Vol. 6 Ch. 58

"Xiaoxue, when you get to the Silver Dragon Sanctuary, make sure to listen to your uncle and aunt. Don't cause any trouble, okay?"

"Mm, I know, Aunt Fira."

For all the years Xiaoxue had spent with the dwarves, it was Fira who had always taken care of her.

And now, as Xiaoxue was about to leave, the one she found hardest to part with was, of course, Fira.

But Fira understood. Xiaoxue’s identity was complicated. Besides those two enemies who had attacked recently, there would likely be more people after her in the future.

The dwarves simply didn't have the strength to protect Xiaoxue, so sending her to the Silver Dragon Sanctuary was the best choice.

It helped that both of those noble lords were very fond of Xiaoxue.

So, while Fira felt reluctant about their parting, she was ultimately relieved.

Xiaoxue had finally found a better home.

"With respect, we bid farewell to the Sacred Beast and the three great envoys. May your journey be safe and smooth."

Chief Yachi and the dwarves behind him all bowed in farewell.

Leon and Xiaoxue waved back at them.

With Aju on board, the couple took Xiaoxue and left the dwarven territory, bringing their journey in the Far North to an end.

"…Wow, is this really Uncle and Auntie’s home? It’s so grand!"

After dropping Aju off with the Sea Dragon Clan, Leon and Rosvisser took Xiaoxue straight to the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.

"I’m really going to live here from now on?"

Xiaoxue turned to look at Rosvisser, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.

Rosvisser chuckled, reaching out to pinch her soft little face. "Of course."

"Come on, I’ll help you pick a room you like."

"Thank you, Aunt Rosvisser."

Rosvisser took Xiaoxue’s hand and led her into the sanctuary.

At that moment, the sunlight filtered through the gilded hall, casting intricate shadows that traced the outline of Xiaoxue’s small frame.

She blinked and stepped forward toward the main hall.

Inside, Leon stood watching her from a distance, before he spoke in a low voice.

"Your Highness, who is that?"

"A newly born precious daughter."

Sherry: "?"

"That… that fast? You and Her Majesty were only gone for a month, and you already—"

Sherry held up her hand, roughly gesturing a height of about 1.6 meters.

"—gave birth to a child this big?"

She had already heard plenty of stories about how His Highness and Her Majesty had been very enthusiastic about the noble art of “child-making” ever since their marriage.

In less than ten years, they had already given birth to four princesses—enough to form a full mahjong table.

But now, after just a month-long trip, they came back with a nearly grown girl…

Sherry felt her entire understanding of biological reproduction shatter.

Leon, still holding Xiaoxue’s hand, casually stuffed the other into his pocket. "Relax.

Her name is Xiaoxue. She’s a war orphan. We saw how pitiful she was and decided to take her in."

Sherry let out a deep breath. "I see."

"By the way, when are the others coming back?"

Having been away for so long, Leon had lost track of the dates.

Sherry did a quick mental calculation before answering, "Just in time—Their Highnesses are arriving home tonight, Your Highness."

On a side note, after the battle at Sky Castle, Old Kon, under the intervention of the Tower Master and the Academy, had successfully shaken off the title of Mad Dragon King.

Hefei and the surviving Red Flame Dragon students had also returned to school, continuing their studies as usual.

Naturally, Muse was no longer at home either.

"That’s good."

"Shall I inform Milan and the others to set another place at the table?"

"…Your Highness."

Sherry left.

Leon led Xiaoxue deeper into the Silver Dragon Sanctuary.

By the time they reached the upper floors, Xiaoxue had already picked out her room.

Right next to his daughters’.

Given the age difference, Xiaoxue was already a young girl, someone who valued her personal space.

Unlike the others, who had grown up together, sharing a room wouldn't be a problem for them—but Xiaoxue had just arrived.

Letting her have her own room was the better option.

Leon walked over to Rosvisser’s side and stood with her, watching as Xiaoxue settled in.

She was rolling around on a properly sized, normal bed, testing it out.

"Noa and the others will be back soon. Are you ready to introduce them to their new sister?" Leon asked with a smile.

"Mm… actually, I’m a little worried."

"Worried about what?"

"What if the girls don’t get along with Xiaoxue?"

With three little princesses in the house, seeing each other every day meant there were bound to be all sorts of little conflicts.

And considering that Xiaoxue had never really made any friends before, she had no experience in this area—so Rosvisser was worried about whether she would get along with Noa and the others.

"I don’t think there’s anything to worry about," Leon said.

"The kids are mature. They’ll make sure Xiaoxue feels included."

After a pause, Leon added, "Oh, and when introducing Xiaoxue, it’s best not to mention in front of her that she’s a war orphan."

Rosvisser nodded. "I know."

Older children tended to be more sensitive. If they emphasized Xiaoxue’s status as a war orphan too much, even without meaning to, it might make her develop insecurities.

It was better to explain that privately to the other kids.

"Xiaoxue."

"What is it, Auntie?"

Xiaoxue ran over barefoot across the wooden floor.

Rosvisser crouched down, gently pinching her soft cheeks as she looked up at her.

"Do you remember what I told you? That Uncle and I have four daughters?"

Xiaoxue nodded. "I remember, Auntie."

"Mm, well, they’ll be home soon. Are you ready to meet them?"

Her golden eyes flickered with excitement, but in the next moment, nervousness took over.

Xiaoxue bit her lip. "I… I’m a little scared. What if Auntie’s daughters don’t like me?"

Rosvisser smiled, brushing aside a stray strand of Xiaoxue’s hair and speaking softly,

"That won’t happen. They’re all wonderful girls. They’ll definitely like you."

"Then… then can Auntie tell me what my sisters are like?"

"Ah, of course—"

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Their Highnesses have returned. They’re just outside the door."

Before Rosvisser could finish her sentence, the maid Milan arrived with the report.

"Hm? Weren’t they supposed to be back later? Why so soon?" Leon asked.

"Noa said that next week is the academy’s anniversary festival, so they got an early dismissal this Friday to give students more time to prepare," Milan replied.

"Oh~ I see. Alright, we’ll head down now. You guys go ahead and prepare dinner."

"Yes."

Rosvisser stood up and took Xiaoxue’s hand. "Looks like we don’t have any time to ease into this."

Xiaoxue smiled helplessly, clutching Rosvisser’s hand in one of her own while balling the other into a nervous fist.

"I’ll do my best!"

"Alright, Auntie will do her best with you!"

"Mm-hmm!"

One big, one small—their spirits were high, ready for battle.

Leon, on the other hand, had an internal monologue:

"Isn’t this just introducing my daughter to her new sister? Why are they acting like they’re walking to their execution?"

Before they even reached the door, Moon’s voice rang through the hall.

"Sis, what are we selling at the festival next week? How about grilled steak?"

"It sells out in seconds every year—because you eat all of it, second sister."

"I won’t this time, Aurora! I swear!"

"You said the same thing last year, Moon."

"Sis! o(T﹏T)o"

As the sisters chatted, a familiar voice echoed through the sanctuary’s grand hall.

"Moon."

"Mommy!"

The little Moon immediately forgot all about the festival at the sound of her mother’s voice. Her tail wagged as she dashed forward.

Throwing herself into Rosvisser’s soft, fragrant embrace, Moon’s big eyes filled with tears as she asked,

"Mommy, why were you and Daddy gone for so long? Moon missed you so much."

Leon stepped forward, cupping his daughter’s chubby little cheeks. "How much did you miss us?"

Moon blinked and looked up at him, her expression turning deadly serious.

"The summoning ritual is happening soon."

"…"

Yeah, she definitely missed them a lot.

Moon had been about to continue her spoiled act with her dad, but then she suddenly noticed something—

There was a stranger standing behind her mom.

She jumped down from Rosvisser’s arms, tilting her little head as she stared at the unfamiliar white-haired girl.

"Mommy."

Now that Moon had noticed Xiaoxue, Rosvisser was already preparing the introduction in her head.

"Mm?"

Moon shifted her gaze from Xiaoxue back to her parents and then, with a dead-serious expression, she asked—

"You guys really did have a new big sister for me, didn’t you?"

Xiaoxue: "?"

Leon & Rosvisser: "?"

Noa & Muse: "=="

Aurora, watching from the back: Second Sister’s usual performance.