Chapter 277: Battle of the Firstborn Son

Chapter 277: Chapter 276: Battle of the Firstborn Son

“Let go. I’m leaving.”

Yvonne Lowell stared blankly at Leogryph, who was clamped firmly onto the hem of her clothes, and spoke in a cold voice.

‘Every other time I was about to leave, this kid would be all “out of sight, out of mind,” turning his back and walking away without a second glance. What the hell has gotten into him today?!’

‘He’s a grown lion, but still such a mama’s boy! Can’t he learn from Luna, Fenix, and Big Bear?! They don’t have a single shred of separation anxiety!!’

Unmoved, Leogryph shuffled even closer, pressing his massive head against her thigh.

‘In the past, there was no precedent, so he could understand being left behind. But things are different now!’

‘Those two little brats who can’t even control their bladders, can barely walk straight, and aren’t even big enough to get stuck between his teeth get to go back with them. So why can’t he, the great Lord Lionus?!’

‘He, Lord Lionus, is the true king of beasts, okay?! Wouldn’t taking him out be way cooler and more prestigious?! Could taking a couple of just-weaned runts even compare to that kind of grandeur?!’

‘If they don’t legitimize him soon, he’s going to become an illegitimate child! He, Lord Lionus, is clearly the rightful, legitimate eldest son!!’

‘He started following her back when he was still wetting the den! He’s been with her for so many years, through all sorts of trials and tribulations. Why can’t he get some recognition!?’

Zachary Jacobs quirked an eyebrow, a teasing look on his face as he watched the lion.

“So, Leogryph, you want to come back to Kingsland with us? Well, come on and suck up to me. Get on my good side, and I’ll take you back.”

‘He’d been trying to get on this kid’s good side for over two years, only to get the cold shoulder. It was high time he won a round for himself!’

But Leogryph didn’t even spare him a glance. ‘Moron! I hate brainless idiots who ask questions they already know the answer to!’

“Hey! What’s the big idea, you little brat?!”

Zachary Jacobs rolled up his sleeves, ready to have a serious talk with the lion, but was met with nothing but its back.

“ROAR!” ‘Get lost, dumbass! I’m allergic to stupid!’

Yvonne Lowell ruffled his thick mane, her voice tinged with resignation.

“It wouldn’t be right for you to go to Kingsland. If you’re really that desperate to go out and play, I can have someone send you back to the old man and The Mountain Lord. Or how about I send you to Country M to find Old Man Jennings?”

‘Nina Jennings had just gone to Country M the day before yesterday. She had business to handle at the pharmaceutical factory, so sending this kid over to be a gatekeeper and bodyguard would be perfect.’

“ROAR!” ‘I don’t wanna! I wanna go to Kingsland! I want to go home and be officially recognized by the clan! No more being the bastard son!!! How can you know if I’m a good fit if I haven’t even been there yet!?’

A glint appeared in Leo Grant’s eyes. After a moment’s thought, he said,

“Why don’t we take him with us? If you’re worried about him scaring people at Tidalview, we could put him on the mountain behind the old Grant estate with Grimfang. I’ll take care of the paperwork.”

‘Besides, his parents and grandfather live in their own villa and only stay at the old estate occasionally.’

‘The mountain behind the estate is a restricted area, so most people can’t get in. No need to worry about panicking the staff.’

‘He wasn’t thrilled about this big doofus coming along to compete for his girlfriend’s attention, but he suddenly remembered that thing that was coming up… This big lug might actually be able to help him out.’

The moment Leo Grant finished speaking, Leogryph switched targets, darting over to his side and pressing close.

“ROAR!” ‘Old Geezer! I’ve decided! For today, you’re my best friend in the whole world! I won’t fight you for my mom!’

Yvonne Lowell’s eyes narrowed as she eyed him suspiciously.

“Since when did you two get so close?”

‘Just last night, these two creatures who couldn’t even speak the same language were arguing up a storm. Neither was willing to back down, and they almost came to blows.’

‘Something’s fishy when things are this out of character. This guy was never one to go out of his way to please Leogryph. He wasn’t Nolan Crawford, after all.’

Nolan Crawford: Seriously, sis? You have to drag me into this?! Argh! I’m gonna throw a fit!!!

Leo Grant’s expression remained neutral. “We can’t just leave him behind all the time,” he said calmly. “Besides, you can’t stand to be away from him, can you?”

“ROAR!” ‘Yeah, exactly! You say one thing but mean another, woman!’

‘If I can’t go to Kingsland with you, then some things about me, like for example my handsome face, my great physique, my social etiquette, my wonderful virtues, my beautiful personality, and even my very soul will be ruined! Can you really bear to let that happen!?’

Leogryph chimed in, seconding Leo’s words. Perhaps worried he wasn’t making himself clear, he even raised a paw and patted Leo’s arm, leaving several claw marks on his jacket as a sign of his enthusiastic agreement.

Yvonne Lowell was so exasperated by this father-son duo acting in cahoots that she laughed. But she had to admit, Mr. Grant had hit the nail on the head.

As the “eldest son,” Leogryph really did mean something different to her.

“You two can share a bed when we get back.”

She had agreed.

“ROAR!” ‘Mama~! You’re the best mama in the whole world~! So it turns out forced melons *are* sweet and crisp after all!!’

Leogryph bounded forward and gave her an affectionate, enthusiastic nuzzle, knocking her back several steps.

Leo Grant reached out, steadying her with one arm. With his other hand, he grabbed a handful of mane and tugged, reining the lion in.

“Settle down. Do you still want to go or not?”

“ROAR!” ‘Old Geezer! Let go! You’re just jealous!’

Though the tug wasn’t nearly strong enough to restrain a full-grown African lion, Leogryph was instantly obedient, freezing in place.

Yvonne Lowell watched their little song-and-dance routine with a deadpan expression. Once their performance was over, she finally spoke.

“Alright, let’s go. We’ve been standing here forever.”

…

「Tidalview.」

After hopping off the plane, Leogryph began to survey his surroundings like a lord inspecting his domain, glancing this way and that.

‘The house is on the small side, but it’s passable, I suppose. The decor isn’t half-bad either.’

‘This pavilion is nice. A good spot for a nap. I’ll come out here to enjoy the breeze after I’ve had my fill. I bet I’ll sleep soundly.’

‘The water in this little pond is pretty clean, too. Just right for a little dip to get myself all clean. And those little fish might just swim right into my mouth.’

Felicity: …Are you nuts, or am I?

Yvonne Lowell gestured to Zachary Jacobs. “Go open the gates on both sides. I doubt my place alone is enough space for him to tear around in.”

“You got it.” Zachary Jacobs gave her an “OK” sign and zipped off on his hoverboard to get it done.

In the end, Leogryph didn’t go to the mountain behind the old Grant estate. He was, after all, in an unfamiliar place, and the only person in all of Kingsland who could keep him in line was Yvonne Lowell. It was safer to keep him where she could see him.

Besides, the villas at Tidalview were spaced far apart, and as it happened, pretty much all of the permanent residents were standing right there with them.

Their three houses had been intentionally built right next to each other, with a gate installed in the adjoining wall that only their three fingerprints could open.

So, by opening the gate to connect the yards, the combined space of three villas plus a helipad should be enough for this big lug to romp around in.

Leogryph: ‘Mama~! I knew you had a place for me in your heart~! The feeling is mutual~!’

‘Come one, come all! Step right up and don’t miss out! Who’s the number one master of “my mouth says no, but my body says yes”? You’ll find her right here in Kingsland, Aurelia—my mom!’