Chapter 433: New life

Isabel shrugged. "Well, can you blame me? I watched both of them fumble for words. Grandma just stood there, eyes glowing like she had just seen the stars explode."

Julian’s eyes shifted to the door again, imagining Regina and Gregoria inside, tending to Eleanor while processing everything in silence.

"Wonderful," he muttered. "So I get to walk in there now."

Isabel smiled wider. "So? Ready to face the empress and the goddess? Or do you want me to go in first and soften the tension?"

Julian chuckled, readying himself. "Nah. I made this mess."

He rolled his shoulders once, straightened his posture, and sighed. "Might as well walk in like a man."

Isabel leaned back again, voice playful as ever. "That’s the spirit, daddy."

Julian shot her a sideways glare. "Really?"

"What? You are."

He couldn’t argue with that.

Julian pushed open the grand doors and was immediately welcomed by the peaceful atmosphere. His eyes swept the room, but they stopped instantly the moment they landed on the bed.

Eleanor lay there, her long hair splayed over the silk pillows, her chest rising and falling softly as she slept. Even in exhaustion, she looked devastatingly beautiful—like a goddess in deep slumber after birthing a star.

A faint smile curved Julian’s lips.

Still stunning... and probably sore as hell.

He resisted the urge to tease.

But his gaze didn’t linger too long. Just beside the bed stood Regina, dressed in green gown that clung far too perfectly to her curves. And beside her, with silent authority, was Gregoria—his grandmother, seated with one leg crossed and a smirk that knew far too much.

Julian’s eyes flicked down and froze—Regina was cradling something carefully in her arms.

No... someone.

A baby.

Wrapped delicately in soft, blue silk, the baby’s cheeks were plump, skin glowing faintly with mana and a little tuft of golden hair peeking from beneath the tiny blanket

He stepped closer, heart tightening in growing anticipation. "Is that..." he murmured.

Regina didn’t even look up. She kept her eyes on the baby, though the edge in her voice said plenty. "Well, look who had finally decided to show up."

Julian grinned, approaching Regina. "Oh, mother," he said, voice layered with that charming grace, "how lucky you are... holding your granddaughter already. And from your favorite son, too."

Regina finally raised her eyes, shooting him a glare that was half-anger, half-mock. "Hmph. You mean my most troublesome one," she said, though her lips twitched at the corners.

Gregoria chuckled behind her hand, eyes glinting mischieviously. "Troublesome or not, he makes pretty things when he puts that mouth of his to use."

Julian turned to her, raising a brow with that familiar arrogant smirk. "Oh, come now, Gramother. I thought you liked what I do with my hands more."

Gregoria leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh, I do. But the tongue has its moments."

Her gaze dropped briefly, teasingly. "And so does what you hide under those trouser."

Regina sighed dramatically, rocking the baby gently.

"Can we not flirt like degenerates around my granddaughter’s first breaths?"

Julian’s voice dropped into teasing purr that always made something inside her stir. "Degenerates? Mother, you didn’t seem to mind last time, when I had your legs shaking."

Regina’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t deny it. "You’re still insufferable."

"And yet..." he whispered, leaning in, his lips just inches away from her ear, "you let me in every time."

Gregoria rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "What a scandelous boy?"

Julian chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair. "What can I say? I have a way of... bringing people together."

"You’ve brought more than that," Regina said finally, her voice softer now as she gazed back down at the baby. "You’ve brought life."

Julian stepped forward, his teasing expression fading as he reached toward the child. "Can I...?"

Regina nodded, and gently handed over the small babe to him.

Julian held his daughter close, his smile softening, almost reverent. The baby stirred slightly in his arms, her tiny fingers curling around the edge of his robe.

Gregoria stepped beside him, peering over his shoulder. "You made something precious, boy."

Julian tilted his head. "I’ve made a few precious things. You and mother, for instance, on a few of those longer nights."

Regina squeaked. "Julian—"

But her laughter slipped out anyway.

And for a moment, the teasing stopped.

Regina looked at him with narrowed eyes, though there was no true anger in them—just a touch of disappointment.

"You should have told us," she said, adjusting the blanket gently around the baby’s tiny face. "At least let us know Eleanor was pregnant. It’s not something you just... drop on randomly."

Julian chuckled, completely unbothered. He shifted the baby slightly in his arms, brushing a finger across her cheek.

"It’s not a big deal, Mother," he said. "Besides..." His smirk returned, slow and sharp. "You’re next."

Regina blinked, taken aback. "What?"

Gregoria raised an eyebrow, lips already curling into a knowing grin.

Julian didn’t repeat himself. He didn’t need to. His eyes—dark, confident, gleaming—met Regina’s, and the weight behind the words settled between them.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she turned away slightly, pretending to check the pillows on the bed.

"Don’t say ridiculous things," she muttered.

Julian’s grin stretch wider.

"Come now, Mother," he murmured. "Eleanor just gave you a granddaughter. Isn’t it only fair that you give her a little sibling to play with?"

"You absolute demon," Regina whispered, flushed beyong repair.

Julian tilted his head, inching closer. "Say the word, and I’ll make it happen before nightfall."

Gregoria raised a hand lazily, fanning herself with a smirk. "Should I step out of the room for this, or are we all pretending to still have boundaries?"

Regina’s fingers tightened around the edge of the bed. "You two are the worst."

Julian’s gaze then slid from Regina to Gregoria. "And you too, Grandma," he added with a lazy smile.

Gregoria didn’t flinch. If anything, her smirk deepened, lips curving with mature confidence that only a woman like her could wear. "

Oh? Am I next too, my little beast?" she purred. "Planning to bless me with great-grandchildren already?"

Julian chuckled, shifting the baby gently in his arms. "It’s only fair. Might as well give you another one before your daughter-in-law takes all the credit."