After confirming that Rita had taken Senika back upstairs, Hale led his parents to his office.
Across from Hale sat a middle-aged couple. His father, Villard, leaned against the armrest of the sofa, glaring at Hale with a slouched, defiant posture.
Sitting right beside him, Rosalyn nudged his arm, silently signaling him to stop.
Normally, Villard couldn’t say no to his wife and would have listened to her but this time, he showed no sign of backing down.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“If you’d handled things properly, I wouldn’t have had to drag myself all the way here!”
Villard raised his voice, frustrated by Hale’s calm reply.
Unfortunately for him, Hale was all too used to this sort of outburst. It didn’t faze him in the slightest.
To be honest, Hale wasn’t exactly thrilled to see his father. The reason was simple.
Villard was a pureblood supremacist.
Hale had expected that news of Senika, the heir to the Baekryong Clan, being a half-human would reach Villard eventually.
It just happened sooner than I thought.
Hale was certain it had been Licht who told him.
After all, Licht was the only one in the estate who openly opposed both Hale and Senika.
Hale sighed. He wanted to keep Senika away from Villard’s sight, but there wasn’t really a good way to do that anymore.
“I understand there was nothing you could do about the first woman but you should have stopped yourself with the second.”
At the mention of his past, Hale’s eyes narrowed and lit up coldly.
“Father.”
He clenched his fist, practically growling the word but Villard snorted, unbothered, and continued speaking.
“You should never have married someone of unclear origin. No wonder the child turned out like that.”
Villard knew full well how much Hale cherished Senika. It was obvious, she looked just like the woman he once loved.
And that’s exactly why he chose the cruelest words possible.
Because that was how sentiment worked in their world. Of course, that wasn’t all—his own opinion was woven in there too—but Villard believed he had to help his son see the situation objectively.
He didn’t want to see all the elders turn against Hale because he let emotions cloud his judgment.
“Dear.”
Up to now, Rosalyn hadn’t involved herself directly, only reining in Villard with gestures. But now she covered his mouth again as he was about to speak.
“If you come home crying because your son’s mad at you, I’m not going to comfort you.”
“When have I ever—!”
“Hale.”
Ignoring Villard, Rosalyn turned to Hale with soft, sympathetic eyes.
Hale forced a faint smile in return, though her concern cut deep. He had been wounded by Villard’s words but he understood what they meant, and that was why he quietly endured them.
“Your father talks like that, but he’s really just a softie.”
“…I know.”
“And you! Do you have to be such a jerk to your grown son? He’s old enough to understand kind words.”
“I was just—”
“Enough. You’re in the wrong this time, so apologize.”
“Dear!”
“Oh? So you’re going to throw that away?”
“….”
No one knew exactly what “that” was, but it clearly held great significance to Villard.
At Rosalyn’s subtle threat, Villard wilted instantly and muttered an apology in a voice barely louder than a bug.
Rosalyn didn’t press him any further, though she was clearly unsatisfied. Still, knowing how rarely her husband expressed such things, she let it slide.
And Hale seemed to relax a bit too. He’d never expected a proper apology anyway.
“Now, you’re not going to throw it away, right?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my promise.”
Hale figured they must have made some kind of bet again.
Ever since Villard retired from his role as clan head, the couple had been traveling around, collecting trinkets and acting like kids. Often making little wagers with each other.
“Anyway, son, sorry for barging in unannounced.”
“It’s fine. The estate is always open to you both.”
“‘Open,’ my ass.”
Villard grumbled under his breath, apparently forgetting the murderous glare he’d given them earlier.
That was the end of it though. Rosalyn just gave him a radiant smile and that was enough to quiet him.
“So,” she asked gently, “what are you going to do?”
There were many things she wanted to ask about Senika, but there was a more pressing issue to address first.
Their visit alone wouldn’t be enough to solve it. The fact that the Baekryong Clan’s heir was half-human and half-dragon would give those with impure intentions the perfect excuse to attack the bloodline.
“I’ll show them what Senika is capable of.”
“But she’s half-human, isn’t she? Can she even use dragon power?”
“She has pheromones in her body.”
“That’s a relief. If she didn’t even have that…”
There would be no hope.
Though Rosalyn didn’t say the words, Hale heard them all the same.
“We’ll think of a plan too.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Tch.”
Villard clicked his tongue, clearly displeased.
But Hale only gave him a faint smile, as if he understood the reason behind it.
“You too, Father.”
“Ahem!”
People who met Villard for the first time often mistook him for cold and aggressive. His sharp features and stern face made it an easy misunderstanding.
But in truth, he was a deeply sensitive man.
After being hurt one too many times by people judging him by his looks, Villard had developed a defensive personality. His rough demeanor was just a shield.
And that’s why, despite the cruel words, Hale couldn’t truly resent him.
He understood that his father’s sharpness was a defense mechanism, especially when even his own son couldn’t reach the soft part of him.
Still, Hale hoped that at least to his granddaughter, Villard could be a kind grandfather.
Hale wanted Senika to have better memories than he did.
“Son, since we’re here… can we see our granddaughter?”
“Just you, Mother?”
“No? Both of us, of course.”
Hale hesitated. Was it really safe to let his parents meet Senika?
If it had been only his mother, he wouldn’t have hesitated. But his father… a pureblood supremacist… he couldn’t predict what he might say or do.
As if expecting this, Rosalyn began a pre-rehearsed speech that left Hale with no room to protest.
“What, do you think we’re going to hurt our own granddaughter?”
Hale bit his tongue. He wanted to nod, but he didn’t.
“Of course not.”
“Exactly! And we even brought her a gift, you know? Spent three whole days picking it out.”
“…A gift?”
“Yup. That thing I threatened to throw away earlier, that’s what it was.”
Hale was surprised that Villard had helped pick out a gift for Senika. Even with his soft heart, he was still a staunch purist.
But as realization dawned, a meaningful smile crept onto Hale’s lips.
Even if she was half-human, she was still his granddaughter. Villard must’ve wanted to see her, to give her something.
Villard flinched as if his thoughts had been laid bare and quickly looked away.
“Why don’t you show me the gift first? I always inspect anything that goes to Senika.”
“Tsk! It’s for her, not you! It’s not dangerous, just trust us.”
But Hale couldn’t fully trust that. His concern wasn’t with Villard, but with Rosalyn.
She had always had… unusual tastes.
She’d given him a dagger-sharp toy axe when he was barely old enough to hold things.
Even if they’d picked it out together, it was obvious who’d made the final call.
“Hale?”
Rosalyn called to him as he stood there deep in thought.
In the end, Hale gave a nod. There was no real way to stop them. Better to stay close and deal with whatever comes.
And besides, other than Rosalyn’s quirks, she meant well. He wouldn’t have been able to marry Erilyn without her help.
“Joshua, bring Senika to the garden.”
