Chapter 25
“Don’t worry.”
Ian smirked, recalling just how much Lucian had been forced to sacrifice in order to process the astronomical amount of mana stones that were to be sent to Arus.
“Not being able to take Chloe doesn’t change anything. The support will continue as before.”
“Ian Leander. You still spout nonsense far too often.”
Unlike Ian, who mocked, Melissa calmly continued, knowing she wouldn’t get her toes stepped on by her older brother.
“Chloe has lived her whole life in Arus territory. And now you suddenly expect her to live with the Leander family? Have you thought even a little about the child’s happiness?”
“The child’s happiness?”
Ian, who had been holding himself back for fear of having his foot broken again, lost all restraint at those words.
“Did you just say—‘the child’s happiness’?”
In truth, Ian had probably wanted to explode with anger from the very moment he locked eyes with Melissa.
“You claim to care about Chloe, and yet you treat her like that?”
“…We may have fallen short in some ways, but my brother and I did our utmost to care for Chloe.”
“Oh really? Is that why you strapped such a shabby, cheap mana stone to her wrist?”
At those words, both Blake and Melissa froze.
Their eyes fixed on him, sharper and deadlier than before.
“Watch your tongue, Ian Leander.”
Blake’s voice carried a chill as he quietly warned:
“Unless that pretty head of yours wants to be separated from your body.”
He had tried to remain as amicable as possible. Because Chloe’s wellbeing was at stake, Blake had hoped to negotiate peacefully.
But the moment Ian insulted the mana stone Chloe wore, negotiations were as good as broken.
‘As if you don’t know why we had no choice but to give her that…’
No—that very bastard was the cause!
“Fine, let’s stop here.”
Blake could endure no longer. Thinking he could actually reason with such vile people had been his mistake.
“Our opinions are clearly at odds. It would be better to seek resolution through other means.”
“Just what I was hoping for. Blake Arus, I was wondering when your true colors would show.”
The head of House Leander and the head of House Arus stood on the brink of declaring war.
Knock, knock!
Suddenly, from beyond the great doors of the chamber, a light knock rang out.
All four pairs of eyes, taut with tension, turned instantly toward the doors.
“Lady Chloe, you can’t—!”
After a brief scuffle and muffled voices, the heavy doors swung wide open.
And stepping through, carrying a picnic basket almost as large as her torso, was none other than the child herself.
“There you all are!”
Chloe’s bright voice rang through the spacious chamber.
“Uncle, Mom! I came to keep my promise!”
“Milady!”
As Chloe moved forward with the obviously heavy picnic basket, Mason the attendant seized her shoulder with a stern expression.
That action made Lucian’s brow crease visibly.
“You mustn’t just barge into a council like this. Cassie, Isabel—what on earth are you two doing?!”
Unaware she had offended her host, Mason was desperate to get Chloe out.
“My apologies. It was my mistake for not guarding the council properly. I’ll escort the lady out at once—”
“Why?”
But Chloe firmly resisted.
Mason, bowing his head in apology to those seated inside, faltered at her bold question.
“Why am I not allowed here?”
Yet Chloe’s face showed not a trace of intimidation.
“I’m Melissa Arus’s daughter and the Leander family’s heir! If I’m not a concerned party, then who is?”
“…Milady.”
With a weary sigh, Mason glanced uneasily at the “beasts” behind him.
“This is a place for serious and grave discussion. It isn’t suitable for a young lady.”
“Then I’m needed all the more.”
Chloe hugged the picnic basket tightly, her face resolute.
“Because I brought something essential for serious and grave discussion.”
“Milady, please—!”
“Enough.”
Blake cut the struggle short with a displeased tone.
“In Leander lands, does a mere attendant block the young lady’s path?”
“Mason. Leave us.”
Lucian’s voice was ice.
“I’ve already said no one in House Leander has the right to hinder Chloe. You’ll accept punishment for overstepping your bounds.”
“M-my deepest apologies, Your Grace. I only meant to faithfully follow orders—”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Bowing deeply, Mason left the chamber with a crestfallen face.
At last, Chloe brightened and bounded over to the table.
“I brought something essential for the meeting!”
Heaving the picnic basket onto the table with effort, Chloe excitedly untied the ribbon.
One by one, she laid out her treasures: large chocolate chip cookies, raspberry cookies bursting with fruit, and four glass bottles of fresh milk.
“Tada!”
Setting them neatly in the center, Chloe turned an eager face to her uncle.
“This is it, Uncle. Eating these is how I got fat!”
Then, looking at her mother seated beside him, she said earnestly:
“I only brought my very favorite cookies, so please enjoy them!”
Hehe. She grinned brightly—but soon her expression grew troubled.
She’d made it inside as she wanted, but now she didn’t know where to sit.
Where should she sit? Where would be best?
Her face, so easy to read, swung back and forth as she considered her options.
Naturally, the adults’ gazes shifted with hers.
Maybe she should sit beside her mother and uncle.
But then wouldn’t her father and second uncle feel left out?
Chloe glanced at Melissa’s side, then quickly at the seat beside Lucian.
Should she sit there? But then her mom and uncle might be upset!
Her gaze darted between the two seats in confusion—until finally it landed on the head of the table.
There…
Her eyes compared her short legs with the tall chair legs. She imagined herself sitting there—then firmly shook her head.
No way. That chair’s too tall—her feet wouldn’t even touch the ground.
Her thoughts were written plain across her face. Ian chuckled quietly, pretending to cover his mouth.
Clap!
Suddenly, Chloe clapped her hands, as if she had discovered the answer, and scurried to the far end of the table.
Here! Her expression said it all. She plopped herself down at the farthest seat, the place reserved for the lowest-ranking retainers.
Hehehe. Yet Chloe only beamed, convinced she had found the most neutral, reasonable seat of all.
“I like it here!”
“…”
“Everyone, please enjoy the cookies!”
From so far away that even her voice seemed to echo faintly—
“…Chloe.”
Blake, who had watched her hesitate over where to sit, spoke softly.
“That seat is too far. We can barely hear you.”
Oh.
Startled, Chloe frowned briefly, then came up with an idea.
“How about this? Can you hear me now?”
Cupping her hands around her mouth, she shouted even louder:
“Uncle, by the way—the chocolate cookies taste better dipped in milk! Try it like that!”
“…”
“Chloe, why don’t you just come here and eat with us?”
Melissa spoke up, since her brother was too stunned to reply.
“There aren’t even cookies over there. Come sit by Mom.”
“No, I’ve got cookies!”
Triumphantly, Chloe produced her own cookie and milk from the small bag slung at her neck. Using her hand as a makeshift megaphone again, she called out:
“Don’t worry about me—just eat lots, Mom!”
“…”
“I think you’ll like the raspberry cookies better than the chocolate ones!”
“Chloe.”
Finally, Lucian sighed bitterly, admitting defeat.
“You can sit beside your mother. Since it’s been a while, I’ll yield this time.”
Ian frowned at his brother’s words, then glanced at Chloe’s hesitant expression and sighed deeply.
“Fine, Chloe. You can sit across from her too. No need to feel pressured.”
Still uncertain, Chloe rose timidly.
She walked the long table toward her mother’s side, her face tense.
‘Perfect.’
Yet in her heart, she was smiling brighter than ever.
‘Perfect. Just as planned…!’
