Chapter 211: Like a Mother
"That’s right. You says we can just meet outside, but we don’t like meeting in a sneaky way like we have something to hide. Of course, we don’t want others to think that either. After all, you’re our precious grandson."
Qiong Xing understood that they cared about him.
He also knew how lucky and special that was.
That was exactly why he didn’t want to cause trouble for Katarina and Sarin because of himself. But instead, they were telling him to rely on them.
Because he was their grandson.
Because he was important to them.
"To make these two say this much is quite something. Not that it matters, but as an old acquaintance, I will ask as well. Won’t you give up on leaving? Please."
Even Paulo asked him and at this point, there was no way he could refuse.
"...Is it really okay for me to stay here?"
"Yes."
"Of course."
"Obviously."
He didn’t know if he had done enough to deserve such words, but since they said it, he wanted to respond to their feelings.
"Thank you very much. I hopes you will continue to take care of me."
More than anything, he was happy that his existence was accepted.
He often acted on impulse, but if that made someone happy, then it made him even happier.
"Then let’s have a strategy meeting. There’s nothing to worry about. Even if we say ’prime minister,’ that guy is practically like family to us. Though he himself probably wouldn’t like that."
"That’s because you always throw unreasonable demands at him. And the trouble ends up coming to us too, so cut it out already."
It seemed the three of them knew each other and Qiong Xing felt relieved that things would not turn into the worst-case situation.
No matter how much he prepared himself, it would still hurt if something happened to the people he cared about.
"Me and Lian are truly fortunate."
As he murmured that and gently stroked Lian, the child smiled happily.
Seeing that, the others were also soothed and smiled.
...
"I’m truly sorry that the rescue was delayed. And while I’m at it, I’d like him to stay with them a little longer."
"That’s fine, but... is he alright? His cheek?"
The maple-like red mark that was blooming on his cheek was so fresh that it was clearly still hot and swollen, showing that not much time had passed since it happened.
Seeing how painful it looked, he asked if he was alright.
The man made a bitter face, but still said he was fine.
Qiong Xing could more or less guess that Katarina was the one who did it and because of that, he couldn’t help but feel a little apologetic.
"It may not do much, but..."
He had never properly tested it before, so he wasn’t sure if it would work.
Still, he gently touched the man’s red cheek and quietly wished for it to heal.
"You can use healing magic?"
He had not been certain, but it seemed to have worked properly.
The man’s well-shaped face returned to normal and Qiong Xing felt relieved.
"I’m glad I was able to heal it properly. It would have been nice if I could also remove the dark circles under your eyes, but... for that, it’s better if for you to take a rests without pushing yourself too hard."
No matter how capable or intelligent someone was, if they overworked themselves, their body would eventually break down.
When he suggested getting proper rest, the man made a face like he had bitten into something bitter as if others had told him the same thing many times before.
"It must have been cold. A warm room has been prepared. The others are waiting, so let’s hurry."
Several hours had passed since they were separated from Katarina and the others.
Qiong Xing and the group had headed to the castle, but as soon as they arrived, that princess found them and only Qiong Xing had been thrown into a cell.
He had quickly left Lian with Albe, so the child should be safe.
However, until the prime minister personally came to get him, Qiong Xing had been locked in a cold underground cell.
His hands and feet had become very cold.
Noticing him blowing warm air into his hands, the prime minister lent him his coat, which Qiong Xing accepted gratefully.
"...You seem to be dragging your leg. What happened?"
"I’m fell when I was being taken away. But it’s fine. I’m just a bit slow, but I can still walk—ah!"
In truth, he had been pushed by the princess when he was thrown into the cell, causing him to fall and twist his ankle.
But he felt there was no point in saying that.
As he tried to insist that he could walk, the kind prime minister instead lifted him up to carry him.
"I can’t make an injured person walk and if we make them wait any longer, those people might start destroying parts of the castle. So behave and stay still."
"Thank you very much."
"... "
Surprisingly, the prime minister’s body was well built with solid muscle.
Even while carrying Qiong Xing, he did not seem affected at all.
...It wasn’t like Qiong Xing was jealous.
Not at all.
He just thought it would be nice if he could have a little of that strength.
While being carried quietly and worrying about Lian, he suddenly heard the sound of a child crying from far away.
"He’s a lively child. He has been crying the whole time since then."
"I made them worry. I’m just hopes Lian doesn’t have a fever."
Lian rarely cried, so if he had been crying nonstop, he must have used up a lot of energy.
As Qiong Xing worried that the child might get a fever from crying too much, the prime minister unexpectedly let out a small laugh.
"What is it?"
"No, my apologies. I’m not making fun of you. I’m just thought you looked just like a mother."