Chapter 815

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Chloe looked up with her little face, her eyes sparkling brightly as she gazed at Alistair Montgomery. Her clear, childish voice echoed in the room.

Alistair's figure stiffened. He lowered his head in disbelief, his gaze falling on the small figure.

"What did you call me?"

"Daddy!"

Chloe called out again, her voice full of innocence and certainty.

Alistair crouched down, an expression of surprise and confusion appearing on his face.

"How old are you?"

"Three years old."

Chloe held up three short little fingers, answering in a milky, childish voice.

Beside her, Evelyn Ross facepalmed.

This child had promised so well in the car. Why was she causing this scene as soon as they met?

She quickly stepped forward and spoke apologetically. "King Montgomery, I'm truly sorry. This is my daughter. She... might be a bit mischievous."

Alistair, however, waved his hand, his gaze still lingering on Chloe.

"It's fine. She's adorable."

He sighed, a trace of barely perceptible loneliness in his tone.

"If only I could have a daughter like this."

Chloe immediately chimed in. "Daddy, I am your daughter!"

Alistair was amused by her. He reached out and ruffled her soft hair.

"Alright, alright. You are my daughter."

His eyes gradually softened.

All these years, he had wanted a child so badly.

When he was young, he always felt there was plenty of time. But when he truly wanted one, it remained out of reach.

Now, at thirty-three, the issue of the royal heir was pressing. The court ministers had already begun proposing adopting an heir from a collateral branch.

Alistair looked at Chloe before him.

The little girl's eyes were dark and bright, like two moist black grapes. Her little face was pointed, carrying a fragile, pitiable quality.

He couldn't help but look at Evelyn. "Why is this child so thin?"

Evelyn smiled helplessly. "She's already gained quite a bit of weight. She just has this kind of constitution."

When she was with Grace Valentine before, Chloe had indeed suffered quite a bit. But even after their living conditions improved, she remained this thin and small.

Like a seedling that needed careful nurturing.

Evelyn looked at Chloe.

For the little one to suddenly hug Alistair and call him daddy was actually very rude behavior.

But Alistair, who had longed for a child for so long, wasn't angry at all. Instead, he showed a rare gentleness.

In the Valentine family, from the elders to the younger generation, almost no one disliked Chloe.

She had a sweet mouth. Her eyes were timid, as if silently calling out: Come and love me.

It made it impossible to refuse.

Even Alistair, who usually kept his distance from children, had taken a liking to her.

Over the years, his brothers in the clan would always parade their own children in front of him, trying to get their offspring into his line of sight.

Alistair had long grown weary of such behavior.

But Chloe was different.

The moment he saw her, Alistair felt a soft spot in his heart being touched.

He turned to Evelyn and Alexander Vance. "Is this your child? She's truly lovely."

Alexander and Evelyn exchanged a glance, then nodded.

"Yes."

Alistair smiled. "She doesn't look much like you."

At that moment, the guard standing behind Alistair stared at Chloe, his brow slightly furrowed.

He always felt this child looked familiar, but he couldn't recall who she resembled.

The guard's gaze lingered on Chloe's face for a long time, lost in thought.

Elian Cross spoke up at the right moment. "Everyone, please proceed to the dining room."

The group moved towards the long dining table.

Elian had specially prepared a child's high chair for Chloe.

During these days, Chloe had always sat next to Mr. Valentine. But now, she pushed the high chair with her little hands, huffing and puffing as she moved it next to Alistair.

"I want to eat with Daddy!"

Evelyn was about to step forward to carry Chloe back, but Alistair laughed.

"Let her sit here. I can also learn how to interact with a child."

He waved his hand, then spoke gently to Chloe. "What would you like to eat? Uncle will get it for you."

Chloe immediately pointed at the dining table. "Braised pork! Daddy!"

Alistair smiled helplessly. "I'm not your daddy. You should call me Uncle."

"Okay, Daddy!"

"...Braised pork, right? Alright."

Alistair gave up on correcting her.

He really couldn't bring himself to get angry at such an adorable little thing.

He picked up a piece of braised pork and carefully placed it in Chloe's bowl.

The guard beside him watched, dumbfounded.

His Majesty the King... when had he ever served food to someone else?

The guard's gaze fell on Chloe's face again.

The little girl's mouth puffed out as she ate, like a greedy little hamster. Her appearance was extremely cute.

The guard couldn't help but smile too.

But the next moment, his smile froze. He suddenly looked at Chloe.

He had served Alistair for many years, attending to him since the old king's time. He had seen Alistair's mother...

At this moment, Chloe's manner and appearance while eating made him vaguely see the shadow of the late queen.

Could it be...?

The guard's heartbeat suddenly quickened.