It seemed that today’s gathering of parents was for the lower grades to congratulate the graduates before the winter vacation.

But Lucia, who had opposite business, opposed her.

“Oh. It’s okay. Actually…”

“Oh my, it’s fine. Come out here quickly, will you?”

If it weren’t for Lucia, who was blocking the office door, she seemed ready to turn everything over right away.

However,

“It’s really okay. I actually came to apply for withdrawal.”

“…What? What are you saying now…?”

Her always warm gaze, covered with laughter, sparkled for a moment.

A student leaving Eldarian Kindergarten, which everyone wanted to enter.
Even the people in the office behind her seemed to be withdrawing, which seemed unexpected that a student at this kindergarten would take such a procedure.

In this way, Georgia turned around, monitoring people’s reactions, and urgently dragged Lucia to the principal’s office.

In the blink of an eye, they entered her office.

It was always a comfortable atmosphere, but the pupils of her eyes, which Lucia faced, were shaking violently.

“Why on earth would you make such a decision… Is it because of being ostracized? I heard about the last gathering. Did I expect my heart to be relieved just by giving a separate greeting to the Queen at the last meeting, sensing that the atmosphere of Lady Anna Marquis was strange? If it was going to be like this, I might as well have endured torture or something…!”

“No, no. Please calm down. It’s not for that reason.”

Lucia had to explain part of it to her, who misunderstood unexpectedly.

That she was going to Arquis Empire and the shocking content was to become the new owner of that land.

Since it was the first time she had spoken out loud since the meeting, it was quite awkward even for herself, but it was something she had to say in the end.

And also to the members of the Dark Order she would encounter in the future.

‘Ah, it’s going to be quite noisy…’

Since she was not sociable anyway, there weren’t many people who would tell her such facts before leaving, but she was already starting to worry about the members who were special.

However, those thoughts were momentary, and the reaction of the woman in front of her was also different.

Of course, she didn’t speak as dramatically as she did during the meeting, but she just nodded her head naturally in response to this surprising fact.

“That’s right. It’s not something terribly surprising. I think I’ve just come to have what I deserve.”

And her unexpected words continued.

“Well then, is it time for the explanation now?”

“…?”

“Oh, am I wrong? If you’re going to conquer the empire and break free from the vassal country, isn’t that like calling yourself a king? Isn’t that what you intend to do?”

“…Ah.”

A small sigh came from Lucia’s mouth.

And her head, which had only worried about the reaction, became chaotic.

She had only intended to make Nia the owner of that land entirely, but somehow she had become a queen.

Especially, the moment she realized that she had tried to yield the position of Supreme Commander to Leon, unlike her previous life, she felt confused.

Moreover, that she realized it in this kindergarten.

And the director, Georgia, who spoke of it as if it were obvious, said calmly.

“But it’s still fortunate. Since the graduation congratulations stage is just around the corner, you can participate before leaving.”

“Ah, … Yes. That… The meeting to discuss that…”

“Yes. We’ve chosen the songs, but we had to coordinate the costumes and congratulatory gifts accordingly.”

Lucia’s face looked as if she had been hit hard on the back of her head.

However, the principal who held her hand, looking like a broken reed shaking aimlessly, firmly held Lucia’s hand and said.
“More than that, Lucia-nim. Nia has a lot of friends. Please let her create memories before leaving. For the child.”

“…You’re surely right.”

For the child.

Perhaps it was a conventional encouragement that the principal could give, but she was a mother who regained her original intention at her words.

A cheese tart with plenty of orange marmalade with a glossy shine.

Nia cut the dessert imbued with its refreshing fragrance into small pieces and extended it to the center of the table where the children were sitting.

“Wow!”

“Woah!”

As Roy and Ivan, sitting at the table, cheered and stabbed their forks into the dessert,

“Hey! Are you guys really going to snatch Nia’s share and eat it?”

Charlotte quickly snatched the plate and lifted it high.

“Hadim, we promised to give snacks during tea time every 5 days!”

“Yeah, that’s right, Roy! Promise is a promise.”

“Nia, is it true? Is what these gluttons saying true?”

“Woong!”

Nia, with a satisfied expression, slightly raised the corners of her mouth and nodded quickly towards Charlotte.

And she relieved herself, fidgeting her small fingers hidden under the desk.

‘…I’m relieved. I made a promise before leaving, so I can keep it.’

One week left before leaving for the empire.

During that time, the child diligently, diligently captured her friends with her eyes.

Ivano, who chewed so much that it almost burst out of his mouth, Charlotte stopping him, Roy who didn’t use a napkin and got his clothes dirty because he said he would become an older brother now, and Caesar, who silently turned his share of tart on the plate.

And Evan, a bit scary but important, who never failed to ask and check on her.

“So, Nia, is everything resolved with the work?”

“…Yes!”

“Hmm… Alright.”

Friends who everyone liked so much.

Certainly, these friends seemed irreplaceable, but Nia knew.

Parting at the orphanage was the first experience she learned from her parents.

And then, repeated farewells with children who grew up like siblings.

Perhaps parting was the most familiar thing to a child.

So, if they promise to meet again someday, they can smile, just like when Mia unnie left.

Even if, unknowingly, the hidden sorrow resurfaces.