Chapter 300: A grandchild?

After checking on Maverick, the Grand elder stepped out of the patient room. He seemed to be deep in thought, his brows knitted so tight they practically touched.

Hunter stepped forward, scanning the old man’s solemn face. "Is everything okay?"

The Grand Elder winced, rubbing his chin with a weathered hand. He shook his head slowly. "Everything_ is not okay child."

Achilles, who was currently resting his back against the pavilion pillar, lazily rubbed his stomach and let out a long sigh. "Look, Grandpa, whatever end-of-the-world crisis we’re facing now, can we please talk about it after dinner? My stomach is making noises that could scare off a low-level beast."

Before the old man could scold Achilles for prioritizing his belly over important affairs, a high-pitched, excited shrill rang out through the hallway.

"Gramps!" A blur of a dress came flying down the corridor.

Bianca practically launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around the Grand Elder’s waist in a tight hug.

The Grand elder stumbled back a step, his heavy mood instantly vanishing into thin air. A genuine, amused smile broke across his face. "You! You little wildcat, you’re here too?"

Bianca pulled back and nodded furiously like an eager toddler, her eyes sparkling.

With the tension broken, the group began walking toward the main house. But the moment they stepped through the doors into the main lounge, a tiny voice shouted, "Daddy!"

A small toddler came running across the rug at full speed, her little pigtails bouncing with every step. She threw herself straight at Hunter’s legs. Hunter didn’t even hesitate_ he scooped the little girl up into his arms, tossing her up in the air and catching her while she giggled.

The Grand Elder froze dead in his tracks. His eyes bulged to a shocking degree as he spun and looked at Zyra. Then slowly, he rotated his head toward Hunter, who was currently holding the toddler against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Daddy?!" Little Yaya pouted, puffing out her chubby cheeks as she reported her grievances. "Nanny Rosita wants me to sleep! Without you reading me a story! She said you were busy, but I said you would come. You always come for Yaya."

Hunter let out a warm laugh, gently tapping her small nose. "In that case, I’ll read you two stories tonight, okay? Let’s get you washed up first."

Zyra smiled, stepping over to take the toddler from Hunter’s hands. "Go ahead and put her down. I’ll hand her off to Etania and return in a jiffy. You should serve the Grand Elder dinner in the meantime."

Yaya refused to leave Hunter’s arms. "I will send her to Etania or nanny." He said, and headed up the stairs with Yaya, leaving the Grand Elder standing in the doorway like a stone statue.

As soon as Hunter disappeared around the corner, the Grand Elder turned to Zyra, his jaw practically dropping to his chest. "Nobody told me I am a great-grandfather?! This is the news that you all should have started with. That rascal! He didn’t even bother introducing the little one to me! How dare he hide a child? A Kaelion child!"

Zyra couldn’t help but laugh, placing a soothing hand on his arm to calm him down. "Grand Elder, please, take a breath. Hunter is just playing the role of a father. Yaya is an orphan we took in. She lost her parents during the turmoil in a nearby village."

The Grand Elder’s excited expression instantly melted, replaced by a look of utter disappointment. He let out a long, heavy sigh, leaning down slightly toward Zyra with a scheming look in his eyes.

"An orphan_" he murmured, then leaned closer, whispering in a low, urging voice. "Well, since he’s practicing being a father anyway, you two should really have a baby soon! Give this old man a real great-grandchild!"

Zyra gasped, her face suddenly flushing bright red. "G-Grand Elder!"

Sensing a refusal coming, the old man shifted tactics. He stooped his shoulders, pressed a hand against his lower back, and let out a weak, pitiful cough. "Ah, don’t mind this old bone_ I’m already closer to the grave than to the heavens. Who knows if I’ll even live long enough to see the next generation of our bloodline_"

Zyra saw right through his theatrical act, but she gently motioned him toward the dining area anyway, giggling softly. "Alright, stop acting pitiful! You are as strong as an old oak tree. You will live for many, many more years to annoy Hunter."

The Grand Elder chuckled softly, letting her guide him by the arm as they moved toward the dining room. But as they walked, his smile faltered slightly. He looked down at her, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "Zyra, have you heard from Ian recently?"

Zyra’s smile vanished instantly. She pinched her lips together, her jaw tightening as she looked straight ahead.

Seeing her reaction, the Grand Elder let out a quiet sigh. "Do not worry about your brother, I saved him from the mayor’s clutches and found him a strong Soul maiden wife. He will be safe and protected with the Greydrakes. Don’t worry about him."

Zyra kept her gaze fixed on the dining table ahead. So, her brother had married a Soul maiden again in this life. The only difference was that it had happened much sooner than it happened in her last life. "I cannot pretend to be happy for him, Grand Elder."

The Grand Elder looked genuinely shocked. He stared at her side profile in disbelief; after all, Ian was her twin brother! Blood of her blood, born from the same womb on the same day and time. How could there be such coldness between them?

The old man didn’t pry any further, but a heavy weight settled in his chest. As an elder, he felt a sudden sense of responsibility. Whatever bitter resentment or misunderstanding had driven these two twins apart, it was up to the adult to mend it. They were siblings, they could overcome whatever it was, eventually. Zena would never forgive him if her children tore each other apart on his watch.

Shortly after, Malia came out of the kitchen carrying heavy silver platters steaming with aromatic dishes. The rich scent of food and seasoned herbs filled the room, instantly lifting the heavy atmosphere.

They all sat around the large table and began to eat. Light conversation bounced around the room. Bianca told the stories about the Moonfall dungeon, Hunter was curious about Neil. The Grand Elder marveled at the taste of the rice.

However, as the meal drew to a close, the mood naturally shifted back to serious matters.

"So," Achilles said, wiping his mouth with a napkin and leaning back in his chair. "Word came through my network that the mayor and the high council are working very hard to keep the larger details plane crash under wraps. Someone is covering up something, obviously. Do we think its aunt Sabrina or another clan?"