_________________________________________________

[At Estel's castle]

[Liyana point of view]

My future...

That's a hard question. All this while, I was only thinking of getting my own freedom for the sake of my future, but now, I feel awfully blank

All this while I was with Princess Diana, admiring her constant struggle for the sake of other. With Muse, who despite in almost the same condition as I am, manage to break free from her chain, attain her freedom and the love of her live. With Elise and Mile, the two Valkyrie, one who's a hero and another one is a simple commoner, together rising through the rank of Valkyrie to attain fame and respect of the citizen of Estel

Now that Sir Crow and Ceanu Reaves ask me that question regarding my future, surprisingly, I just stared at them, unable to even utter a single word. Nothing, just a blank face was enough for them to figure out I don't have any answer from the back of my mind

(Plus, their look... It actually make me feels miserable) [Liyana]

It wasn't that they're mocking or belittling me. It's the face that Mr Claude and Filvisar gave toward the orphans, that those orphans still have a long road ahead of them, and it's ok to take your time.

(I know that it's fine to take your time, but given how they're all ahead of me, I couldn't help but to feel left behind) [Liyana]

Plus, with my sister, Linda who's now a minion of God of Death, even though I am more than happy to see her around, with her constantly helping me in any way possible, it makes me feels even more left out behind

Hmm?

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr Jacks, Mrs Alice" [Cupid]

That's Charlotte's best friend, the reindeer beast girl, Cupid, congratulating them. Now that I think of it, she's without a doubt, ahead of her same age peers, albeit not as far as Charlotte, who is the youngest court magician as well as the youngest ten heroes out of the bunch

"Thank you" [Jacks]

"Where are you going?" [Alice]

"I was told to help the Valkyrie to sniff out any fake Doppelganger hidden in the castle" [Cupid]

"How so?" [Jacks]

"Just gonna give them the necessary materials needed. That, as well as asking them should they require any additional materials" [Cupid]

"Then you should go with Liyana there" [Alice]

"Pardon me" [Liyana]

I guess with my hole piercing glare, it's only natural that they will notice my presence. I should just join them with their conversation. Plus, Mrs Alice is right, I can help make Cupid's job way easier

_________________________________________________

[Inside Ice Dungeon]

[Charlotte point of view]

"You sure have variety of marine golem at your disposal... You sure took advantage of the marine spawning blocks inside the training hall" [Ash]

"Sorry..." [Charlotte]

"Oh, I was just impressed that's all. As long as you didn't break it, and Rafiah is fine with it, then why not. Just use everything in your arsenal to your advantage" [Ash]

I thought Brother Ash would be mad, but contrary to what I was expecting he simply amuse by my wide variety of marine golem. He's half right and half wrong though, since half of my marine golems were the result of my constant grinding at the Rock and Sea dungeon

"You two, you should take a break" [Rean]

"You two been going non stop improving it in short amount of time. You should rest. Especially you dear, you should remember you're not fully recovered yet" [Diana]

"I will" [Ash]

And they're flirting once again. This feels like back then, when I was the third wheel, following Rean around when she's with Muse. Now that I think of it, maybe that's why I was immune to Muse's constant flirting towards Rean. Now, I am about to get suck into the very same position once again

Part of it, even back then with Rean and Muse, might be due to Brother Ash sudden absence from my life. Kara and Mara moving out with their mother, Mother Aries and Aunty Lisa. Zerolith, going for his training as demon priest, Singa and Savel for their noble training at the Beastman Kingdom. Farhah, alongside Mr Filvisar and accompanied by Karon and Calypso training as Avery. It feels like more and more people leaving me out from their live. I know it isn't true, but being apart from them just make me feel lonely

"Something wrong Charlotte?" [Karon]

"Nothing" [Charlotte]

"Oh, this is her usual lonely sulk" [Aries]

"Mother Aries!" [Charlotte]

I thought that should be our little secret!

"I see. It's like when my husband feel a bit left out when all attention was toward Singa" [Sachmis]

"I will pretend I don't heard that" [Singa]

"Haha, so you're a mommy boy back then" [Farhah]

"I am still a baby back then! Plus, I don't even even remember much of what's happening!" [Singa]

"That's a bit sad to hear. Sorry..." [Sachmis]

"I... I don't mean that" [Singa]

"Boo..." [Ash]

"Good grief, you have to hurt your mother feeling" [Farhah]

"Boo..." [Mara]

"You guys, stop teasing him" [Zerolith]

That's interesting. I guess Singa's father is like that of Alice's dad...

"I wonder how our mother and father was..." [Charlotte]

I don't even realize that I utter those words, making the atmosphere suddenly turn from light, to heavy to even heavier

"You have it tougher didn't you. Now that I think of it, you might not never met with them before..." [Ash]

""Brother Ash... Charlotte..."" [Lara, Nara]

"I... I mean..." [Charlotte]

"You know what, once their memories are completely integrated into my mind, I'll let you peak at it. Deal?" [Ash]

"Really!?" [Charlotte]

"Really really" [Ash]

"It's a deal then!" [Charlotte]

I can't wait for that to happen!

"Speaking of it, do you want a daughter or a son?" [Muse]

"Now that's an interesting question!" [Diana]

"What say you?" [Qis]

"To think even you find the question amusing, that's beyond my expectation" [Alaric]

"True, but somehow, I was half expecting that. Doesn't know why though" [Linda]

And now they're all pressing Rean for an answer

"Kara, what's with that pen?" [Savel]

"Taking a note for my novel references" [Kara]

It's lively here. I guess even if we are far apart, or never met each other, we will always be a family. Sis Rafiah, and Calypso, wait for us! We will save you! That goes for the funny Mr Seraph and kind hearted King Druser as well!