The entire room is silent. They knew that even if the matter is only backed up by the theory, it was still something that they did not dare to neglect.
"What can we say that these three people will have to attack at any moment inside the Empire?" Randel asked with a serious tone.
"Yes, but we are not yet sure if they have already laid out anything before they move," Kayden replied and looked at Eli.
"It was just a while ago when I and Eli were on our way to this place, Baobao was able to detect a hostile presence directed at us. However, the other party clearly decided not to reveal themselves yet. They were just out there, watching us in the open." He continued.
"We also received some reports that a group of unidentified people was now looking for any information about the members of the Anti-curse committee. It seems like the enemy was also intimidated by the committee and wanted to gauge what they can do to perhaps affect their plans." Nathan reported.
Hearing all of these happen, everyone knew that they could not let their guard down even one bit. This was a highly stressful phase for them all, yet they have no choice but to endure until the end of these events.
"Then we have to double our security in the tournament. We cannot afford to let the students be hurt by these people…" Emperor Valentin concluded.
"Yes…" The team then started to brainstorm about the additional measures they have to do with the remaining duration of the events.
Later that night, although exhausted, Eli and Leon still went on with their parental duties and spent time with Little Han while talking about their plans on how to deal with the pope.
"I have already confirmed everything outside, and I already have a set plan in mind. This plan is basically crafted from your initial plan to lure the Pope into believing that the real Paladin appeared outside the Empire… only that you are not the one going there to pose as the 'Paladin'..."
Eli was surprised that Leon still considered her initial suggestion. She was moved by his gesture as she listened to how Leon wanted to carry out the plan. From time to time she would interject and raise some things that she thought could work better than the original.
If one would look at the two of them at the moment, they would probably sigh in awe. These two people looked like they were a match with each other and they complement each other's thoughts very well.
Seeing his mommy and daddy becoming busy as they seriously talk, Little Han did not throw a tantrum. Instead, he quietly nuzzled into his daddy's embrace as he hugged a fluffy plush toy while behaving like he was listening to the two's conversation, even if he did not understand a single thing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter a few minutes of talking, Eli and Leon actually noticed how Little Han behaved, and their hearts trembled.
Oh, how could they have such a lovely kid?
They felt like they owed too much to Little Han and yet, their little bun was still there supporting the two of them in his own little way.
"Baby, are you sleepy?" Eli endearingly caressed Little Han's relaxed face as she smiled gently.
"Non non… Johann wann play… peeeno…" (No no… Johan wants to play piano.."
"Oh… you like it?" Eli could not help but chuckle. Little Han's must have been influenced by the music-loving Baobao as both of them looked so cheerfully obsessed whenever Eli would play the piano.
"Uhmm… daddi play too.." Little Han looked up and his crystal blue eyes looked at Leon pleadingly.
"You want daddy to play too?" Leon raised his brows in surprise.
"Hmmm… wann wann play!" Little Han nodded his head with anticipation as if he could not wait to see his parents play the piano together.
"Alright then…but you will play with us too…" Eli cupped Little Han's chubby cheeks as he giggled contently from seeing his mommy and daddy indulge him with the sudden request.
Then Leon carried Little Han as he pulled a stool and sat beside Eli on the grand piano.
"What do you wanna play, my baby?" Eli asked softly.
"Winkle winkle! (Twinkle twinkle!)" Little Han happily cheered.
"Alright then… we play together…" Leon smiled as he guided Little Han's fingers on the first notes. As for him, he had long known the tune because it was actually Little Han's favorite piece, he had no problems playing it on the piano.
Soon the little cottage was filled with the lighthearted melody of the famous tune, making Eli and Leon who were filled with thoughts of defending the Empire's peace and security until the events end become relaxed.
It was as if nothing mattered at the moment but Little Han's charming giggles and warm smile.
"Jiheeeheee!" Little Han flashed a grin. Then he stood from his father's lap, with Leon's hands securing him from falling.
Then he pressed the keys of the tune on a single note. It was the perfect notes played on the main melody, surprising the two.
"Well done, my little love!" Eli clapped her hands and looked at Little Han proudly.
This was not Little Han's first time doing it, but it has become more apparent that Little Han is gifted to play music by ear!
"Jiheeeheee… Johann want peeno…" (Johann wants piano…) Little Han replied.
"Do you really want to learn one?" Leon asked as he gently rubbed Little Han's head. His eyes were also full of pride and doting, knowing that Little Han is also talented in music.
"Aye! Johann play peeno! Daddi play sello (cello)... mommi play violeee (violin)!" Little Han told his parents like he had it planned in his head.
The two were taken aback. How did Little Han know that Leon could play the cello?
They will not be surprised to know if Little Han understood that Eli knew how to play the violin, but as for Leon, it was quite surprising as not many knew that he could play the instrument!
"When did you learn about that? Little gossiper?" Leon teasingly rubbed the tip of Little Han's nose and asked lightly.
"Gwammy Hila! (Granny Tehila!)" Little Han wiggled his chubby arms and narrated in broken words how Queen Tehila played with him when he was left with Grandpa Tyce and Grandma Kristine during day time.
"I see, I see!" Eli chuckled as she finally figured out, if it was Queen Tehila, then it was to be expected.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Then you have no choice but to show your talents, my love." Eli glanced at Leon and playfully winked, making the other party shake his head in an indulgent resignation.
Seeing the two dearest people in his life asking him to play, how could he not agree to their request?
"Alright alright… I'll talk to Devondre and ask if he could customize a piano for Little Han for starters… then we can play together. This grand piano is too huge for Little Han to play at the moment." Leon decided.
In fact, letting Little Han, who was barely two years old, learn a piano is already ridiculous. But he decided to work with the best Forgeworn craftsman and piano maker.
"It's settled then!" Eli smiled and kissed Little Han's cheek, "Good for you my little bun! Say thanks to daddy.."
"Taykuu daddi (Thank you daddy!)" Little Han cupped Leon's face and kissed it affectionately.
The family of three giggled and stayed for a little bit longer before finally retiring to bed.
This time, Little Han became clingy and asked for them to sleep together and so they all made themselves a bed of three.
Morning came and the little family of three once again prepared for their daily routine.
This time, Little Han insisted on carrying his own backpack and favorite sheep plush toy.
"Johann big boi! Johann walk alone…" When Little Han was about to be carried by Leon, he shook his little head vigorously and refused to be carried.
Instead, he took Leon's head and stepped alongside him as they walked outside the Forgeworn forest and went to the main estate.
However, they were not yet halfway out of the forest, but Eli and Leon would already see Little Han's face turn red in the struggle.
They were matching his little steps as they went, patiently waiting for the little one to conquer the way to the estate step by step… but it seems like this time, the limit on Little Han's chubby little feet is just halfway out of the forest.
"Can you still make it? Little darling, it's ok to take things slow… We won't get mad." Eli wiped the sweat on his face and ensured that the towel affixed to his back was changed to a fresh new one.
"Mommi… daddi… tired…" Little Han's face teared up in shame. Looking at the long pathway they still had to walk into, Little Han hung his head low to say, "Soweeeee…. Johann can't walk… tired."