Chapter 113: The Tiger Clan
In the carriage on their way back, it was just Arix and Scion. Duke Glendale had gone off to attend to other business right after they left the palace.
Maybe it was because she was going to et family, but even though the carriage wasn’t speeding, Arix felt like the trip was over in no ti.
The thought of eting all those family made Arix a bit nervous. The fear from her last encounter with them still lingered, and now she had to face it again.
Plus, she wasn’t sure if her tiger clan relatives would accept her, considering she wasn’t from the Empire.
With a mix of nerves and anticipation, they finally arrived at the gate of a grand estate.
"Arix, are you scared?" Scion asked. He noticed the little cub hiding in his arm was peeking out with just her eyes. He rembered how this little cub had been so brave on the battlefield surrounded by insectoids.
Now, heading ho, she seed to have lost her nerve.
If he didn’t know better, Scion might have thought the cub in his arms had been swapped.
"I’m not scared, what’s there to be scared of..." Arix gulped, trying to sound brave.
"Arix, your legs are shaking. Not very convincing," Scion said plainly, looking at the trembling cub in his arms.
Arix smiled awkwardly.
Seeing that she couldn’t find the words to argue, Scion gently rubbed her head in a rare show of affection. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."
Arix looked up unintentionally and saw Scion’s rare smile. His handso face with that smile felt like a gentle autumn breeze over a calm lake. It wasn’t overpowering, but it reached deep into her heart.
THUMP HUMP THUMP...
Her tired heart sprang to life and started jumping wildly. But just as quickly as it revived, it died again when Arix rembered that the person in front of her was destined to beco the Empire’s future Pontifex.
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her, extinguishing any budding feelings she had. Arix reminded herself that if she didn’t want to end up like her grandparents, she couldn’t entertain such thoughts.
With a sigh, she weakly replied to Scion, "Okay," and slumped in his arms, feeling downcast.
However, Scion’s comfort had worked. This tough love ant she wasn’t as scared of eting her relatives anymore.
After all, what could be more heartbreaking than seeing your dream guy destined to beco a cold and nonsexual priest?
When the two entered the estate, Arix saw the tiger clan already waiting in the living room.
The mbers of the tiger clan were all strikingly good-looking. With their signature silver hair and blue eyes, they had an innate air of cool nobility. Even if they were to wander the streets, no one would ever mistake them for ordinary people.
The leader of the tiger clan was a robust middle-aged man, and the highest-ranking mbers were the five elders standing beside him. Then there were the dozen or so aunts and uncles, followed by nurous cousins whom Arix didn’t recognize.
When Scion appeared, everyone except the clan leader and the elders placed their right hands on their chests. They respectfully greeted him with an Empire salute. "Admiral Scion!"
At this mont, Scion set aside his usual aloof deanor and returned the greeting politely.
After exchanging pleasantries, the oldest elder looked kindly at Arix and then asked Scion, "Is this Vezgor’s granddaughter?"
"Yes, this is Arix. Arix, these five elders are your grandfather’s brothers. They have six brothers in total. And this is our patriarch, your uncle," Scion patiently introduced each one.
Scion’s gentle and patient manner surprised the clan leader and the five elders. They exchanged astonished looks, thinking the sa thing: it seed Scion liked the little cub a lot.
After the introductions, Arix, with a nervous yet sweet tone, greeted everyone one by one. Her adorable deanor quickly won over the elders’ hearts. They eagerly filled Arix’s Space Button with useful and interesting trinkets from their personal collections.
"Arix, dear, you’re so cute. You should visit
often," one enthusiastic woman said. She was one of Arix’s aunts. She rubbed Arix’s hair and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Do rember to co to my house. The grapes in our garden are ripe and incredibly sweet," another man said, patting Arix’s head. According to Scion, he was one of Arix’s uncles.
"Arix, this is my lollipop. Want to have a try?" said a young girl. She was one of Arix’s cousins and she was just three years old. She was now in her beast form, offering Arix a lollipop covered in saliva.
Seeing the drool-covered lollipop, Arix’s eye twitched, and she politely declined with a forced smile.
This family reunion lasted about half an hour, during which Arix got to know everyone.
Finally, the eldest elder called over his grandson and sternly instructed, "Targon, show your cousin around."
"Yes, Grandpa," Targon replied. He was a young man of about fifteen, with the silver hair and blue eyes typical of the tiger clan, and he exuded a sunny disposition.
Scion had so discussions to handle with the elders, so he gently placed Arix into Targon’s arms. Rubbing her head, he said, "Go hang out with your cousin, Targon. I’ll co find you when I’m done."
Arix, understanding that the adults had things to talk about, obediently nodded and responded, "Okay, Scion."
With a slight smile, Scion nodded gently before heading off with the elders towards the eting room.
Targon, now tasked with looking after Arix, looked at her with so surprise. "You and Scion are pretty close now, huh? That’s kind of a big deal in this clan, you know. He’s always so cold to us, and this is the first ti I’ve seen him smile."
"Well, what can I say? I’m just adorable," Arix replied, lifting her small chin proudly.
Targon chuckled, finding her amusing. He ruffled her fluffy head and said, "Alright, you’re the cutest. So, where does my adorable little cousin want to go today?"
Arix blinked, recalling all the gifts she received earlier. An idea quickly ford in her mind. She looked up at Targon and said, "To the materials shop."
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