As the noon sun began to decline, even those who had been eating, drinking, dancing, and enjoying themselves all day took a moment to rest.
Shaik, Allen has just arrived at Purito. Shall we go and greet him?
Simon was busy tidying up the palace, which was crowded with various races.
By the time Shaik had been moved around by Gaia, Hoa, Nua, and Ganini, he was exhausted.
Kalia came to rescue him.
Oh, Mother!
Shaik, who had been wandering from one embrace to another without a moments rest, brightened up and reached out his hand.
Hnn!
Mother, please hold my hand quickly. Mother Mother!
Desperately, Shaik reached out his hand from Hoas embrace.
Ah~! No, Shaik, lets play more with Auntie! Okay?
Hoa, why do you exclude the word Grand? Its not Auntie, its Grandauntie.
When Gaia pointed that out, Hoa pouted and retorted.
But he calls Grandma and Grandpa or parents, doesnt he? How can we be on the same level as Grandma and Grandpa?
Thats right! We cant be like that!
Nua chimed in.
Ganini, who stood beside them, nodded quietly in agreement.
Gaia hesitated for a moment, thinking that what they said made sense.
But still, Grandauntie and Granduncle, isnt that a bit too much? Hes her grandson after all
Gaia blinked and asked:
Well, then what should he call you?
Just call me Auntie. Auntie.
Yeah, no one really calls themselves Auntie or Aunt. You can call me by my name.
In fact, in the fairy realm, lineage or titles didnt matter much.
The tradition among the fairies was that the more they called each other by their given names, the happier they became, so most of them called each other by their names.
Of course, the exception was the royalty.
Nevertheless, the words Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie that came out of Shaiks mouth were so cute that the fairies couldnt help but keep asking him to say them.
Hmm. Well then, I guess thats fine.
Gaia roughly agreed and turned his gaze to Kalia, who was watching them with an expression of amusement.
You must be tired too. You dont have to go and greet them. Theyll be here soon.
No, I want to see them first. Im curious about how much Drea has grown.
Well, it has been a year since you last saw her, right?
Yes. It feels empty without seeing the child I used to see every day. Well then, Ill go.
Yeah! Hurry back, Kalia!
Gaia turned around with a smile and raised a hand, cheerfully waving.
Lost memories came flooding back, but among Gaias memories, the most vivid ones were from before Kalia gave birth, so Gaia still had a girlish charm.
When Kalia came out, holding Shaik tightly, from the fairy family resting in the room, Shaiks body slumped against Kalias shoulder.
He seemed quite exhausted.
Youve worked hard, Shaik. Youve been through a lot because they find you so adorable.
Mama.
Shaik raised his head, still in his mothers embrace.
The loving gaze that looked at him with an affectionate smile was warm and tender.
In his mothers embrace, there was an indescribable comfort and ease.
Despite complaining, Shaik didnt dislike it when other family members ran to him with a face that wanted to give him anything when he looked at him.
The unconditional love, touch, and gaze of those around him made Shaik feel a warm and fuzzy emotion that he had never felt before.
Pat, pat.
As the hand patted his back, Shaik leaned his head against Kalias shoulder and thought quietly.
Engaged are in love and in an alliance. They get married and spend their lives together. Aunt Janice said so! So, I will always be by Sashas side. Thats what an engagement is!
It was just the words of a 4-year-old.
With her little hands wrapped around his neck, pouring out affection that had been there since his birth, the young dragon who had always liked him.
Despite finding this little presence annoying and bothersome, Shaik couldnt help but feel a strange fondness for her.
I dont know, do whatever you want.
Shaik turned his head and buried his face in Kalias embrace.
Drea, hanging on his back as if she liked it, whispered the words she had prepared.
Hehe, Sasha, Im glad. And happy birthday. Lets keep going like this! I love you! Ssssha!
Really.
Shaik could only pick a fake smile, hiding his face, in response to the babys topic.
* * *
Youve been through a lot to come here, Allen, Derek.
No, not at all. Thanks to the improved teleportation gate from last year, we came comfortably. The time has been reduced by half compared to before.
Allen greeted Kalia and Simon, whom he met after a long time, with respect and spoke.
His face showed signs of joy.
Yes, thats right. Last years hardships paid off with the Gate. We came really quickly. It took only ten days. Ah, thinking back to the hardships and lack of sleep last year But its good as it is.
Beside him, Derek, who made his eyes sparkle whenever he saw the fairies and spirits playing outside the window, made a half-hearted comment.
He did his best to talk about the hardships of last year without any gaps.
But no matter when he looked, Derek couldnt take his eyes off the sight of the spirits and fairies mingling together, always fascinating and mysterious. Suddenly, he raised his head and looked at Simon.
Oh, right! And I heard youre implementing the New Gate across the entire continent? Isnt that a bit too much, Simon?
Now that Mage Tower has become the neutral eye overseeing and protecting the continent, its only natural to develop the whole region in a balanced way, isnt it, Derek?
Simons words implied that the Mage Tower left the Empire two years ago and has grown into a pan-continental magic organization.
They had the intention of becoming an institution that encompasses the entire continent, monitoring the dark energy of each country and devoting more effort to training mages to contribute to peace.
Of course, no country refused that.
On the contrary, there was a flood of requests for them to establish branches in their own countries.
Due to Kalia becoming the Queen and Mage Tower becoming a transcontinental power, the newlywed life of Simon and Kalia was forcibly interrupted.
Due to their extended periods of absence, last year the three families only spent a total of two months together.
Although this year their situations have stabilized to some extent and they are gradually increasing their time together.
The problem was the fact that the Queen and Mage Tower Master were so busy meant that their advisors were truly overwhelmed and had no time to breathe.
Even one of the most talented mages, Derek, was in the same boat. Now he barely had time to catch his breath, and yet, they were recruiting specialized mages due to the construction of the New Gate?!
I cant go this time, Simon. Seriously, really, its soooo difficult.
The position of the Top Advisor
!
I want to appoint you this time. If you become the Top Advisor, maybe there will be benefits, like owning the rights to the mana mines.
I I will! I will go. Yes. Yes, theres no one else, really. After all, wasnt it me who created the spatial coordinates for the New Gate? Haha. Ha
In the end, it turned out like this again.
Behind the frustrated Derek, Allen quietly suppressed a laugh.
Despite always grumbling about being exploited, Derek was always the most diligent worker, corresponding to the appropriate rewards.
As co-guardians of Drea, Derek and Allen had become quite close in their own way.
He gently patted Dereks back and pulled out an important item.
Your Majesty, in fact, His Majesty had a letter for you.
A letter?
Yes. He said he would be pleased if you read it together with Simon.
What is it? Why would they send a letter instead of using communication devices?
Kalia and Simon looked at Allen with puzzled expressions as they opened the luxurious letter he handed them.
And as they slowly read the contents, they both looked up at each other at the same time.
Oh, finally!
Locking eyes, the two of them burst into laughter and spoke.
It seems our Majesty is finally going to get married.