Inhaling the air of her medium-sized apartment, Yelena's lips curved into a smile. It had been 2 months since she didn't set foot to this apartment which she called 'home.'

Despite the apartment being empty for two months, it was very neat and tidy. She figured out right away that it was her mother's doing.

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The apartment was located on the 12th floor of the building in one of the best apartmental complex of the capital. She chose the place just a year ago because it was not far from the base of the Rayvix Special Forces.

Even though she was rarely home due to her job, she cherished the place because it gave her one thing she always longed for - freedom.

She left the villa with Felix after having breakfast and it was already evening now as they spent some time arranging things in her apartment. The couple had many things scheduled for them.

First, they will visit the Arista mansion and have dinner with them. For the first time in six years, Yelena will be spending the night there. Then Felix will leave for Edeladon early in the next morning and Yelena will give a joining report on the same day.

"Shall we go now?" Felix asked as he scanned the apartment to check that everything was in place. He used to wish to see this apartment and he was happy that he finally saw it.

"Okay." She nodded as she holds the hand that he offered to her and fits her hand perfectly with his.

Then the couple left the apartment and headed to the family mansion.

Unlike any other days, Yelena finds her family home very lively. It resembled a warm home and she never felt that way throughout her life. Maybe because her parents and her grandfather were all at home.

The scene that shocked her the most was that she saw her mother in the kitchen. It was already surprising to see her mighty mother at that place but it's not only that. The mother was preparing the dishes herself! She gawked and stood still, staring at her mother who was not still aware of her presence.

For someone like her who always longed for a warm mother's love, the scene of the mother cooking for her was so touching and satisfying. Unconsciously, a droplet of tears rolled down her face but when she realized it, she was very quick to wipe away.

She was not even aware of her mother who noticed her and was walking towards her. She thought that she could die due to a heart attack when her mother suddenly hugged her.

Was this a dream? Did her mother really hug her? She stood frozen, unable to move even a bit due to the shock. When she heard her mother's voice, she finally realized that it was not a dream. It was real.

"I'm so happy to see you this healthy, my daughter." Mrs. Arista tightened her grip on her daughter's body. The last time she saw Yelena was when she left for the villa and she was still very weak at that time. But now, she seemed to be in a great figure and she couldn't ask for more!

Yelena wished to say something but... her mind completely went blank. She stood still, not even making the effort to hug her mother back. It was the first time her mother ever do such things.

The Captain's reaction was understandable as 25 years was such a long time.

Mrs. Arista suddenly realized what she was doing. Strangely, she was also startled to find herself doing such a thing.

When she saw her daughter standing a few feet away, she was overwhelmed with joy and she couldn't think of any other things. She instantly made her way to her daughter and hugged her without thinking anything.

Vanessa Arista pulled back at once and she noticed that her daughter was standing still with a seemingly blank face. Did her action upset her? Her face was plastered with guilt in a split second.

"I'm sorry." The mother whispered and turned her back at her daughter, trying to continue with her cooking.

"I truly missed you, Mom," Yelena muttered. She lifted her head that was briefly glued to the floor and glanced at her mother who instantly stopped when she heard her words.

Mrs. Arista eyes widened at her only daughter's words. Her words shocked her but the way she addressed her stupefied her more!

Did her daughter just call her 'Mom'? It had been 6 years since she addressed her that way! She would always call her 'Mother' to prove the barrier between them. And her only son's death was the beginning of everything.

All at once, Mrs. Arista hugged her daughter again. This time, she was not calm, so far from being calm. Tears flowed down her face as she caressed her daughter's head but It was tears of joy!

Her daughter was finally back!

At the main room of the mansion, Felix was playing chess with the old General. The father was also sitting next to them with a magazine on his hand. He acted like he doesn't care about the game taking place just beside him but he repeatedly took a peek as curiosity got the best of the Major General.

Ethan Arista was stupefied by the super poor chess skills of his daughter's boyfriend. It even made him wondered how a future King of a nation could be this dumb!

He glanced back and forth between the magazine on his hand and the chessboard. He watched as the Prince continued to make stupid moves which always benefitted the old General each time.

He inwardly shook his head at how hopeless the Crown Prince was! Then... his patience had reached its limit.

He abruptly put the magazine down and sharply glanced at his daughter's boyfriend. "That's not how you play." He scowled as he shoved the Prince away from his seat.

The Major General put all his focus on the chessboard. "Look, this is how you should play chess." Pointing at one chess piece, he continued. "If you move this one, then my father will win right away. Are you dumb or what?" He keeps on scolding the young man without even glancing at him.

He was interrupted by the laughter of the General who was very amused by his only son's behaviour. "I never know that you are this interested in a chess game."

The Major General suddenly felt embarrassed when he realized his action. He deliberately cleared his throat and looked at his father. "I only took pity in this young man who was repeatedly defeated by you."

"Ah! That's how it was done! Thanks for helping me out, Father. I will remember what you just taught me." Felix's eyes were a bit widened with mirth when he gazed at the father.

A short-lived playful smile appeared on his handsome face but because it was for a very brief second, the Major General was not aware of it. Besides, he didn't spare a glance for the Prince.

But the General was quietly observing the Prince and he didn't fail to notice that short-lived playful smile. He shook his head as he chuckled to himself. His poor son. He doesn't even know that he was the dumb one here! He easily fell for the Prince's trick!

The Crown Prince was smart and he was also great at chess. When he noticed that the father was taking a peek at him while acting like he didn't care, he decided to play a little game. He deliberately keeps on losing so that the father could act up.

The General doesn't understand at first but when he noticed what was going on, he played along with the Prince and just as expected, the Major General took the bait.

Major General Ethan clearly heard the Prince calling him Father for the first time but he just let it go. What could he do anyway? His daughter chose this man and he was more than aware of how stubborn his only daughter was! Protesting would bring no good for now.

Felix's find himself gradually blending into the family and he felt a great sense of satisfaction. When he first visited this mansion to talked about discharging Yelena, he witnessed the nature of this family.

Family members who truly care about each other but bad at expressing and even that little argument between the middle-aged couple; they were the things that perfected the family. A thing which his family never had.

He wished to be a part of them and he could feel that his wish was slowly coming true!

The mother and daughter came out of the kitchen and joined them as there was still plenty of time before dinner.

"Yelena, I thought that you're very smart but I was wrong. I'm so disappointed in you." Maj. Gen. Ethan huffed the moment he saw his daughter. He also briefly glanced at Felix.

Having no idea about what her father said, Yelena shifted her gaze to Felix with a bewildered face. Through a gesture, she asked him what's going on but Felix's smiled and simply shook his head.

The Captain looked at her father who sat in a couch with an upset face. It seemed like he had no intention to explain or to say more and it made her more puzzled.

The mother was also equally lost while the grandfather secretly chuckled to himself. It seemed like the Prince's plan worked perfectly.....