After some time, Ren the forgotten grandson entered the drawing room. His grandmother didn't sit on her usual single couch, instead she sat side by side with Tsubaki on a double couch. He stared at the two ladies who were chatting happily. Sensing the unhappy stare, both of them looked up and saw the face of a gloomy man.
"Why did you stare at us like that?" Grandma Fuse asked teasingly.
"Grandma," Ren sighed. "Why did I feel like you want to steal my wife away from me?"
Tsubaki stood up and went to her husband. Pulling his hands, she led him to a couch. "Don't be like that. Grandma just wants to have a chat with me."
Old Madam Fuse looked so smug hearing her granddaughter in-law's words. She sneered at his grandson. Looking at the old lady raising her eyebrows, Ren's lips twitched. Before Tsubaki could return to Grandma Fuse's side, he quickly pulled her to sit on his lap. She was baffled as she couldn't do anything.
"What are you doing?" Tsubaki hissed, glaring at her husband while her face gradually turned red.
"You choose. Either you sit beside me or sit on my lap." Ren smiled mischievously.
"Okay! Okay! I'll sit beside you." Tsubaki struggled to get off him and sat beside her husband. Ren looked satisfied. He didn't let go of his hand on her waist.
"You brat." Grandma Fuse clicked her tongue seeing her grandson beeing cheeky. "You're bullying your wife right in front of me?"
"No, grandma." Ren shook his head. "She's the one who's always bullying me."
"Huh?" Tsubaki was dumbfounded. "When did I?"
Ren didn't answer. He just smiled secretly.
Old Yuuzo entered the room with a dessert trolley. He placed the cakes on the coffee table. He already brewed a pot of tea. After accomplishing his task, he quickly left to let them three enjoyed their time together.
"Wow!" Old Madam Fuse exclaimed happily as she took a bite of the cakes. She tried the original one first. "It's so fluffy and melted in my mouth. You're really a good baker!"
"Thank you, grandma." Tsubaki was pleased as her grandmother in-law looked happy with the cakes. "I could bake you another cake whenever you want."
"Yes! Yes! I'd love to!"
The old lady was giddy in excitement. Having a good baker as a granddaughter in-law was something that she had always dreamed of. But her happiness was short-lived as her ungrateful grandson decided to dampen her spirit.
"Old Sahachirou would nag you if he knew you consumed more desserts."
Grandma Fuse ignored her smirking grandson. "Just let him nag me. I won't waver."
Ren chuckled seeing her acting childish. Noticing Tsubaki's curious look, he smiled. "Old Sahachirou is Toshiro's grandfather. He's grandma's personal doctor."
"Oh, right!" Grandma Fuse finished her last bite and turned to look at the married couple. "When would you announce your marriage? During the company's anniversary? Or do you want to announce it on my birthday celebration?"
"I've planned to do so. Your birthday celebration is a good choice. We've talked about it before."
"Yes, grandma." Tsubaki reaffirmed what Ren had said.
"Just be yourself, Tsubaki." Old Madam Fuse said with a smile. "I know it's hard to enter the high society but don't let it scares you. You have Ren by your side. And you have grandma too."
"Thank you, grandma." Tsubaki nodded. A smile blossomed on he face, softening her already delicate features. "But I still need to prove that I can stand beside Ren."
That was what Tsubaki had decided when she chose to accept Ren as her husband days ago. Ren didn't want to burden her but she knew that his high status would always put him in unwarranted attention from the public. To not let people belittle him for choosing a lady from a humble birth, she would prove to them that he wasn't wrong in choosing her.
Old Madam Fuse couldn't hide her satisfaction when she saw the determination in the young lady's eyes. She nodded her approval. "Just do what you want to do. Grandma would support you."
Ren looked proudly at his wife. She would have him too.
As the night grew late, Grandma Fuse asked them to sleep at the old house. Seeing the old lady's expectant face, they couldn't turn down the offer.
Old Yuuzo brought them to Ren's room. Even though he had moved out, his room was still kept intact with his belongings. Once she entered the bedroom, a sudden realisation downed on Tsubaki. She had to sleep on the same bed as Ren!
"You won't be bullying me any longer tonight." Ren stood behind his wife and leaned in to whisper.
"What do you mean?" Tsubaki looked up, confused with what he said. He did say before that she was the one who bullying him.
When did I bully him? He was the one who did it to me!
Ren chuckled. He hooked his arms around her waist and rested his body against her back. Inhaling her sweet scent, he buried his nose in her hair.
"Ren? When did I bully you?" Tsubaki was still confused but Ren only answered her with a laugh, muffled by her hair.