And she murmured to the two performers after the performance.

“…Feathers were flying like flowers. And it smelled warm and very, very nice…….”

Even with those incomprehensible words, the performers looked at each other and smiled.

“Our young lady has an expressive power that can’t be matched even by my first disciple. So, what do you think about starting with these two types of instruments?”

“This one is called a violin, and this one is called a piano. Both are excellent instruments to lay the foundation.”

Lion pointed to the instruments, showing them to the dazed child.

Upon this, Nia raised her small hand and slowly pointed to the violin.

Although the piano undoubtedly produced beautiful sounds, choosing the instrument associated with memories of her mother was natural.

Although Jean Loop was disappointed, Lion felt proud of the mood.

However,

Suddenly, a small applause echoed.

“Excuse me. I couldn’t help but be impressed after listening to that performance.”

“…?”

Eva, who entered with her hair neatly tied, was accompanying the clapping.
They, too, seemed to have stopped by the Empire to buy instruments not available in the Republic.

“He is a young master from the Kilgis Republic. He’s here for a short study abroad in the Empire to commute to kindergarten.”

“Oh, welcome. You’re a valuable guest. I’m Jean Loop, the owner of this place.”

Jean Loop bowed with a bent waist.

Approaching Jean Loop, Lion whispered softly.

“It seems a guest has arrived. Please guide them. We’ve decided on the violin, so we’ll take care of the details through someone.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll measure the length of the arms briefly. Could you wait a moment, guest?”

Upon his words, Anna, the guest from the Republic, nodded leisurely.

After finding the right-sized violin for Nia with various sizes, he took out a notebook from his pocket and finished recording.

“Then, I’ll see you next time. Young master.”

“Yes, it was a pleasant performance after a long time. I’ll see you occasionally.”

After giving a light nod to the guest, Lion passed by Evan with the child.

Then, in that fleeting moment, Evan’s deep black eyes met Lion’s.

Those eyes strangely curved.

“Nia, see you at kindergarten.”

“Uh, okay!”

In response, Nia recalled Evan’s words, muttering while looking at the rabbit that day.

No, it was precisely what he had said before showing that forced smile.

“It would be better if useless things died quickly.”

This strange aftermath made Nia sulky all the way home with Lion.

Seeing Lucia’s lodgings approaching, something caught his eye.

‘Ah, that…!’

It was a brooch that had been hidden by the child’s long hair until now.

“Oh, you were wearing that.”

“Huh?”

“I got one too. Wanna see it? Black and white.”

Lion showed it to her as if to show her, but Nia was shocked.

Mother’s black hair and his white hair.

Whether it was Evan or whatever, the moment she saw the brooch, an alarm went off in her mind.

The child clenched her fist and started breathing heavily, puffing her lips.

Her appearance was like a time bomb about to explode at any moment.

“I misunderstood.”

“Is your fiery temper a once or twice thing?”

General Eldarian Helbert sat in the prime minister’s office, wearing a fairly apologetic expression.

Two weeks since the prime minister forcibly confined himself in the office, claiming to come up with a solution.

It had been a long time since he saw him, and his appearance was somewhat feeble.

“Well, you also have a son, so you must understand.”

“Well, I made every effort, but he didn’t appreciate it much. Moreover, he disturbed our date today, so I might get scolded. Besides, you have to worry more about your business trip today. I’ll take care of the child.”

“Sigh…”
The Prime Minister sighed with an unfamiliar expression.

Then, as if something suddenly came to mind, he looked at Helbert.

“Oh, how is your granddaughter? I heard you met her last time.”

“What’s there to be special about? Kids are just kids.”

Helbert’s tone was casual as usual, but the Prime Minister didn’t miss the faint smile on his friend’s lips.

And somehow, he didn’t like that sight.

That face was a kind of precedent ritual he used to perform before boasting about his daughter, just like he always did.

The Prime Minister quickly gestured towards the door.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Well, let me know if you’re curious. You know what? Yesterday, when I secretly fed her some beans, the kid just stuck to me like this! Hesitating whether to give me her snack in return, she hesitated, twitching here and there! How can she be so… Pahaha! You still don’t get it, do you? Truly adorable.”

He, impressed by the cuteness of the world, nodded as if moved.

The sudden, carefree chatter from the usually silent him was enough to leave an impression on the Prime Minister, whose pen was about to get stuck between his eyebrows.

“Tsk, your face is scary, so the kid is trying to adapt somehow. Hey, have you forgotten that? When the youngest son of the Guest Inn saw you for the first time, he cried like that.”

Thus, Helbert, whose heart had twisted, began to pick on the Prime Minister, who was about to argue.

“Well, it’s time for the child to come, so I should go quickly. Well, take care, you who have no cute granddaughters.”

Whether Helbert heard his story or not, he got up from his seat, closing his ears, and headed towards the lodging to welcome the granddaughter who might fear the vacant seat of her mother.

So, quickly arriving at Lucia’s lodging.

As expected, there was Rowinsska’s carriage waiting there according to the schedule, and from there came a familiar yet unfamiliar cry.

That cry was,

“Shireya!!! Mommy’s Nia!!!”

Shouting loudly while fluttering her small body, Nia rushed into the lodging.

And what remained was Lion, turned completely white.

Helbert started laughing, hitting Lion’s whitened shoulders like an everlasting snow.

“Pahaha!! Our granddaughter has high standards!! As expected, she doesn’t like just anyone. Lion, you should also grow up a bit in this opportunity. To win the favor of my granddaughter, you should be at least like me!! Got it? Hahaha!!”