Daniel’s story was long.

It said that he hoped she was alright and that Tanasen was a good place to settle down. It also mentioned that it would be quite fun for Julia to stay with the undergraduates near the college.

‘Come to think of it, Julia was there too.’

Louisa recalled the woman who occupied a part of her memories.

Julia Winston is the oldest among the Averitt and Winston siblings. Perhaps because of that, she had a stern side even as a child, so Louisa used to be more afraid of Julia than her parents.

She was currently working as a professor at Tanasvanian College, which was largely due to the close relationship maintained between Tanasvanian College and Winston for nearly twenty years.

All of Winston’s research labs and factories were in Tanasen, and there was a professor famous for marine vessels at Tanasvanian.

Anyway, Winston had previously arranged a suitable research lab for Daniel through that connection.

‘If I see her this time, it’ll be after such a long time. I’m looking forward to it a bit.’

No matter how much help was offered, she couldn’t leave everything to Daniel alone, so it seemed she would have to visit Tanasen herself sometime soon.

“What should I tell my husband……”

She fell into contemplation.

It would take at least a full day or two.

It was unreasonable to go on such a schedule without saying anything. But telling the truth about going to see a house seemed likely to cause friction with her husband.

‘Should I just say I’m going to see Daniel after a long time?’

But using that excuse seemed pointless when Daniel would be coming up to the capital at the end of the year if she waited a little longer.

She decided to think about this part later and picked up the last piece of mail lying at the bottom.

A paper just folded a couple of times without an envelope.

Louisa was a bit puzzled by the telegram stuck there since morning and unfolded the paper.

But there was the name of an unexpected person written on it.

“……Alisa?”

Alisa Muren.

It was the name of Yeriel’s elder sister whom she was sponsoring at Ernest’s childcare facility.

It had been several months since she hadn’t met the child who was busy preparing for college graduation, and now this sudden contact came.

“By tomorrow…… Surely she doesn’t mean today.”

Louisa muttered, turning the paper she was holding back and forth.

No separate date was written, but judging by its arrival in the morning, it was likely sent last night. If so, the ‘tomorrow’ written here would be today.

And no sooner had she thought this than there was a knock at the door.

Instead of Mrs. Johnson, who was busy with the visitor who came early in the morning, the sound of Rachel rushing to answer was heard.

After opening the door to confirm the owner of the knock, she called out.

“Madam! Someone named Alisa Muren is here!”

“Ahaha, did I come too early?”

Alisa, carrying a large luggage bag, scratched the back of her head as if embarrassed.

“I sent the telegram on my way to the station last night, but then I realized that at such a late hour, there would be no courier, so it would only arrive this morning. But what could I do? I had already left, so I just came anyway.”

From a young age, she had a particularly unusual personality of just going ahead with whatever she wanted to do. Knowing this, Louisa sighed and said,

“That’s alright. It’s better than wandering outside in the cold before coming in. You did well.”

Louisa stepped aside at the entrance to let the child in. Alisa lifted her luggage bag with a grunt and slowly trudged through the entrance into the hallway.

Louisa offered the child a seat in the reception room. After putting down her luggage in one corner of the reception room, Alisa took off her coat, hung it up, and quickly sat down opposite Louisa.

Rachel brought a simple tea set. As Louisa received the tea set with cups and refreshments, she asked,

“I heard you were busy with graduation, but I see you managed to find some time.”

“I was originally planning to finish preparations early and come out to see the exhibition. But when I saw the newspaper, oh my, I just couldn’t stay put without rushing out!”

Alisa exclaimed excitedly, not even paying attention to the refreshments placed in front of her.

“Did you see it, Louisa? That Uncle Edward submitted an entry?”

“Ah… Yes, I saw it.”

“It was totally no joke! Actually, I was originally planning to go to another company because I felt bad about relying on Uncle Ed even for employment.”

She poured out words with shining eyes.

“I have something lined up with Westwood right now. I was thinking of going there to learn different technologies since they’re competitors, but oh my. Now I want to go under Uncle! I feel like I’d be missing out if I don’t go there!”

Her eyes were wide with excitement, like a cat that had found its prey.

Louisa smiled, finding it lovely.

“You should do what you want to do. If Ed asks you to work together, it’s because he thinks you can be of sufficient help. So you don’t need to worry about that.”

Alisa waved her hand with an exclamation of ‘Eh.’

“I know. Who doesn’t know how sharp Uncle is.”

But the girl who had been smiling brightly like a young lady until just now spoke in a bitter, subdued voice.

“Still… I just want to be of some help.”

Alisa put her hands together, touching her fingertips.

“Honestly, you can find many skilled people like that if you look. So I want to help Uncle and Louisa in a slightly different way, specially, somehow.”

Looking down and muttering quietly, she suddenly lifted her head as if wondering when she had become so dejected.

“So I thought. Like a crouching lion, let’s try to finish off Allen’s enemy from the inside!”

“That’s quite an impure and grand goal.”

Louisa joked. Alisa then puffed out her chest and said,

“Of course, if Uncle calls saying he needs my help, I’ll come anytime.”

“Yes. That’s reassuring.”

She closed her eyes like a contented cat at Louisa’s words and stretched. Alisa yawned widely with great vigor and then said,

“Anyway, that’s why I came today to take a look at that amazing magic stone engine. I didn’t mean to, but I’m really sorry for barging in so suddenly.”

“That’s alright. And if you talk like you just did, Ed will like it too. But as for seeing the magic stone engine… we might have to go to the research institute, so I’m not sure.”

“Huh? Aren’t you going together, Louisa?”

“I…”

Louisa hesitated for a moment as she was about to answer.

How should she explain the conversation with her husband to this child?

She pondered for a moment and then parted her lips heavily.

“I should tell you the story anyway.”

“What story?”

The child tensed up in response to Louisa’s atmosphere.

Louisa gave a faint smile to the child as if apologetic and said,

“We haven’t announced it publicly, but we’re planning to divorce soon. In fact, that’s why I’m not sure what will happen to your sponsorship that was being carried out under Allen’s name.”

“Di…!”

Alisa was about to shout reflexively but quickly covered her mouth with both hands. Then she said quietly,

“Divorce?”

“Yes. But I have assets I received through my natal family, Averitt, so don’t worry too much. I can take care of you and Yeriel at least.”

At this, Alisa waved her hands vigorously in protest and said,

“I’m fine. Once I get a job, I can take care of Yeriel too. More than that, Louisa.”

Alisa looked intently into Louisa’s eyes and asked,

“What happened? Are you alright, Louisa?”

“I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“What are you saying? Is there anything I can help with? I’m basically done with graduation preparations now, so I have a lot of time.”

The child’s body was leaning forward, almost to the point of being right in front of Louisa’s nose, saying she would help her.

But she couldn’t ask for the child’s help in such an unpleasant matter. Louisa declined her offer.

“Help? It’s enough if you all just continue to do well.”

However, Alisa shook her head at her words.

“Not that. I’m a proper adult now, so I really want to help with anything I can do. No matter how difficult it might be.”

The child’s eyes were sincere. Alisa looked back at her with those big eyes and said,

“I’ve been waiting for the day I become an adult all this time. Please, let me help with something. Louisa.”

It seemed almost desperate, this plea.

Louisa fell into contemplation.

With such an earnest appeal, it might even be hurtful to look at the child only through the eyes of a guardian.

She hesitated several times, but finally opened her mouth.

“Then… may I ask for just one favor?”

“Yes! Anything!”

Louisa laughed feebly at the energetic response, thinking it was really unstoppable.

“You said you’re going to Westwood, right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to the research institute in Tanasen? I believe the Westwood research institute is not far from the Winston research institute.”

“Ah, that’s right. That’s where I’m supposed to go. Why?”

“I think I’ll be going to Tanasen too.”

“That’s great! Which side are you going to? East? West?”

“That hasn’t been decided yet. I’m thinking of going near Tanasvanian College because I have family there.”

At this, Alisa clapped her hands with a bright smile.

“I see. You want to ask me to look for a suitable house for you, right?”

Louisa’s eyebrows were lowered even as she smiled.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m so happy that there’s something I can help with.”

Alisa rushed to Louisa and hugged her tightly, then suddenly realized something and said,

“Come to think of it, something bad happened to you, Louisa. I guess I shouldn’t be happy about this.”

At the child’s words, Louisa broke away from the embrace and gently cupped the child’s cheeks with both hands. She looked into the child’s eyes and said,

“Rather than thinking like that, let’s celebrate that you’ve become a proper adult who can do your part. With a smile.”

“Louisa……”

“You don’t have to push yourself too hard. Go find Professor Daniel Averitt at Tanasvanian College. He’s my elder brother. You can discuss the budget and contract with him.”

At her words, Alisa nodded as if she had made some decision. Alisa stood up abruptly and said,

“Alright! I’ll contact Professor Averitt and find a good place. Don’t worry, Louisa!”

She strode over and picked up her coat again. Seeing this, Louisa asked,

“You’re not staying here?”

“Ah… After hearing what you said, I think Uncle Ed shouldn’t know about this, but I’m not confident in my ability to lie.”

She let out an embarrassed laugh, “Ahaha.”

In fact, Alisa was also conflicted in various ways inside.

The thought of doing something for Louisa behind Edward’s back kept pricking her conscience.

But she could help Edward by learning a lot from him and becoming a proper engineer in her own right.

With that thought, she lifted the luggage bag she had brought with a grunt of effort.

“I was planning to see the exhibition and then go house hunting anyway, so only the order has changed. I’ll contact you again soon, Louisa.”