Chapter 214: Chapter 214 Snacks
"He won’t call you again," Dante said calmly as he returned to his seat, holding out Alina’s phone.
"Really? What did you say to him?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"Nothing," Dante replied, his crimson eyes sliding toward the clouds outside as if the matter did not deserve another word.
Alina blinked, confused, but she didn’t press further.
Their moment was cut short when a familiar voice burst in from behind. "Principal!" Drake’s head popped up, his wings half-sprung as he hovered awkwardly in his half-form.
Dante didn’t even look startled at the sudden intrusion. His cold eyes only shifted to the little dragon. "What?"
"Did you prepare snacks for us?" Drake asked with starry eyes, bouncing with excitement.
"No," Dante answered flatly.
Drake gasped dramatically, his mouth opening so wide that even Alina had to bite back a laugh. One minute later, the little troublemaker returned, this time dragging Lucien with him.
"Lucien! Your daddy didn’t prepare snacks for us!" Drake complained loudly, as if announcing a crime.
Lucien blinked, looking straight at his father. "Dad? You said you prepared so many snacks for us," he said, his voice soft but disappointed.
Alina’s heart melted instantly at the sight, the quiet, polite Lucien standing beside mischievous Drake, both with such different personalities yet so in sync. Smart boy, she thought. Drake had pulled Lucien in as backup, knowing his father would never refuse him.
Drake tried to cover his mouth with his chubby hands, pretending not to laugh, but the sparkle in his amber eyes betrayed him completely.
Dante’s gaze shifted between his son and the giggling little dragon. He said nothing, but the faint twitch at the corner of his lips made Alina wonder if even he wasn’t immune to their antics.
"Snacks are in the back area, in the yellow basket," Dante said at last, his voice calm but unable to deny his son.
"Yesss!" Drake’s wings fluttered excitedly as he grabbed Lucien’s hand and dragged him away, calling to the others. "Come on! Snacks, snacks, snacks!"
The babies scrambled after him, their little feet pattering across the cushioned floor. Boo was the first to reach the back. With exaggerated flair, he threw open the yellow basket’s cover. "Ta-daaaa!" he shouted proudly, as if he had packed it.
Inside were all kinds of snacks: crunchy crisps, tiny wrapped cakes, cheese bites, honey cookies, and colorful packets of puffs.
"Wowwww," Drake’s eyes sparkled like amber jewels. His chubby cheeks were glowing with joy as he leaned in so close his nose almost touched the packets.
But his excitement doubled when his gaze fell on a second basket, this one bright red. Without hesitation, he flipped open the lid. "OHHHHH!" His voice cracked with excitement. "This one is full of fruits! Look, look, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, even melon!"
Lucien leaned forward, his calm face softening into a smile as he reached for a bunch of grapes.
"There’s more!" Boo squealed, his little hands flapping as he noticed two more baskets pushed to the side, one pink, one purple.
"Treasure hunt!" he declared, and the babies squealed as they crowded closer, their tiny fingers eager to uncover what surprises those baskets held.
Boo dramatically opened the pink basket with a squeal. Inside were neat little dessert boxes, cream puffs, tiny cupcakes with glittery frosting, and slices of chocolate rolls. "Sugar!" Boo gasped, hugging the box like treasure.
Drake nearly fell backward in excitement. "Wahhh! Boo, share!" he shouted, reaching for a cupcake.
Before they could fight, Luna stomped forward, her little braid swinging. She growled, "Don’t fight, I will eat the first one!" Her sharp little teeth flashed, and both Boo and Drake jumped back, clutching their sweets protectively.
Kelpie peeked over Luna’s shoulder, his pale cheeks turning pink as he quietly reached for a strawberry tart. "I just want this one," he whispered, hugging it close like it was priceless.
Rocky shuffled forward nervously, clutching his hands together. "C-can I... have something crunchy?" His voice was so small, but his eyes sparkled hopefully as he peered into the purple basket. When he leaned over to open it, his whole face lit up. It was full of juice bottles, crunchy chips, and nut bars.
"Perfect!" Rocky grabbed a pack of chips, only to drop it when Luna turned and growled again just to tease him.
"Waaahh!" Rocky almost turned into stone on the spot, but Sable hurried over, gently patting his hand. "Don’t worry, Rocky... I’ll share mine with you." His voice was soft, but it made Rocky’s cheeks warm.
Meanwhile, Drake puffed out his chest and declared, "Everyone, don’t fight! We should eat one by one."
They all sat cross-legged on the soft mat, their little hands full of fruits and crumbs scattered around as if a tiny feast was happening. Alina came over, smiling at the sight of their happy faces.
"Teacher! Fruits for you!" Drake shouted proudly, holding a banana high in the air as if it were a prize. His cheeks puffed as he pushed it toward her.
Alina chuckled and crouched down to take it. "Thank you, Drake."
"Wait! Let me peel for you, teacher!" Boo declared dramatically, snatching the banana back. He wiggled his fingers with great seriousness as he peeled it with exaggerated care. "Ta-daaa! Eat safely now!" he said with wide eyes, as if he had just performed magic.
Alina laughed softly and took a bite, pretending it was the sweetest banana she had ever tasted. "Delicious, thank you Boo."
Then, Sable shuffled forward, holding an orange with both hands. His eyes were lowered, and his little horns peeked shyly through his hair. "For you, teacher..." he whispered.
Alina’s heart softened immediately. She crouched down to his level, her smile gentle as she accepted it. "Thank you, sweetheart. This means a lot."
Sable’s cheeks turned pink, and he quickly hid his face behind his small hands, but his lips curved in the tiniest smile.
Seeing this, Luna’s golden brown eyes narrowed. Why was teacher only patting Sable, smiling at Drake and Boo, while she sat here being ignored? Her small hands clenched around a sweets packet, and before she even realized, she was marching toward Alina with her cheeks puffed in annoyance.