After discussing the matter with Deputy Chairman Bramwell and Grandpa Ben, Eli finally managed to go home.
The moment she reached the living room, a small figure immediately walked toward her excitedly.
"Mommiiii!!!!" Little Han immediately hugged Eli's leg the moment Eli appeared from the teleportation array.
"Ohhh, My Little Han, have you been waiting for me here?" Eli was delighted to see Little Han in his white bear hoodie. She lifted him up and greeted him with kisses and hugs as Little Han giggled cheerfully.
"Aye!!!! Jiheeeheee!" Little Han placed his hands on Eli's cheeks and kissed her cheerfully. Then he leaned over to rest on Eli's embrace and happily closed his eyes while he hummed a happy tune.
"Baby… where's your daddy?" Eli asked as she rubbed Little Han's back.
"Daddi…" Little Han raised his head and looked at Eli with his round crystal blue eyes as he pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
"Alright, I see… is my baby hungry? Let's ask Daddy if the food is already ready." Eli smiled at Little Han's adorable replies.
These days, Little Han's comprehension has become more apparent. He was already able to respond accordingly with his actions and a few words, but his speech was still limited.
When they went to the kitchen, Leon was already placing the food on the table with Baobao helping with arranging the utensils.
"Welcome back Master!" Baobao greeted with delight when he saw Eli enter the kitchen.
"You're just in time, I have just finished the last dish…" Leon also smiled while he approached Eli. Almost naturally, he bent over to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"Meeee Meee!!" Little Han also demanded his father's kisses. It was such an adorable sight that Leon and Eli couldn't help but chuckle in delight.
After the hearty meal, it was piano time for Eli and the resting time for the rest of the bunch gathered in the living room to listen to what she will play for the night.
"Peeeenooo! Peeeenoo!!!" Little Han shouted excitedly as he walked beside Eli's bench. He looked at Eli as if he wanted to sit on her lap and play the piano himself.
"You want to try it, baby?" Eli asked gently.
"Aye!!! Peeeeno!" Little Han grinned enthusiastically. He was particularly active today and he was also now even more curious about his surroundings.
Leon and Eli could now see that Little Han was starting to get more interested in what was around him and so they thought that their little son might have to be taken more outside to explore.
'I'll ask Leon if I could bring Little Han again to the Emperor and Her Highness Second Queen…' Eli decided as she lifted the happy little man.
She made him sit comfortably on her lap while he faced the piano.
Upon seeing the black and white keys, Little Han's eyes twinkled with amazement as he tried to touch a key and press it gently.
Ding! A soft sound came out of the piano, but it was enough for Little Han to squeal in delight while he looked at his Daddy and Mommy like he was asking for praise.
"Great! My son has made his first note!" Eli smiled and praised little Han generously. Leon looked at him with a nod of approval as well.
"Jiheee heee!"
Seeing his parents praise him, Little Han laughed proudly as he now extended his palms on the keys, then with all his might, he pressed them haphazardly. But then everyone saw that his expression, posture, and even how he placed his hands on the keys were exactly like how Eli would look whenever she played the piano.
The knights, Leon and Baobao looked at each other in amazement. Could Little Han be mimicking how Eli was doing whenever she played music? How come he could copy it very well?
Eli also noticed this matter as she was the one closest to Little Han. He even mimicked the way she breathes whenever she was about to enter a passage that was complicated to play.
'The only lacking thing about him was playing an actual piece.!' Eli couldn't help explain in marvel.
Could it be that Little Han is one of those geniuses who could learn things from others by way of mimicking and imitation? If that's the case, then she must ensure that Little Han would only learn from those who are of good character and competent enough in their area of expertise!
"Hmmm…"
While the adults were surprised by his actions, Little Han frowned and pouted aggrievedly. Then he tried to play again.
Krang… klang… kring… clang… ding.. dang… dang…
He played random notes that would have repeatedly murdered the ears of everyone in the room, and yet, because they saw that Little Han was trying to play with such a serious expression, they could not help but look at what he wanted to do.
"This…" After some time, Eli's eyes widened as she recognized the rhythm of the piece Little Han was playing.
There was not a single note played right, but the rhythm of each phrase is recognizable because Little Han repeatedly did it.
"My baby, are you trying to play twinkle twinkle?" Eli asked softly.
"Aye…. winkle winkle…" Little Han was now sporting a dejected expression… After many tries, he was not able to produce the sound he wanted to make.
"That's what I thought!" Eli replied in astonishment. She gently patted Little Han's head which was strikingly similar to his Daddy's red blood hair as she tried to appease him, "Little Han, you got the rhythm right… Now, let's get the notes."
Then she showed Little Han the first seven notes that made the first line of the piece, 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.
"Ooooohhhh…" Little Han was amazed after seeing his Mommy play his favorite tune in front of him.
After that, he stretched out his hands, then played by memory the single notes that Eli played.
!!!
"Oh, my heavens!"
"My goodness! Little Master is a genius!"
"Ohhh! The great talent in music runs to the family indeed!"
The Rosea, the Blades, and Baobao could not help but praise and marvel at Little Han's sudden feat. Even Leon and Eli were impressed.
Everyone witnessed that Little Han had only seen Eli play those seven notes once, and yet he got it all in one try!
And so the night was filled with the excitement of Little Han's display of talent in piano. Before their bedtime approached he was able to complete the entire line of the piece making everyone delighted with his show of talent.
As they tucked Little Han to sleep, the couple could not help but still talk about that.
"My mother would be delighted to know that Little Han also had a talent in music…" Leon smiled sweetly.
It was known by all that Leon looked up to his mother's musical talent a lot. He could not help but feel excited to let his mother know that Little Han might also share the same talent as his grandma.
"Yes, I could already see how she would be so happy about that…" Eli also looked at the sleeping Little Han with love and affection.
As a musician herself, it was a good feeling that your very own child shares the same passion as yours.
"Oh, by the way… I might also have to personally go to the palace and ask for the highnesses' help…" Eli looked at Leon as she remembered what happened in the institute.
She then started to explain everything, even mentioning Lanie, who was the one to give them early warning of a possible attack previously.
"I see… then just go with the Grandmaster and the Deans whenever you are already able to confirm that the students would be going back to the institute.
I will also help you by saying a good word to my mother. I am sure that she would be happy to do that.
But for the First Queen and the two princess consort, I am not sure… I'll leave the persuasion to you and the Grandmaster for that." Leon replied as he let Eli rest on his arm as they shared the bed together.
"No, it's fine… you saying that the Second Queen might respond to our request affirmatively is a hopeful situation already…" Eli then closed her eyes while she leaned on Leon's chest warmly.
"When… when will you change how you address my queen mother…" Leon paused for a while, before carefully asking the question. As he was asking this, he hugged Eli gently, as if he was afraid that she would get offended by his question.
"I'd have to address her appropriately regardless of you and Little Han's blood relationship with her…" Eli replied calmly.
Leon stared blankly at the wall… he knew the underlying meaning of Eli's reply.
Even if they were now practically living as husband and wife with Little Han as their child, Eli was still the outsider.
She could not bring herself to think that she also belonged to the Imperial Family as she was not publicly recognized, even after the good reception and relationship she had with the rest of the women of the Imperial family.
'If we can just marry right now… maybe… you wouldn't have to think this complicated…' Leon thought as he tightened his embrace on Eli.