OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 498: Little Fairy

Having left his previous group, Emir strolled through the backyard, taking in the warm scene. Sounds of laughter, chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled the space, a sign that their party was well underway.

Even those who lost their friends had momentarily relaxed, enjoying themselves for they knew that tomorrow would arrive and with it, grief would resurface.

Emir, who passed by a group of hunters that saluted him, paused a fair distance away from Emma and Jake who sat at the corner.

Emma's cheeks were flushed as she drank cup after cup, her eyes clouded with whatever thoughts she was drowning.

Jake was leaning close, his voice low and insistent, clearly trying to convince her of something.

'She'll get over it.'

Emir's gaze lingered for a moment before moving on.

About ten steps away, Ragnar and Jamal stood by a table, plates half-full and bottles in hand.

Their voices were loud, loud enough for him to hear them even if he was at the furthest end of the courtyard.

"So there I was, ass-deep in nowhere with nothing but a fucked up comm link and a flare gun. Had to survive till HQ sent the extraction team, and let me tell you, shit was cold! Some genius told me lighting a fire with a flare gun is foolproof. And I believed his dumbass."

Ragnar let out a barking laugh, pounding the table.

"That's because it is! Unless you've got two left hands and a brain made of mush."

Jamal shot him a look, smirking.

"Yeah, except half the damn forest went up in flames like it owed me money. I was out there, running like some crackhead, screaming, 'I'm too pretty to be crispy!""

Ragnar nearly choked on his drink, wheezing with laughter.

"Pretty? You?! Haahahhaha! The fire probably took one look at you and decided to quit."

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Jamal flipped him off, chuckling.

"Oh please, my pretty face is fireproof. Unlike your ability to shut up when the bossman's around."

"Yeah, yeah, look who's talking."

Jamal smirked and raised his bottle in mock salute.

"Hey, I'm charming. They love me, right? It's this golden smile."

Ragnar made a show of covering his eyes.

"More like a dental nightmare but sure. I bet even constructs would run at the sight of it."

"Same to you bud, I don't know how you landed a fiance with that beard of yours."

"Unlike you, I've actually got charm."

Jamal shot back, raising his bottle:

"Yeah right, just tell me what blackmail you've got over."

"Heh, says the guy who once tried to charm his way out of paying the parking fee by telling the officer she had 'eyes like a sunrise'-while you were drunk with your pants half-down."

"Hey, that cop was into it. I'm telling you, she smiled!"

Ragnar shook his head, snorting.

"Yeah, because she couldn't believe the balls on you-figuratively of course~."

"Well, better to have figurative balls than whatever you've got tucked between those legs."

The two laugh like no tomorrow, constantly one-uping the other, the noise spilling over to nearby groups, drawing a few amused glances with Emir being one of them.

'Dumb bastards.'

Chuckling, he walked over to the quieter end of the backyard.

There, Hiro, Leo, Evan, Jack, and Sarah were gathered around the buffet table, piling their plates high and digging in like they hadn't eaten in days.

It was hard to tell who started the contest, but it seemed to have turned into an unspoken challenge to eat the most.

'Typical.'

Emir's eyes then shifted to the trio of Laura, Lily, and Morgiana, who stood near a small table, heads close together as they spoke.

Judging by the glances they cast his way and the occasional smile, he guessed Laura and Lily were prying Morgiana for stories about him, maybe about what he was like in the Academy or the missions.

'Lily's gonna get way more annoying now...'

Meanwhile, Elijah was off to the side, eyes glued to his terminal.

His fingers moved quickly, typing away, and he wore a tired, exasperated look, like he was dealing with a conversation that refused to go smoothly.

'Guess the main cast is giving him a hard time.'

Nathan and his four Shadow Squad members stood near the perimeter, their expressions relaxed but watchful.

They exchanged quiet words, and Emir could tell they were discussing something serious yet not urgent enough to break the evening's ease.

Finally, Emir spotted Logan sitting on a bench with Mariane and Evelyn.

Faye was on his knee, giggling as she played with his fingers.

The sight warmed Emir, who stepped forward to join them.

Mariane smiled up at him while Evelyn waved a little.

He nodded at them and then looked at the little one.

"Looks like she's worn you out again."

Logan laughed, shifting Faye towards Emir.

"Your turn, boss. She's got enough energy for all of us."

"Grandpa!"

Emir picked up Faye, who squealed with delight, wrapping her small arms around his neck.

With a grin, he spun her around once, her laughter ringing out clear and joyful.

For a moment, the noise of the party dimmed in the background, and the only thing that mattered was the happiness shining in Faye's eyes.

He poked her round cheeks, squishing them gently and making funny faces.

"What's this? Are these cheeks or tiny balloons?"

"Chweeeks!"

"Oh really? Can I take them?"

Faye's laughter rang out again, her eyes sparkling as she tried to push his hands away.

"No, Grandpa! They're mine!"

"Yours? I don't remember them being this squishy last time"

"Hehehehe... Yes, they're mine... I'm eating a lot."

Emir raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"That's good, and well, if they're really yours, I guess I better let them go."

He lifted her up, spinning her in the air slowly, watching her arms stretch out like tiny wings.

But soon, her giggles softened, and her little eyelids drooped.

She nestled her head against his shoulder, sighing contentedly as tiredness washed over her.

As he cradled her in his arms, he playfully poked her once more and glanced over to where Mariane stood, a soft smile on her face as she watched them.

She quickly nodded at him and stood up, understanding his unspoken words.

"Did Grandpa tire you out my little fairy?"

Faye rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists and nodded, a small pout forming.

"Yes, but I'm not sleepy yet."

Emir chuckled, playfully tapping the tip of her nose.

"Not sleepy, huh? Then why are your eyes closing, hmm?"

She opened them wide, fighting sleep with all the determination of a child.

"Because... I wanna play more with Grandpa."

Emir's expression softened as she snuggled into her shoulder, a rare gentleness showing as he

rocked her lightly.

"We'll play more next time, I promise. And maybe if you behave well, one day Grandpa will

tell you a very cool story before bed."

Faye's face lit up slightly at the mention of a story.

"A story with dragons? And brave people?"

"Dragons and the bravest heroes, just for you, but only if you get some rest."

She nuzzled closer, her voice fading.

"Okay, but... you have to promise."

Emir pressed his cheek against her soft hair.

"I promise."

Mariane got closer and reached for Faye.

"Come on, little fairy. Time to sleep."

Faye's tiny hand clung to Emir's shirt for a moment before she let go, a sleepy murmur

leaving her lips.

"Goodnight, Grandpa..."

"Goodnight, Faye."

Emir whispered, watching as Mariane took her in her arms and carried her inside the mansion.

The little girl's head nestled against Mariane's shoulder, and within moments, her eyes were closed, hopefully drifting off to the sweetest of dreams.

With a deep breath, he turned back to the party, his expression shifting back to the cold leader

his people knew.

He was about to join Logan, talk for a bit, but as he walked towards him, he noticed that was

still sitting on the side, typing on his terminal.

'...Something's up.'

Emir tilted his head slightly and spoke with a hint of amusement:

"Hey, what's got you twitching?"