CH-56 Home return[End]

I wish for Ely to be on her best behavior with Arle because, deep down, I have a glimmer of hope that they'll become the bestest of buddies.

Sure, our little organization is teeming with potential playmates, but… haaa, they all seem to view Arle as some sort of elevated being, behaving to her more like she was royalty than a rambunctious child.

Zeno enlightened me with the fact that the other three amigos are trapped in a vortex of busyness, leaving them scarcely any time to entertain my dear Arle.

Thus, the poor dragon child finds solitude in her experiments, avoiding human interaction like a cat avoids a bath.

"Eh!" Ely froze in her tracks upon hearing the word 'daughter' from Iris, but she quickly became elated when 'sister' followed from Iris's lips.

Her mind went blank, but she then recollected... Her child… Iris was... 'N-No, that cannot be possible, correct?'

Ely gazed at me in a daze. I smiled, she recovered from her reverie and posed an unreasonable inquiry. "I-Iris, s-she is not your b-biological offspring?"

"... No! Why would you ask that? Are you implying you'll mistreat her if she's not related by blood?" I wrinkled my brows, exuding a hint of lethal intent.

"Ah, No! Of course, I will regard her as my own... niece. I'm Ely. You can address me as aunt. What is your name, kid?" Ely hastily refuted the allegations and stated genuinely, it feels real to me, accompanied Arle with a slight wave of her hand.

She still felt odd because Arle seemed like a woman in her twenties, but based on her behavior, Arle felt more childish, so she didn't ask much.

Some children can grow quickly in height and body, often due to special circumstances.

Few might even use growth pills without side effects, but natural growth is still preferable in this world.

"It is good to make your acquaintance, Aunt Ely. I'm Arle Hope." Arle bowed, her introduction sending a shiver down my spine. I felt a tinge of jubilation when she added my real family surname.

"You are a well-behaved, little kiddo. I'm proud of you." I grappled her hand and led her inside the abode with a few words of commendation.

"If she's inclined, I wouldn't mind a motherly canoodle."

Arle gazed at me with unabashed candor and mused aloud. "Could I perhaps share your sleeping quarters tonight, as we did in the forest in the past."

"Of course." I, recalling our forest sojourns with a pang of nostalgia, nodded in assent without any hesitation, her words contributing a fleeting respite from the tumult within me.

We proceeded into the living, my jaw grounded involuntarily upon glimpsing my 'mother' seated alone on the sofa, a reminder of the disquiet that pervaded my soul.

She, Nisho, feels like a young mature woman in her twenties with an ethereal and dreamy appearance, has long, flowing brown hair, eyes is a… captivating shade of blue.

Nisho was wearing an elegant dress in shades of blue and white, with golden patterns parallel to vines or leaves.

The dress billows around her, giving the impression that she is underwater or surrounded by flowing water or air currents.

She seemed to notice my presence and stood before me, a forlorn expression gracing her features.

"H-Hello, Mia! Where have you been all this time? We relentlessly searched for you but could not uncover a single trace of where you were. You know- Huh!"

Before she could encircled her hands around me, I sidestepped, overlooking her existence as if she were mere trash, and strolled towards the stairs leading to Mia's room.

I did not neglect to retrieve my suitcase from Ely.

My attitude might have been the epitome of unpleasantness, as I felt not a shred of comfort in that moment.

"Dinner is ready. Why not join us within five minutes, Iris and Arle."

Halfway down the stairs, I cast poker eyeballs towards Ely, then fixed my glacial gaze upon the so-called mother's eyes, Nisho, who smiled warmly.

However, I clicked my tongue in disdain and ascended the stairs with Arle. "Tsk! Even hypocrisy has some limits but some shameless people don't."

—Creak!

I opened the door to Mia's room... It was immaculately pristine.

But for what purpose? I had no intention of residing here. Once I accomplished my objective, I would never set foot in this house again.

"Arle, attire yourself appropriately. We shall dine outside." I gently murmured, unzipping the suitcase on the bed and changing into fresh garments.

"...Mother, why do you exhibit such displeasure?" Arle inquired, lounging on an unoccupied bed, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

I remained silent. Who wish to divulge the depths of their anguish… like Mia's.

At the end of day's end, I inhabited her body and her feelings mingled with mine. I could not bring myself to inform my daughter of the torment Mia had endured.

Arle perceived me as an indomitable force, and I had no desire to shatter that perception by revealing Mia's past struggles as a… pitiful individual.

"Get ready, kiddo, we will eat outside." I softly mumbled, And wore the outfit, which consists of a deep black fitted blazer with long sleeves and a matching pair of wide-leg pants.

Which also have a flattering, high-waisted cut and a slightly flared leg opening, creating a stylish and sophisticated silhouette.

Underneath the blazer, There was a plunging neckline bustier top in a complementary shade of white color.

"Perhaps I should opt for heels."

I thought, appraising my reflection and swiftly styling my hair into a single ponytail.

Shortly thereafter, Arle adored herself with clothes, similarly to me. We walked to the living room where I saw my second brother.

His name is Alex, with his short, bang-framed black hair and robust physique, greeted me.

"Yo, Mia." His red eyes met mine, but I diverted mine and continued towards the door.

"Iris, where are you headed?" Ely interjected, her expression one of bewilderment as she obstructed my path.

"I'm going out to dine! Do you have any problems, sis?" I retorted. But Ely grasped my hands, Taking me to the couch where she prompted me to sit, across from Nisho. The sofa was mine crafted 'U' shaped.

"What is it that you want?" I reserved acceptance for her rant but will refuse to stay for dinner if she asks me.

I patted the seat next to me, signaling Arle to sit beside me.

"Come here, kiddo."

"Okay, Mother!" Arle playfully sat beside me, starting to play with her latest iPhone as I stared at my shocked mother.

"Don't you think we should formally end our relationship on paper too? It's been a burden for the past 17 years for our all-white family. So… Did you prepare the papers?"