
No one spoke first, until Kaide broke the silence.
"Have you both been well?"
Helena, who had been savoring her tea with an elegant posture, her back straight, widened her eyes.
"Well, this is a surprise. You're asking after our well-being."
"They say when you do something out of character, it's a sign you're about to die. Have you been given a terminal diagnosis?"
Kaide looked dumbfounded at Ian's sarcastic remark.
"Is that what you want to say to your son after not seeing him for months?"
"Then act like your usual self."
"I've always been like this."
"It's so disgusting it's giving me goosebumps."
Seeing their reactions, they must not have talked much at all.
Their response was understandable.
I, too, had grown accustomed to that kind of atmosphere.
I think they were interested in each other but found it awkward to show it.
Still, whenever I showed interest, they would awkwardly but willingly talk to me.
I recalled our last family meal and smiled faintly.
It reminded me of Arban and Set, who acted bothered and unfamiliar with it but would tell me things one by one when I asked.
They even seemed to be secretly waiting for such conversations.
Kaide sighed.
"So you're displeased even when I ask about your well-being first."
"That's right."
"Then why did you come?"
"Didn't you tell us to come?"
Helena smiled fondly at the renewed confrontation between the two.
They were bickering and picking at each other's words, so why did she look so pleased?
Does she really think they act like that because they have a good relationship?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Helena whispered to me as if sharing a secret.
"Those two are always like that when they meet. It's a sign of affection, so don't you worry."
"Peeeep?!"
"Neither he nor Kaide are used to gentle conversation."
"......Peep."
If that was the reason, then I could understand. So that sort of thing is just awkward for them.
Relieved, I settled back down.
"It seems you were worried they might fight."
"Peep."
"Don't you worry about that."
As I nodded in agreement, Helena smiled brightly while taking a crisp bite of a cookie.
"If that happens, I'll bury them both in the ground myself."
.......
*Gasp.*
Bury them both in the ground? I jolted in surprise.
Kaide, who had overheard our conversation from the side, looked at Helena in disbelief.
"What are you telling Aileen?"
"What did I say?"
"She'll think you're serious if you say that."
Helena, popping the last piece of the cookie into her mouth, blinked her wide eyes slowly before speaking in a gentle tone.
"I am serious, Kaide."
Ian snickered.
"You don't know your own mother very well, do you?"
"......Please stop."
Kaide rubbed the corners of his eyes.
He seemed to be feeling tired even from this short conversation.
Witnessing Kaide being pushed back by someone for the first time, I couldn't hide my surprise.
Everyone was drinking their tea in silence when a knock came at the door.
"My lord. It is Rosaria."
"Enter."
"Peep peep peep peep!"
I shot to my feet.
I wanted to watch them talk a little longer, but I'd be coming back anyway, so I figured I could see more then.
Rosaria entered the reception room and gave a slight nod to Ian and Helena.
"It's been a while. I hope you've been well."
"We've been fine. It seems you've been looking after Aileen, Rosaria."
"Yes, that's right."
"Then we have nothing to worry about."
"Oh, thank you for saying so."
After the brief greeting, Rosaria gestured to me.
*Pitter-patter.*
I, who had been sitting on the table, quickly approached Rosaria.
I could feel eyes following me from behind with every step I took, but I was used to it by now and decided to ignore it.
"Lady Aileen! I heard you succeeded in your human transformation, and it was true."
"Peep!"
"I'm so proud of you. When did you get so big?"
Rosaria looked me over, her face filled with emotion.
It seemed Baon had told her the news beforehand when he went to call her.
If she had come knowing nothing, her reaction would have been much more dramatic.
It was a relief she already knew.
"Shall we go get you changed, then?"
"Peep!"
"Be good now, Aileen."
"Peep peep."
I turned back and gave everyone a little wing-wave.
I looked past Kaide, who nodded familiarly with his arms crossed, and Helena, who gave me a warm farewell, to Ian.
Ian, holding a teacup, was watching me with what looked like a glare.
"......Peep, peeeep."
He's scary!
I tugged on Rosaria's clothes, urging her to leave quickly.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Peep."
If possible, I want to come back very, very slowly.
His gaze was different from before, so menacing that it made me tremble.
* * *
*Thud.*
As the reception room door closed, Kaide scowled.
"Why are you looking at my daughter like that?"
"What did I do?"
"If you keep looking at her like that, I won't let you see her again."
At the threat of never seeing Aileen again, Ian showed a hint of displeasure for the first time.
"She's my granddaughter."
"In case you've forgotten, she is my daughter first."
Round two was about to begin.
Helena clicked her tongue inwardly.
So dishonest.
He was more interested in Aileen than anyone, but his attempt to hide it had scared the child.
Having seen him seriously picking out a gift for Aileen before coming to the mansion, she suppressed the laugh that threatened to burst out.
"You'll be hated by Aileen if you keep that up. Why not try being a little kinder?"
"......."
"Do you want to hear her say 'I hate you, Grandpa'?"
Funnily enough, it was Kaide who flinched at those words.
So he's heard it before.
I can imagine.
Helena shook her head. What was she to do with these two, who still had such a long way to go? It was a great concern.
Silence fell once again.
When Aileen was present, they had made trivial small talk to lighten the mood, but now there was no need for that.
After a long while, Ian finally spoke.
"So."
His dark eyes turned to Kaide.
"What's the reason you called us here? You wouldn't have summoned us just to see your granddaughter."
It was a signal to get to the point.
Helena, finding the small presence she could sense from the next room adorable, spoke cheerfully.
"I didn't need to ask to know it was about Aileen. We have a good idea of what the problem is, too."
"Then this will be quick."
The rustling presence from the next room quieted down. Soon, the sound of a door opening into the hallway could be heard.
Kaide let out a small laugh at the child's footsteps, which were distinctly different from those of other Black Mambas.
It seemed the serious conversation would have to wait a little longer.
"This looks to be a long conversation, so let's put it aside for a moment. How about you get to know your granddaughter first?"
Kaide said, looking at Ian.
Ian snorted as if he hadn't heard, but his gaze had already shifted toward the door.
Helena turned her head, her expression one of slight anticipation.
"That sounds like a good idea. Whatever the problem is, I doubt anything could be more important than this."
Now, the presence could be felt right outside the door.
Her body was small, and so the signs of her movement were very faint.
The reception room door slid open without a sound, and a small foot peeked out first.
At the appearance of a white shoe with a rounded toe, Ian's eyes widened, a rare sight.
Aileen's silver hair, swaying as she hesitated to enter, appeared in the gap of the door.
Then, Aileen, with her chubby cheeks and crimson eyes, poked her head in.
"You're back."
When Kaide spoke to her first, Aileen, who had been tense, broke into a wide smile.
"Oh, my."
Helena covered her mouth.
"You should go inside and greet them, Lady Aileen."
Though hidden by the door, Rosaria's smiling voice could be heard; she hadn't left yet.
As if emboldened by those words, Aileen scurried into the reception room.
Rosaria, who was outside, closed the door.
Aileen, dressed in an adorable purple dress with frills, greeted them with a blush on her cheeks.
"Hewwo. My name is Aiween. Gwandma... Gwandpa."