The preparation for Little Han's birthday party was in full swing after everything was settled.
"Ahh… can I sneak out and take a look at what was already happening in the council?" Emperor Valentin pleaded with Queen Tehila to allow him to come back to work.
But Queen Tehila shook her head and strictly reminded him that he had to recover from his injuries. "The three princes were already representing your side while you do your best to recover… besides with your hands that are yet to regain strength, you cannot even carry a pen anyway…"
"Too bad…" Although Emperor Valentin still wanted to protest, he knew that his condition would also not be able to stand the taxing work to rebuild the empire.
"Well, I have no choice but to come back as soon as I regain my best condition…" He mumbled in disappointment and let out a sigh.
Suddenly a knock came from the door and the aide's announcement followed, "Your Majesty, General Farauld would like to seek an audience!"
Queen Tehila and Emperor Valentin looked at each other as if they were actually not expecting General Farauld to visit him when he was still recovering.
"Let him in." Curious as to what reason his friend was coming, he ordered the aide to allow General Farauld in.
Then the old couple saw General Farauld, whose arms were still bandaged heavily because his arms were covered in the cast, and his other hand holding the walking stick because of his injured leg.
"Yo, old man! You're still rolling in your bed?" General Farauld's rowdy voice woke up the atmosphere of Emperor Valentin's room, making the other party a little bit embarrassed.
"Errm.. as you can see… I am still not in the right condition to get up…" Emperor Valentin answered him back in an informal manner. They were like a pair of teenage boys annoying each other.
General Farauld looked at Emperor Valentin's body which was still sitting on his majestic bed, from head to toe. He raised his brows and said, "I don't see what's not right in your condition?"
He raised the arm which was coated with a cast and shrugged. "Very well… then I'd leave you here and meet my grandson Little Han! He turned one year old today… Too bad… his other grandpa was too sick to attend his birthday party~~"
General Farauld did not wait for Emperor Valentin to react and quickly exited the room. The two were left in a daze and surprised by General Farauld's announcement
"What kind of Grandpa am I? I cannot go just because of these injuries?" He asked Queen Tehila
But without even waiting for her reply, Emperor Valentin called his aide and commanded, "Dress me nicely I want to take a walk… to the Sun Hall!"
Queen Tehila could only helplessly shake her head as Emperor Valentin ignored his condition to go to Little Han's birthday party.
In her heart, she would just make sure that Emperor Valentin gets all the care he needs as they go. Besides, she couldn't miss her grandson's very first birthday!
Meanwhile Grandmasters Ben and Andi rushed to get back to the Silver Dew Forest to be able to celebrate Little Han's birthday.
"It's lively here as always…" They commented as they reached the cottage spending almost all their mana stones to get just in time for Little Han's birthday.
"Ahh… Grandpas! How come you are here?" Eli was filled with surprise as she knew that the grandpas had been cleaning up the East and West territories far away from the secluded Silver Dew Forest.
She paused her task of creating some decorations and stood to give the two grandpas an affectionate hug. She did not expect that Uncle Bramwell would really do what he had said to inform the elders of the family about Little Han's birthday.
"Of course, we would! How can we miss our great grandson's birthday?!" Grandpa Andi heartily laughed as he smiled dotingly upon seeing Eli act like a real granddaughter of the family.
"Yes indeed! We cannot possibly be left out while our Little Han becomes a year old!" Grandpa Ben added, equally delightful to see Eli doing well and good. Patting her head gently he asked, "I heard that you really did a good job in the fight with the enemies… We are so proud of you, our Eli!"
"That… it's all because of the people who helped in the heavens who gave me strength…" Eli humbly replied, recognizing that the victory was not only attributable to her but to everyone who had a hand in the war.
"Good Good! Keeping up the good work while walking with humility… That's exactly Farauld's way of doing things!" Grandpa Ben heartily praised Eli.
"That's the way we, Forgeworns, approach life too!" Grandpa Andi competitively reminded Grandpa Ben too.
As the two elders were about to start fighting, Eli let out a soft chuckle as he guided the grandpas on the couch and had Baobao serve tea.
"Grandpas don't quarrel… aren't you the ones who guided me until I was able to go out in society? It's all because of both families! By the way… why don't you two have some tea, I bet jumping from the far side of the Empire was a little bit tiresome…"
After some time, she allowed the Grandpas to chill as the party set-up turned livelier than ever.
Leon walked into the room, not forgetting to greet the two grandpas with respect and exchange a few pleasantries, he proceeded to bow and looked at the two grandmasters with gratitude.
If not for them, the war might be more complicated than ever.
"Ah… no big deal… by the way… where is our Little Han?" Grandpa Andi waved nonchalantly before his eyes turned lively again at the mention of his great-grandson.
"Oh… I was about to pick Eli up so that we can go straight to the place where Little Han was currently nursed at the moment." Although his answer was vague when it came to Little Han's whereabouts, Leon still used a calm and respectful tone towards the elders.
"I see… I see… Then off you go, you youngsters, come back here and let me see my little one. Besides, people are already starting to come… you guys need to get back here on time…" They replied, not wanting to push for more details.
After excusing themselves, Eli and Leon went to the bedroom and took out the key to the dimensional realm.
"Are you ready?" Before activating the key, Leon looked at Eli, checking if she was feeling fine.
"Yes... I could not wait any longer… to see our Little Han…" Eli replied with determination in her voice.
Holding Eli's hands, Leon activated the key, "Then here we go…"
In an instant, the wooden walls of the cottage brightened with multiple colors. Speckles of light conjured in front of them to form a gateway.
Eli and Leon looked at each other, they are now about to enter the guardian's realm. Suddenly, a wave of nervousness and guilt rose in their hearts…
'Would Little Han recognize them?'
'Does he still know that we are his mom and dad?'
What if he forgets about us?'
They thought in their minds as both of them subconsciously tightened the grip of their hands holding each other.
Stepping into the gateway filled with multiple colors of light, Eli and Leon felt like they were suddenly drowned in the brightness of the light around them. Continuing to walk into the portal, their eyes slowly adjusted to the environment and started to figure out their surroundings.
They did not know when, but suddenly, the two of them were already transported into a mystic kind of forest with trees not only filled with green but golden yellow.
Peace and serenity described the ambiance of the surroundings as their eyes darted with marvel. Suddenly, Eli saw a familiar flower bed ahead of them.
'Ah… this is where I first gained consciousness after I was sent to Prasinos…' this time she was sure that they were really in the guardian's realm.
Eli and Leon continued walking and finally saw where the guardians were staying at the moment, their eyes widened in surprise.
The entire surroundings were designed for little children like Little Han, and everything Eli could see was all modern items parents use for caring for their children.
"Ah… you two finally visited!" The guardians looked at the two, with Little Han sitting quietly in the middle.
As soon as Eli and Leon met Little Han's gaze, their eyes went red and hot because of the longing they were now releasing the moment.
Their son whom they missed each day was now here in front of them.
"Little Han, our son… Mommy and Daddy are here…"
"..." Little Han did not react for a few seconds and everybody's thoughts were filled with shock and worry, including the guardians…
'Could it be that Little Han forgot his parents?' They thought nervously.
But the next second, Little Han suddenly moved from his sitting position, lifting his tiny little bum and using his legs and arms to support his body weight…
Little Han for the very first time stood up as he looked at his parents.
He reached his hands forward and tried to take slow, unstable steps while mumbling with his eyes filled with sparkle,