Grandma holding hands with grandpa.

When Lovell stepped into the front hall, there stood Sauvel and his aging mother before him.

Sauvel, supporting his mother’s shoulder, smiled as he looked over.

“Mother! It’s you!”

“Ah, my goodness… Lovell, is that really you!”

Lovell embraced his mother, Isabella, with tears in his eyes.

The servants and maids were weeping and clapping.

“Thank goodness you’re safe… ah, but you’ve changed so much…”

Isabella gently stroked Lovell’s head, peering into his eyes.

His hair looked as though it had lost its color, making her wince in pain.

“I’m sorry for being away so long.”

“You know me. We were saying you’d never come back, not after being forced to marry that woman.”

“Predictable. Well, I’m done for.”

"But I never thought she’d end up marrying Sauvel... I asked him. He said you were the one who sent her away, didn’t you?"

"Yeah. I didn’t want to see her in my sight again, not even after coming back to my family home."

"True enough."

Handing Isabella a handkerchief, I gently guide her toward the room, her laughter still trembling through tears.

"Everyone, thank you for enduring until today!! That one’s been sent back to the royal family. Our elder brother’s returned—today is a joyful day, so let’s hold a small celebration!!"

Sauvel’s shout sends a wave of cheers from the servants.

"There’s still much to discuss before everything’s ready. Come on, let’s go."

Lovell offers his arm, and Isabella happily slips hers into his. Behind them, Sauvel is already barking orders at Lauren one after another.

"Have a few maids gather that woman's belongings. We're sending them to the castle tomorrow."

"Understood."

"By the way, Albert—do you know anything about him?"

"He should've been waiting for Lord Lovell out front..."

Sauvel tilts his head, then moves toward Lovell, as if seeking answers.

Stepping into the room, he interrupts the conversation between the brother and mother, both seated on chairs. "Excuse me," he says.

"Brother, have you seen Albert?"

"He's been confined for a while."

"Wait—what?"

"He's too careless with his words. Can't be trusted. I've even removed him from your side."

"W-what happened!?"

Albert had served the Vanklyft Family for nearly twenty years. Sauvel, Isabella, and Lauren all stare, wide-eyed, stunned.

"What's going on? Explain yourself!"

Isabella frowns sharply, already demanding answers the moment she returns.

"I haven't told Mother yet, but I married someone dear to me in the Spirit World. We even have a daughter."

"Wha—?!"

"These eyes and this hair? Proof I've become half-spirit. Thanks to that, my lifespan skyrocketed."

"Oh my, how enviable. That's why you don't look a day older."

"...Mother."

Sauvel rubs his forehead at Isabella’s mild reaction. He’d been stunned when he first learned the truth, yet this mother of his—she still pulls off that boldness that even shocks her husband.

"Is there something going on with Albert?"

"Yes. My wife and daughter are spirits, just like me. I told only Albert, Lauren, and Sauvel—kept it secret, just like I was told—but apparently, it leaked straight to Prince immediately. He wants to arrange a meeting between his son and my daughter."

"...What kind of nonsense is this."

"I did get a promise from him, at least, that our family wouldn’t be getting involved with the royal house… but knowing that prince, it’s probably already pointless."

Lovell sighed, the words slipping out like stale bread.

"The royal family can’t interact with spirits. That’s why the prince is likely to try using my daughter to solve the problem… damn it."

Lauren narrowed her eyes at Lovell’s bitter mutter.

"Albert used Elen as some kind of bargaining chip…?"

"That’s right. That’s why I only told the few I trusted about me being with the spirit in the first place…"

"Such treachery. Shall we deal with it?"

Isabella and Sauvel flinched at Lauren’s sudden killing intent.

"…No. That would be wasting your father’s wishes."

Isabella and Sauvel mirrored the frown creasing Lovell’s brow.

The Vanklyft Family had always been a warrior house. Naturally, their steward, servants, even their maids were all skilled in combat. That’s why Lauren’s words carried such weight.

"...Albert owes his life to Father. As for Agiel, he might have been trying to make contact with the royal family..."

Sauvel spoke vaguely, and the others nodded in agreement.

That made sense—but from Lovell’s point of view, knowing his beloved daughter was being targeted by the royal family changed everything.

"Forgive me, brother. This is my fault... I failed you..."

"...Enough. We’ll stay on guard, sure. But if we just accept it, then we can introduce our wife and daughter with pride."

"Alright, alright! Introduce her to me already!! That girl's a disaster—just like that woman, and Sauvel’s got no intention of bringing his outside brat here!!"

Sauvel slumped at Isabella’s words. But ignoring him, Isabella bounced with excitement, and Lauren spoke of Elen.

"His Highness Lovell’s child is absolutely, positively adorable. A blessed one, loved by the goddess herself."

"What?!"

Isabella stared, stunned by Lauren’s dreamy expression—her chest practically bursting with anticipation.

"When are you bringing her here?!"

Pressing in on Lovell, her excitement palpable, Lovell just chuckled, shaking his head.

＊＊＊

Watching through the water mirror, I kept a straight face. Mother, meanwhile, just chuckled softly.

Honestly, please—no more feeding these unrealistic expectations.

I was stiff with nerves, wondering when I’d finally be called to Papa, when Mother just shrugged it off like nothing.

“Elen-chan, you’re fine~”

“Isn’t Papa scary!? He’s not some distant in-law, is he!?”

“Already memorized that phrase? My, my, you’re getting clever~”

“That’s not the point! What if he’s actually scary!? What do I do then!?”

“Don’t worry. If things get awkward, just never see him again.”

“Such a casual attitude! But… so very Papa-like!”

Just as I was getting lost in that exchange with Mother, I was summoned to Papa right away.

＊＊＊

“You—!~!”

I glared at Mother, who’d yanked me across space mid-thought, still reeling from the sudden shift.

“Ori, Elen!”

Pulled between Papa and Mother, I was squished into a tight hug.

“Papa, you’re back.”

“Ah, Elen~”

Squished against my father’s chest, my head getting rubbed in circles. He’s laughing like he always does—too much, as usual. I’m giggling from the tickling when a bright, bouncy voice cuts in from a distance: “Mm-mm-mm!!”

I turn my head, startled, and catch my father’s mother—Isabella—gazing at me with sparkling eyes.

Oh no… I’ve screwed up.

“Mother, allow me to introduce you. My wife, Ori, and my daughter, Elen.”

“Long time no see.”

“…Hello. I’m Elen, your daughter.”

I’m doing my lady’s curtsy, but Mother’s standing there, utterly unbothered.

“Wait… Lovell’s spirit…?”

“That’s right. She’s the Spirit Queen.”

“The Spirit Queen…?”

“In this world, she’s known as the Original King, or the Mother of All. Allow me to properly introduce her: Origin.”

“…What a mess.”

Isabella’s stunned. Mother grabs my shoulder and pushes me forward, like I’m some kind of prop.

"She is destined to become the next Queen of the Spirit World. Please look after her with us."

But Isabella, of course, found it hard to accept. Her son’s wife wasn’t human after all.

I couldn’t stand it—I could feel my eyebrows knitting into an eight-character frown, and without thinking, I started shifting uncomfortably.

Noticing my expression, Isabella softened her face and bent slightly, meeting my eyes.

"My granddaughter… one day, the Queen of the Spirits… isn’t that wonderful?"

Her gentle smile was identical to my father’s.

I blinked, stunned. She grinned back. "Call me grandmother?" she asked, almost playfully.

"O… o—"

The crowd stayed silent, watching. Embarrassed, my cheeks burned as I whispered, "Grandmother…"

(Ah damn, I messed up—grandmother and grandma all mixed together!!)

But while I was flustered, Isabella suddenly shrieked.

"Kyaaahhh!!"

I jumped at the sudden cry from Grandma.

"Did you hear that? Huh, did you hear it!? How adorable!!"

She grabbed me in a tight hug, and I just stared wide-eyed.

"Indeed, Your Highness Elen is a most delightful little one!!"

Lauren jumped in. Please stop.

"Grandpa…?"

"Ha ha! What’s the matter, Elen-sama?"

"...Lauren, are you really calling me Grandpa? How dashing of you."

"Indeed, Your Highness. Hearing you call me Grandpa makes me feel ten years younger!"

Come on, come on, sit here—Grandpa ushered me, and I was led by Grandma to the sofa, where I was immediately fussed over by her, sitting right beside me.

Lauren was bustling around, preparing snacks.

"Oh my, oh my~"

"I get the sentiment, but you're really putting on a show, aren't you..."

"...Mother."

The three of us sighed in relief, glad the tense atmosphere from earlier had finally melted away—except Grandma, who clearly hadn’t forgotten a thing.

"Lauren, I understand how you feel. But what should we do about Albert...?"

I froze, heart skipping, as Grandma mirrored Father’s icy expression, and I floundered in panic.