"Your Grace. Her Highness. His Majesty is currently having his meal inside the eastern dining hall."

"Lead the way." Arden nodded at it.

"Yes, Your Grace."

The Imperial knights stationed across the halls immediately stepped aside the moment they recognized the Exelio family. Servants stopped walking to bow their heads respectfully when the family passed through the long hallways of the palace.

Meanwhile, inside the dining hall, the Emperor was quietly eating alone.

The enormous dining hall remained silent except for the faint sounds of him using the utensils. Several servants stood quietly at the sides while maintaining complete silence. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The servants wondered how the emperor could actually live it—to be alone in this humongous dining hall and eat by himself.

"Your Majesty," one servant suddenly stepped forward before bowing respectfully. He just received a sign from the person on the door.

The Emperor did not even bother to look up. He just proceeded with his meal as he stared at nothingness.

"What is it?"

"The noble guests who requested an audience earlier have arrived."

At that, the Emperor only nodded once. Having an audience while eating was no new to him. And it’s better than being alone.

"Let them enter." He did not think much about it.

The emperor was already informed earlier that a noble family from a far land would visit him today regarding an important matter. Due to travel hours, the time may not be guaranteed.

With his answer, the maid quickly made a signal to the door. Just like that, the servant at the door nodded hastily.

A soft sound echoed as the door slowly opened. The Emperor casually lifted his gaze toward the entrance.

Then, the moment he saw the two people in front, he froze.

*Clank.

The fork in his hand lightly hit the plate as he dropped it. For the first time in a long while, the Emperor’s eyes widened slightly.

"E-Elara?"

Standing by the entrance was his daughter herself.

Elara stood there elegantly in her dress while holding Arden’s arm lightly beside her. Behind them stood Lionel, who was quiet for a moment as he watched the scene unfold in his eyes.

The entire world seemed to stop for the Emperor. For a brief moment, he could only stare silently at his daughter. The truth was, it had already been years since they last truly saw each other like this.

The servants on the side immediately noticed the change in the Emperor’s expression. They knew him as a calm and imposing ruler, so now that they were seeing a new side of him, they couldn’t help but be shocked.

The emperor looked completely shaken, and his eyes became emotional.

"Elara..." he muttered again in a low voice, almost as if he could not believe she was really there.

Meanwhile, Elara’s expression also softened the moment she saw him.

"Father," That single word completely shattered whatever calmness the Emperor still had in him.

He immediately stood up from his seat. The servants quickly went to his aid, but he just pushed them aside. Instead, he walked towards the entrance without any hesitation.

"Elara... my dear," The emperor’s voice turned gentle all of a sudden. It was far from his usual imposing and commanding tone.

Right now, he only sounded like a father seeing his beloved daughter again after a very long time.

Before anyone could even react properly, the Emperor had already reached her. Suddenly, he pulled Elara into an embrace.

"My daughter..."

Lionel’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. However, he couldn’t blame his grandfather. After the death of the Empress years ago, Elara became the Emperor’s greatest treasure.

Not only because she was his only daughter, but because every time the emperor looked at her, it felt like he was seeing his late wife all over again.

For several moments, the dining hall remained completely silent. The Emperor held Elara tightly in his arms as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.

Meanwhile, Elara’s eyes slowly softened even more.

"Father..." she called him gently once again.

The Emperor slowly pulled back afterward just to look at her properly.

"You really came to visit me..." He was in disbelief.

"Of course," Elara smiled helplessly after hearing that.

The Emperor stared at her face quietly for several more seconds. Then suddenly, "You’ve become thinner." His brows immediately furrowed.

"..." Elara’s face reddened. How can her father treat her as if she were still a child?

"You’re not eating properly again, aren’t you?"

"Father." Elara could only laugh softly after hearing that.

Meanwhile, the servants looked at each other in shock. They couldn’t believe that the emperor was fussing over someone like this.

"I’m fine, okay?" Elara reassured him gently.

The Emperor still looked unconvinced. Elara smiled helplessly before holding her father’s hands lightly.

"I really am fine."

The Emperor quietly looked at her before eventually sighing deeply.

"You really resemble your mother too much." The moment those words came out of his lips, the whole place became silent.

It was only Elara who could smile. Everyone knew how long the emperor mourned for his beloved wife.

Meanwhile, standing nearby, Arden quietly stepped back and gave the two some space. When Lionel saw it, he walked to his side. Arden glanced down at him before smiling faintly.

Father must feel awkward right now. Lionel smiled back lightly at his father.

A moment later, the emperor finally cleared his throat lightly. It was as if he suddenly remembered where they currently were.

The emotional look in his eyes slowly disappeared little by little as he returned to his usual dignified self.

"Ahem."

The servants instantly straightened themselves the moment the Emperor regained his composure.

The Emperor glanced toward Arden afterward.

"Arden." He simply nodded at the man.

"Your Majesty." Arden lowered his head respectfully.

The emperor just looked at him again, but that was it. Lionel almost pitied his father because of it.

Then suddenly, the Emperor’s eyes flew toward him. Lionel raised his eyes, and their gazes met. The two stared at each other quietly for a moment.

I should take this opportunity. Lionel suddenly thought.

Without warning, Lionel suddenly ran forward.

"Hm?"

Before the Emperor could even react, Lionel already wrapped his arms around him.

"Hello, Grandfather." Lionel smiled brightly at that. "I missed you."

"..."

"..."

"..."

The whole dining hall froze at what Lionel just did. Elara and Arden looked slightly caught off guard and even the Emperor stiffened completely from the sudden hug.

[Ding!]

[Bond with the Emperor is progressing.]

[Current Progress: 14%]

Lionel’s eyes instantly brightened at that.

It worked!!

Even though the Emperor still looked stunned and had not said anything yet, the system notification already confirmed everything for him.

A sheepish smile slowly appeared on Lionel’s face afterward.

I guess Grandfather actually liked it... even if he doesn’t look like it.

Lionel simply looked up at him with bright eyes as if what he did was completely normal.

"Grandfather?" Lionel tilted his head slightly when he saw that he was still frozen.

"..."

The Emperor stared down at the child hugging him for several long seconds. Then, slowly, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Ahem." His hand lifted stiffly before lightly patting Lionel on the back. It was so awkward for him.

"It is... nice to see you again, Lionel." His voice sounded unsure at that. He didn’t know how to react to the sudden gesture. He doesn’t even treat Cassian like this.

"It’s nice to see you too, Grandfather." Lionel’s smile instantly brightened.

[Current Progress: 16%]

Good.

The Emperor looked away for a brief second after hearing that. For some reason, his ears even looked slightly red.

Meanwhile, the servants nearby looked absolutely shocked.

Did His Majesty just... pat someone’s back so gently?

Elara covered her mouth slightly while trying to hide her smile, while Arden looked proud. However, Lionel wasn’t even done with it. He decided to take things even further.

Without hesitation, he grabbed the Emperor’s hand.

"Grandfather, what are you eating?" Lionel asked curiously while pulling him lightly toward the table. "Can I join you?"

The Emperor’s eyes widened instantly.

"H-Hm?"

Before anyone could react, Lionel was already dragging the Emperor toward the dining table.

"..." The servants looked completely horrified when they saw that the emperor can just be dragged like that.

The most shocking part?

The Emperor was actually allowing it.

"O-Of course," The Emperor quickly regained his composure afterward and cleared his throat as he answered.

He suddenly turned toward the servants.

"Maids!"

The servants flinched.

"Immediately prepare more plates!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Everyone answered in unison.

Just like that, the entire dining hall instantly became busy afterward. Servants hurried around the table while additional chairs and utensils were prepared immediately.

Meanwhile, Lionel just smiled at his grandfather. He wasn’t sure if that act would work, but thankfully it did.

Lionel turned to the side when he noticed that his parents were still in their place.

"Mother, father," he called them out.

Elara and Arden immediately gazed at their child. It was only then that they recovered from their shock.

"Yes, my dear?" Elara asked.

Lionel smiled sheepishly.

"Come sit with us. Let’s eat together with gramdfather."