Cub 174: Side Story II · Group Favorite Little One in the Unpolluted World Line ⑤

Feeney: …

Anya: …

Feiman: …Ah!

The three of them could only watch as that little one fluttered away again, flying straight into Amos’s arms.

His newborn face was so tender that just a couple of jabs from Feeney’s beard had left faint red marks. He crashed into Amos’s embrace, whimpering miserably.

Still clutching Amos’s shirt in his tiny hand, he lifted his cherubic face, babbling for his papa to see—

Zao Zao got poked and it hurt!

“Baba—Baba—”

The little one’s fuss was far more storm than rain, entirely a display for his father’s sympathy—especially since, after coming home today, Amos had briefly left to handle some matters. The little one had fallen asleep while Amos was still present, only to wake and find him gone.

So, because Amos hadn’t said goodbye before leaving, the cub was not at all pleased.

Now, finally seizing his chance, he put on a full display, whimpering and wailing, much to the amusement of Solan and the others watching from upstairs.

Just as expected.

Although he loudly declared his pain, not a single tear had actually fallen.

He simply looked a bit incredulous and made a show of his distress.

Amos patted his little head calmly.

“All right, it’s fine. We just won’t like Third Uncle from now on.”

Feeney: ????

“Wait, wait, bro, what do you mean ‘we just won’t like Third Uncle’? Where did this kid come from? Whose is he? Yours? That can’t be, right? Where’s Eldest Brother? I want to see big brother!”

Amos pulled an empty milk bottle from his spatial ring and tossed it at Feeney’s head.

“Looking for big brother won’t help you.”

“Second brother—this is really your kid? For real?”

Anya had only just finished teasing Feeney and hadn’t yet had the chance to surrender when the whole situation was thrown into chaos. He stared, wide-eyed and unguarded, watching the cub fly straight back into Amos’s arms, his voice and expression completely incredulous.

Feiman was even more direct.

At their age, the Crown Clan were famed for reliability and composure. Their individuality might be pronounced, but they were far more restrained than they’d been in their youth.

Just like Feiman herself.

Her reputation as the cold-faced princess was well established, and she acted dependably outside—but at home, her less reliable side tended to slip through, though she kept it half-concealed.

At this moment, she had already moved to Amos’s side, her eyes never leaving the cub in his arms.

“Brother, this is yours?”

“Mm…”

Amos hadn’t finished responding when Feiman suddenly bent down—

Muah, muah, muah, several smacking kisses.

Zao Zao, in mid-wail and moments away from a tantrum, was left utterly bewildered.

Even Amos was briefly stunned.

Feiman straightened, her fingers flexing in awkward motions as if struggling to suppress the urge to snatch that adorable little thing away for herself. Her pale amber eyes were wide, shining bright beneath the cold veneer.

Her previously indifferent voice suddenly pitched high—turning sharp with excitement.

She pinched her voice up.

“Oh, heavens—he’s just too, too, too cute—Baby, I’m your auntie, yes, your auntie! Auntie will give you kisses, Auntie will give you hugs—Auntie’s here—”

“Yiya!”

In an instant, the little fellow fell silent. He let out a high, soft noise and scrambled back into Amos’s embrace, eyes wide in alarm as Feiman swooped in. He raised a chubby hand to touch his cheek anxiously.

“Baba—Baba—”

The tiny cub pushed anxiously at Amos’s chest—urging Amos to back away.

“Feiman.”

Amos took a step back, reaching out his other hand to press against Feiman’s forehead, preventing her from getting any closer—

The little one peered up through the gap, letting out a little sigh of relief, his eyes round as marbles as he patted his own chest in relief.

Thank goodness—how terrifying.

Zao Zao had almost been gobbled up.

Feiman cleared her throat.

At least outwardly, she regained her earlier calm.

“Second brother, what’s his name? When was he born? Why didn’t you tell us anything? Was there some sort of problem?”

As overwhelming as the cuteness was, they immediately began to wonder—why hadn’t Amos informed them?

There hadn’t been a single piece of news on the networks, no mention anywhere about when the Dwight family or Crown Clan expected a new cub; the last wide-ranging discussion on the matter was from more than a decade ago, when Amos once again expanded his territory and personally hammered a rival state.

More than a decade ago, all of Holy Cas had continued to develop peacefully, but that alone was never enough.

One could never guarantee that all surrounding regimes would be so stable, that every leader would be wise.

After a long stretch of calm, a new leader in some country let the Crown Clan’s deterrent fade a bit. In these years, as nations’ technology rapidly advanced, a few got overconfident, seeking to rally followers to form something akin to the Crown Clan’s rule.

What did they need to recruit followers and bolster their power? Resources and interests.

So, an under-developed mining planet within the Holy Cas region was quickly targeted—and the result was obvious.

As boundaries expanded, new, unexplored resource planets were incorporated into Holy Cas, and the long-unseen might of the Crown Clan’s mental strength once again shook the star system to its core—technology was no match for them.

It wasn’t even on the same level; not a chance.

During that period, there’d been a flurry of speculation about the Dwight family’s succession, but in the end, with both the Crown Clan and the people of Holy Cas present, the topic soon faded.

And until now, there had been no further whispers or official word.

Then this little one appeared.

Never before had the birth of a Crown Clan child been hidden from the clan—the thought crossed their minds: did Amos have some special reason?

Amos paused.

“Mother didn’t tell you?”

As for himself?

Obviously, with such a clingy cub who needed his father even to fall asleep, he’d promptly forgotten all about his siblings.

Feiman, still absorbed in thought: …?

Behind her, Feeney and Anya were still dazed: …

Feiman looked a bit blank.

After a moment, she raised her hand and pointed at herself, then at the little one.

She heard Amos’s voice simply introduce the child.

“He’s been born about a week, and can already say ‘Papa.’”

Amos had even archived video clips of the little one flapping his wings and flying.

Feiman: …

“Second brother, could you not have told us directly?!”

Feiman blurted out.

“If you’d said so sooner, we could’ve come back right away.”

That was true.

Had they known earlier, the journey would certainly have been much shorter.

“Yiya—”

Chu Zao kept his arms wrapped around his father’s neck, staring at Feiman—who had just tried to eat him—while also bellowing at Amos, his tiny wings arching high, as if to shield the mountain of a father behind them from danger.

Amos, seeing those raised little wings, couldn’t hold back and chuckled.

“There was indeed a situation before, but after all the checks, there’s been no issue. Come in, it’s not too late now.”

Amos stepped aside.

“Oh, and he’s currently learning to fly.”

Amos’s gaze fell on the stupefied Feeney—

“My advice—until he’s mastered it, don’t get too close—”

It was a kindly warning: so the little fellow wouldn’t get his face scratched by Feeney’s beard again and decide he didn’t like Feeney.

The little one blinked his large, round eyes—having understood little of what the adults said, but chattered away all the same.

“And the announcement will go out in due course. On his one-month birthday, there’ll be a ceremonial banquet. Eldest Brother is already reviewing the guest list.”

With that, Amos carried little Chu Zao—still trying to flutter his wings—inside.

“Once everything’s settled, the departments will take care of the rest.”

“All right then.”

Feiman followed closely behind.

“I thought something had happened—since there’s nothing wrong, that’s good. Mom, Mom—where’s Mom?”

The moment she entered, Feiman started shouting.

Solan came down from upstairs, a little helpless at the way her daughter reverted to her true self the instant she came home.

“Feiman, I’m right here. No need to shout. I can hear you.”

Feiman was now racing upstairs.

“I heard Grandpa’s back—is he busy? Mom, why didn’t you tell me about Zao Zao? If you had, I’d have dumped those two and rushed back myself! Mom, you wouldn’t believe how ridiculous Third Brother’s sense of direction was this time.”

Feeney and Anya had finally come to their senses and followed through the door, glancing up at the staircase—

They complained in protest: “Hey—!”

Anya was the most indignant: “I get leaving Third Brother out, but why didn’t you even tell me?”

Feeney, who just seconds ago stood in solidarity with Anya, smacked his hand on his head: “What do you mean I ‘get it’? Watch your mouth. Wait till training—I’ll sort you out.”

Anya bared his teeth but, outmatched both physically and verbally, thought better of it, and obediently trailed after Second Brother to see the little one.

Little Chu Zao was indeed learning to fly.

After a short rest on Amos, he flapped his wings and launched off again, winding his way around the entire room.

The palace butler and the staff watched cheerfully as their little prince flew hither and thither.

Every window and door had been opened for him.

Anya and Feeney sat together.

Feiman and Solan sat off to the side.

Clansis went off to work, Ebinino and Desmond were eventually pulled away to help.

Amos, meanwhile, roamed after the cub without the slightest hint of impatience, accompanying him from place to place.

The little one’s enthusiasm came quickly, but faded just as fast.

A few more rounds, and he was tuckered out.

His wings beat a few last times, then he sought somewhere to land and rest awhile before flying more—

As mentioned before, even the little one himself never really knew where he would end up landing.

He simply went where his wings would carry him.

But this time, watching for a landing spot—

The little cub glanced at Feiman’s outstretched hands, flapped his little wings all the harder, then caught sight of Feeney sitting next to her. Remembering all too well his experience as a ‘shredded cub’ with the beard, he redoubled his efforts—

In the end, he veered at the very edge and crash-landed right in Anya’s arms.

Anya, caught totally off guard, realized he’d gotten an unexpected windfall.

He stared at the slightly disheveled little bundle who’d tumbled into his lap, who now huffed and puffed as he regained his balance. The cub lifted his clear eyes up to meet Anya’s and let out a soft, comforting chirp.

There was no fear, and having snatched hold of Anya’s clothing, he then tried, ever so slowly, to stand and shake out his little wings.

Anya carefully supported him—never noticing Feeney, head almost upon his shoulder, watching the little one.

“So soft, so small…”

Anya rarely ever got to hold such a tiny cub.

It felt boneless, soft, just like a marshmallow.

And the sweet scent lingered—full of the milk he’d been drinking.

Feiman, left empty-handed, eyed Anya with envy.

Feeney leaned in as well.

At the sight of Feeney’s big beard, the cub didn’t hesitate a second—he turned and bolted—

“Baba—Baba—Za, za—”

Another direct hit.

Feeney: …

Anya snickered at his side, “Third Brother, Zao Zao doesn’t like your beard. You’re not really going to shave it for him, are you?”

Feeney sat back. “What nonsense, absolutely not—”

Then Feeney saw the little cub, once again nestled in Amos’s arms.

The cub, finally worn out, clung to Amos’s neck, snuggled soft and boneless against him, mumbled a sleepy “Baba,” said “Sleepy,” and his eyes fluttered shut.

Those tiny arms, hands, and wings—so explosively adorable.

Thus, the very next day—

When the Dwight Palace’s crowd saw Feeney, his beard shaved clean and youthful, they were on the verge of exploding.

The most-heard phrase among the Crown Clan that day was—“Oh my god, was this kid always so baby-faced? I can’t even remember.”

The cub, for his part, didn’t even recognize the beardless Feeney, mistaking him for a stranger and jumping in fright.

Feeney’s cherubic face turned dark, but in the end, Zao Zao’s soft heart saved the day—

Watching the now toddling little one wobble unsteadily across the floor, raising his own milk bottle—just a last gulp of baby milk left inside.

In a gesture of heroism—Zao Zao, give to you.

Feeney could only laugh and cry at once: …

Thank you, I suppose.

Yet the little one hadn’t worked out that Third Uncle was a master of taking advantage—

The other adults really wouldn’t drink his leftover milk, but Third Uncle was just being polite—then promptly stole the remainder.

Zao Zao watched him pop the lid and pour the last mouthful into his own mouth, then smack his lips and comment, “A little bland.”

Zao Zao: …

Behind him, Amos began, ever so quietly, to roll up his sleeves.

Feeney: …

“Second brother, what are you doing? Second brother! This isn’t the training ground—ah!!”

That afternoon, Feeney was chased all over the palace by his second brother Amos.

In that chaos, Feiman seized her chance, took the cub’s hands, and counseled him with utmost seriousness, “So, never feel sorry for men like that, Zao Zao. Remember—a pitiful man is always a little despicable too.”

Feeney, passing by, protested: “Hey!!! Second brother, look at her, listen to what she’s filling Zao Zao’s head with—”

Amos had no objection: Fine by me, I can thrash both of you.

So the little fellow watched the grown-ups bounding about, more energetic than even himself, his big round eyes blinking as he cheered “Baba, go!” in his babble—

The whole place was a riot.

Solan, watching from upstairs, laughed so hard she collapsed against Clansis.

“I never imagined that Amos, as a father, would be like this—it’s so lively.”

“What’s wrong with a little noise?” Desmond, beside her, sipped his tea.

Ebinino rubbed his hands, heading for the stairs.

“Father, what are you doing?” Solan asked.

“I see no one’s keeping Zao Zao company. As a great great-grandpa, I’m going to fix that!”

He was righteous and bold.

Desmond put down his teacup, getting up, “Me, too.”

In a word—they were joining in the fun.

Clansis said as well, “I think we could go down and have a look—”

He set his papers aside.

But before he could finish, everyone saw that Frey and Anya had already quietly seated themselves on either side of the little one.

Clansis jumped to his feet.

Not good—beat to the punch—

People of indeterminate age and dignity all trundled towards the stairs.

Solan, after a laughing fit, followed them down, calling, “Zao Zao—come to Grandma—”

“Nana—Nana—”

At the sound of Solan’s voice, the little one began flapping his wings, rising up with a wobble—

Blindly careening as always, with all the adults below laughing and waiting to catch him—the royal court was bursting with joy.

That very evening, invitations for the little one’s one-month banquet went out. The Holy Cas court’s official account released a formal statement: on the birth of Amos Dwight’s youngest son, Chu Zao Dwight.

This Holy Cas Empire, standing for thousands of years among the stars, would someday greet another king.

Even though, now, the little one had only just been born.

The network was in utter uproar.

Especially the people of Holy Cas.

Rumors had already been swirling these past few days—a new cub in the Dwight family.

A new Crown Clan cub had been born.

But with nothing confirmed, few dared to share or believe it.

Of course, a little analysis of Amos’s patterns would have pointed the way—

His Majesty Amos, after all, was a famously relentless workaholic.

Excepting his periodic travels, he had never disappeared so long from the court of the Holy Cas capital, let alone to the homeworld for weeks. It felt as though he had been waiting for something there.

But what could one wait for on the Crown Clan homeworld?

Waiting, at that, for a month at least.

Though to mythic immortals like the Crown Clan, such time was a mere blink, it was still highly unusual.

Waiting on a cub, more than anything, made sense.

In those days, there had been whispers online—but now they were confirmed.

The entire StarNet was in celebratory uproar.

A veritable carnival.

And having received the official invitations, nations and races everywhere began making preparations.

On a certain planet—

Where immortals too made their home.

“Darling—the Dwight family of the Crown Clan has a new cub.”

A woman of the Soul Clan nudged the man sleeping beside her.

He mumbled and rolled over, pulling her closer.

“Mm? Really?”

Speech slurred in sleep.

“My spiritual power went haywire the other day—exhausted me. I didn’t know—”

“Of course you didn’t, this was just announced, you know. And stop, stop putting your hands everywhere—don’t think that acting pitiful after your power fit will work on me, I’m not falling for it.”

She said this but stroked his hair with a smile.

“I just wonder—when will our clan solve this problem for good—”

“No worries—it’s not as if we’ll disown our kin, we’ll solve it in time.”

The man finally looked up, finding his partner’s reflection in his eyes, and smiled—then paused, turning toward the door.

“Mu, don’t you lurk over there.”

The door slid open, and a little cub stood in the doorway, eyes blinking, toy gun in hand. He spoke gravely and punctiliously, “Daddy, you can’t bully Mommy, or I’ll report you!”

At last the man couldn’t help it. He tumbled out of bed: “Hey, you little rascal.”

Mu’s mother laughed behind him.

The little one ran off with a patter of footsteps.

Still, his voice could be heard in the hall.

“Mommy, if Daddy bullies you again, tell me!”

“Yes, yes, slow down—oh, and by the way, I had the butler prepare clothes for you. Get ready: in a few weeks, we’re taking you to meet a cute little brother.”

*

Dwight Palace, Holy Cas royal court.

A whole host of Crown Clan surrounded the little one.

Whispers: “Is he asleep?”

They clustered around the little fellow at the center.

“He’s asleep.”

Ebinino finally breathed out.

“He really is a bundle of energy.”

On the bed, the little cub sprawled out in all directions, smacking his lips, cuddling a plush bear, blurting bits of baby talk in his sleep.

As if he’d heard his great-great-grandpa, his small body wriggled.

Ebinino’s mouth was immediately covered by Desmond, who was closest.

Probably due to all the family around, after an afternoon and evening of over-excitement, the little one could barely keep his eyes open but stubbornly refused to sleep.

Now, with everyone staying by him, finally, he drifted off.

They dragged Ebinino out; Solan lingered, glancing back at Amos and little Chu Zao, smiled, and softly closed the door.

Amos’s hair was slightly disheveled from the little one’s rambunctious play, but hearing the door close behind him, he tapped Chu Zao’s little hand, watching as the little one rolled over and hugged his arm. Amos smiled. The collar of his uniform was unbuttoned from romping with the baby, exposing his sharply defined collarbone as he propped himself against the bed. He waited, tender and gentle, as the cub settled into sleep.

Sleep well. Goodnight, my sweet baby.