"Really?" Eli replied, feigning amazement.
Of course, she knew that the guardians would send one, however she still had to shut her mouth regarding her connection with them.
Scrunching her nose to hide her smirk, she asked with a troubled expression, "Do we know what the oracle said?"
This time, Queen Tehila and Leon had also followed Emperor Valentin to the room.
Leon recited the oracle in deep contemplation. He looked at Eli with a confused look, who also shot him a questioning look back.
--
"Rejoice! Oh, Empire whose name is victorious,
For the One Who Sees listened to the one who prayed.
Hold the hand of the one who was named industrious,
No longer will he who suffered be ever afraid."
--
"It was more like a riddle than an oracle.." Eli replied. It was her second time to hear an oracle, but this one was quite different from what Wisey delivered last time.
"Indeed, but, it was for the temple to interpret." Grandpa Ben answered with a calm tone. His eyes displayed a look of interest, why did an oracle appear at this moment?
"But this… How the heavens had favoured us! Now we can buy time for Little Han!" The Emperor declared in exhilaration.
"Buy time for Little Han? Why what's the matter?" The two grandpas raised their brows and shot a look of inquiry towards the Emperor.
They didn't attempt to conceal the information with the two grandpas either because they were still a figure of authority throughout the Empire.
The Emperor wore a serious look and explained to the grandpas, "It's like this grandmasters, on the night Little Han was born, the palace bells rang continuously with a joyful sound."
"You all know what it means to witness the bells ring. It has to be caused by a blessed birth in the imperial family. It is easy for the imperial family to investigate who the blessed child is, however this time no one in the imperial family is currently conceiving and all eyes will eventually turn to Leon."
His eyes looked grave as he continued,
"We are afraid that it will push the enemy to expend efforts just to investigate if Leon had kept a wife and a child secretly. The suspicions will also arise more at the timing of our excursion here in Silver Dew. You all know what will happen after..."
The two grandpas didn't have to hear the Emperor explain any further. If one would investigate thoroughly, they would narrow their search directly to Silver Dew. It won't be long for them to track Little Han and Eli.
"But we are blessed that an oracle suddenly arrived! With this, we can draw suspicion on the oracle itself rather than the birth of a member of the Imperial Family. In the future, when Little Han would finally be acknowledged in the palace, no one would also associate his birth to the ringing of the palace bells!"
The Emperor declared with joy. But as soon as he thought of what's coming next, his shoulders dropped low in dejection.
Queen Tehila and Leon also became low spirited.
"Young Eli, it is also because of this that the three of us cannot arouse the suspicion of the people. This means that we need to come back to the capital as soon as possible." Queen Tehila held Eli's hands in great sadness and worry.
"You knew that I planned to stay here until you recover, however.. Who could have known?" Queen Tehila was full of unwillingness in her heart.
Eli was a first time mom.
Besides, she was alone and also so young! To whom could she depend on but her, her future mother in law? She casted a protesting look towards the Emperor, but she only saw the same sadness in Emperor Valentin's eyes.
They couldn't do anything about this matter. They had to go.
Leon also clenched his fist in helplessness. To protect Eli and Little Han, he had to stay away.
Stay away at their most vulnerable times! How incapable was he as a father?!
Although she was shocked by the outcome of the matter, Eli didn't feel any disappointment.
It was already a blessing to her that they stayed up until she gave birth to Little Han. Originally, she was mentally prepared to face this all alone anyways, so it doesn't really matter.
"It's alright. I am already grateful that you were with me the day I gave birth. I really never expected that I would be with you at this moment, and for me it was already more than enough."
Eli gave a grateful glance towards everyone, from the Grandpas, to the Emperor and Queen up to Leon. She gave a bright smile, no trace of worry could be seen in her face.
"Besides, I have my familiars, and I can always ask for help if there's anything wrong. So please go on and do not worry. Let's protect Little Han in our own little ways."
"This…" Everyone displayed an unwilling expression. Although what she said was true, no one could discount the fact that Eli was just a woman recovering from giving birth.
They all went into a mournful silence.
"Then.. If His Majesty and Her Highness Second Queen are willing, we can take Eli under our care when we go back to the capital. What do you say?" Grandpa Ben broke the silence and offered everyone a shocking yet viable solution.
Everyone had their mouths agape in shock. Eli was also surprised. She casted an inquiring look towards the grandpas.
Grandpa Andi also nodded in approval while continuing to explain,
"Actually we have been planning this all along, ever since the Third Prince came to us. We knew that eventually Little Han must enter the palace to be acknowledged as a member of the Imperial Family."
He looked at Eli and said in a thoughtful tone,
"We thought that when that time comes, Eli will have a hard time gaining a foothold in the capital. That is why we have long planned to offer Eli an opportunity to be adopted under the Forgeworn or Farauld Family."
"This...this…" Eli couldn't find the words to reply to the sudden offer by the grandpas.
However her heart was already overwhelmed with emotions. Her Grandpas had extended her such a favor again. In this life, how could she ever repay their kindness?!
Grandpa Ben looked at the shocked Eli, he chuckled lightly and said, "Our only worry was the moment you appeared, the Spectre will come straight at you. But now that the black hair industry has been doing well and fine, we are more relieved that we can finally extend you this offer!"
"But we have been fighting day and night on who's family will offer adoption.." Grandpa Ben added with a pout.
"It must be me, you greedy Old Ben! You already have a son and a daughter! What's more, you already have grandchildren!" Grandpa Andi replied grumpily.
"Is it my fault that you only bore sons and not daughters? Bahahaha even your grandchildren were all boys!" Grandpa Ben retaliated with a mocking smile.
The rest in the room was caught along the waves given by the two grand masters. They didn't know how to react. They continued to bicker for a while before they turned to Eli seriously.
"We know that this is a matter that you must think thoroughly of course, so we will wait for your answer." Grandpa Ben reminded Eli with kindness in his aged face.
"As to the matter of leaving Eli with no one to take care of her, Old Eirllon had proposed during the day of renewal that she could stay within the Elven Village while she is recuperating." Grandpa Andi added.
"As much as we wanted her to stay in Argentum or in this cottage, we are afraid that the suspicion will still be directed towards these two places. That is why, Old Eirllon offered for her to stay, since it will be Azayn who will look after her anyways."
Hearing this Emperor and Queen Valentin showed signs of relief and amazement on their faces. Leon had already told them that Eli was so incredible that she could make the grandmasters move.
However it was new to them that even the elusive Elven Chief would also be willing to extend help to Eli. Nonetheless this is a good thing for Eli and they would be at peace before they come back to the capital.
pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ However, everything will be up for Eli to decide. They looked towards Eli who was actually in trance at the moment.
She was overwhelmed by how fast the changes would be the moment she gave birth. She never knew the impact of giving birth to Little Han. Now she can see the great waves of changes she has to undergo while taking on motherhood to the next level.
But who would have known that these people would still have her well being in mind and would never allow her to go through this alone.
She looked towards Grandpa Ben, Grandpa Andi, the Emperor, the Queen and Leon.
Her eyes couldn't help but redden with the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
But before they fell she felt a gentle pat on her head. Looking up, she saw Leon's crystal blue eyes, looking at her gently.
"Just like we said before, you don't always have to answer right away... Take your time, do not let yourself be overwhelmed."
He said with a voice light as a feather, but this voice kept tugging the strings of her heart.
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