John felt that his image in his grandson's heart had been completely ruined by Evelyn. Just as he was about to say something in his defense, he heard Julian speak:
"Grandma, don't joke around. Catherine is a national goddess—great figure, stunning looks, and incredible charm. She's also nearly twenty years younger than Grandpa!"
"Grandpa might've been good-looking when he was young, but now…"
Julian didn't finish that sentence, but everyone knew—John's current aesthetic leaned heavily into the "unkempt old man" vibe.
Catherine was in her fifties now, but she had consumed a Beauty Berry before she turned twenty, so she still looked like a girl in her late teens.
Generations of families in Drakoria—from grandfathers to grandsons—had grown up watching her dramas and movies.
And let's not forget, she was also the Fairy-type Elite—that alone made her even more legendary.
In short, even though his grandpa was a Champion, strip away that title, and he truly wasn't on Catherine's level.
"You little brat, what are you talking about? What's wrong with your grandpa?!"
John was instantly deflated. He had been about to explain to his grandson that there was nothing inappropriate between him and Catherine—only for this kid to outright imply he wasn't good enough for her.
Now that's just adding insult to injury.
"Darling grandson, don't underestimate this old man's charm back in the day," Evelyn said with a sarcastic glance at John. "This guy had women lining up for him when he was young."
"And that Gardevoir of Catherine's? He was the one who gave it to her."
Julian blinked.
He knew about that Gardevoir. It wasn't Catherine's starter Pokémon, but it was her ace. She frequently partnered with it in movies, too.
'So that Gardevoir was a gift from Grandpa? Now that's generous—Ralts with potential like that could rival pseudo-legendaries.'
'And Grandma said Grandpa had tons of admirers back then? Was that for real?'
"Your father also had quite a few women chasing after him back in the day," Tina added quietly.
Jake, who had been happily munching on metaphorical popcorn, suddenly found the drama landing in his lap.
"Wife, you're the only one I've ever loved!"
Sensing danger, Jake immediately pledged his loyalty.
Looking at his grandpa and dad, Julian realized that he also had no shortage of girls chasing him—though most were probably after his family status and strength.
Even with Nicole, he couldn't rule out that those factors played a role in her interest.
"Catherine helped me once. That Pokémon was just a token of gratitude," John muttered stiffly.
"Oh, how generous. A Ralts as a 'thank-you' gift?"
"And her becoming the Fairy-type Elite—don't tell me you had nothing to do with that?"
Catherine was the textbook definition of a rags-to-riches talent.
Of course, for any civilian genius to rise to the top, they must have both a benefactor and opportunity—neither can be missing.
John was exactly that benefactor for Catherine. Without him, even with the opportunity, it would've been extremely difficult for her to become the Fairy-type Elite.
"It was an investment. Catherine had the talent, and my judgment was correct—she's now the Fairy-type Elite, a key member of our Walker faction."
John spoke very seriously, emphasizing his point.
But Julian could sense the waver in his Aura.
'Holy hell, don't tell me he really had a thing going on with her?'
"Grandpa, you're not gonna suddenly have some long-lost kid pop up one day to fight me for the family fortune, right?" Julian blurted out.
This wasn't just throwing shade—this was flipping the whole damn table.
John felt utterly betrayed. All the love he gave this grandson—and this was the thanks?
"You little brat, today I'm beating you to death!"
He reached for his belt—the infamous "Seven Hundred Houndooms"—but Julian didn't even flinch.
"Grandma!"
"Try laying a finger on my grandson, I dare you."
"Oh, I'll try, alright."
John stormed over, and Julian did feel a flicker of panic. Meanwhile, Henry, Jake, and Quinn all perked up instantly.
Jake: 'Are my snacks ready for this drama?'
But halfway there, John suddenly changed direction—heading straight for Henry and Jake instead. Under their bewildered stares, he raised the belt and whipped it down.
"You useless things! What kind of kid did you raise? All he does is piss off his grandpa!"
Jake was completely dumbfounded. 'How did this even involve me?!'
"Dad, Julian isn't even my kid! Why are you hitting me?!"
Henry felt more wronged than Jake—getting lashed for absolutely no reason.
"You're my son. I'll beat you if I want to."
…Okay. Can't argue with that logic.
Watching this heartwarming display of "fatherly love and filial piety", Julian couldn't help but pull out his phone and record it.
"Send that to me later," Quinn whispered.
"Mm."
Julian nodded, then happened to glance at her phone. She'd been on it the whole time—he'd assumed she was busy with work this whole time. But no—her screen was filled with lines of simp logs.
[XXX]: "Dr. Walker, have you eaten?"
[Quinn]: "No."
[XXX]: "Then I'll bring you something!"
[Quinn]: "Don't."
[XXX]: "Dr. Walker, I brought lunch. Where are you?"
[Quinn]: "Not here."
[XXX]: "Dr. Walker, do you mean not in the lab, or not in Lake City?"
[Quinn]: "Not in the lab."
Every exchange followed the same pattern—she only replied if directly questioned, and even then, with minimal words.
Julian had to admire the other person's persistence. How do they even come up with so many questions? And each one sounded just reasonable enough not to be creepy.
Just then, another notification popped up.
[XXX]: "Dr. Walker, it's getting cold. Remember to dress warmly."
[Quinn]: "It's still hot in Orient."
When Quinn noticed Julian peeking at her messages, she shoved his head away.
"Auntie, you can't do this. This guy obviously likes you. Talking to him like this will just kill his enthusiasm."
"That idiot isn't worthy of liking me, and I could never like him back," Quinn replied flatly.
"Then why even reply to him?"
Julian was speechless. If she didn't like him, why bother responding at all?
Quinn: "Not replying would be rude."
Julian: -_-
---
"Slow~"
Slowking: "Dinner's ready."
Amid the family's "lively" conversation, Slowking had already prepared the evening meal—dish after dish of exquisite, aromatic cuisine carried out by Magearna.
Soon, the table was laden with ten different dishes.
"Slow~"
Slowking: "You can start eating. More is coming"
If it kept cooking, these ten dishes would get cold, so it let Julian and the others begin while it continued working.
"Thanks for the hard work, Slowking," Julian said, patting Slowking's head.
"Slow~"
Slowking shook its head. It truly enjoyed making food for Julian and his family—it felt like this was its purpose in life.
"What a capable Pokémon. Thank you for taking care of my dear grandson."
Evelyn walked up to Slowking, crouched down, and gently straightened its slightly crooked chef's hat.
"Slow!"
Slowking: "It's my duty!"
Its cheeks flushed slightly—its hat had been askew, likely from cooking too vigorously. For the usually meticulous Slowking, this was a bit embarrassing.
Watching Slowking return to the kitchen, Evelyn sighed. "Dear, you've got yourself a great helper."
Julian grinned. "Yeah, Slowking's amazing."
'…Just a bit too strict with me.'
He couldn't help but grumble internally.
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Slowking's aura burned even fiercer than before.
*****
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