Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Ye Mo was still clinging to Ye Yun, talking animatedly. "Why didn't big brother come? Oh, I forgot, he's already graduated. I heard the tournament was changed to written exams. Big brother should still be first, right? I really want to eat Mom's potstickers and Dad's soup."

Ye Yun wasn't quite used to Ye Mo being so warm and enthusiastic toward him. Ye Mo had always been very cautious, compliantly doing whatever was asked of him but never taking the initiative to voice his own desires.

"Mom mentioned you liked them when she made them last time. I'll tell her when I go back and bring some for you next time. As for big brother, he's still first, don't worry about him. He's much sharper than you. But you, have you run into any trouble here?"

Ye Mo shook his head. "No, everyone has been very kind to me."

Then he couldn't help adding, "Don't forget to bring them for me next time you come."

Adelaide returned after a while, smiling as he watched Ye Mo. He waited until the conversation with Ye Yun finished before speaking. "Young Master, the meal will begin shortly. You may take your friends to play for about an hour."

Ye Mo nodded quickly at him and pulled Ye Yun outside. "Brother, let's go to the garden to see Pawpaw. He's so huge! We can even feed him apples."

He also smiled at August and Keynes behind him, a bit shyly. "Let's all go together. It's really fun."

August had been following closely behind Ye Mo and promptly grunted in agreement upon hearing this. Keynes looked away uncomfortably, but his feet betrayed him as he followed along as well.

Ye Mo was already very familiar with the path to the garden.

On the way, he stopped by the kitchen to ask for a small basket of apples. Arnold had often taken Ye Mo to ask for apples before. The kitchen staff member smiled and handed him a small basket. "Pawpaw hasn't managed to steal any apples these past few days, Young Master. He'll surely be very happy if you go. Please wait a moment, I'll prepare a few more baskets for the Young Master's companions."

The kitchen distributed the baskets to them, one each.

Ye Yun instinctively reached to take Ye Mo's basket as well, but another hand extended at the same time. August and he exchanged a glance. In that brief moment, Ye Mo took the basket himself.

Keynes snorted a laugh from behind. Ye Yun turned and glared at him.

"You have a pet? Not growing flowers anymore? I thought you'd drag us to see your little garden."

Ye Yun thought to himself, something that likes apples... probably not a rabbit or a goat, right?

Ye Mo: "I still grow them. I have the potted plants I raised before in my bedroom."

Ye Yun glanced at Ye Mo. "Didn't you clear a plot in the garden? A pot or two doesn't really count."

As he spoke, he casually hefted the basket. The basket wasn't large, but four baskets together added up to quite a bit. "How many pets do you have? Can they finish all this?"

Ye Mo walked ahead, leading the way. "Hmm, just one. It's a big eater."

As they talked, Ye Mo stopped in front of a window. He opened it, his spiritual power automatically scanning over the shrubs and bushes, then orienting toward a direction. Putting his hand to his mouth, he called out, "Pawpaw!"

The bushes soon rustled, accompanied by the crackling of branches and leaves. The next second, Pawpaw leaped out from within, scattering leaves and twigs. Its mane flowed smoothly with its movement. From its position to the window was a downward slope; it swiftly barreled down the incline.

Ye Yun reacted quickly. He let go of his basket, which tipped over on the windowsill, spilling a few apples. Then, with his right hand, he pushed against Ye Mo, pushing him back.

August and Keynes, behind them, simultaneously seized Ye Mo's shoulders from either side, pulling him back.

Pawpaw quickly reached the window, its body smacking into the wall with a dull sound. The next moment, a large paw hooked onto the windowsill, pulling the basket down. Then its big head butted up, biting an apple that had rolled onto the sill before swiftly retreating downward. Although it could have swallowed it in one bite, it carefully held the apple, savoring it, taking several bites to finish it.

Only then did Ye Yun and the others react, slowly releasing Ye Mo.

Ye Yun: "That's Pawpaw? It likes apples?"

Freed, Ye Mo leaned forward again. "Yes, it gets worked up when it sees people, likes to pounce. But it only likes to pounce on me, so I don't dare go outside to find it. But its fur is really soft, and it's very obedient."

Pawpaw didn't dare approach Norton or Arnold. Norton and Arnold would actually hit it.

Ye Mo stood on his tiptoes to look down, extending his hand. "Pawpaw, give me the basket back."

Norton and Arnold were in the study at that moment. The study happened to face the garden. When Ye Mo's spiritual power swept over the bushes, Norton and Arnold noticed. Arnold got up and opened the window.

Arnold stood by the window, initially intending to return to his seat. But just as he turned, he suddenly stopped, standing with his back to the wall by the window. Norton, who had been reviewing documents, also paused there.

Ye Mo's voice came up clearly from below, bright and cheerful.

None of them had ever seen Ye Mo like this.

A moment later, Arnold ventured, "He seems very happy."

After another pause, he added, "We should properly teach Pawpaw not to pounce on people randomly another day."

Norton hummed in acknowledgment. The two then resumed attending to official matters. After a while longer, Norton suddenly spoke again. "It's probably that children generally prefer playing with peers their own age."

Arnold looked up at Norton, taking a moment to realize Norton was responding to his earlier remark. Norton could even make questions sound declarative. This was the first time Arnold had seen Norton appear so uncertain.

...

Ye Mo leaned over the windowsill, handing an apple down for Pawpaw to gently bite. Then he chided Pawpaw, "Don't ruin the basket, or next time I can only bring you two apples by hand."

Ye Yun pulled his collar back from behind. "Don't use your hand. Lean back a bit."

"It's fine, brother. It's very careful."

After they had fed all the apples and played with Pawpaw for a while, Adelaide found them. He cleared his throat, reminding them, "It's time for the meal, Young Master, and young sirs."

Ye Mo looked up, clearly a bit happy. "Am I eating with them?"

Adelaide smiled. "We are all eating together. While the young sirs are here, everything will be the same as for you, Young Master."

Ye Mo, who had been smiling, suddenly quieted. Ye Yun glanced at him sideways. Anyone could see Ye Mo's spirits visibly fell for a moment. The group followed Adelaide all the way to the dining room.

As soon as they stepped into the dining room, everyone except Ye Mo saluted in unison. "Your Majesty."

Ye Mo looked back at Ye Yun, initially thinking to follow suit, but then remembered Norton had told him not to call him 'Your Majesty,' so he hesitated.

Norton and Arnold were already seated at the dining table. Norton sat at the head, giving a slight nod in response, then looked at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo stood beside Ye Yun, steeling himself to speak. "Father."

Norton hummed, gesturing to the seat beside him. "Come and sit down."

Ye Mo sat to Norton's right, opposite Arnold. Ye Yun sat next to Ye Mo, with August and Keynes taking seats further down. Everyone was somewhat restrained.

Arnold wore his mask, sitting diagonally across from Ye Yun.

Ye Yun couldn't help stealing a glance at Arnold. He remembered Arnold had shown restraint during the chase and later stopped the furious Norton, saving Ye Mo.

As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Ye Yun had heard of Arnold before, but he hadn't expected Arnold to be so close to the Grath, to the extent that he could sit beside Norton in his capacity as the Imperial Guard Commander.

They were sitting at this table because of Ye Mo. But what about Arnold? Ye Yun wondered while also feeling somewhat relieved. Fortunately, Arnold held a special position, which allowed him to stop Norton at that time. Before Ye Yun could speculate wildly further...

Arnold reached up and removed his mask, placing it on the table with a soft but distinct clink.

As the Imperial Guard Commander, Arnold was too famous, and too mysterious.

Everyone at the table was, in varying amounts, stealing glances at Arnold.

August was the first to recognize him. Portraits of Grath still hung in his home, which he passed every day. His utensils clinked against the plate with a crisp sound, but he was too stunned to care, his eyes widening in surprise as he blurted out, "Your Highness..."

Ye Yun and Keynes caught on right after.

The Queen's social media accounts had posted many photos of the Little Grans, mostly from their childhood. As they grew older, the photos became fewer, but most people in the Glans Empire would recognize them.

Adelaide chose the perfect moment to place a glass of milk in front of Ye Mo. When the others looked over, he made a shushing gesture, placing his index finger to his lips. "Everyone has their little secrets. I'm sure you all understand."

He didn't need to remind them not to reveal the secret; no one would believe it anyway.

Adelaide then placed a glass of warm milk beside each of them. "No need to be nervous. You can treat this as if you're at home or in the military academy. I've arranged the schedule to follow the same routine and holidays as the academy. If you'd like, you can stay here, or we can send a hovercar to take you home to rest."

Adelaide stepped back. "The instructors are also prepared. This afternoon, we'll have combat training and etiquette lessons."

Arnold raised his hand. "I can join them," he said, not even using his voice-assist device.

Norton nodded. "I have no schedule for the afternoon either."

Ye Mo tensed up immediately and looked at Ye Yun, who knew exactly what he was worried about.

Ye Mo had always dreaded combat training the most. In the beginning, he wasn't so resistant—back then, the instructor only taught a few simple moves and how to protect oneself during sparring. But once actual sparring began, Ye Mo ended up getting beaten every time.

Back then, Ye Yun was in a one-sided cold war with Ye Mo over the garden incident and paid him no mind.

Ye Mo was afraid of pain. While other children roughhoused in the hallways or on the stairs, Ye Mo never did. He even descended stairs carefully, never running or sliding down the handrails as instructed. Yet, in combat class, he got beaten up daily. To avoid school, he would even sleep outside the covers at night to catch a cold.