Lucy, this morning I heard from Anna that you have been going around and asking everyone about your brother’s coming-of-age ceremony.

  Although Anna refused to tell me about the content of your question, I could make a guess. You might want to know about the thing your mother gave him that day.

  It was no wonder that you would go around asking everyone about it. After all, no one knew about it except the people in question. I, too, did not know about it.

  I tried asking everyone, too. However, I got no answers. Everyone was clueless about it. Paul also did not know. He even swallowed his pride and tried to ask your brother about it. Yet, your brother refused to answer.

  And we did not have the courage to ask Aria about it. After all, she secretly gave it to him, ignoring my suggestion. So, I could not bring myself to ask her. If I asked her, she would know that I knew about it. It would feel more guilty about it.

  So, at the end, I even asked your teacher to help me check if Aria had requested him to prepare anything for her. Yet, the answer he gave was none. He, too, when we told him that Aria gave something to your brother for his coming-of-age ceremony, tried his best to check it with the guild. He checked almost everything that she requested for a year prior to your brother’s coming-of-age ceremony.

  Well, we suspected that the thing she gave was ‘handmade,’ which was why we asked your teacher to do that. However, we could not pinpoint the thing she gave him. Ultimately, we could not know what it was.

  So, it would be wonderful if you could find the answer for you.

  I may not be able to help much; however, I will provide you with some clues.

  It was around two weeks before your brother’s coming-of-age ceremony.

  It was a cloudy day. Although it was not windy, it was cold enough not to be unpleasant. Nevertheless, it was not a good day for a picnic. Yet, I found that you still went out to train with your brother.

  After I finished my duty, I retreated to my chamber. Inside, I found Paul sitting on the chair near the window. I could also see that our favorite cake and cookies were neatly prepared on the table.

  Apparently, he was waiting for us. Yet, I could not find you. So, I asked him about your whereabouts. “Where is Lucy?”

  Then I sat down on the chair facing him.

  Seeing me sitting down in front of him, he shifted his gaze from the window to me. Then, he pushed a cake to me before exhaustively saying. “She is with him at the training ground.”

  Yes, despite that kind of weather, you still went out to train with him.

  Well, I could sympathize with you. After that accident with the emperor, you began to earnestly pick up the sword. Paul secretly told me that you ‘copy’ your brother. When Paul told me that, I found that adorable. You really tried hard to protect your mother.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Yet, I never imagined that you would ‘stick’ close to your brother that much.

  So, at that time, when Paul told me that you were with him, I felt complicated about it.

  So, I let out a sigh, “I don’t know if those two are on good or bad terms.” And I tiredly said that.

  Then, Paul sipped his tea. After that, he shook his hand as he put his teacup down and said. “They are similar to siblings competing for their parents’ affection.”

  “You can put it that way.” Hearing him say that, I could not agree more.

  It was like that after all. You two always competed to get Aria’s attention. Well, you are Aria’s daughter, so I could understand. Yet, your brother. Eh... I think I get it now. Is that why you keep telling us that he is your ‘brother’? Was it because of his behavior and your competition that you could only see him as your ‘brother’?

  Have I just realized it? I have always wondered why you only think of him as your brother. Are these the reasons? So, could you confirm it with me? Lucy, could you tell your grandma?

  Oh, I got sidetracked again.

  Back to the topic.

  After I said that, Paul tried to change the topic.

  As he pushed out his share of the cake to me, he asked me in concern. “How are you?”

  Upon receiving his cake, I happily accepted it. Then I cheerfully reported my activities to him. “I finished making Holy Water with Maria. Oh, I just received a message from Duke Larose. They finished distributing all the food supplies and medicines. And the guild is doing fine in expanding to other countries.”

  Yes, I was informed by Duke Larose via divine birth. By that time, we had finished all the preparations for the plague in the empire. Yes, we also covered the North, which we previously left untouched.

  Yet, your mother was not satisfied with it. She even instructed the guild to expand its activities to other countries. At that time, your teacher told me that they had already achieved around one-third of the plan.

  Hearing that great news, Paul let out his rare smile. He even praised me, you know, Lucy? With a smile, he said to me. “It was great. Thanks to your system, I can have more room to maneuver.”

  Your grandpa praised me. Yes, before, he had to run around delivering the message. However, with the divine bird message, he did not have to do it. I was really happy that I could be of help.

  Hearing that, I could not hold back my smile. So, I cheerfully replied to him. “I am delighted that I can be of some help to you. How is Aria doing?”

  Yes, I also asked about Aria, as it was about time for her to come to us.

  Yet, facing my beaming smile, your grandpa wore a gloomy expression. With a heavy tone, he said. “Milady is making it again.”

  Hearing that, I, too, feel down. My hand stopped. I put my fork down. I also looked down at my palms. I really wish I could do more for Aria. I wish that I could have asked her not to do it.

  At that time, I weakly let out my thought. “I wish I could stop her.”

  That red liquid. Her life essence. Aria had to bleed herself dry to make it. We had to realize that she had to sacrifice. It was the most important catalyst to purify the monster's blood to make medicine and refine monster equipment.

  Then, I looked up at Paul as I tried to find emotional support from him. I weakly said to him. “I hope we can find an alternative soon.”

  Yet, your grandpa was so cold to me. Seeing me like that, Paul just closed his eyes as he flatly replied. “Marquise, Duke Larose vowed not to waste it.”

  Yes, it was later that I heard from Mr. Roy that your teacher had sworn to the goddess that he would not waste that red liquid. He even fired anyone who ‘wasted’ it, regardless of their position, merit, or potential. He was willing to go on red to save even a single drop. We had to thank him for going to such lengths for us.

  Seeing his lukewarm response, I wondered if he understood the risk involved in Aria’s actions. So, I tried to confirm it with him. Thus, I slowly asked him, trying to make myself clear. “You also know about the danger Aria is putting herself in, right?”

  Do you know, Lucy? At that time, hearing me questioning like that, your grandpa slowly opened his eyes. He only answered me with a single word, “Yes.”

  Yet, I could see it. I could see pain in his eyes. I could see that he, too, was frustrated about it. It was not me.

  So, I made a wish. I wished that she would stop doing it. “I hope it ends soon.”