We were ushered into the parlor on the first floor of the mansion.

The parlor was located in a place with a very beautiful view.

A large window that occupies one side of the wall was filled with sunlight and the beautifully decorated garden and pond could be seen at a glance.

I landed on the ivory-colored Chesterfield sofa.

There were several soft cushions lying on both sides of the sofa.

We sat on the sofa facing each other.

Tea and refreshments were already served on the table. It seemed that they were prepared in advance for Helena and Ian’s arrival.

Cade looked down at me, who was sitting in his hand, without dropping me off.

“Pii?”

“You can’t have a proper conversation like that.”

“……Pii.”

That’s true. Because everyone understood what I was saying only as a guess.

Cade called Baon.

“Baon.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Tell Rosaria to bring clothes for Irene to wear.”

“I’ll tell her.”

After finishing his guidance, Baon took a step back and curtsied.

“Then I hope you have a good time.”

Click.

The parlor door was closed and silence reigned. No one was opening their mouth first until Cade started the conversation.

“How have you been?”

Helena’s eyes widened as she stretched her back and savored the tea in a graceful posture.

“It’s really a big deal. To think you were going to be the first one to say hello.”

“I heard that if you do something you usually don’t do, it’s a sign that death is near. Did the doctor give you a time-limit diagnosis?”

At Ian’s sarcastic remarks, Cade had a look of ridicule.

“That’s the first thing to say to your son you haven’t seen in a few months?”

“Then you can behave like you usually do.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“I got goosebumps because I’m disgusted.”

Given the reaction, there must have been quite a lack of conversation between them. It was an understandable feedback since they got used to that kind of conversation mood.

I think they are interested in each other, but they seem unfamiliar with showing it off. But when interest was shown, it was awkward and the comeback was rich.

I grinned as I recalled the last family meal we had. 

I thought of Arban and Seth, who replied one by one when asked, even though it seemed cumbersome and unfamiliar.

He had been secretly waiting for such a conversation.

Cade sighed.

“You’re dissatisfied even if I ask you first.”

“Right.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Didn’t you tell me to come?”

Helena gave a pleased smile at the start of the new confrontation between the two.

Why are you so happy when both are grabbing each other’s neck while bickering about? Do you really think they’re doing that because they’re on good terms? 

I was tilting my head and Helena whispered as if telling a secret story. 

“It’s like that every time the two meet. Don’t mind it, it’s a sign of intimacy.”

“Pii?!”

“Neither him nor Cade are used to loose and gentle conversations.”

“……Pii.”

If it was for that reason, it was understandable if they are awkward with each other.

I reassured myself and sat back in my seat.

“You must have been worried about the two of them fighting.”

“Pii.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

As I nodded my head in agreement, Helena grinned as she took a bite of the cookie.

“If they fight, I’ll bury them both in the ground.”

…….

Huk.

I shuddered in surprise at the ‘Burying them both in the ground’ part.

Cade, who heard our conversation from the side, looked at Helena with an astonished face.

“What are you saying to Irene?”

“Did I say anything wrong?”

“When you say it like that, I know something was said.”

Helena, who had put the last piece of cookie in her mouth, blinked slowly with round eyes, then spoke in a gentle tone.

“It’s only the truth, Cade.”

Ian laughed bitterly.

“You don’t know your mother too well, do you?”

“…Let’s stop.”

Cade rubbed his eyes.

He seemed to feel tired even after a short conversation. I couldn’t hide my surprise when I witnessed Cade being pushed by someone for the first time.

Everyone was drinking tea without a word when a knock was heard.

“Lord, this is Rosaria.”

“Come in.”

“Pii Pii Pii!”

I jumped to my feet.

I wanted to watch them talk a little more, but I’ll be back anyway, so I’ll see them again.

Rosaria entered the parlor and bowed lightly towards Ian and Helena.

“How have you been?” 

“We had a good time. Rosaria must have been taking care of Irene.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then I have nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, thank you for saying that.”

Rosaria who finished with a simple greeting looked at me and beckoned.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

As I was sitting at the table, I quickly approached Rosaria.

Every time I took a step, I could feel the gazes following me from behind, but I was already used to it, so I decided to ignore it.

“Miss Irene! It’s true that you succeeded in shapeshifting.”

“Pii!”

“I’m so proud of you. When did you grow up like this?” 

Rosaria looked at me with a thrilled face.

Baon, who went to call her, seems to have informed her beforehand. If she had come without knowing anything, Rosaria’s reaction would have been much more intense than this.

I’m glad she knew ahead of time.

“Then shall we go get a change of clothes?”

“Pii!”

“Have a safe trip, Irene.” 

“Pii.”

Looking back, I greeted everyone with my wings. 

I passed Cade, who folded his arms and nodded his head, and Helena, who greeted me kindly, and then I looked at Ian. 

Ian holding the teacup looked at me with a glaring expression.

“…P-Pii.”

I’m scared! 

I tugged on Rosaria’s collar, urging her to go out quickly.

“Then shall we go?”

“Pii.”

If possible, I want to come back very slowly.

My body trembled at the different pair of bloody red eyes.

 * * *

Tak.

As the parlor door closed, Cade frowned.

“Why do you look at someone else’s daughter like that?”

“What did I do?”

“If you look at her like that, I won’t show her again in the future.”

When Cade threatened that he will never show Irene again, for the first time, Ian revealed his trembling feelings.

“She’s my granddaughter.” 

“You seem to have forgotten, but before that, she’s my daughter.”

The second round was about to begin.

Helena clicked her tongue inside.

They can’t be honest.

Ian had a greater interest than anyone else in Irene, but when he tried to hide it, he terrified her.

Before coming to the mansion, Helena held back her laughter when she saw how seriously he was choosing his gift for Irene.

“You’ll be hated by Irene if you do that. It would be good to be a little kinder, right?” 

“……”

“Do you want to hear ‘I hate you, Granpa.’?”

Ironically, it was Cade who flinched at those words.

He’s already heard of it.

It was worth knowing.

Helena shook her head. What should I do with these two, who have a long way to go? She had a lot of worries. 

Again silence ensued.

It was only when Irene was there that she talked about this and that to relieve the mood, but now she didn’t have to. 

It wasn’t until a long time before Ian started to talk again. 

“So.”

His sunken eyes turned to Cade.

“Why did you call us? There’s no way you really called us to only come to see our granddaughter.”

It meant to stop the small talk and get to the point.

Helena found the little presence located in the room next to theirs quite cute and pleasantly opened her mouth.

“Even if we don’t ask, I know it’s because of Irene. I got a general idea of ​​what you are calling us for.”

“Then the talk will be quick.”

The rustling noise in the next room made the parlor quiet down. Soon the sound of a door opening from outside the hallway was heard.

Cade chuckled at the child’s gait, which was clearly different from other Black Mambas.

It seemed that serious conversations should be delayed a little longer.

“It’s going to be a long story, so why not put it off for a while and get to know your granddaughter first?”

Cade said looking at Ian.

Ian snorted, pretending he didn’t listen to it. Still, his gaze had already turned towards the door.

Helena turned her head with a look of anticipation.

“I’d love to do that. I don’t think any issues will take precedence over that.”

Now, a presence could be felt right in front of the door.

Due to her small body, her movements were very faint.

The door to the parlor silently slid open, revealing a little foot first.

Ian’s eyes which rarely opened wide, became round with the appearance of the little white shoe with a round nose. Irene’s silver hair, who had been hesitant to come in, gently appeared through the crack in the door.

Then, Irene, with plump cheeks and bright red eyes, stuck out her head.

“You are here.” (Cade)

When Cade spoke to her first, Irene, who was initially nervous, smiled broadly.

“Oh. My. God.”

Helena covered her mouth.

“You have to go inside and say hello, Miss Irene.”

Rosaria, who was not seen by the door but had not left her seat yet, could be heard talking in a laughing voice. 

Irene hurried into the parlor, perhaps encouraged by her words. 

Rosaria, who was outside, closed the door. 

In an adorable purple dress with frills, Irene greeted with a blush on her cheeks.

“Hello. I’m Irene. Grandma… Grandpa.”