New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 130: GAINED AN ADMIRER

Chapter 130: GAINED AN ADMIRER

Aristia’s revelation left the entire room in stunned silence. Her calm demeanor was a sharp contrast with the shock the family members gathered felt.

The adults exchanged puzzled glances, still grappling with the unexpected disclosure. Everyone turned to Wilson and Catherine for an explanation but Aristia gestured for them to sit down.

"Please, take your seats. I will explain."

And explain, she did.

"... That is how I built The Vanilla Courtyard." She ended.

"You’re really the owner of The Vanilla Courtyard?" Alistair asked slowly.

Aristia nodded calmly. "Yes, I’m AE." Her voice was steady, though she could sense the confusion and curiosity swirling around her.

Edgar stepped forward, his expression filled with amazement and concern, like he couldn’t wrap his head around it. "Aristia... why didn’t you tell us sooner?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Aristia replied her grandfather simply after a pause, meeting his gaze with sincerity even though she was lying.

She felt guilty, but she had no other excuse for his question.

"I assume... His Majesty is aware of this." Maxim started.

Aristia nodded. "All the members of the Royal family are aware."

Silence followed after that. No one knew what to say about that. One because she was just a child that was barely six years old. Two, she was a girl. They weren’t allowed to own businesses and three, she was a child.

Yes, they repeated the last reason because it was just so shocking.

And yet... the King was aware and was doing nothing about it? When they thought about it, it seemed to make sense. After all, the members of the Royal family were known to be extremely close so perhaps Aristia was closer to them than she was to them.

The former king in his time had also made it necessary for noble females to study and attend the academy. After they had considered this, it didn’t seem so surprising.

But still, they knew the implications of Aristia’s actions. It was something that would be disapproved and shunned by nobility. Without Aristia saying anything, they knew that they couldn’t let the information leak.

They stared at Aristia with newfound wonder. The way they looked at her was as if she was a mystery that they wanted to uncover. This little child really owned the restaurant that was doing so well? Was she still the same little girl they knew?

At that moment, Aristia didn’t know she had gained an admirer.

Claire turned to Catherine and Wilson with questioning eyes. Her doubt was clear.

"Yes, mother. Tia is managing the business herself and without our help or interference. But she has an assistant to help her." Catherine answered seriously.

Before anyone could sigh in relief at the thought that even though Wilson wasn’t helping in the business, it was the assistant who was doing so, Wilson killed it.

"He is eight years old."

The adults. "...."

Were children so capable these days?

***

After the little revelation, the families returned to their separate rooms. Some minutes after Aristia had returned to her room, the door opened. She thought it was Adeline.

She shook her head. [Didn’t I tell her to take a break for the rest of the night?]

But she was surprised as it wasn’t Adeline, but Wilson and Catherine who entered the room.

"Mama, Papa." Aristia was surprised to see them there, but she guessed it was because of the plan she had devised for her great grandparents’ anniversary.

Her parents approached her and sat on the bed on either sides of her. They stayed silent for a few seconds before Catherine spoke up.

"You were behind the anniversary plans for grandmother?"

"Yes, mama." Aristia nodded. Wasn’t that part obvious?

"And the painting... you painted it?" Catherine continued.

Aristia nodded slowly.

Her parents seemed to be very convinced that Aristia had indeed inherited her great grandmother’s talent in painting.

Aristia withheld a sigh,

[Again. I’m really not sure about ’inheriting’ my painting skills from great grandmother because I’m not really related to them and I could paint before I came to this world. Besides, someone may have the talents of painting but it must be polished. There is no way one would paint such a picture as I did with just talent and Aristia has never painted before today.]

But unlike the thoughts swimming in her head, she smiled at her parents. "It must be, mama."

"You made grandmother and grandfather very happy." Catherine hadn’t seen them smile as much as they did this evening.

"You did well, Tia." Wilson praised and patted her head. Of course, his daughter was exceptionally outstanding in many areas. He acknowledged the fact.

"Have a good night, Tia." Catherine gave Aristia a kiss on the cheek and Wilson patted her head. Again.

[What is with you and my head?] She glared at him.

Wilson was a bit surprised, but then began laughing.

"Goodnight Mama, goodnight Papa."

Aristia replied with a sigh.

She lay back on her bed, but Wilson’s hand came down on her head and ruffled her hair, making it look like a bird nest in just a minute.

"You...!"

Aristia was speechless, but Wilson was already in front of the door.

He and Catherine left, leaving Aristia alone in the room with the sound of his receding laughter accompanying her ears like an annoying echo.

’Hahahahahaha... Hehehehehe... Huhuhuhuhu... Haahahaha...’

She was just kidding. Wilson’s laughter wasn’t like that. It was a deep chuckle that would have caused any lady to swoon.

She was just about to lie down on the bed again when a knock sounded on the door.

Aristia groaned. "Who could it be this time?"

"Come in."

The door opened once again and Zender and Roxanne entered.

Aristia’s brows rose up in surprise. "Great grandmother, great grandfather."

The couple smiled at her as they approached her. "Aristia... thank you," Roxanne murmured, using Aristia’s full name. She pulled her into an embrace. "That painting is a treasure. You’ve captured a very special moment that we didn’t know would mean so much to us."

Roxanne realized why the scene seemed so familiar. It had happened the previous day. But they wouldn’t have truly realized the depth of their love if it wasn’t for the painting. It allowed them to see that their love hadn’t faded and wasn’t fading.

Zender nodded in agreement, his voice thick with emotion. "I also want to thank you, Aristia. Your talent and thoughtfulness have made this anniversary unforgettable."

Of course, he had heard from his other grandchildren that this whole arrangement was her idea in the first place.

He acknowledged all his grandchildren’s efforts, but without her it wouldn’t have been possible in the first place.

Aristia nodded, but she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and happiness deep in her heart.

"But why did you paint us young?" Roxanne asked.

Zender nodded. He was also interested in knowing why.

"Well... I just wanted to show that even though great grandparents are no longer as young as before, your love still remains young."

"Ooh, my sweet, sweet Tia." Roxanne embraced her again, holding her tightly. She couldn’t express her gratitude enough.

She knew her great grandchild had a higher intelligence than her peers due to her royal blood, so it didn’t seem out of place to hear her say something like that.

The couple soon left after wishing Aristia goodnight. They had visited all of their great grandchildren’s room that night.

With no other scruples, Aristia laid down on her bed and soon she was off to a dreamless sleep.

***

The family had breakfast together the next day.

Breakfast was exceptionally lively.

Aristia couldn’t help but notice the smiles shared between Vasily and Ross. It seemed even wider than that of the rest of the people seated at the table.

[I wonder what’s going on.] She thought, looking between the couple suspiciously.

She didn’t have to wait for long to get her answer as Ross cleared his throat and tapped his glass lightly with a spoon, succeeding in drawing everyone’s attention.

"We are all very happy concerning the beautiful anniversary celebration of grandmother and grandfather. We’ll all agree that it was a unique but lovely way of celebrating an anniversary. Perhaps Tia will also agree to plan one for her favorite uncle..." Ross said, glancing at Aristia.

Aristia just smiled cluelessly.

He continued, "I wish to use this opportunity to share quite another joyful news in the presence of all the members of this family."

Everyone waited quietly for him to continue his words, but he didn’t immediately continue. Instead, he paused to smile at Vasily before looking back at the rest of the family.

"Vasily is with child."

As soon as the words were completed, the dining table erupted with words of happiness and congratulations.

Ross’s mother, Rulia Hemsworth smiled approvingly at her daughter in-law.

The women started to make plans for the preparation of items Vasily would need, leaving her both happy and embarrassed.

"This means that..." Lauren started, looking at Aristia with a wide smile on her face.

"We will have a new cousin soon." Liam finished the words.

"How many months along?" Claire Anton asked.

"Three months aunt." Vasily replied. "We found out when the physician was called when I was feeling a bit unwell."

Now that Aristia was aware, she could spot the faint outline of a bump, though it was not very noticeable unless you looked intently.

After breakfast, the families went about their usual activities.

The ladies in particular went to the drawing room.

Aristia heard that they had called a physician to perform a check-up on Vasily.

Aristia found it funny. They just found out Vasily was pregnant and they were acting like she was due to give birth the next day.