"Director?!"
"Director!"
"Director, you're back."
Hearing the chorus of female voices, Luo Shu shook his head slightly, still unaccustomed to it, then replied:
"Some negotiation matters came up, so I brought the person back directly. Speaking of which, it seems the banquet was only just starting? What a waste."
Luo Shu turned around as he spoke, stepping aside to reveal La Folia standing behind him, and said:
"Though I feel introductions might be unnecessary, allow me to make them anyway."
"This is La Folia Rihavein, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of the Aldegia Kingdom."
"Good morning~ everyone from the Hidden Management Department."
La Folia waved amiably at the group while casually scanning the room with her gaze.
Almost immediately, her eyes were drawn to Kanon Kanase, who sat on the sofa, tilting her head to observe her.
'So that's the child...' La Folia thought to herself.
The Aldegia Royal Family's bloodline was already special - nearly all female members had silver hair, with the direct royal line possessing silver hair and blue eyes. Yet even by those standards, Kanon Kanase's appearance bore the closest resemblance to the direct lineage.
That impossibly pure silver hair and blue eyes, coupled with her angelic demeanour and overflowing spiritual presence.
Frankly, had she not known Kanon was the illegitimate daughter born from her grandfather's affair with a branch family member, La Folia might have suspected they were blood sisters.
'Her Spiritual Power is extraordinarily high... almost rivalling my own... How could such a child be left to wander alone?'
Suddenly, La Folia felt her grandfather's punishment should have been more severe.
'Yes, I'll suggest it to grandmother later - right when her anger's about to subside.'
Meanwhile, after introducing La Folia, Luo Shu walked straight to the sofa and settled into a single-seater opposite Natsuki Minamiya:
"You've worked hard this time, Natsuki-chan."
"I've told you not to add those childish honorifics to my name."
Natsuki sighed, seemingly too exhausted to keep correcting Luo Shu.
After exhaling, she glanced at Kanon Kanase and stated:
"Though I hate to admit it, Kanase, this man before you will be your guardian for the foreseeable future."
"Officially, the guardianship still falls under my responsibility..."
Here, Natsuki paused before continuing hesitantly:
"Considering Kanase's safety, my previous residence can no longer be used."
"Luo Shu, regarding Mira's apartment complex - the sold units have been repurchased recently, correct?"
"Sakura Apartments, you mean?" Luo Shu pondered briefly before nodding. "Indeed, all units have been reacquired. Only our Familia members reside there now."
"Then vacate the entire top floor for me. I'll prepare to relocate shortly, and Kanase will live with me."
Hearing Natsuki's declaration, Luo Shu stroked his chin:
"So you're claiming the entire 8th floor? Do you really need that much space?"
Natsuki clicked her tongue in annoyance:
"I won't shortchange you on rent. Besides, isn't Mira the landlord?"
"Well, if you insist." Luo Shu considered briefly before acquiescing. "I'd originally planned to set traps on the 8th floor to catch anyone attempting rooftop infiltration. But since you've requested it, the top floor is yours."
Upon hearing about Luo Shu's trap plans, Natsuki's mouth twitched as she stared at him with utter exasperation:
"After all this time, your persecution complex still hasn't been cured?"
Luo Shu spread his hands in response. "If it could be easily cured, would it still be called a persecution complex?"
"Anyway..." Luo Shu turned his gaze towards Kanon Kanase, who had been watching his face, and smiled. "Kanon, you'll be staying with Natsuki at my place from now on."
"Oh, right, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself."
"I'm Luo Shu, currently serving as Director of the SDS Hidden Management Department. You can call me Luo Shu or Director."
"O-okay." Kanon Kanase seemed somewhat shy, nodding before retreating like a small animal.
Seeing this, Luo Shu immediately turned to La Folia, who was getting acquainted with the other girls nearby:
"This child seems a hundred times cuter than you, La Folia~"
"While I strongly object to you saying that, Luo Shu, I'll admit Kanon is very cute."
La Folia lightly retorted before stepping forward to approach Kanon Kanase:
"I've always wanted to meet you, Kanon."
"Um...you are..."
Kanon Kanase looked hesitantly at the unfamiliar yet familiar girl before her.
Unfamiliar because this was their first meeting, yet familiar because the girl's appearance closely resembled what she saw in the mirror.
Almost instantly, Kanon realised this girl must be family - someone connected by blood.
Her earlier silence stemmed from fear that her intuition might be wrong.
"Luo Shu just introduced me, didn't he?" La Folia smiled, taking Kanon's hand:
"I'm La Folia Rihavein!"
"Should I say 'nice to meet you'? Auntie!"
"Eh?" Kanon seemed momentarily stunned before pointing at herself in bewilderment. "Auntie?"
Meanwhile, Luo Shu accepted the black tea handed to him by Megumi Kato, took a sip and clicked his tongue:
"Yes, auntie. Your irresponsible father is La Folia's grandfather, who married into the family. By generation, you and La Folia's mother are half-sisters from the same father."
"Since most male elders in La Folia's family married into the Rihavein house, her calling you auntie is completely proper."
Turning to Megumi, Luo Shu lowered his voice: "Did you brew my premium Da Hong Pao tea?'"
Megumi nodded, leaning closer to quietly point at Kanon Kanase nearby:
"You'd need some proper tea leaves to brew tea for an angelic girl like that, right?"
'So you used my private stash?'
Luo Shu stared at Megumi Kato with a dumbfounded expression, desperately wanting to voice his complaint.
This was aged tea he'd acquired through Natsuki Minamiya's connections, and most importantly, purchased with his own money. The stuff was expensive, damn it.
Yet despite his heartache over the loss, what was consumed was consumed. With a sigh, Luo Shu took another sip of the black tea.
Hmm...
He hadn't noticed before, but now Luo Shu realised this tea tasted absolutely divine – the unmistakable flavour of luxury.
Meanwhile, after explaining Kanon Kanase's background to her, La Folia took a deep breath and said:
"Kanon, though this might be somewhat presumptuous, the family still hopes you'll return home!"
Hearing this, Kanon Kanase hesitated slightly before glancing over at Natsuki Minamiya, who was sitting nearby.
In response, Natsuki Minamiya simply sighed and looked towards Luo Shu, reminding him:
"Shouldn't the guardian be speaking now?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu, who was holding his teacup, glanced at La Folia and smiled:
"If you're thinking of using underhanded methods to take Kanon away, La Folia, then you'll have to stay behind yourself and change your surname to Luo~"
La Folia turned towards him with a bright smile:
"Deal~"
Luo Shu's expression froze as he blinked.
What had he just heard?
A deal?