Chapter 58 Ferocious Little Beast
Frederick looked at Alex, who was obediently picking up food and eating, then at Rebecca, who seemed uneasy.
Frederick shook his head. "Nothing. Just wanted to ask what you're planning to do with us this afternoon."
At that one sentence, Rebecca bristled like a startled cat. "You're coming too?"
Frederick was taken aback.
Rebecca seemed to realize she'd said the wrong thing and quickly waved her hands. "I don't mean you can't come. It's just that if you go, I'm worried the attention you'll attract might cause unnecessary trouble. So..."
His cool eyes swept over Rebecca, and Frederick compromised. "Fine, then I won't go!"
Relief visibly washed over Rebecca's face. "I'm planning to take him to the amusement park, and when it gets dark, ride the Ferris wheel to see Empire City's night view, then go eat something good. After we eat, we'll come home! Is that okay?"
She knew full well he wouldn't refuse.
But Rebecca exaggeratedly blinked her eyes, looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to nod his agreement.
Frederick's eyes showed amusement. "Okay."
"Yay!"
Rebecca cheered, attentively placing a shrimp in his bowl, then putting a chicken wing in Alex's bowl and affectionately ruffling his hair. "Eat more, you need energy to have fun! Just you wait and see this afternoon—Becca guarantees you'll have so much fun you won't want to go home!"
Looking up at Alex and seeing his calm, silent gaze, she knew this meant he approved.
Frederick's eyes deepened.
Alex had been brought back to the Windsor Mansion at age two.
What kind of life he'd lived during those first two years was unknown, but in the three years since returning to the Windsor family, he'd only stayed in one place.
The Windsor Mansion.
Even Pinewood Mansion—this was his first time here.
Other people's children had been traveling all over with their parents since they turned one.
The park near home.
The amusement park farther away.
Even fun places at home and abroad.
But from the moment young Alex learned he was going out, he'd transform into someone else entirely.
Screaming.
Biting.
As if everyone approaching him was a bad person—he'd bite whatever he could grab, punching and kicking so no one could get close.
A two-year-old child, transformed into a fierce little beast.
Frederick remembered clearly—the first time he'd tried to take him out, mentioning the amusement park, Alex had looked completely confused.
The moment he saw the Windsor Mansion's gate, he'd turned and run.
When the bodyguard caught him and brought him back, he'd immediately bitten the bodyguard's ear.
If Frederick hadn't moved quickly to pinch his face, the bodyguard's ear might have been bitten off.
After that, Frederick had tried testing the waters bit by bit, but never once succeeded.
The farthest they'd gotten, Alex had cooperated and left the house, but when they reached the restaurant, he'd clung desperately to the car seat refusing to get out, his nails breaking from the effort.
From then on, no one in the Windsor family, from top to bottom, dared take Alex out anymore.
Even the tutors who taught him came to the house.
Yesterday, when Frederick suggested bringing him back to Pinewood Mansion, he'd patiently explained that it was his and Rebecca's home, and he was inviting Alex to visit.
Alex's expression had been calm as always.
Frederick thought that meant refusal.
Walking toward the old mansion's gate, he'd expected Alex to turn and run at any moment.
His mind had been full of thoughts about how far Alex might get this time.
Unexpectedly, Alex had held his hand and walked all the way out of the Windsor Mansion, then gotten in the car.
Frederick's nerves had been on edge the whole way, worried that Alex would lose control and start screaming at any second.
But the anticipated incident never happened.
Every time he looked up, he saw Rebecca making funny faces at Alex, and Alex either pressing his lips together or unable to help smiling.
Though the car was quiet, Frederick inexplicably felt that Rebecca and Alex had chatted the entire way back to Pinewood Mansion.
If he could hear their thoughts, yesterday's car ride would probably have been so noisy it could've blown the roof off.
And after yesterday's surprise, today Alex had nodded, agreeing to go out with Rebecca.
Though they hadn't left the house yet, Frederick inexplicably felt that Rebecca would succeed.
The meal was quickly finished.
Rebecca put down her fork and didn't forget to lift Alex from his chair. "Go on, change your clothes, we're heading out!"
Rebecca went upstairs to her room.
Alex turned and went to his own room.
The door closed, and the living room fell quiet.
On one hand, Frederick felt Rebecca would succeed, that she'd be able to take Alex out, to a third place beyond the old mansion and Pinewood Mansion.
On the other hand, he also felt that if Rebecca hit a wall in a moment, he'd understand.
Frederick had mentally prepared himself to comfort Alex and explain things to Rebecca.
The next instant, the door opened.