"Then, I will leave issue for you to handle" the master concluded his discussion with Bernard, at that moment the living room's door suddenly opened as Maitea rushed inside towards her master.
" Welcome back, little Ma"
Maitea nodded her head at Bernard's words, she said sitting on her master's lap: "what were you doing brother ".
The master answered instead, he caressed her soft hair saying:" nothing important, just few vampires causing a hassle in Sitia".
Instantly, Jennings face stiffened, he subconsciously blurted:"....v, vampires?".
Bernard frowned at the man, he mockingly said:" don't tell me you had no idea about them roaming around you, even the crown prince is quite knowledgeable on that side".
'Haaa....'
Jennings sighed inwardly, there really is a lot of mysterious things that are happening behind his back. As an emperor, Jennings had focused on the growth of this Empire, while maintaining the peace and luxury for his people, but he never thought that his own people might not even be humans.
Jennings helplessly said:" Lennox knows many things that he is not supposed to, there is nothing new".
The master ignored Maitea who was messing his long hair, he said with his usual warm voice:" it's okay, your majesty not being informed about their existence shows how hard Bernard is working. Besides, I heard that the crown prince is quite the intelligent individual, no wonder he managed to detect them".
The main reason Bernard joined Sitia knighthood, was to keep an eye on the nonhumans living between the humans, though he accidentally got promoted to a general and gained more responsibilities to handle, he still carried his master's orders and kept the nonhumans in check.
Bernard exclaimed:" Indeed, master, you should see how those nobles tremble in fear just by the mention of his name, what a sly brat he is, hahaha".
Jennings mumbled to himself:" I certainly am not proud of that".
Somewhere in the imperial palace....
'Achoo...what the hell!!! I am a fucking moving ice block, how I can catch a cold?!! it's unreasonable...must be that damn Annasophy talking shit about me with her bitches '
Wearing a doubtful expression, the master opened his mouth to say something, as he sensed that there was something off about the matter, but was forced to say else since the young girl on his lap made a real mess out of his hair:" Ma, honey, why are you untieing my hair?".
Grabbing her master's cheeks with her tiny hands, Maitea said frowning:" if you pull your hair like this, the flowers might get hurt".
'Yes, the flowers....'
From the moment they met, Jennings has been doing his best not to think about it, but in the end, it was impossible.
' WHY FOR HEAVENS' SAKE DO YOU HAVE A BRANCH GROWING OUT OF YOUR HEAD?!!!!!!!!'
The master smiled at the girl serenely saying:" don't worry, dear, the flowers won't get hurt, but this master will be troubled if his hair became a mess".
Maitea exclaimed brightly:" then I will comb it for master, I love master's hair".
Bernard excitedly called:" them what about brother, won't you comb it for me?".
Pouting, Maitea said: "no. Brother's hair is not pretty and soft as master's, and it's too short".
"I will grow it for you!!!!!"
********
And like that, four days passed since Jennings arrived at Saka town, he spent these days fighting with Bernard, admiring Maiteas' existent and taking tours around the town.
At night, the master began preparing the dinner, with Bernard helping him, as he held the sleepy Maitea in his arms.
While on the table, sat the spaced-out Jennings staring at them.
' look at these bun-cheeks, they really spoiled her to the extent that she can't change her clothes or even sleep by herself, that makes her more like a lovely and adorable toddler '
" you two are leaving tomorrow morning right?".
The master's warm and tender voice snapped Jennings off his daydream, he stuttered: "hm, ah. Y, yes ancestor, we are returning tomorrow ".
Master: "I assume that you did not prepare any souvenirs for your family, am I wrong? As an emperor, you are busy enough with many worrisome issues to handle. That gives your family lesser time around you, and to assure that your beloved family won't fall apart "
" you should make them know that you think about them despite your chaotic days, write letters to know their conditions, send some meaningful presents and say few encouraging words, this is the least you could do".
'Nooo!!!! Don't use this gentle tone to scold me, ancestor!! I feel guilty for no reason, none of my family members is normal to even let me be concerned about them!!!'
Wife---> he barely sees her once every few months
Daughter---> head of the biggest gossip squad in the Empire + drama queen
Son---> disobedient ungrateful crazy heir
Second son---> captivated by his aunt since birth
Jennings dropped his head saying in a low voice:" I am terribly sorry, I shall not lack on this aspect in the future ".
The master chuckled faintly as he said:" why apologizing? How about you go with Bernard down the market until dinner is ready, you can find many items that are not available in the human community".
Instantly Bernard, who was internally laughing at Jennings, protested on his master's words:" why do I have to go with him, this is his shit to gather not mine".
The master let out a sigh-like laugh, he pulled Bernard's head gently until their foreheads touched each other and said warmly:" come on, leave the work for this master and go help a friend, won't you?".
"....fine, if this is what master wants".
How can he refuse a request from his master? Bernard won't hesitate to throw himself into the lava if that makes his master a bit satisfied.
Bernard said glaring at Jennings:" I will go change then we can head off".
Cheerfully, the master said patting Bernard's back: "you are such a nice boy, I know I can rely on you".
'....ancestor, do you mind giving his beard a face?'