9 Declaration of War

"Give me those bags." Chloe said. "If you carry them all, it's going to stunt your growth."

"But-" Justin protested as Chloe snatched the bags away from him. "What are you waiting for? Get in the car."

Reluctantly, Justin gave up and went into the car.

"Hey, um, Chloe."

"Yeah?"

"How was America?"

"It was fun," Chloe answered simply. "Why? Do you want to go too?"

"It's not that. I was just wondering what kinds of things you did. Since you've been away for six years, you must've experienced some interesting things."

"Of course I have. Did you think I would have nothing to do and live in a temple or something?" She laughed. "It isn't much different. It's just that the street signs are in a different language and it is less crowded. Everything else is pretty much the same."

"Yeah?" Justin asked dubiously.

"What, you don't believe me?" Chloe teased. "This is your house, right? I won't come in then. Tell your father I said hi."

"Okay."

"See you."

…

The car stopped just outside her house. Chloe walked through the door, surprised to see the adults gathered in the lounge room.

"Greetings to Grandpa, uncles and aunties."

Grandpa Benjamin lifted his head to look at Chloe. "It's good that you're back. Come over here to listen. This will be beneficial for your future."

"Alright," Chloe agreed, walking over.

The atmosphere was serious, and tension filled the air.

What are they talking about? Chloe wondered curiously. Why are they so solemn? Could it be…

Aunt Alice secretly gritted her teeth as she observed Chloe's actions. She thought that Chloe would make a fool of herself by plonking down on one of the couches like an uncultured country bumpkin. Against her expectations, Chloe walked confidently to the space behind Grandpa Benjamin, securing herself a shield that would protect her from any malicious intentions.

"Chloe, child, come sit down. It's cold over there with the wind coming in." Aunt Alice gestured.

"I thank Auntie for her good intentions; however, the couch is too small for me to fit. I'd only be making uncles and aunties uncomfortable if I forcibly tried to find space."

Aunt Alice pursed her lips. The couch was too small? There were plenty of seats around the couches, only that they were further away.

A faint hint of approval could be seen in Grandpa Benjamin's eyes as he observed his granddaughter's behaviour.

"Alright, we'll go with what you want to do." Aunt Alice said bitterly. "The kids are now grown up. They no longer listen to what the adults have to say."

Chloe smiled lightly and stared at the floor.

She thinks these childish tricks will be able to intimidate me?

"Alright," Grandpa Benjamin spoke. "I have gathered you all here today to tell you an important piece of news."

Everyone looked towards Grandpa Benjamin, focused on what he had to say.

"The Bulldogs have declared war on us."

They gasped. War? Why, they never even thought about it. The whole area had been in a stalemate for so long that they had forgotten about even the concept of war.

"Father, are you sure? Perhaps you are mistaken."

As soon as Uncle James let those words fly out of his mouth, he regretted it. The room's temperature decreased rapidly, and Grandpa Benjamin's expression became laced with fury. No one dared to meet his eyes in fear of angering him further.

"Are you questioning me son?" His voice boomed loudly. "I received the declaration of war personally. Why would I lie about that?"

"Ah, of course you wouldn't lie," Aunt Alice said, attempting to appease Grandpa Benjamin. "We were just so shocked at the news. We didn't think that war would happen so suddenly."

"Suddenly?" Grandpa Benjamin erupted. "This war wasn't sudden. It had been slowly building up over the years. But have I seen any of you preparing for war? No!"

Grandpa Benjamin huffed, trying to catch his breath.

Chloe pat his back to calm him down. "Grandpa don't be angry. Uncles and aunties were ignorant. How would they know to expect war when it's been peaceful for so many years? Only if they were doing their jobs properly would they have had any idea."

The adults in the room, with the exception of Grandpa Benjamin and the ever quiet Uncle Nick, had veins popping out of their foreheads.

"Chloe, you are just a child. Don't interrupt us. Let Grandpa Benjamin continue." Aunt Stephanie said, restraining her emotions.

Grandpa Benjamin, who had finally calmed down, continued speaking, this time with a hint of coldness in his voice. "This is a crucial period of time where one mistake will mean our whole family is dragged down."

He paused, taking a breath. "Instruct your children to stay in the house and not go outside by themselves. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, of course." They said quickly.

"Now that it's come to this, I have decided to bring the Successor Selection forward."

"What?" They gasped. "Bring it forward?"

"Yes, who knows what will happen to our family during this time. We have to prepare for the worst."

"But isn't it too soon, father?" Uncle James protested. "How will we have time to properly prepare for it?"

Grandpa Benjamin squinted his eyes. "My successor will be chosen for their virtues, not by how much they prepare."

Uncle James nodded sullenly to show that he understood.

"Okay, you are dismissed." Grandpa Benjamin said. He waved Chloe over. "Come, help me up."

Immediately, Chloe went closer to give him a hand.

Seeing that none of the others were paying attention, Chloe said quietly. "Grandpa, you are the one in most danger. You should assign more people to guard you."

Surprised, Grandpa Benjamin looked at the girl. He did not think that his granddaughter would be the one who knew cared about his wellbeing. Not his children nor his secretary, but his granddaughter.

He smiled gently at her. "So an old man like me still has someone who worries over him."

…

"Hey Leader, when's Vice-leader coming back?" Asked a youth leaning lazily on the sofa.

"I don't know."

"What? But she said she told you."

"She only told my why she was going, not when she was going back. Stop asking so many questions."

"Aw." The youth whined. "When Vice-leader was here, we used to have so much fun fighting the neighbouring gangs together."

"Yeah? Well it's good that you've learnt to control yourself."

"What~" the youth said. "You're no fun. You're so grim all the time. Vice-leader was much more reactive.

The leader rolled his eyes. "That's why you got beat up all the time. You teased her way too much."

"Well, she was fun to tease."

The leader sighed, sharpening the blade of his knife. "If you have time to miss your vice-leader, go polish your fighting skills."

The youth groaned, but still got up. "Yes, Sir. Whatever you say, Sir." And he walked away.

How are you faring, Chloe? Are you doing alright in your home country? Settle your things quickly and come back to America. Don't put yourself through so much trouble.