Third floor of the Hidden Management Department.
Luo Shu's office.
While organising Luo Shu's documents, Yukino Yukinoshita stacked them neatly and remarked to Luo Shu, who was resting with closed eyes in his office chair:
"To think the hidden princess of the Aldegia Kingdom was deliberately concealed by the former king in an orphanage in his own country."
"From a daughter's perspective, that former king was far too cold-blooded."
Listening to Yukino Yukinoshita recount what she'd learned from Nia Honjo earlier, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow but didn't add anything he knew.
However, based on his recollection, the exiled princess Kanon Kanase should have had an uncle.
Normally, Kanon Kanase should have been taken in and raised by her uncle.
But for some unknown reason, perhaps because that uncle hadn't accompanied the Aldegia Kingdom when it crossed over from the Abyss to this world, Kanon Kanase wasn't adopted by him and instead ended up in an orphanage.
Due to the special significance of silver hair in the Aldegia Kingdom, Kanon Kanase was presumed to be an orphan, possibly descended from a royal branch.
Consequently, the orphanage management had intended to report her to the royal family, but the former king, upon discovering her situation, used the excuse that she wasn't a descendant of a branch family to keep her in a domestic orphanage temporarily.
It seemed the former king was desperately trying to prevent Kanon Kanase's royal lineage from being discovered, to the point of considering sending her abroad to be raised.
However, due to the Aldegia Kingdom's strained international relations following the crossing and its lack of cooperation with other nations, the former king worried about potential dangers abroad and temporarily shelved the idea.
It was precisely after learning these details that Yukino Yukinoshita held such contempt for the former king.
An affair was one thing, but lacking responsibility was another - concealing the child's existence after birth, causing her to live in hardship.
Had that former king done the decent thing and registered Kanon Kanase as a descendant of a royal branch, she could have received royal resources and proper care, instead of living as an orphan despite being royalty.
In fact, Kanon Kanase might have had it worse than ordinary orphans, as her special circumstances made her ineligible for adoption.
"Though somewhat irregular, perhaps it's for the best that the child is being brought back by Natsuki-sensei."
Due to Nia Honjo's preemptive actions, Natsuki Minamiya was currently rushing through Star Gate channels to the SDS Operations Department garrison in Denmark before making rapid spatial jumps towards the orphanage in Aldegia.
Soon enough, Yukino Yukinoshita would likely meet the exiled princess at the Hidden Management Department garrison.
Hearing Yukino's comment, Luo Shu opened his eyes and remarked casually:
"All things considered, we're essentially snatching someone right from Aldegia's grasp."
The justice-minded Yukino responded sternly:
"I believe bringing that child to Japan for upbringing might be the optimal solution."
"After all, La Folia is currently in Japan, and we can't be certain about the Queen's stance towards the child. If she intends to erase this royal disgrace, that would be unfortunate."
Yukino Yukinoshita then added:
"Of course, the final decision should respect the individual's wishes. But since Natsuki-sensei is handling it, there shouldn't be any major issues."
At this point, Yukino paused, a smile playing on her lips as she said:
"After all, Natsuki-sensei absolutely adores children."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh: "You'd better not say that in front of Natsuki. She'd definitely hit you on the head with her fan."
"It's not like she's here now, is it?"
Yukino Yukinoshita murmured before asking Luo Shu:
"But Director, when do you plan to meet Her Highness La Folia to discuss this plan?"
"Aren't Chisato and Takina already there? Let's wait for their report first."
Luo Shu leaned back in his chair with a lazy sigh.
Seeing this, Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes held a hint of amusement: "Director, you're just trying to slack off, aren't you?"
'Don't expose a man's struggles, Miss Yukino.'
Luo Shu kept his eyes closed as he replied lazily: "Considering how hard I've been working day and night recently, could you at least pretend not to notice?"
Yukino Yukinoshita pondered this before asking:
"By 'working day and night', do you mean bullying Kisara-san, bullying Senior Eriri, then bullying Mrs. Sayuri and that Miss Enigma?"
"???"
Luo Shu opened his eyes and gave Yukino Yukinoshita a startled look, clearly baffled by how these names had come from her mouth.
'Miss Yukino, have you finally given in to your desire for advancement and started monitoring your director?'
Noticing his expression, Yukino Yukinoshita chuckled disdainfully:
"Judging by your reaction, my guess seems to be correct."
While Luo Shu admitted Yukino's contemptuous expression was quite attractive, such baseless slander was unacceptable:
"You said it yourself - it's just a guess. How could it possibly be true?"
"Given your personality, I can't imagine it being false."
As she spoke, Yukino Yukinoshita placed some documents beside Luo Shu before walking to the window. She deliberately kept her back turned so he wouldn't see her smiling expression as she watched the crowd below.
'I feel like you understand me better than I understand myself...' Luo Shu sighed internally before saying aloud:
"Rather than worrying about whether I've been bullying people, there's something else you should be more concerned about."
"What would that be?" Yukino Yukinoshita tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, turning her face sideways to look at Luo Shu in confusion.
At that moment, Luo Shu pointed towards the door where a pair of small eyes were peeking through the gap:
"There."
Following his finger, Yukino Yukinoshita immediately recognised those familiar eyes.
"Sister?!" Her expression instantly became strained.
"Oh my, if it isn't Yukino~ Mmm, you still look full of energy. Seems nothing major happened yesterday after all~"
Haruno Yukinoshita pushed the door open and strode in confidently, showing no trace of having been eavesdropping outside just moments ago.
Seeing Haruno's arrival, Yukino hastily trotted forward, grasped her sister's hand and whispered urgently:
"What are you doing coming to the garrison?"
Though both Luo Shu and Yukino Yukinoshita knew that many tasks Yukino couldn't complete were outsourced to Haruno, that still didn't justify her sneaking into the garrison.
Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly felt the awkwardness of a primary school student performing in a violin competition with parents watching from below.
The flawless Miss Yukino absolutely, completely, and utterly did not want to experience such a thing!
While Yukino squirmed with discomfort, Haruno cheerfully stepped past her and addressed Luo Shu:
"Luo Shu-kun, don't tell me you're not welcoming me~"
"Of course not, feel free to come whenever you like. I never said you couldn't."
As he spoke, Luo Shu opened a drawer, retrieved the Familia contract, and smiled at Haruno:
"But you know the rules here, Haruno. How about signing this non-disclosure agreement?"
Seeing the Familia contract, Yukino froze for a moment. Before she could react, Haruno asked with a smile:
"Are you certain this is just an ordinary NDA, Luo Shu-kun?"
"Absolutely certain."
Luo Shu flashed a brilliant smile.
At this, Haruno immediately beamed:
"Well, if it's just an NDA, I suppose signing it wouldn't hurt~"