“That’s true. But a count is different, especially a nouveau-riche one. I was just considering all the possibilities that could happen. I hope you’re not offended. I was also worried I might become a burden to both of you.”

Lu lifted her head slightly to gauge her parents’ expressions. Hmm, she had intended to articulate it smoothly, but it seemed to have backfired.

“I’m still a little worried…”

Not just a little, but a lot. Bringing a daughter who serves in the Kaleta consulate was bound to be problematic. It would become a huge weakness.

“Lu, you don’t need to worry about that. Parents take responsibility for things like that.”

“That’s right. Mom and Dad will take care of it; you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Milene, picking up from where Ethan left off, closed her mouth after seeing her daughter’s expression. Her daughter, who smiled as if to say, ‘I understand everything you both are saying,’ seemed too grown-up today. It’s childlike to have had such concerns in the first place.
“I knew you wouldn’t forget, but thank you for continuing to search for me. I’ve spoken like a child.”

She shouldn’t have said such foolish things. Lu regretted letting such childish fears slip out of her mouth. But in front of her parents, strangely enough, various whims kept escaping her. She knew she shouldn’t.

“Why are you thanking us for something so obvious?”

Milene’s voice started to tremble in the end. Just hearing that their eldest daughter had waited aimlessly, wondering when her mom and dad would arrive, and eventually decided to cross the barrier to find them, tugged at her heartstrings. They should have gone to pick her up, naturally.

“Mom and Dad were continuously striving to cross the barrier. It’s not something just anyone can do. Especially for people who have come over from the barrier, there are strict restrictions.”

That must be the case. Lu nodded her head.
“I understand. I felt the same way. It’s just a trivial matter. Beyond all that, even getting siblings I never expected to have, and being with Mom and Dad—it still doesn’t feel quite real. But I’m really happy.”

“Do you like me, big sis?”

As Sia, who had been quietly eating with her fork, lifted her head at the talk of siblings, Milene hurriedly turned her head and wiped the corner of her eye with a napkin.

“Yes, I like you.”

Sia’s expression instantly brightened as she received the answer.

“I’m happy to have a big sister too.”

“Me too!”

Bella, who naturally had to mimic everything her big sister did, also chimed in.

“I had initially planned to formally introduce you to the kids and get you acquainted. But before I could, those little ones dashed out first.”

Ethan gestured toward his adorable but equally headache-inducing second and third children. The eldest daughter’s words had already tugged enough at their heartstrings; saying more here would turn the dining table into a sea of tears.
He quickly shifted the topic to the children. Sia, who had been scolded enough by her mom earlier in the day to shed tears, rolled her eyes nervously, worried about another scolding.

“I’ve talked a lot about you to them, so the kids were really excited.”

“I see.”

Rue, who understood the meaning behind the fact that they had often talked about having an older sister, knew why her parents were saying this.

We never forgot about you. We’ve always been trying to bring you back.

She didn’t say it out loud, but feeling each of those unspoken emotions so vividly, Rue felt like she was about to tear up again and briefly lowered her head. Ah, she shouldn’t keep crying.

“You’ll be staying here for a while, right?”

At Milene’s earnest words, Rue lifted her head and looked at Hayden for a moment before answering.
The involvement of the Kaleta Corporation is a monumental event for both countries. It will bring another hostile atmosphere between the two nations, which have just started diplomatic relations. The Kaleta Empire bears its teeth toward Perseta, who have always crossed the barrier to kidnap skilled knights.

Perseta doesn’t forgive Kaleta for cutting off their territory and even stealing their magic. The barrier door that Hayden had worked so hard to open was nothing more than a provocation against Kaleta.

‘It’s going to get incredibly noisy.’

But even if it got noisy, and even if she faced suspicions in Perseta of possibly being a spy and heard accusations of betrayal in Kaleta, Rue didn’t care. Having been cursed by Carlos and lived practically as an invalid for four years, she had no reason to remain ‘alone’ in Kaleta.

“If I get kicked out of here, I have nowhere to go.”

Milene managed a smile at Rue’s cheeky comment. Family, long unseen, is as precious as it is delicate. Rue made an effort to smile even more warmly.
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In truth, the highlight and most important discussion of the banquet takes place in the gathering that follows. Once the children are all in bed, and with a fire in the hearth, it’s customary for heartfelt conversations to emerge as the liquor flows.

“So, in celebration of the Count’s eldest daughter safely returning.”