Days have passed since the kidnapping incident.
Madea Kindergarten is in tight security thanks to the investment of Qise and President Strauss. Now parents can rest assured in leaving their sons and daughters in school.
Finally seeing each other again.
Serin is once again become the center of attention.
Why?
Because Serin's birthday is near and everyone already got their invitations and they're really excited to attend Serin's birthday and even the adults are looking forward to seeing the location where Serin lives.
After all, Seinara Forest is not a place where anyone can enter and their sons and daughters is actually a classmate of the child of the family who owned the Seinara Forest! now they must prepare an expensive gift to give a good impression.
"I tell you, Serin lives in a castle!"
Hearing what Eins said, everyone let out a 'wow' sound.
Seeing the amazement of his classmates made Eins proud, why? because he, Mittel, and Sion are the first to visit Serin's castle!
They play with cool animals, eat delicious food, and shower together!
Their first fight is completely forgotten.
Mittel doesn't even remember that Xanric throw a book in his face and kept sticking to Serin. Of course, Xanric would still get jealous but he won't hurt Mittel anymore because they're already friends so he would just need to act pitiful again to get Serin's attention which is a successful move so he's been using it for the past few days.
Sion on the other hand is like the protector of everyone.
When some other kids besieged Serin, he would act like a bodyguard.
When Eins tripped himself, he would coax his friends.
When Mittel forgot to bring something he would lend his things.
And when Xanric looks sad, he would just drag Serin.
Sion keeps the harmony of the group and acts like a leader. Even in playtime, whenever they wanted to play something they would let Sion take the final decision knowing that he was considering anyone, and Sion who is clueless about his ability to lead a group just thought that he was the big brother and must let everyone get along and be happy!
"Go, let's go and create a sand castle!"
Teacher Roana watches the children in the playground and makes sure not to miss anyone.
The open playground has different facilities and features. There is parkour surrounded by cushions. Slides and swings. A huge sandbox...full of toy tools. Everything that could train the children physically and mentally is available in the vast playground.
"Serin look this is Caius!"
Caius is the male wolf.
"My Linus is the best!"
And Linus is the male lion.
"No, Idris is the coolest!" Xanric hummed and pouted, showing the unrecognizable little sand snake.
Serin who supported Xanric clapped his hand and destroyed the perfect sand figure of his black panther with one kick: "Wow!"
Hearing Serin's amazement, Xanric blushed.
What to do, his future wife is so cute.
Serin climbed on Xanric and stick to him while watching Eins, Sion, and Mittel build the sand figure they wanted. He's bored but he doesn't want to enjoy himself without Xanric so he rests his chin on Xanric's head while looking around curiously.
Xanric feels tense and avoids moving his body around.
His doll--- no, his grandpa said that he can't call others his doll.
So he started to replace it with wife because his grandfather said that two people that stay forever together are called husband and wife! And in order to do that he must marry Serin and bring him to live in his grandfather's house!
Humming happily, Xanric plays in a good mood.
President Strauss on the other hand sneezed.
"What's the call?"
President Strauss look at his father and said helplessly, "My youngest seems to be scolding me."
"Nonsense!"
The old patriarch slammed his hand on the table and glares at his son: "It's probably your second who keeps badmouthing you! Don't blame my cute little grandson for your nonsense! I didn't raise you to be so undiscerning!"
President Straus was pointed as he looked unbelievably at his father.
"How is it my bad?! That child refuses to recognize me on his own!"
"It's all your fault!"
Xeric is dumbfounded.
How could his father openly show how biased he is? No wonder his second son dislikes his father because when it comes to his youngest, his father pampered and spoiled it while his second would get strict and cold treatment.
And here comes his father, complaining to him how undisciplined and bad-mannered his second son is for ignoring the elder.
Thinking of his second son, his mood dropped.
"Dad, I don't care how you treat Xanric but can you please stop invalidating the existence of Xenon? You are hurting my biological child!"
The old patriarch choked.
"Am I invalidating your son?!"
"Isn't that visible? You always have a complaint when Xenon made mistake but when Xanric did a lot you will ignore it and even clean his mess!"
Xeric gritted his teeth and added, "Dad, that's your biological grandson! Biological!"
The old patriarch got angry at what he heard.
"Your son grew up being well cared for! He lives in such a big fancy mansion, wears expensive clothes, and even got treated with love since born! What about Xanric?!"
"Xanric is born and treated as an object!"
"His ill mother neglect his existence! His ill mother doesn't care and won't even buy comfortable dresses! His ill mother won't even bother to hire a caretaker and leave a baby in hunger! And his ill mother, realizing that the child she gave birth to is of no use wanted to send him to a laboratory to become an experimental body all because Xanric's existence is not what you and she planned in the first place!"
"Xanric is not treated a human since born, and such a small baby who knows nothing already has a doomed fate!"
"How do you think he will end, if it weren't for me finding out about his existence?"
The old patriarch gasp for breath and pointed his fingers at his son in anger.
"I told you, don't blame the child just because of his mother's deed."
President Strauss panicked and stood up, wanting to support his father's trembling body but the old patriarch refuse his son's kindness.
"Don't help me!"
The old patriarch motioned the head butler to help him and glared at his son saying, "I know I shouldn't have to say this but I hate it when you are forgetting your flaws."
Calming himself, the old patriarch continued.
"As you are cursing that evil woman, you seem to ignore the fact that the Strauss family are mostly mentally ill too."
Dropping those words, the old patriarch walks away in a low mood.
Xeric was left still standing dazed.
His father always told him that he was a hypocrite person and he refuse to admit it. But sometimes he would have this realization that his father is right so he will be good to his illegitimate son and tolerate everything.
But as he do that, he couldn't help but feel guilty for his second son.
If only, Xanric and Xenon could get along just like how Xeio understands the situation then things won't be this complicated.
Massaging his neck, he gritted his teeth and return to his office.
——On the other side...
Qise is busy with his paper works as he will need to file a leave for his host's birthday. He also invited his secretary so both people are burying themselves in work nonstop so that once they go back after two days' absence, there won't be many paper works to do.
Some of Qise's meetings are even pushed back and re-schedule
Of course, Qise invited his business partners and some wealthy family that he met as an acknowledgment. Even Conrad who is currently locked because of a susceptible period is informed to attend two days from now.
"Right, Ren I'll go give some warning when meeting the young master."
Ren straighten his back: "Yes president, I'm listening."
"First, don't pinch his cheek no matter how cute he is. Second, you must show respect to him if you don't want his small paw to leave a print on your cheek. Third treat him like how you treat me and you'll receive praise in exchange. Fourth no matter what happens you must show appreciation for whatever stupid things he did. In that way, you can still serve him once he inherits this company."
Ah?
Ren stare at his boss in dazed, calculating the details of info that was said to him.
"P-President, f-forgive me but I feel like I'm hearing something strange."
Qise sighed, "You're not wrong. It's a strange rule but it will make you survive in the future. Just trust me if you still want to stay in this company after I step down from this position. But don't worry, these rules only apply for five years, after that all you need to keep in mind is to serve the strong and respect the weak. My ancestor despite being in a high position dislikes it when someone looks down on others just because they were above."
Ren: "A-Amazing."
Qise sighed, "I know right? But trust me, It's stressful."
——Conrad rests his body on the sofa with his head raised.
On a table placed a phone that is connected to a call. Conrad is listening to his father's nagging but since he's in a susceptible period he hardly has his reason and only had his mind to a certain person who keeps bothering him in his sleep.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?!"
Conrad grunted and replied with a hoarse voice: "I don't want. If I go back Father will just see me as his rival and fight me so if you want peace better let Father only have you and him in one house because Dad even if my father is stupid you shouldn't underestimate his alpha instinct. I don't want to be beaten by my stupid father who can't even recognize his own son."
Silence comes after his voice.
Conrad knew that his dad is having a hard time with his father.
"Still at least just once in a while come back or your father will completely forget you."
Conrad sighed, "I can't, I was invited to a birthday by an acquaintance for two days. I need to organize my research before that so when I come back I won't have much work to do."
"Why two days?"
"I'll stay there. Dad, I'm going to Seinara Forest."
"Seinara Forest?!"
Conrad knew why his father is surprised but didn't want his father to ask more questions so he tend to end the call by saying, "Dad, I'm uncomfortable. I'll hang up now."
Conrad close his eyes and gritted his teeth.
Sweat started to come out of his body as the pain of the susceptible period almost make him insane. His instinct is pushing him to find a mate and Qise's face keeps appearing in his mind causing him to use that desire to relieve himself.
Damn, here he thought he was the hunter but in the end, he was caught.
Still a beta at that.
Damn it.
Now, how can he face someone whose face he used to release his sexual desire? He's afraid that once he sees Qise then he won't be able to control himself and get hard. Such a person had no idea about the aggressiveness of an alpha for being a beta. He's afraid that it won't be easy for him and he might probably go crazy.
——Butler Yul is carrying Serin while feeding him milk from baby bottles.
Qise on the sofa kept his attention on his laptop while talking to Butler Yul about Serin's birthday, after all, there are pros and cons of making Serin's existence to the public. Qise is aware that after the party his host will be the topic of the wealthy circle and the fact the Seinara forest is owned by him, the land that even the government can't move will spread around.
Too much...
His head hurts.
If only his host can grow up fast then he can say goodbye to all of these works and live his retirement life peacefully.
"Tomorrow morning the event organizer will arrive."
Qise: "It's good. Also Butler Yul please don't forget to have someone clean the guest rooms because some guests will stay for a night."
Butler Yul smile, "Is Doctor Conrad one of them?"
Qise nodded his head. Butler Yul like Conrad so much because Conrad is the only that can help Serin survive during the differentiation. Qise understands because even he will be in debt of gratitude once the differentiation becomes a success. That's why he's starting to plan the making of an incubation capsule and start working on it once the holographic technology made its debut.
Butler Yul pulls the baby bottle from Serin's hand and put it on the coffee table.
"Little master is asleep, I'll go and put him in his room. You better set aside your work too and rest for tomorrow's event. I'm afraid you will get sick if you continue exhausting your body."
Qise smiled and nodded. "Thank you Butler Yul, I'll be done here in a few minutes."
"After putting down the baby you should rest too."
Butler Yul: "This old man understands."