Chapter 520

Athena didn’t allow Xander to go over today after all. Instead, she waited three days before having the doorman deliver the invitation. Only after the Osborne family replied did she go with Xander.

Just as they arrived at the entrance of the Osborne family, they saw Michael, wearing festive casual clothes. He stood under the steps to welcome them, and several baskets of candies and flowers were placed at the entrance. As passersby approached, servants would scoop generous handfuls of treats for them. From far away, one could see Michael grinning foolishly.

“He used to look quite steady, but why does he seem like an idiot today?” Xander gasped. He quietly glanced at Athena after saying that. Seeing a faint smile on Athena’s face, he couldn’t help but recall the past between Athena and Michael.

Sour words kept coming out, and Xander asked Athena, “I don’t know what you saw in him back then. Is he as handsome as I am? Does he have a better temper than I do? Does he spoil you as much as I do?”

Athena’s smile disappeared, and she reached out to pinch the flesh on his waist. She tried to pinch him twice but missed, so she pinched his thigh and arm instead. “Why do you have to bring up old news? You’re really digging up ancient history,” Athena complained.

Xander was not annoyed at all, but smiled happily, “If my lady loves me more, I won’t say it.”

“If you’re so cheeky again, I’ll make you sleep in the study tonight,” Athena warned.

“I won’t say it, I definitely won’t say it,” Xander promised.

The two got out of the carriage, both with appropriate smiles on their faces. They looked very loving.

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, you’re finally here!” The moment Michael spoke, a warmth seemed to spill from the corners of his eyes. “Go on inside and see for yourselves,” he beamed. “My little girl is as soft as a cloud and hasn’t a fussy bone in her body.”

Xander smiled and patted Michael on the shoulder. “General Michael, what a blessing.” The tone was so drawn out, as if afraid others wouldn’t hear the sourness in his words.

Athena hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, and he restrained himself a little. Michael was not annoyed at all, and the joy on his face could not be contained. “Thank you, Your Highness. Please, come in…” With a stretch of his hand, Xander and Athena strode forward.

As Elettra had just given birth, it was not appropriate for her to see guests. So Michael only let the nanny bring the child out for Athena to see.

“Athenie, look, isn’t my little girl very cute?” Michael said. When he said these words, his eyes were pious, flashing with excited light.

The little girl was fair-skinned, chubby, soft, and cute. She was as adorable as Athena was when she was a child. Michael held the little girl as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Athena leaned closer to take a look, and her eyes widened involuntarily. She reached out and gently touched the baby’s little hand, her heart softening into a puddle. “So cute.”

Xander frowned. “Michael, are you doing this on purpose? Are you on familiar terms with Athenie?” He wore a stern face and looked extremely displeased.

Michael couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to him and said perfunctorily, “I’ve been calling her that since I was a kid, I can’t change it.”

Xander frowned even deeper and was about to get angry, but Athena tugged at his sleeve. “Husband, look.”

The chubby baby was brought in front of him, and Xander seemed to be frozen. He couldn’t take his eyes off the baby. The baby had her eyes closed, with long eyelashes and a chubby little face. Her breathing was soft and shallow, just as Michael had said, so delicate that one dared not touch her.

“Humph, I will have a girl like that in the future too,” Xander said. He was stubborn, but the envy in his eyes couldn’t be hidden. His fingers curled unconsciously, clearly wanting to hold the soft little thing.

Athena held back a smile and stepped forward, cupping her hands at Michael. “Congratulations, Lord Osborne, congratulations, on the birth of your daughter.”

She looked at the swaddling clothes and said gently, “This child was born so well, her eyebrows and eyes are very much like Lady Osborne, and she will definitely be a stunning beauty when she grows up.” As she spoke, she took a velvet box from Trina’s hand and opened it. Inside was a delicate christening bracelet, its tiny charm gleaming under the light–a traditional gift to safeguard a child’s health and future. But the child was too young to wear it. Athena symbolically pressed it against the child’s head. Then, she handed it to the nanny.

Michael smiled even more triumphantly, carefully adjusting his hold on the child, afraid of hurting his daughter. “My wife said that this girl will take after her and will definitely be gentle.”

These words seemed to hit Xander’s sore spot, and he immediately glared at Michael. “What is the harm in a girl learning the art of the blade?” he declared. “If nothing else, it will ensure she is never easily wronged. When she comes of age, I shall instruct her in its ways myself!” Xander said.

But Michael hid the child to the side as if protecting a treasure. “Then I won’t trouble you, Your Highness. I’ll teach my own daughter,” Michael said.

Xander was so choked up that he couldn’t speak, but his eyes were still glued to the swaddling clothes. Athena couldn’t bear to watch, so she gently nudged his arm and whispered, “If you like it, just say so. Don’t be mad at Michael here.”

“Who likes it!” Xander immediately raised his voice, but Michael saw through him at a glance and teased with a smile, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Are you jealous?”

Xander said in a sour tone, “You’re just lucky to have a daughter in your first pregnancy. Let’s see if you can keep being so smug in the future.”

“Of course, my girl is my blessing.” Michael, holding the child, carefully shifted to the side. “Please, come inside and make yourselves at home. I’ve had the kitchen prepare a cask of your favorite pear blossom wine. However, you must forgive me if I do not join you in full measure today–my duty lies in keeping this little company.”

He couldn’t say a sentence without mentioning his daughter, which made Xander want to punch him. Michael held his daughter in his arms the whole time, covering her with swaddling clothes for a while, and gently patting her back for a while.

Even when he was talking to Xander, his eyes never left the small figure. Sitting across from Michael, Xander saw his contented “a daughter is all I need” expression. The jealousy in his heart intensified, and even after drinking two cups of pear blossom wine, he still felt no enjoyment.

“I say, can’t you let the nanny hold the child for a while?” Xander could finally hold his tongue no longer. “Michael, it’s been an age since we last met. Must you fuss over the child the entire time? It’s hardly becoming.”

“Yes.” Michael refused without even thinking, “My girl just left her mother. I have to stay with her, or she’ll be scared.” He paused, deliberately moving closer to Xander and lowering his voice. “Besides, I’m happy to hold my daughter. If you’re jealous, quickly have one of your own and stop envying me here.”

Xander was rendered speechless. He could only glare fiercely at Michael and turn to Athena to complain. “Look at him. Now that he has a daughter, he’s forgotten his friend. He really values women over friends!”

Athena smiled and shook her head, refilling Xander’s cup with wine. “Alright, stop getting upset like a child. We should go back now. Let’s not disturb the Marquis from spending time with his daughter,” Athena said.

Only then did Xander reluctantly get up, unable to resist glancing into Michael’s embrace before leaving. He muttered to himself, “When Athena has one next time, I will have an even cuter daughter than Michael’s girl. I will hold her in my arms every day and make Michael jealous!”

The two returned to the estate, and before they could sit down for two minutes, Nelson came in. “Your Highness, the King has asked you and Princess Consort to go to the palace,” Nelson said.

“Did he say what it was about?” Xander asked.

Nelson shook his head, “The court envoy didn’t say, but judging from his expression, he seemed very anxious.”