Haja’s grandfather Hamish POV:

<>, I say to my son in law.

<>,

I bloatingly exclaim.

Currently me, my daughter Hemilia and my son in law Razeff are sitting around a small wooden table in my house.

My son is holding Hemilia in his arms. Both of them are looking down on a small boy who had fallen asleep in Hemilia’s lap

a short while ago, happily smiling while slowly swaying him from side to side.

<

This last years has been the happiest days in my life ever since the day I got married to your beautiful daughter.>>

he answers, gently cuddling his wife making her chuckle a little.

<>, she says in an admonishing tone while caressing the baby’s face.

The little guy lets out a small grumbling noise before grabbing her pinky finger and then goes back to sleep.

Hemilia stands up, Haja in her arms, and carries the baby into the wooden cradle in the back of the room.

Warmly smiling, I direct my gaze back to Razeff:

<

I know you want him to decide that by himself, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to learn about wood-crafting from me, would it?

If he learns the craft of cutting wood from me, he will have no problems getting food on the table

when he eventually has to act as a family head, right?>>

Razeff just smiles with a slight sigh and repeats the words he always directs at me when I bring up this topic:

<

a big city but here in the outskirts you can sustain a family with any profession.

You just need to accept, respect and most importantly get along with the other villagers.

You yourself could take an ounce of friendliness or two when talking to them, you know?>>

he explains in a scolding tone, still with a smile on his face.

I just grunt at his words:

<>

<> he asks with a curious face.

I pause for a second to take a sip of the drink that I prepared beforehand before making a proud smile and answering:

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

<

If my daughter decides that you too shall be a part of my family, then who would I be to be distant to you after that?>>,

I say while proudly straightening my back. Ironically, Immediately afterwards I get a coughing fit.

The drink I drank contains quite the high amount of bitterness

My son in law pours a cup of water into his cup and hands it to me. While waiting for my cough to go down, he laments:

<

Father, you are already 70 years old. Drinking at this age is irresponsible to say the least.

Furthermore this strong of a-->>

<>, I interrupt, slightly red from the embarrassment and the coughing.

<>

He looked a little taken aback by my honest words.

<>, I explain

<

I have met a lot of people and made a lot of friends in my youth.>> I pause for a moment before looking behind my son onto a poster of my late wife.

<> I say with a sad smile.

Next I gaze at my daughter, who has silently joined back with us, after putting her son into bed.

<>

While saying that, I also look at Razeff with a proud expression.

<> Lastly I looked at the cradle in the back.

<

for things to continue like this until I draw my last breath.>>

I barely stopped myself from saying that,

because I did not want to cry in front of my children today.

With that an awkward silence began.

I decide to break the silence

<>, I say

<

She was a very smart girl.

We would always sneak into places we weren’t allowed into and every time we were found by the adults,

she was always the one to bail us out of trouble! >>

I let out a small chuckle.

<

“Hey Hamish”, she said.

“My uncle is a reputable merchant and he has made me a proposal for an apprenticeship.

I already decided that I am going to accept it. Are you interested in joining me on the ride?”>>

While looking up I see Hemilia and Razeff listening to my story. I seem to have peaked their curiosity.

<>, I say while smiling a little.

<>, Razeff asks.

<

I would not have had the heart to leave her, even if it was for good ol’ Mey >>, I retort.

<

my life would have been very different from what it is today>>

<>, Hemilia asks

<>

Hemilia noticed something and became shocked:

<

<>, I interrupt her with a smile

<

I wish that someone other than me could live through an adventure like that.>>

<> I say with a smile on my face.

<>

I state the last part while looking straight into the eyes of Razeff and Hemilia.

< My daughter starts before being interrupted by her husband:

<>, he says

Hemilia still looks uneasy before finally conceding:

<>

<>, I ask with a mischievous smile.

<>

, I think to myself.

I look over to the cradle in the back. While we were having a long discussion, the child in question was in his own world. A world of dreams and wonders.

<>, I whispered without anyone hearing