"Bu?"  

Baby Adrian turned his head, his large, round eyes locking onto the Grand Duke. His expression was one of innocent bewilderment, but at the same time, he carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who knew they were adored. He made no attempt to avoid his grandfather's touch, as if basking in affection was his natural right.

“You sweet little thing. Say ‘Grandfather.’ Come on now, ‘Grandfather.’”  

“Habba?”  

“Yes, just like that. Good job.”  

Whether Adrian was genuinely mimicking the word or simply babbling by coincidence, the Grand Duke lit up as though his …