Bella stood frozen, watching Sirin disappear, still holding the untouched chicken wings. She was completely petrified. "My Queen… I made those wings especially for you..."
Bella muttered, her voice full of disappointment and sorrow, as if you could hear her heart shatter.
-------------------------------------
"Brother!"
With a shout, Sirin dashed out from the portal, as if she couldn't wait to throw herself into her brother's warm embrace.
However, just as she was about to get her wish, a slender hand suddenly blocked her path.
Sirin frowned and looked up at the owner of the hand, Kiana☆.
Her brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of displeasure flashed in her eyes as she pouted and said coquettishly, "Kiana☆, why are you stopping me?"
Kiana looked at Sirin expressionlessly and said flatly, "Everyone's watching, mind the occasion."
Upon hearing Kiana☆'s words, Sirin didn't restrain herself. Instead, she put her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest, and scanned the crowd around them, saying, "So what? I'll do whatever I want. Let's see who dares to object☆!"
However, the moment her gaze met Cecilia's, her expression changed dramatically.
Her earlier arrogance vanished without a trace, replaced by shock and daze.
Cecilia, too, was momentarily surprised upon seeing Sirin, but she quickly regained her composure.
Thinking of her own resurrection, it didn't seem all that strange that Sirin had come back too.
Cecilia's lips curled into a gentle smile. She waved softly at Sirin and called out tenderly, "Sirin~"
But Sirin didn't show any joy at being called. On the contrary, she crossed her arms and turned her head away arrogantly, saying coldly, "Insolent human, who allowed you to call me that?"
Kiana☆ quickly reminded her, "You should be calling her Mom."
As soon as Sirin heard that, she reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on and retorted excitedly, "I'm not doing that!"
Fu Lin shook his head helplessly and chimed in, "Sorry to trouble you, Mother-in-law. Sirin is a bit tsundere and not great at expressing her emotions. Deep down, she actually..."
Before Fu Lin could finish, Cecilia chuckled softly and interrupted him, "I know."
Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if she understood Sirin better than anyone else present.
Upon hearing Cecilia's words, a subtle gleam flashed in Sirin's eyes, but she quickly composed herself and muttered stubbornly, "Hmph, self-important woman."
Despite her words, Sirin sat down next to Cecilia, leaning toward her ever so slightly, as if enjoying the aura of warmth emanating from her.
Sirin looked at the extra food in her bowl. After tasting it carefully, she said contentedly, "Trying to win me over so eagerly? Human☆, hmm, this is delicious."
Before long, Sirin was completely immersed in Cecilia's motherly love, as if she had forgotten everything else around her.
Her face radiated happiness, a genuine satisfaction and joy. Occasionally, she would toss out a few tsundere remarks, making her seem all the more endearing.
A while later, when Cecilia reached out to serve her more food, Sirin quickly waved her hands and pouted adorably, "Human, there's already too much food in my bowl☆."
"...."
In the end, Sirin even picked up a piece of food and held it out to Cecilia, saying arrogantly, "I can't eat anymore. You try some too, this is really delicious."
Everyone watching this scene couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Theresa even sighed with admiration, "As expected of Cecilia, she tamed the Second Herrscher so effortlessly."
However, Cheng Lixue didn't feel as relaxed as the others. Her heart was heavy, and her gaze frequently shifted to Sirin, full of unease and vigilance.
"Master, is it really okay for the Second Herrscher to be here?" Cheng Lixue finally couldn't hold back and asked.
Fu Shi, hearing this, placed a hand on Cheng Lixue's shoulder, smiled slightly, and replied confidently, "As long as I'm here, if she dares stir up trouble, I'll make sure she never leaves. After all, I'm very strong."
Beside her, Fu Hua nodded while holding her cup and echoed, "Mm, Fu Shi is very strong."
At that moment, everyone began to cheer and raised their cups, shouting, "Cheers!"
Cheers rang out across the entire room, lively and joyful.
As night deepened, the bustling room gradually quieted down, and everyone, wearing tipsy smiles, returned to their rooms to rest.
Kallen and Sakura walked hand in hand toward the door. Kallen turned to Otto, who was still standing there, waved with a smile, and said, "Otto, I'm going to rest at Sakura's place. See you tomorrow."
Otto smiled in return, also waved, and said softly, "Alright... see you tomorrow."
Just as Kallen and Sakura were about to leave, Cecilia walked up to Sirin, gently placed her hand on her shoulder, and asked softly, "Sirin, would you like to sleep with Mommy tonight? Just like in that dream…"
Sirin's cheeks flushed slightly red. She turned her head away in tsundere fashion and mumbled, "I don't want to! That was just an accident!"
Even though her words were stubborn, her eyes betrayed a hint of anticipation.
Of course, Cecilia didn't miss that subtle change. She smiled faintly, then sighed softly with a trace of disappointment, "Alright then..."
Just as Cecilia turned to leave, Sirin suddenly bit her lip as if making a decision.
She quickly caught up with Cecilia and, though still sounding tsundere, said, "Since you want to sleep with me that badly, I'll allow it just this once. But don't expect it again☆."
With that, Sirin followed Cecilia toward the room Theresa had prepared.
Fu Lin looked at Sirin's disappearing figure and sighed, "Why does it feel like my sister just got stolen away by my mother-in-law?"
Fu Shi, however, responded indifferently, "You should worry about yourself first. Are you full?"
Fu Lin touched his stomach and burped contentedly, then replied, "Yep, I'm full. Burp~"
Then he asked in confusion, "Why are you asking?"
Fu Shi answered without even thinking, "Because only when you're full do you have the energy to work!"
Before the words had even faded, she suddenly grabbed Fu Lin's hand and, like a flash of lightning, zoomed away.
The sudden move left Kiana☆ completely stunned.
She watched helplessly as Fu Shi rocketed away with Fu Lin and instantly turned furious, stomping her feet like an enraged kitten as she shouted, "Herrscher of Sentience, get back here! Give Fu Lin back!"
But Fu Shi didn't respond to Kiana☆'s shouting and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Otto walked up to Kiana☆, holding a hat in his hand, the one Fu Lin had been wearing earlier.
Otto handed the hat to Kiana☆, his face wearing a calm smile as he said, "This hat Mr. Fu Lin left with me, please kindly return it to him. Thank you."
Kiana☆ looked at the hat in Otto's hand. It seemed especially offensive to her eyes.
Then she looked at his half-smiling expression and immediately flared up, gritting her teeth as she said, "Are you mocking me?"
Otto, seemingly having expected this reaction, shook his head and replied calmly, "Not at all. How could I mock you? I simply wanted to return what Mr. Fu Lin left behind. But, unfortunately, he's already gone, so I can only hand it over to his wife."
Otto's words left Kiana☆ speechless. She didn't expect him to say that, but still refuted, "Keep the hat, Bishop Otto, it suits you very well."
Otto, "..."
On the other side, Elysia, seeing everyone pairing off to leave, rolled her eyes playfully and finally locked her gaze on Mei☆.
She smiled slyly and said sweetly, "Dear Mei☆~ It seems I don't have a place to sleep tonight. Why don't I spend the night at your place~?"
Mei☆ looked away from the direction Fu Lin had gone, turned to Elysia, and nodded without hesitation, "Sure."
, ,
Lying in bed, Sirin tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind full of Cecilia's gentle smile and meticulous care.
She stole a glance at Cecilia, who was lying beside her. Moonlight spilled through the window onto Cecilia's face, making her look especially soft and serene.
Sirin's heartbeat quickened. She hesitated for a moment, then gently inched closer, resting her head on Cecilia's shoulder.
Cecilia seemed to sense Sirin's movement and gently wrapped her arms around her. Surrounded by this warmth, Sirin soon drifted into a sweet dream.
...
P.S., Kiana has something to say.
Kiana, "Mom, you forgot to invite me!"