"Do I look okay?" Tsubaki whispered nervously. She could hear the buzzing sound in her ears.
Ren smiled lovingly at her nervous expression. For tonight's dinner, he personally chose a white dress for her. The half sleeve dress was simple in design yet it looked elegant on her petite body. Her long hair was let loose without any ornament decorated it.
"You always look beautiful in white." Ren whispered with a chuckle.
Tsubaki pouted. He was always teasing her!
"Oh my! You have arrived!"
Both of them were startled by a shrilled voice. The huge mahogany doors were opened. Several people approached them before lined up in a two lines. An old lady dressed in an elegant kimono and an old man dressed in a black coattail suit came over.
"Grandmother." Ren addressed the old lady. "This is..."
"My granddaughter in-law is so beautiful! You're so small, young lady! My Little Ren didn't feed you well?"
Old Madam Fuse held both of Tsubaki's hands, looking at her with a happy face. Tsubaki was obviously perplexed with the sudden action. Ren looked pleased with his grandmother's acceptance towards Tsubaki even just in a few seconds she saw her.
"Oh.... Greetings, grandmother." Tsubaki bowed and gave the old madam a smile.
"You silly girl." Old Madam Fuse sighed, she didn't let go of Tsubaki's hands. "Don't be so formal. Just call me grandma, okay? Oh! Enough with our chit chat! Come inside, come inside. Grandma has asked the chefs to cook delicious meal for you."
That being said, an excited old lady pulled her first granddaughter in-law to the dining room, leaving an icy statue dumbfounded with what had happened.
"Old Yuuzo," Ren called out to the head butler who stood beside him, "Was I being ignored by grandma?"
Old Yuuzo smiled, as if he wasn't put in an awkward position. "The old madam was just so happy to finally have a granddaughter in-law, and a good one obviously."
"Fine." Ren replied while shaking his head. He didn't expect that by bringing Tsubaki here would result in him being totally ignored by Grandma Fuse. Couldn't help it, he chuckled while walking to the dining room.
Head Butler Fukuda Yuuzo smiled in happiness. It had been a while since the last time he saw his master looking this relax.
Inside the dining room.
Tsubaki had already seated next to Old Madam Fuse on her left side. Eight dishes occupied the huge table. The chefs had really went all out. Once Ren entered the room, Old Madam Fuse bristled to her grandson.
"What are you doing being late? You shouldn't let your wife being starved."
Ren laughed. He pulled out a chair and presented a paper bag to his grandmother. The old madam happily accepted it. She peered inside the paper bag. A squeal escaped her lips.
"Castella cakes? Where did you get these?" Grandma Fuse brought out the long boxes and placed them on the table. "I never saw these packaging before."
"Tsubaki made them." Ren looked proud as he continued, "Actually, we baked them together."
The old lady's eyes widened in awe. She looked at Ren before turned to Tsubaki.
"Right... Ren did say you're a baker." She tought back to what Ren had told her before.
"Yes. Grandma." Tsubaki smiled bashfully. "I have a bakery. And we did bake these cakes together. I hope you would like the taste."
"Of course, of course!" Overjoyed was an understatement to describe the old madam's state right now. Her eyes twinkling in excitement. "I believe that you won't let my grandson ruined these cakes."
Tsubaki covered her mouth, giggling as Ren frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his grandmother's remark. How could she say that? He had diligently helped his wife and the cakes turned out so well.
Sensing her husband's gloominess, Tsubaki quickly put in some good words on his behalf. "Ren was a good help. If not, I could only bake one cake last night."
His frown quickly transformed to a smile. My wife praised me!
"Okay. I'll believe you." Old Madam Fuse asked Old Yuuzo to cut the cakes for dessert after their dinner. They started their meal shortly.
Old Madam Fuse was so satisfied with Tsubaki's graceful manner. Even so, she wasn't a picky eater. She diligently ate the dishes that the old madam and her husband had continuously put in her bowl.
"Are you done?" Grandma Fuse looked at Tsubaki's empty bowl. "Or do you want seconds?"
"I'm actually quite full, grandma." Tsubaki put down her chopsticks and sip her tea.
"Let's go to the drawing room, then." Grandma Fuse finished her tea. She stood up and took Tsubaki's hands. "Old Yuuzo would bring the cakes in later."
As both of them walked away from the dining room, a certain someone was left behind.