188.Nephew's petty quarrel with uncle.

Elexon frowned, clearly surprised by the request. "Day off?" he asked in surprise. However, his expression soon changed to a bit of panic. "Is your illness acting up again? Are you feeling unwell?"

Instantly, anxiety clouded his mind. Was the training he gave Yosan too hard? Was he pushing the young man too hard until he got sick again?

"No, no, Uncle." Yosan hurriedly waved his hand, dismissing the worry. "I'm fine. It's just... Her Majesty asked me to take some time off to buy clothes with her."

Elexon raised an eyebrow before finally snorting amused. "Hah, so you just want to go shopping with her?"

"Yes... more precisely, she wants to buy me something," Yosan replied a little awkwardly.

Elexon chuckled. "That's good too. At least someone cares about your appearance. You should have decent clothes, considering you only wear the same clothes. If it's not a servant uniform, it's either old-fashioned or worn-out clothes. Either black or white." Elexon's index finger moved as if pointing at Yosan's clothes.

Yosan only smiled slightly. He didn't really think about his appearance, but Reina always paid attention to things like that. Maybe it was time to add to his clothing collection, considering most of his were old clothes that were starting to wear out and were too small.

"Alright, you can take tomorrow off from training," Elexon said finally. "But don't relax for too long, because in the future I won't let you off the hook so easily."

Hearing that, Yosan's eyes immediately lit up with joy. "Thank you, Uncle!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Elexon only shook his head slightly while chuckling at his nephew's expression, which was like a child who had just been given a gift. "That's enough, let's have some snacks first before I train you harder today."

Yosan smiled, then began to eat the available snacks and rested for a moment before returning to training under Elexon's firm guidance.

After drinking his water, he immediately got up and said, "Let's go, Uncle!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Elexon chuckled at his enthusiasm. "Wow, you're very enthusiastic. I like that," he said, patting Yosan's shoulder. Without wasting time, he prepared again to train the young man more firmly.

They returned to the training arena, and without wasting time, Elexon immediately pushed Yosan to increase his endurance and agility. This time, he increased the practice of defensive movements, ensuring Yosan was not only able to attack but also able to defend well in real combat.

***

The sun painted the horizon with beautiful sunset hues, creating a warm and calming atmosphere in the sky.

In the front palace garden, Yosan and several servants were busy tending to the thriving plants. After finishing today's training, he chose to spend his time doing light activities before finally resting.

He crouched beside a flower bush. His hands deftly pruned the wilting leaves, ensuring the plants were well-maintained. Occasionally, he straightened his back and wiped the sweat from his forehead. This job was indeed much lighter than training with Elexon, but it still drained energy.

While he was focused, suddenly a cheerful laugh echoed in the air, attracting his attention. Yosan raised his head and saw Lia running in the yard. Her laughter echoed with her light steps. Behind her, several other servants seemed to smile at her cheerfulness.

"Lia?" Yosan called, attracting his little daughter's attention.

Lia stopped running and turned to him. Her wide smile immediately grew as she approached Yosan with light steps. "Dad!" she exclaimed happily.

"Be careful, Lia. You might fall," Yosan said gently.

Lia stopped her steps, but still smiled broadly. Once she was in front of her father, she immediately stretched out her small arms, asking for a hug. Yosan welcomed her warmly, lifting his daughter's tiny body and kissing her soft cheek.

"What's this? Why do you look so happy?" Yosan asked, stroking Lia's head affectionately.

Did his daughter just get praise again from her friends and teachers? Or was there something else?

Yosan then realized something and raised an eyebrow. "And why are you just coming back now?" he asked. "Usually you come home earlier and go straight to Dad. Don't you love Dad anymore, hm?" He pretended to pout while looking at Lia with an expression full of complaints.

Lia giggled, then smiled shyly. "Sorry, Dad... Lia played with her friends first, that's why she just came back now." She reached for Yosan's hand and held it tightly. "But Lia still loves Dad, you know! Dad, don't be angry, okay?" she said sweetly.

Yosan laughed softly and stroked his daughter's head. "Hm, alright, Dad forgives you this time," he said in a teasing tone. "But next time, tell Dad, Mom, or someone else if you want to play with your friends first, so we don't worry. Understand?"

Lia nodded enthusiastically. However, suddenly the girl's expression changed enthusiastically. Her eyes sparkled, as if she had just remembered something she wanted to tell. "But do you know, Dad?" her voice rose enthusiastically. "Lia managed to beat Uncle Nils earlier!"

She smiled broadly, her face radiating pride. Her mind drifted back to the game earlier, where she managed to find Nils first while playing hide and seek. She had long wanted to win against that arrogant man, and finally her wish came true! Thank you, God!

Yosan frowned. "Uncle Nils?" He tilted his head, confused.

"I had some business outside the palace for a moment, and also picked Lia up from school and accompanied her to play with her friends," explained Nils, who suddenly appeared with his casual smile.

Yosan turned around, finding Nils standing tall while carrying several documents tied with a rope and sandwiched by a book. It seemed the documents contained something important, and it was likely the man was busy enough to have to leave the palace.

On the other hand, Lia, with a victorious expression, immediately mocked Nils, bringing up his defeat directly. "This time Lia won, and Uncle lost! Wleee~" she said in a teasing tone.

Yosan chuckled, covering his mouth with his hand to hold back laughter at his daughter's behavior, which was so happy.

Nils sighed and pointed at Lia, who was still mocking him. "Stop that, Lia. And remember, Uncle only lost to you once, so don't be too proud."

In fact, he deliberately didn't hide well so Lia could find him and brag in front of her friends. But seeing how the girl kept bringing it up with satisfaction, he began to regret that decision.

"And you too, Yosan! Stop laughing at me like that!" Nils protested in an annoyed tone.

Instead of stopping, Yosan laughed even more, making Nils's face wrinkle even more.

"Yosan!" Nils reprimanded, his tone increasingly impatient.

Slowly, Yosan tried to control his laughter, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes from laughing too much. "Haha... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh at you," he said, though a wry smile still lingered on his face.

Nils snorted, then looked away.

Yosan sighed and stroked Lia's head gently. "So, what game did you play until Uncle Nils lost to you?" he asked, still with a lingering smile on his face. "Isn't it usually Lia who loses?"

"Daaad!" Lia protested, pouting her lips.

"Hide and seek," Nils answered in a low voice.

Yosan blinked several times, making sure he didn't mishear. "Wait... What?"

"Hide and seek," Nils repeated, more softly.

Yosan looked at the man with an incredulous expression. What did he just say? He lost in a game of hide and seek against Lia? Seriously!

"Oh? So you let yourself lose to a little kid, Uncle Nils?" he teased with an amused smile.

Nils shrugged. "Don't get me wrong, I only let Lia win this time," he said lightly. "Besides, you know how this kid is when she's enthusiastic. No one can stop her."

Lia increasingly looked at Nils from head to toe, with both hands on her hips in a confident style. "But still, Uncle lost," she said cheerfully.

Yosan chuckled again, his shoulders shaking slightly to hold back laughter. He really enjoyed this moment when the two people in front of him argued, as they always did. Uncle and niece always argued at every opportunity.

Nils sighed deeply, trying to stay calm. "Huft... Uncle deliberately didn't hide well so you could win once. Don't be too proud yet," he said in a half-annoyed tone.

Lia tilted her head and looked at Nils with an expression full of curiosity. "So, if Uncle was serious, I wouldn't be able to win?" she asked innocently.

Nils grinned thinly. "Of course," he answered confidently.

Lia frowned, then quickly said, "In that case, we'll rematch tomorrow! Just watch, Lia will definitely win again!"

Yosan couldn't hold back his laughter this time. He laughed freely, making Nils even more annoyed. "Stop laughing like that, Yosan!" Nils reprimanded with a frustrated expression.

Yosan finally raised his hand, trying to calm down. "Haha... Sorry, sorry. I just didn't expect you to seriously argue with a little kid about a game of hide and seek."

Nils glared at him, while Lia became even more enthusiastic. "I'll prove it! Tomorrow Lia will definitely be able to beat Uncle, whether Uncle is serious or not!" she said confidently.

Nils could only sigh. It seemed he had been trapped in a new challenge from his little niece.