Chapter 86: Need to bribe her

[Some time ago]

"Kai... I think you have just convinced me to have a baby as soon as I can," Mark said, watching the little princess nestled in Kai’s arms.

Elara had only just woken up, so she was still drowsy and unusually cuddly. Her fluffy cheek rested against Kai’s chest as she stretched her tiny arms and let out a soft yawn, her eyelids fluttering as she fought against the lingering pull of sleep.

Kai chuckled. "Well, talk it over with Mia. I have a feeling she’ll be delighted to hear that you’re not hesitant about it."

Mark slowly nodded. It wasn’t as though he was particularly nervous about becoming a father. He had always imagined having a family of his own someday. For now, however, he wanted to give himself and Mia a little more freedom to enjoy their life together before taking on such a responsibility. He also wanted to become a little more financially secure first.

"Does she eat sweets? I can go buy some," Mark asked, already looking ready to get up.

"Not chocolates. Just something soft and easy on her stomach."

Mark paused.

"Oh." He considered it for a moment. "Then I’ll go get some pudding."

Kai sighed. "Why are you so eager? Just sit down."

Mark shook his head. "I have a feeling I need to bribe her if I want her to let me hold her."

Kai chuckled. "You’re right to be cautious. She doesn’t usually like being held by other people."

Mark gave him a wry smile. "Stop sounding so smug, man. You’re probably using Jean’s perfume to make yourself familiar to her."

Kai shrugged. "Whatever you say, mate. But for now, Elli isn’t going to be held by anyone other than her papa."

He gently rubbed his cheek against Elara’s soft hair. The little girl responded with a quiet giggle, her fingers curling around a fold of his shirt.

Mark clutched his chest as though the sight had dealt him a fatal blow.

"I wouldn’t need any more dessert for today."

"Oh, but I’ve already prepared some," Jean said as she approached them.

She wore an apron around her waist, and the faint fragrance of something sweet still clung to her clothes, making it obvious she had just come from the kitchen.

Mark sighed and looked between Kai and Elara. "How did he manage to become her favorite?"

Jean shrugged. "No clue. It’s almost as if she became attached to him the moment he held her. And now..."

She reached out and tried to take Elara from Kai.

The little girl immediately tightened her grip around him.

Jean paused.

She tried again, only for Elara to cling even more firmly to Kai.

"Not even I can separate the two of them anymore."

Kai could only smile sheepishly.

Mark shook his head with amusement before pointing at Elara. "I bet I’ll become her favorite uncle."

Kai grinned. "Try your best."

Soon after, they decided to have lunch, though it was already nearing four in the afternoon.

Kai had barely eaten anything at breakfast, so by then, he was actually quite hungry himself.

He considered placing Elara on his lap while they ate, but Jean stopped him.

"Let me take care of her. I’ve prepared her vegetable rice."

Kai slowly nodded and decided to take responsibility for serving the meal instead.

Jean sat across from him with Elara in her arms. The little girl immediately began slapping her tiny palms against the table, making it abundantly clear that she had no interest in sitting there quietly.

Jean narrowed her eyes at her.

Elara stopped.

For a moment, mother and daughter stared at each other.

Elara then turned her gaze toward Kai as if asking for help.

Kai gave her a sheepish smile before picking up the bowl of rice.

Inwardly, he told his daughter to behave. Otherwise, he had a feeling both of them would be getting scolded later.

"I didn’t know what you liked, so I just prepared what Kai told me," Jean said with a faint smile. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice. She wasn’t used to preparing food for other people, especially when she had no idea whether they would enjoy it.

Kai always praised her cooking, but she sometimes suspected that he viewed everything she made through a rather generous lens. To him, anything prepared by her somehow tasted better simply because it came from her.

Mark shook his head dismissively. "I’ve never really had a specific preference for food. Kai and I used to eat almost the same things every day, so you can probably guess."

He deliberately avoided explaining what those meals had been. He wasn’t sure how much Jean knew about Kai’s past, and he didn’t want to casually reveal something that wasn’t his place to share.

"Well, that’s why I asked her to prepare rice and chicken," Kai said with a grin as he served himself a generous portion as well.

It wasn’t plain rice. The dish contained small pieces of meat and egg mixed throughout, giving it a rich aroma. Beside it sat chicken strips sautéed with bell peppers and garlic, coated in just enough sauce to keep them tender without drowning the flavor.

"You’re eating only that much?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.

He turned toward Jean and added, "He used to be the nightmare of every buffet and barbecue restaurant that offered unlimited food for a fixed price."

Jean hummed thoughtfully. "Really? Kai actually doesn’t eat that much these days... so should I assum..."

"Reawakening, remember?" Kai immediately interrupted before she could reach the wrong conclusion. "I absolutely love your food, and I still tend to overeat. I’ve just gotten better at recovering with less food than I needed before."

Jean hummed and gave a slight shake of her head, making it clear she didn’t completely believe him.

Kai exhaled quietly and glanced at the bastard responsible for putting him in this situation.

Mark, meanwhile, calmly chewed on a piece of chicken with an utterly satisfied smile.

This asshole.