Chapter 275

A smile finally flickered in Dane’s eyes. “Yeah, you’re the princess p>

Claire was so caught off guard she almost forgot to breathe. Since when did this guy know how to be sweet? She felt herself blush for half a second, then lifted her chin and nodded with total confidence. “That’s right, I am the princess p>

Dane laughed, low and warm. “Then, Princess, would you mind helping me make this medicinal wine p>

Claire shot him a look that said, Are you serious? Dane just grinned and held out his hand. She put her hand in his, shaking her head but smiling. “Come on, let’s get to work p>

Claire took the lead, sorting and prepping the herbs, while Dane did whatever she needed. Once everything was ready, she dropped the herbs into a glass jar and poured in some good white liquor.

“Isn’t this a little too strong for Baldrick?” Dane asked.

“It’s fine,” Claire said, giving the jar a gentle swirl. “Once the herbs soak, the medicine and alcohol blend together. He’ll only have a sip a day. It won’t cause any problems p>

“Alright, I’ll trust you p>

They spent half an hour in the storage room, mixing and measuring, until everything was just right. When they finally came out, Baldrick had already sent word to the kitchen to start dinner. Looked like they’d be eating at the Green family’s place tonight.

Claire settled next to her grandpa and immediately noticed a beautiful mahogany box on the coffee table. It looked old, the kind of thing with a story behind it.

“Claire, that’s a little something to welcome you,” Baldrick said.

Claire guessed it was probably some family jewelry, another heirloom passed down. “Thank you, Baldrick,” she said as she accepted the gift.

“Claire, come with me for a moment,” Baldrick said.

He wanted her to do an acupuncture session, which had been part of Claire’s plan for this visit anyway. But as soon as the two of them started to leave together, Padgett’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“What are you two whispering about over there p>

“That’s between Claire and me. You don’t need to know,” Baldrick replied, rolling his eyes. He couldn’t believe how nosy Padgett was for someone his age.

Padgett huffed, “I’m just trying to protect her! Claire’s still young and too trusting. What if you trick her into signing some crazy agreement p>

He tried to sound serious and protective, but the curiosity in his eyes was obvious.

Baldrick shot him a glare. “You worry too much, Padgett. Even if I wanted to trick someone, it wouldn’t be Claire. She saved my life, you know p>

As soon as he said it, Baldrick realized he’d slipped.

Padgett’s gaze sharpened. “Wait, what did you just say? How did my Claire end up saving your life? What’s really going on here p>

Was there anything worse than feeling like your own granddaughter and your oldest friend were keeping secrets from you? Padgetts irritation was all for Baldrick, but

when he looked at Claire, he turned on the puppy-dog eyes.

“Claire, aren’t I the person closest to you in this world? Why would you let an outsider in or a secret but not your own grandpa? Don’t tell me you don’t want me as family anymore p>

Claire could only stare at her grandpa, totally speechless at how dramatic he was being.

“Grandpa, you’re really overthinking this.” She let out a helpless sigh. “It’s not about whether you’re my family or not p>

Padgett put on his saddest face. “I knew it. You met Baldrick first, so now you like him better. You want to make him your grandfather instead of me, don’t you p>

Before Claire could even open her mouth, Baldrick had had enough.

“Oh, come on! All this fuss because I met Claire first? Are you really jealous about that? She Baldrick started to say Claire was Hale student, but then he remembered that she hadn’t actually mentioned it herself.