"..."
"..."
Dad glanced between Grandpa and me anxiously, while Mom casually sipped on her tea.
We're in a whole different room now. This must be Grandpa's study. My two cousins are sitting next to my Aunt from across the sofa. I don't see her husband anywhere, so he must be busy.
We all gathered here after the party, and everyone's—well, when I say everyone, I mean my Aunt and her kids—anticipating me crying in front of Grandpa, and were super confident that I'm going to make him dislike me.
Tch, why would I get scared over this wrinkly old man?
He's just a human—an old one.
I've faced worse stuff before.
"I think he's nervous in front of you, Dad," Aunt chimed in, giggling.
She's using the same excuse for her kids when they cried in front of Grandpa. That's pretty funny.
I've been staring at this old man for a while, and he kept staring at me, too.
"How old is he?" Grandpa finally said after a while.
"He just turned one a few months ago," Mom said.
I sat comfortably on his lap, then my eyes went to the scar running across his left eye. Curious, I leaned closer and splayed my entire palm onto his wrinkly cheek.
Dad looked like he was about to pass out.
"R-Riven!" He chided.
Grandpa looked surprised at first, but he schooled his expression again. He grabbed my waist and plopped me back down to his lap.
"Can he talk?" Grandpa asked again.
"Only short words, but he's smart enough to understand what we're saying to him," Mom smiled at me, her eyes were always tender.
She's the best.
Grandpa grunted, staring down at me. "He doesn't have any fear in his eyes. Obviously, he's not a coward like his father,"
Dad deflated at that, and Mom comforted him with an apologetic smile and a caress on his shoulder.
Hey! Don't talk badly about my Dad!
Sure, he could only blow bubbles, but he loves Mom and cares a lot about me!
"Baba!" I babbled angrily, puffing up my cheeks.
Grandpa stared at me flatly.
"What?" He responded.
"Babbuu!"
"Are you scolding me right now?" Grandma quirked an eyebrow, amusement flickered in his blue-colored eyes.
Dad gasped. "H-He would never, sir!"
"I'm sure he's just happy being held by you, Dad," Mom giggled.
That's not it!
"Is he now?" Grandpa hummed.
His hard stare softened for a bit. Oho? Was he affected by my cuteness?
Time to give this old man my cute attacks.
"Paps," I smiled brightly, leaning closer so I could gently pinch his cheek.
"Aaw, He's calling you paps," Mom cooed.
Grandpa's eyes widened a bit.
Aunt scoffed, rolling her eyes. "He's just blabbering nonsense,"
"Not even Avia or Cassian dared look me in the eye," Grandpa said, curling his lip upward.
He glanced at my two cousins, who flinched when addressed, and they snuggled closer to their Mom, proving Grandpa's words by looking away from him.
Aunt bit her bottom lip, glaring at me.
I gave her a smug smile.
Heh. Eat that.
"Riven is clearly not blabbering any nonsense, he knows I'm his Grandpa," Grandpa said, bouncing his knee, and I giggle loudly while grabbing his wrinkly fingers. "What a smart boy,"
My Grandpa is kind of fun.
He's clearly strong, I can feel it. His magic was overflowing.
"Buu,"
Should I surprise the old man?
"!"
Grandpa's eyes widened when I subtly poured most of my magic out into a menacing aura before concealing it in a second.
For a one-year-old born to parents ranked F to be able to control his magic must've been shocking. I know even twelve-year-olds had a hard time doing so.
Also, I love how nobody noticed me revealing my magic so intimidatingly, except Grandpa.
I guess he's ranked A for a reason.
"Ha!" Grandpa suddenly let out a loud laugh, grinning widely.
The action shocked everyone in the room except for me, who only smiled bashfully as if I was caught.
"This child is a genius," Grandpa said, pulling me upward with his hands, making me squeal.
"!!!"
Everyone looked positively shocked.
"D-Dad, what are you talking about?" Aunt stammered. "He's ranked F,"
"My grandson just proved to me that he's special," Grandpa hummed without elaborating on what just happened, placing me back on his lap, ruffling my hair. "Nessa, bring him more often, will you? I must see his growth with my own eyes,"
My Mom smiled very widely, her eyes turned into crescents, her cheeks flushed red. "Yes, Dad!"
"Dad!" Aunt shouted, affronted. "What do you mean?! He's just a—"
"Silence, Miranda," Grandpa spoke firmly, his eyes cold when he looked at my Aunt. "I won't allow you to speak ill of my grandson any longer,"
My Aunt's mouth went slack, she's utterly speechless.
This is very satisfying.
I like Grandpa.
"Paps!" I cheered.