BXBX NOVEL Chapter 331 Little Han's Birthday (3)
After such a heartwarming farewell, Eli, Leon, and Little Han finally stepped into the portal and came back to the earthly realm.
When they reached the end of the portal, Little Han was brought back to the familiar wooden bedroom where he used to sleep with his mommy and daddy.
"Kyaaa!!" Little Han squealed in excitement as he saw a familiar place.
"Did you miss our home, my baby?" Eli leaned closer to Little Han\'s face, her nose tenderly rubbing his cute little nose as well.
"Jiheeeheee…" Little Han seemed to like his mommy\'s warmth as he giggled and touched his mommy\'s cheeks with his chubby hands.
Seeing the two happy, Leon could not help but smile. However, the afternoon was already set with the activities they have prepared for Little Han\'s birthday.
And so Leon patted Eli\'s back and brushed Little Han\'s head while saying, "I\'ll go and check if everyone is ready."
"Oh…" Eli was startled and had only remembered that the party was still yet to be started, "I\'ll dress Little Han and wait for you…" She replied.
"Alright…" Leon exited the room, checking if everyone was ready and that there was no problem with the preparation.
When he stepped out of the room, he was overwhelmed by the bustle of the people around.
Rosea and the five of the Blades were busy getting the food out in the garden where they prepared the place for Little Han\'s birthday.
The others joined the Roaming Blades to decorate the place. The golden yellow lanterns hung all around the garden and on the nearby trees to ensure that the surroundings are well lit.
And because it was not an aristocratic banquet but rather a party meant for kids, there were low tables and picnic mats with cushions for sitting.
Every mat was of pastel colors, light blue, green, violet, and pink with an accent of white. Upon the first look, it could be said that the palace would be perfectly appealing to children instead of the esteemed aristocratic adults.
But the elders around do not care, in fact, they all convened in one place drinking their tea leisurely while they watched their grandchildren run around as they enjoyed the place that turned into a candy land.
"Oh, Leon! You\'re finally here! Where\'s my big boy?" When General Farauld saw Leon coming out of the cottage, he immediately called his attention and asked for Little Han\'s whereabouts.
Leon was actually surprised when he saw not only General Farauld but his Father. "Greetings, Teacher, Father Emperor…"
It was a little bit odd to see two old men sitting on a kiddie table with their bodies covered in casts and bandages. But still, their eyes were filled with delight and excitement because their grandson was now turning a year old.
"They\'ll be ready in a minute… Are you sure you are alright to stay in this seat, I can arrange for a much more comfortable seat for you and the elders…" Leon replied, not forgetting to ask if they are really fine in that condition.
"Ah.. no worries… Everything is well and good, do not mind us, and just ensure that your son is happy on his birthday!" Emperor Valentin waved his hand in an act to shoo away Leon so that he could go to Eli and Little Han.
Leon was helpless over the two men, and so he just went around and ensured that every guest was alright and well before going back to the mother and son to check if they were all good.
When he went back to the room, Eli and Little Han were already dressed in a matching attire of white and an accent of royal blue.
"You\'re here… come and change… We\'ll wear matching clothes…" Eli turned to look at Leon before she walked towards him and handed over his attire which also had the same color theme as his son and soon-to-be wife.
"Everyone is ready… we can go out any time…" Leon nodded as he rushed into the bathroom to change quickly.
Not long after, the little family of three was done with their preparations and was now ready to go and meet the guest.
Rosea came out and informed everyone of the trio\'s entrance. The bustle around came to a stop, and all eyes darted to the cottage door that was also decorated with pastel-colored ornaments to match the theme of the party.
The moment the door opened everyone stood up, Estelle Benson and the rest of the children had a basket of petals and threw it towards the little family as they all shouted, "Happy First Birthday Little Han!!!"
"Keeeeeeee!" Little Han\'s eyes shined brightly when he saw the surroundings outside. Although he may not know what happened to the garden he used to play with, the colors and the decorations were enough to make him feel delighted.
Then he giggled and waved at everyone whom he was familiar with.
"Little Han, do you want to try what you did earlier? Show it to your Grandmas and Grandpas?" Leon leaned closer to coax Little Han to try to walk over a few steps in order to also let everyone know that he had grown so well.
"Aye!!!" Little Han nodded with understanding as he turned to his mom, with eyes trying to say that he wanted to be let down on the carpeted walkway.
"Sure my little one… although don\'t push yourself too much ok? We will hold your hands…" Eli slowly let him down, she was still a bit worried if letting him walk this often would be good for his bones when he just literally walked the first time earlier.
"Awumm!" Little Han responded with a mumble as Eli let his feet down gently so that he won\'t have to struggle to stand up from the sitting position. Then he looked up to his mom and dad, with the other two holding each of his hands as he took the first step.
Everyone was curious as to why the couple paused and what they wanted to do with Little Han, but soon they figured everything out when Little Han started to walk alongside his mom and dad.
"Oh heavens!" Grandma Myrna and Grandma Brygid were so elated with the surprise Little Han gave to them.
"Ahh... Nathan! When are you getting a wife!! Come give me more cute grandchildren like our Little Han!" Dame Aquila was teary when she saw Little Han. She did not forget to tap her son and demand him to finally bring her a daughter-in-law and another grandchild.
"Ahhh, how lovely it is to have Little Han as my grandchild!" Queen Tehila could also not help but cry because she was deeply moved by this moment.
"Hey, old Ben… Why is there… a lot of dust here… It\'s making my ears itchy…" Grandpa Andvari looked away and rubbed his red eyes, but the sniffles in between his words were not able to disguise his crying.
"You\'re right old Andi, I also think that I suddenly caught a cold… I dunno why it suddenly turned like this…" Grandpa Ben was also in the exact same state.
The two grandmasters could not help but tear up at the sight of Eli, Leon, and Little Han walking together like a blessed family. While it\'s true that they had no blood relations with the three, they could not help but remember their old friend Idelfonso.
\'Ah… old friend, wherever you are in heaven… you may rest in peace… for the grandson who you worried so much about was now smiling happily as you deeply wished…\' The two said in their hearts as they looked at Leon who was obviously happy even while wearing his ever-calm face.
"Ohhh… look at our Little Master! Isn\'t he so amazing!!!"
"Wahhhh! I am so happy for our Madame!"
"I am happy for our Master too!!"
The Crimson and Roaming blades proudly watched as they saw the scene. They could not help but also feel warm and happy for the three, especially for Leon and Eli who worked so hard for the Empire to be safe.
The rest of the people also shared this happy and magical moment. Every one of them sighed in their hearts as they thanked the heavens because, after the dangerous war, the little family finally managed to reunite just in time for Little Han\'s birthday.
For everyone in the party was those who were able to see how these three struggled to make their unconventional family work. Beyond their identities, their backgrounds, and circumstances, they held back their longing for each other and chose to be apart to protect not only Little Han but the entire Empire.
The party finally started when Little Han and the couple reached the tables.
Lively music kicked in and everyone stood up and sang the happy birthday song for Little Han.
Estelle, Benson, and the kids also came one by one to hug Little Han and greet him with a Happy Birthday.
The party was simple yet it was lively. Eli made sure that the party was closer to how they do birthday parties in the modern world as she knew that the aristocratic parties in this world were socially taxing.
Nevertheless, everyone felt refreshed and greatly enjoyed this new kind of celebration. Especially when the fireworks were finally set off.
Watching above the explosion of bright colors in the sky, Little Han snuggled into his mommy\'s embrace, while he also held Leon\'s fingers.
He looked up to the two of them and mumbled,
"Mommi… Daddi… Tayku…"
"Mommi… Daddi… Johann… love…"