The sound of little leather shoes tapping on the ground.

Aya quietly opened the door a crack, sticking her head out for a peek.

Seems like just a passing maid, not Mimi, nor the Lady Mother, no big deal.

“Mom, why are you being so cautious?”

Turning back to look deeply at Chirp, Aya solemnly patted the little Chirp's shoulder, then sadly gazed forty-five degrees upward at the sky... ceiling.

What can she say? Maybe be more mindful of the occasion next time... something like that? Can't blame Chirp, to some extent it's her own fault too.

...

About half an hour earlier, Aya was still in the princess's bedroom attending the Elysian royal family meeting.

...or should I say meeting the parents?

The plan proposed by Tiran sounded quite feasible on this side with Vivian and Granzon, striking a balance between the royal family's dignity in marriage matters, satisfying the daughter's wishes, and potentially securing a treaty with West Chu... Though the fact that both sides of the union were female was a bit delicate, it was still the least impactful option, so controlling any public opinion issues shouldn't be a big deal.

...even dispelling the concern that Granzon previously thought their daughter was in a yuri relationship, the issue of descendants is not a worry now.

“Darling, I think this sounds pretty good!”

Vivian clenched her fists, her eyes shining as she looked at Granzon.

“Well, this...” His Majesty also ran his hand through his hair, showing a helpless expression, “is indeed a solution. I will discuss it with the merchant from across the sea when I return.”

He actually agreed?

Aya found it hard to believe herself, is this the norm for a human family? Does this mean she can really marry Tiran officially?

A feeling of joy named surged uncontrollably like an underground spring.

But the ominous aura behind her was getting stronger... Aya instinctively touched the bare skin of her neck exposed outside, hopefully Mimi wouldn't suddenly just come swing a knife at her.

"Dad, you always say my way of thinking with Tiran is unique, but to accept this solution, you're not bad... the unique way of thinking must be inherited from the Elysian family, right?"Brad wanted tea for the second time, but seeing the shackles on his hands, he withdrew his hand.

“No more nonsense, you brat. Go back and continue packing.”

Family status laid bare.

“By the way, by the way, Tiran, there's something I've been wanting to ask for a long time, where did this child come from?”After a solution was found for the main issue, Vivian gestured to Tiran and then pointed to Chirp.

Oh, right, during their time in the capital city to avoid any accidents, Chirp had spent most of her time in the tower where Tiran lived, so the queen hadn't actually seen Chirp.

Considering that His Majesty had mistaken Chirp for Aya and Tiran's child the first time he saw her, Aya felt it was necessary to explain properly that she and Tiran hadn't actually- Wait, seems like everything has already happened.

Hiss!

Suddenly, Aya clutched her head and bowed down, how could she explain to Tiran's biological parents that she had already wiped the floor clean with their precious daughter?

Obviously Tiran hadn't thought about any of these.

“Found her.”The princess said seriously, although parents often tease young children about being found in the trash, this time it wasn't a joke.

“Oh, it's really lucky to casually pick up such a cute child, I remember how hard it was to give birth to you.”

“Right, huh?” Tiran held Chirp up as if showing off a child to her mother.

Rationally speaking, many girls like cute and fluffy things, such as small cats, dogs, or rabbits, and they tend to feel compassion and a protective instinct toward children.

Therefore, having Chirp, who had both fluffy animal ears and a delicate doll-like appearance, provided them with double the happiness.

But just as Lady Mother's menacing hand was about to touch Chirp's perked-up animal ears, Chirp suddenly broke free from Tiran's grasp and pounced into Aya's arms.

“Mom, this auntie is so annoying... she always rubs Chirp's ears too hard!”Chirp tearfully looked up at Aya, complaining.

Auntie?

Vivian's smile froze instantly.

“You shouldn't call me auntie at a time like this.” Aya thought for a moment, yes, according to seniority, if Chirp saw herself and Tiran as mom and dad...

“You should call me grandma.”As soon as these words came out of Aya's mouth, she regretted it, why was she so foolish.

Vivian's expression darkened in an instant.

Granzon looked helplessly at Aya, as if saying it's all up to you.

“Darling, I suddenly think we need to consider the marriage matter.”“Wait, wait, that's not what I meant at all!”“Hmm?” Vivian smiled and glanced at Aya, “Aya didn't say anything wrong, according to seniority, Chirp should indeed call me grandma... well, even though I'm only in my thirties this year.”

The resentment had materialized, Aya shivered. Was it because she was the princess's biological mother that this ominous smile felt even more dangerous than Tiran's?

*Cough cough!*Granzon cleared his throat, trying to break the deadlock with his husbandly authority.“Dear, we do not need to trouble His Majesty about family affairs.”

“Alright...”The King's authority crumbled.

Hey hey, wasn't Tiran's marriage a big deal?

“And, I didn't say it was a no, having a son-in-law who is strong and good-looking, I'm more than happy.”Vivian stood up from the sofa, leaned forward, with her left hand behind her back and her right hand ruffling her loose hair, an impish smile in her eyes.

“But, Tiran is my beloved daughter, you can't just agree so easily, right? Even though I trust my daughter's judgment, marriage is a big life event that requires careful consideration before making a decision.”

“So...?”As Tiran listened to her mother's words, she inexplicably had a foreboding.

“So, Mom wants to inspect it in person.”Vivian left the sofa and went to the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the bedroom, pulled back the curtains, let in the afternoon sun, then turned to look at Tiran.

“By the way, I haven't properly lived in this castle I gave you as an adult gift, darling, I might not go back later.”

“Wait, wait a minute! This isn't right! Can the queen just casually leave the capital?”Tiran and Aya both questioned at once, puzzled.

“Uh...” Granzon was about to speak, but his wife ran over and covered his mouth, “Of course she can, the queen is not the king, she usually has nothing much to do, as for those celebrations held by the nobles, dear, you can handle them on your own, right?”

“Umm... umm?!”Of course, the king, with his mouth covered, couldn't say a word.

“If it's not possible, just take your son with you, this child should be able to help you defuse a lot of tension.”

“Ah...Me?”Brad pointed to himself somewhat uncertainly. Oh, based on what he had done to the nobles in the capital city before, he might be in for a rough time.

Was their family status really this low?

But, this was not acceptable!

Aya and Tiran stood together on the same side and resolutely refused.

For Aya, based on her slip of the tongue earlier, the Lady Mother definitely wouldn't let her off easy, and if she stayed in the castle, she would be the first to face the consequences.

As for the princess... she hadn't told anyone about the Dragon Knight contract she had signed with Aya, and eating forbidden fruit was the kind of thing that girls couldn't resist telling someone about, especially with Aya right there by her side.

Wouldn't it be inconvenient if Mom stayed in the castle?

As the two sides with differing opinions seemed about to lock horns, a voice that had been silent for a long time behind Aya faintly sounded.

“Although it's impolite for a maid to interrupt, Your Highness Tiran, Lady Vivian, would you consider my suggestion?”Mimi served the maple syrup-drenched pancakes as dessert in front of the tea table, making the proposal in a mild and elegant tone.