After some discussion, Grammi heeded August's advice and agreed to move to the capital, but before that, she had to make a trip to Ishgar personally.
August expressed his understanding and proposed that they first organize their belongings. He would arrange for everything to be transported directly to the new residence in the capital. This way, when Grammi returned from Ishgar, she could save a lot of trouble and move directly into the new home.
On the other side, Tike also clearly responded to August's previous invitation, expressing his willingness to go to the capital together and stay there for a month to receive guidance from this grandpa.
The matter was settled.
As soon as the breakfast dishes were cleared, Grammi and Brandish began organizing their belongings.
Seeing the mother and daughter getting busy, Tike pondered for a moment, used transformation magic to temporarily change himself into an adult appearance, and joined the ranks of helping organize.
He couldn't just mooch two meals for free.
They busied themselves until the afternoon when the organizing work finally came to a close.
August stood on the open space outside the door and pointed his ancient magic staff toward the sky.
With a slight whistle of displaced air flow, a wooden airship broke through the clouds and hovered slowly in mid-air above the house.
Tike looked up, his eyes almost glowing, and a low cry escaped his lips involuntarily.
"Wow..."
Even in the other world full of mechanical creations, he hadn't seen such a big guy that could fly in the sky, not to mention this thing looked like it was entirely made of wood.
(Wonder if I can replicate it using Maker Magic...)
While Tike was imagining, the side hatch of the airship opened, lowering a ramp. Several soldiers in uniform and with capable movements walked down briskly, silently and efficiently moving all the luggage piled in the courtyard onto the ship.
Brandish buried her face in her mother, whispering in her ear with a hint of spoiled coquetry: "Mom, you must come back early."
"Mm, I will."
With faint reluctance, Grammi stroked her daughter's back gently and watched her turn and step onto the ramp, looking back with every step.
The airship rose slowly into the air. Tike, who had been thinking about shipbuilding just a moment ago, suddenly turned pale. His body swayed, and he leaned entirely on Brandish beside him, his voice becoming soft: "So... so dizzy... Big Sis... hug... hug me..."
Brandish staggered under the sudden weight. Looking down at the boy hanging on her, she didn't push him away but didn't hug him either, just raising her eyebrows slightly.
"Hey, we've only known each other for a day, right? How can you have the nerve to just lean on and hug me?"
"Ugh... true... true enough..."
Tike responded vaguely. He forced himself to straighten up a bit and flopped toward August on the other side.
"Grandpa, hug me!"
Brandish froze on the spot, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
(Eh? He really just wanted a hug?)
But—
(Clearly, I knew Grandpa August first! I haven't even hugged Grandpa like this yet!)
"Me too!"
With a trace of inexplicable spite and unwillingness, Brandish also stepped forward and threw herself on him.
Being hugged by two half-grown children from left and right, August was slightly stunned, then extended his broad palms, gently stroking the two small heads clinging to him, revealing a gentle smile that showed he enjoyed it quite a bit.
Not bad, not bad. Although he had been single for most of his life, having two children like grandchildren by his side was quite nice.
---
The airship demonstrated astonishing speed, arriving at the imperial capital—Vistarion—that very evening.
The airship hovered slowly in a relatively quiet area. August led Brandish down the ramp to the front of a brand-new mansion.
This mansion was far more spacious and magnificent than the old house in the countryside. Several maids in uniform stood respectfully on both sides of the porch, quietly awaiting the arrival of the new master.
"This is Little Bran's new home. Do you like it?"
"Mm! I like it!"
"Good that you like it. As for Tike..."
August turned to Tike beside him, preparing to arrange his accommodation, but unexpectedly the boy tugged at the corner of his clothes.
"Grandpa August, can I live with Big Sis Bran? I really like the scent on her. I won't get used to living somewhere else."
These words made Brandish rub her arm involuntarily, the corner of her mouth twitching unconsciously: "Really, staying isn't impossible, but can you not use strange expressions like 'scent'? Sounds like a pervert."
"Okay." Tike nodded immediately, looking at her with clear eyes: "It's just that I like staying with you."
This overly straightforward phrase caused Brandish's words to get stuck. She paused as if choked before responding somewhat stiffly: "Oh, I don't like you."
"Doesn't matter, I'll work hard to make you like me." Tike wasn't discouraged at all; instead, he clenched his small fist even more firmly.
"No, absolutely impossible. Don't waste your effort."
Dinner time.
Brandish forked a piece of strawberry cake into her mouth. The sweet and soft cream blended perfectly with the slightly sour strawberry flesh on the tip of her tongue, bringing ultimate taste enjoyment, making the girl narrow her eyes comfortably, her eyes curving into two cute crescents.
"Delicious! This magic of yours is simply amazing!"
Undoubtedly, this dessert conjured by Tike's "Food-Make" magic had successfully captured the taste buds of this emerald-haired girl.
Brandish forked another large piece into her mouth, her cheeks bulging slightly, and announced indistinctly: "I'm starting to like you a little! Listen well, from now on, Big Sis will cover you anytime!"
Looking at the girl's satisfied smile, Tike also curled his lips.
"Glad you like it."
Brandish nodded, swept the last bit of cake into her mouth, and even licked off a bit of cream accidentally stuck to the corner of her lips with the tip of her tongue, still wanting more.
"Awesome. If I knew you had such amazing magic, I should have let you make something delicious yesterday."
"No need for yesterday; Aunt Grammi's cooking is more delicious."
"True enough. Although yours is very good too, Mom's cooking is indeed delicious."
Brandish nodded in deep agreement and naturally reached out to ruffle Tike's soft hair.
"Don't sleep on the floor tonight; sleep on the bed with me!"
"Oh!"
---
Early the next morning, Tike and Brandish walked hand in hand behind August into the Imperial Palace.
Upon seeing August, the patrolling soldiers all stopped immediately, knelt on one knee with solemn expressions, and paid their respects to him with utmost reverence.
Seeing this scene, Tike was somewhat amazed.
"Grandpa August, these people respect you so much; could you be the king here?"
August laughed heartily and shook his head to deny Tike's guess.
"Hoho, this old man isn't the king. However, His Majesty travels abroad all year round, so many affairs of this Alvarez Empire are basically handled by this old man together with another minister."
"Ah?"
Tike blinked, looking up at the lofty dome of the palace, then turned to look at the old man beside him.
"Then are you the prince? The books I read say that when the king is absent, the prince governs the country on his behalf."