Sylvia stood utterly speechless as the old man continued lamenting for a few good minutes before settling down.

"Welcome back child. This grandpa will take better care of you this time around." He cleared his throat and finally released her from his tight grasp.

​​

He then turned and shot a murderous glance towards Roman, who took another step back.

But when his gaze returned to Sylvia, it was gentle and loving once again."Why are you staying here, pumpkin? Did this stinky brat do something funny to you?"

Roman almost choked on air after hearing this unfair accusation, especially seeing that Sylvia was taking her sweet time to respond.

"Your highness." He gnashed his teeth and muttered. "It was me who rescued your precious granddaughter from the humans."

What an ungrateful grandfather and granddaughter pair!!!

But sadly, that did not earn him any brownie points as the old man immediately shot back.

"Hmph. Why are you bringing up the past? Can't you see that it would be unpleasant for my pumpkin to hear such traumatizing things?"

So shameless! What the heck do you mean by the past??? It just happened yesterday night!!!

Roman shook his head helplessly and decided to keep his mouth shut even though the other party was not making it easy for him to do so.

Scoffing at him, Cadmus once again asked Sylvia. "Did that brat do anything funny to you, dear?"

And this time, Sylvia shook her head.

"Hmmm… That's good. At least he has common sense." The old man ran his fingers through his beard.

"Alright. Let's go back to our palace. I will not allow you to live in squalor like this even for a second longer."

I am standing right here, damn it. Living in my castle is living in squalor? Roman sighed, wondering what the limit to the old man's shamelessness.

Sylvia nodded and then looked back at the empty room. There was nothing there that belonged to her.

"It's fine, child. I will send someone else later to collect your things." Not waiting for her to explain, Grandpa Cadmus hurriedly dragged her along with him.

Sylvia only barely had a chance to glance at the man with the white hair to thank him for everything, but Roman did not mind.

Right now he just wanted to stay away from the troublesome grandfather and granddaughter pair.

No one had exasperated him like this in decades!

He watched the duo walk out of the castle in a hurry but then they seemed to have paused.

What now? Roman furrowed his brows and walked out.

"Brat. Lend me your bird. In my hurry, I forgot to bring my mount."

Roman sighed and didn't bother arguing with him. He lifted his hand and placed his index and thumb finger in his mouth to let out a low whistle.

Almost immediately, a pair of wings flapped in the distance and within seconds elegantly glided to land in front of the castle.

"You need my help to climb up, dear?" Cadmus asked Sylvia while sending another deathly glare towards Roman's side who seemed to be amused at his question.

Sylvia shook her head silently and then as the bird leaned towards her, she got on top of it in a single try.

"Bravo! Bravo! As expected of my granddaughter." Cadmus chuckled and quickly applauded, which only made Roman sigh again.

Isn't this a bit too much for simply climbing on top of something? His eyes rolled all the way to the back of his head.

After Sylvia sat down comfortably, the old man as well jumped onto the bird and sat behind her, making sure that he would be able to protect her in case she lost her balance.

He then gave a slight nod towards Roman before the bird alighted, once again spreading its wings in the sky.

It didn't take too long and Sylvia could already see the silhouette of the castle in the distance which splendidly shone in the early morning sunlight.

The bird dropped them off at the castle entrance and without anyone reminding it to, it immediately flapped its wings again, flying back in the direction where they had just come from.

Sylvia's eyes trailed behind its elegant figure, gracefully gliding up and down in the sky.

"Are you nervous child?" Cadmus asked, breaking her thoughts. "Don't mind that brute."

"I can't believe that he actually sent you away in the middle of the night. I haven't raised him well." Cadmus continued to rant and dragged her inside the castle.

Sylvia saw the set of golden pillars and the ornate engravings at the castle entrance. They looked even more exquisite in the light of the day.

She watched herself being dragged inside. However, her heart remained calm and steady.

Perhaps if it was someone else they would have been more excited to meet their estranged family, but these people were mere strangers to her.

Her eyes flitted over to look at the old man next to her who was deliriously happy. Unfortunately, she did not feel the same way.

It was not her intention but even without her realizing, the broken pieces of her heart had slowly turned to ice.

Cadmus brought Sylvia over to the same throne room she had come to yesterday night and then loudly clapped.

"Summon everyone here. I don't care what they are doing, they better arrive in five minutes."

His powerful voice boomed in the empty hall, almost frightening the servants bowing in front of him.

They immediately scurried away and scattered in all directions in order to obey his command.

This was the patriarch of the entire beast Kingdom that had issued the command. So they didn't dare take it lightly.

Within seconds, several figures started slowly appearing in the throne room one by one.

They all bowed in front of Cadmus and then stood on the side, wondering what was going on.

Sylvia did not recognize any of them and the man she recognized slowly walked in at the end.