Without missing a beat, Alaric scooped another bowl, this time setting it in front of his grandfather. "Alright, here's one for you too, Grandpa."
Just as the old man opened his mouth to retort, Alaric popped a shrimp dumpling into it. "Come on, Grandpa. Eat up. I'm not playing favorites."
Despite his irritation, the old man still chewed and swallowed the dumpling.
Watching the interaction, Emerald suddenly realized—Alaric was just a younger version of his grandfather.
The old man huffed. "Don't think you can win me over with a shrimp dumpling."
Alaric ignored him and nudged Emerald to keep eating, all while pulling out a document and handing it over.
Emerald was particularly well-behaved today. She wasn't about to say anything reckless—like how she didn't want to marry Alaric. That was simply off the table.
It left her feeling at a disadvantage, keeping her quiet and careful, unable to do anything but sit still and take whatever was thrown her way.
