There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 713

Chapter 713: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 48

Calling it a party was honestly too much--at least in Radia’s opinion.

There was no lavish decoration, just fresh flowers taken from the Peak’s greenhouse and an abundance of food. The people who came were those who could basically walk in and out of the mansion without any appointment. Families, even the ones without blood ties.

It was more like a large family dinner. For Radia, it was a common occurrence whenever the Mallarcs gathered. For Joon, however, it was something he only experienced after waking up from the hospital.

At least, until he regained all of his memory.

In his childhood house, the dining table was unnecessarily large, with a dozen chairs that were rarely used. The only ones using the dining table were his father and the guests--not even his mother, much less the children. It was cold and devoid of emotions, only to fuel pride.

Han Joon found it funny that whether it was at the Peak or in this mansion, there was no large table like in his old house. The size of the table and chairs was always adjusted to the number of people eating. Even then, the place to eat had always been flexible.

A good weather outside? Let’s eat in the garden. Bored with the wall? Let’s have a meal in the greenhouse. Too lazy to get up? What about a tray on the bed or a spread on the balcony?

There was no rigidity that was always present in his old house. He remembered how Laurel told him that he didn’t have to be so formal when he was amongst family, and...Han Joon smiled as he gazed at the drawing room. It was warm. It was always warm, even in the winter.

Instead of the dining room, they had the ’event’ in the drawing room. There was a patio door leading to the garden, which also connected to a swimming pool that was covered for some reason. Perhaps because it was winter.

The drawing room, which was large enough to host a proper party, reminded Joon of the Peak’s sunroom. A third of the space had been turned into a playground--not just a plushie forest--and another third became a...pantry? With a grilling set and cooking ingredients. The rest of the space was what was originally there--cozy sofas and comfortable chaises.

But of course, a party’s soul was in its attendants.

"Chuun!"

As usual, the high-pitched squeal came first before anything. The child who had just turned one not long ago could run even better this time, rushing through the halls like a storm.

And as always, Han Joon caught her before the short legs toppled over. The little girl was wearing a shimmering light green dress this time, with flower embroidery sewn at the hem and collar. A sparkling tiara headband was attached to the bouncing black hair, which was fashioned with silk ribbons.

"Oh, you’re a princess today."

"Incess!" Nari raised her arms and put them around her uncle’s neck. "Ayi peety?"

Han Joon smiled and lightly pinched the pink cheeks. "Yes, you’re the prettiest princess in the whole world."

That was a lie--for Joon, Radia was the prettiest. But the little princess didn’t need to know that. She giggled and asked Joon for a twirl, so he raised her high and made a few turns until her joyful shriek filled the large drawing room.

"Ankel!"

And then the twins came, stabbing him with toy swords. Each of them used a poncho with SavAsh’s logo on it--Asa in red and Kar in blue. Connected with a cord instead of a button, the poncho looked like a cloak.

Han Joon raised his brow at the ticklish stabs on his legs. "Are you her knights?"

"Yes!"

"Good job," Han Joon chuckled and put the little princess down, handing her to the energetic red knight. "Protect her well."

"Yes!"

The two knights sheathed their toy swords and held the little princess’s hands, escorting her to the toy kingdom. Apparently, the twins were currently obsessed with a children’s animation show about a little knight’s adventure around the world while looking for his family.

Why a child could be a knight, Joon had no idea. He had never watched children’s shows.

"Technically...shouldn’t they be princes?" Han Shin commented while stroking his chin.

"Why should they? I’m not a Prince," Bassena protested sharply.

Han Shin shrugged. "Genetically speaking..."

"I mean, I guess if someone kills the whole royal family, you and the twins will be in line for the throne," Radia chimed in while sending in an explanation to Joon’s commlink.

After all, he had yet to know about Bassena’s lineage when he was twenty.

"If the whole royal family is gone, might as well change the kingdom system entirely," Bassena scoffed.

"You can sit on the throne and do that, you know," Reina shrugged. "Technically."