Volume 16 Chapter 4: An Awkward Meeting

“…” Alastair continued to sign papers throughout the day as usual; however, Rhaegon would glance at him from time to time and understand. He could tell there was a change in his demeanor. The pace of his writing was slower than usual: the amount of work he finished by this time should have been more than half. It was expected: the Prime Minister could guess what was going through the King’s mind.

How do I speak to my daughter? Rhaegon was correct: Alastair’s thoughts were in turmoil. He grasped what Keith meant behind his comments: he must be the one to take the first step. Yet, the first step was always the most crucial one. Speaking to Scarlet was difficult: not between a king and princess but as a father to his daughter.

If he tried to speak to her, she would shake him off. It was a tough ordeal.

Rhaegon continued to watch before shaking his head. It was to be expected. This would be the first time in a while that Alastair focused on something besides work.

“I completed today’s work. I have something I must do.” “Yes.” Alastair placed his pen down as he headed out to his usual spot. What should I talk to my daughter about? Not thinking about his work made it clearer that this was a hard task for him.

…

“Eri, let’s play again!” Fira landed gently on her shoulder, raising her hands in the air. Playing was the only thing they could do in this castle.

“Jam Jam,” Eri muttered. As she spoke those words, the other small creatures nodded: Scarlet and the others understood the secret code word. However, they stayed quiet. How much they grinned at their own little secret was adorable. They did not want to ruin it for them.

“Cuties, can you tell me where you all go?” Scarlet was quite interested in where they were headed. Eri and Fira glanced at one another.

“Huddle!” The little ones formed a circle as they discussed. After some deliberation, Eri nodded as she held her arm, “Follow.”

“Let’s go!” Scarlet giggled as she watched Eri act as the leader.

As the group walked, Scarlet’s eyes widened. You wandered this far away? This area was a distance away from the manor. Scarlet never thought Eri and the others had the stamina to wander off here. Moreover, she didn’t come here even as a child.

Actually, the joyful expression they had as they wandered off made it clear they still had plenty of energy! Hmm, Eri doesn’t get tired most of the time. Scarlet gazed down at Eri, who held Lei in one hand while Ember was on her shoulders. Now that she had time to think about it, Eri possessed a considerable amount of stamina. Most of the time, she was sweet and quiet; no one noticed these minor details. Plus, she didn’t move too much since she would koala-hug Keith and he would carry her.

Eri is a beastman; her stamina should be higher than that of others. Scarlet concluded. Slowly, the group then arrived at the area. Scarlet’s eyes widened, “There was a garden house here?”

“Mmhmm! Pretty!” The little ones stared at her.

“...Yes.” Scarlet slowly nodded. Why does it feel like this was Eri’s home instead of mine? She was embarrassed. Either way, the child dragged her in.

“We have a grimble fruit farm?” The vast number of fruits wasn’t what took her aback; it was the quality. These fruits were almost as good as Keith’s! Who planted these? While she wondered, Eri and the little ones strolled in as if they owned the place!

“Mister!” “We came to play today!”

“...” “...” Scarlet looked up, and her expression froze before a chilling voice eked out, “Why are you here?”

Alastair stared at Scarlet; even he was taken aback by her arrival.

“...” There was a strange silence. But that wasn’t noticed by Eri and the other little ones as they were jumping up and down to get Alastair’s attention.

“Play, play, play!” They were more focused on playing than noticing the chilling atmosphere in the room.

“...Why are you getting near Eri and the others?” Her gaze, burning with animosity, fixed on the king. She felt there was an ulterior motive.

Alastair explained, “They would come here from time to time to play.” He wasn’t the one who came to Eri; she was the one who came over to him. What he didn’t account for was how much they loved to come here.

“Ball! Ball!” “Po! Po!” The little ones shouted from all sides as they surrounded him; Eri held a ball in her hand. They had glimmering eyes, waiting for him to make a move. Alastair nodded as he tossed the ball, and the little ones chased after it. Scarlet’s eyes widened. The man who was known to be the most ferocious demon king was actually playing catch with a child?

“...”

“How is your day?”

Scarlet ignored him as she watched them play. Alastair asked, “Do you want to join?”

“No,” Scarlet scoffed.

Did I make it worse? Alastair had no clue, but had a hunch his daughter was even angrier than before! After some time, they returned to the mansion.

“Hey, sis!” Tharaziel called out; he was resting in the pergola with Keith. As he waved, his hand froze mid-air as he dashed behind Keith! Every instinct in his body was telling him to use the human as a meat shield!

“...What happened?” Keith noticed Scarlet’s chilling aura as well.

“Nothing.”

“Something happened.” One minute she was happy; now it looked like she was going to murder someone. Tharaziel was shaking in his boots.

“Sister, say something. You look like you are about to explode.” Tharaziel trembled behind Keith.

“Hmm?” Scarlet’s eyes widened as the smile she made was ever so ferocious! Tharaziel gulped even more, trying to hide behind Keith as much as possible.

“Big sister sad?” Eri tugged on Scarlet’s clothes. A faint smile appeared as she stroked her head, “Nothing is wrong, Eri. You can go play with Selk; I’m a little tired.”

“Okay.” Eri gave her a couple of side glances before waddling off to Selk.