Chapter 52 - Proud Grandfather

The City of Westeria, Second Mansion of Astera

The only son of the family Marquess approached his stepmother and gave her a smoothie that he made.

"Thank you, son. But you don't have to." Lady Vivien smiled at her son.

"You've been working a lot for this upcoming event," Hardin said as he sat down beside her. She smiled at his son although he didn't come from her, she loved him.

Vivien the second wife of the Marquess, Lord Hansen. After the death of his wife, his firstborn is at the age of five while the second born was six months, he got married after five years. She became his children's nanny first and treated them like their own. He fell in love with her and that's when after five years, he married her in secret. She didn't want to show up to every event. She stayed at home while he would go out to do his work. As a wife, she takes care of everything. From her husband's needs to her children's needs.

"That's right mama…" Harriet said as she sat down. "You always make the house perfect…" She sighed. "I don't know how you could do it. Plus with making this event too."

"It's the Duke's birthday and we should participate. I already sent out gifts to the Duke to wish him better."

"Well, everyone surely sent gifts already." Hansen chuckled. "They wanted the Duke to find an heir to the throne. But who knows, right?" He shrugged.

"Just what do you mean?" Harriet asked.

"You see, from our family down to the Viscounts, everyone wanted to impress him. He can take anyone to be the next heir to the family."

"Now, I understand. I am sure that even Vienna would want to impress the Duke and want him to sleep~~"

"Enough the two of you. The Duke isn't searching for a wife." Vivien stopped them.

"But mom, if you only knew how crazy their family was. I also think that they killed the real heir of Belmont." Harriet blurted.

"Shh," Hansen raised his forefinger. "Don't say a word about those things even though we knew it."

"Brother, we are the family of Marquess… the Astera. Who could possibly hurt us?"

"Well, my dear. Have you heard about the ambush that killed the family of Etrama? Even the young boy didn't make it." Vivien mumbled. Then, she remembered something from the Parson family.

She was once a maid to them. Maybe she knows something but she needs to keep quiet to be safe. Now that she has a family to protect, she needs to think of the possibilities first before speaking.

"I remember him," Hardin said. "Kenzo Ivan… he shines every time we are at the party. I even thought that the girls liked him more than they like me." Hardin shrugged.

Vivien reached her son's chin.

"You are handsome, my dear," Vivien told him.

"I remember that Venice wanted to make out with you," Harriet said bluntly. She took a slice of apple and bit on it. Hardin glared at her and mouthed at her.

"Making out is fine, my dear. But sex is a different level. You should always use protection, okay?" Vivien patted his son's cheek.

"I always have a condom that my secretary stocks. Even in my pocket."

"Are you that active in sex that you always have a condom in your pocket?" Harriet asked. He raised his hand to her to shut her.

Vivien smiled as she continued writing the names that they were going to invite to the upcoming event in their family party.

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City of Lwazi, Golden Palace Hotel

Duke Philip III stared at the gifts that were sent by the people for his upcoming birthday. But most of them were gifts to wish him to get well.

"These have been through the scanners." Butler Grayson said.

"Anything from my grandson?"

"None, sir."

He sighed. He knew that it's hard for his grandson to accept the position as the Duke of Great Grevania or the Prince of Great Grevania. He's the only nephew of the family since few died from an outbreak of illness in the castle and they keep everyone safe especially him. He became a crown prince at a young age, but that crown made him suffer.

"Sir," Secretary Bryan came with a lunch box. "This came from Lady Victoria. She heard that you got hospitalized."

"Get it here." He said as he sat down in front of his table.

Secretary Bryan put the boxes out one by one as the smell of famishing foods entered his nostrils.

"Here's porridge with baked turkey and something more healthy. She takes note of your allergies too."

He laughed and smiled at the food.

"Even a Lady from Parson could cook."

"She got help from a friend. Kenzo's friend."

"Even so, she's the greatest granddaughter-in-law."

Secretary Bryan put the porridge on the silver bowl and placed it in the oven to heat it. He took the bottle of smoothie as Secretary Bryan put a silver straw over it.

"Here's the note, sir."

Secretary Bryan gave him the card.

"To the dearest friend of my husband. Thank you for helping him. Also, please take care of your health. Hoping to meet you soon. -Victoria"

"Well, my granddaughter will make me happier than I expected." He told him. Secretary Bryan smiled and bowed his head.

"Send something good to my granddaughter. I heard that she resigned from her job." He commanded.

"Yes, sir."

Secretary Bryan took out his phone and showed him jewels.

"How about these?"

"Too grand, just something simple. I am sure that she would appreciate simple things."

"Yes, sir."

The old man enjoyed every food that his granddaughter-in-law sent. He has never been full like forever. The last time that he ate delicious healthy foods was the last supper that he had with his family. His daughter-in-law made such a tasty meal that night that they enjoyed it. Will he ever have that moment again? Even without his son and daughter-in-law?

"I would like to go for a walk." The old man said. Secretary Bryan assembles the bodyguards on the balcony. It's a wide balcony with lots of flowers making it look like a garden. Yet, the balcony is covered in a glass-like greenhouse for his safety. They walked around the wide garden that was wide as his room.

"Have you set up the master's bedroom back in Marduque?"

"Yes, sir." He showed the photos. "I asked Lord Ivan about his wife's liking. Also, I settled a personal library for her next to the master's bedroom. And of course, we have a mini-library in their room."

"That's good. And what is inside the maroon box?" He pointed the box inside his room over the table.

"I think it's from Marchioness. She prays for your health."

"Marchioness? Isn't Hansen's wife dead?"

"Yes, sir. It's the second wife that he kept in the house. I believe that she never came to any event that other Ladies had set up. Lord Hansen and his children only showed up a bit for every event."

"Hmm," He nodded. "Let's open it up."

Secretary Bryan held his wrist as they walked back inside. Then, he opened up the box in front of him.

"Sir, these are great herbs." Secretary Bryan said. "I believe that it came from the mountains of Sanghira."

He opened the jar of herbs and smelled on it.

"It is indeed herbal."

"Well, open up everything, and let's see who cares most."

Butler Grayson and Headmistress Rhianna opened up each box and showed it to him. Most of them are limited edition clothes and suits, gold collections. Paintings, shoes, and other useless things. He laughed as he pointed to the gift of the Lady of Astera.

"Put away those things. I don't care where you put them. Leave those herbs and make me one."

"Yes, sir." Headmistress Rhianna and Butler Grayson said.

"Someone indeed cares more than those other headaches." He said as he sat down. "Well, call my grandson."

"Yes sir."

Just as when Secretary Bryan is about to call, Headmistress Rhianna came in quickly.

"Your grace, Lord Ivan is here." She said softly.

Kenzo entered the room and looked at the mess of the boxes.

"Grandpa," He approached the old man and hugged him. "How are you?"

"Things are good today. Your wife sent me an early dinner."

Kenzo's lips draw into a beautiful smile.

"She did?"

"Yes,"

"Well, I am only here to peek on you. I promised my wife we would have dinner together." He kissed his grandfather's forehead. "I'll be leaving, grandpa."

"Sure. Go to your wife."

He stood and bowed at him. Then, he left quickly. The old man can't be happier. At least Kenzo found someone that he loves and someone who loves him. It's all that he wanted even though his wife would be someone who isn't in a well-off family. But luckily, she is a Lady from a wealthy family. She took care of him when he couldn't.

"Make sure that he arrived there safely." He ordered.

"Yes, your grace."

Secretary Bryan called the guards to escort Kenzo home. After all, the assassin who wanted to kill Kenzo is still on the run.. And who knows where the assassin was hiding.