"My, my, I never expected a marriage proposal to come so soon? I thought you'd make me wait a while longer, Luo Shu."
La Folia even touched her cheek with her hand, appearing somewhat bashful as she continued:
"To think you'd use Aunt Kanon's situation to make me comply... Though such a domineering demand suits my tastes rather well."
"You..." Luo Shu's mouth twitched as he was about to retort, but Megumi Kato beside him began clapping softly while tilting her head:
"Is the Director preparing to get married? Should I offer congratulations?"
"Ah~ Should we prepare red envelopes?"
Haruno Yukinoshita cheerfully pulled out a stack of crisp 10,000-yen notes from her jacket.
Meanwhile, Yukino Yukinoshita was also all smiles as she held the calico cat:
"Though not entirely pleased, considering how much the Director has helped me, wearing a bridesmaid dress once wouldn't be impossible."
Watching Luo Shu being ganged up on by the girls, Natsuki Minamiya opened her folding fan, eyes smiling behind it:
"It seems everyone in the department is quite eager to celebrate your wedding. Why don't you gratefully accept their congratulations?"
Faced with this united front, Luo Shu rolled his eyes in exasperation and snapped:
"Cut the nonsense."
Then he turned to glare at Megumi Kato, who'd started it all:
"Megumi, don't forget what Aya said before?"
"If you lot keep pushing this marriage with La Folia, don't blame me for making you all wear wedding dresses at the ceremony for a group wedding with only one groom!"
Hearing this threat, Natsuki Minamiya immediately fell silent, while Haruno pretended to play with the cat, joining Yukino in surrounding the calico.
Even Megumi Kato quietly activated stealth mode, slipping away unnoticed while Luo Shu wasn't looking.
Seeing everyone stunned by his words, Luo Shu let out a cold chuckle before turning to glare at La Folia, the instigator of this mess, and said irritably:
"Still planning to hold Kanon's hand and whisk her away directly?"
"How can you say that~" La Folia showed no intention of releasing Kanon Kanase's hand, puffing her cheeks in indignation. "This is a rare familial moment between aunt and niece!"
Luo Shu stared blankly, his deadpan gaze fixed on Kanon Kanase:
"Sorry, I don't see any familial affection. All I see is you secretly verifying Kanon's bloodline."
"Eh? You noticed?" La Folia looked at Luo Shu in surprise.
The Arcane Arts of Aldegia Kingdom being seen through at a glance - this was her first time encountering such a thing.
"Such things can be judged by intuition alone. No need for actual discovery."
Luo Shu scoffed before shifting his gaze to Kanon Kanase:
"As I mentioned earlier, La Folia is the princess of the Aldegia Kingdom. And as her aunt, Kanon, you yourself are one of the direct members of Aldegia's royal line."
"Well, though your position is somewhat awkward."
Here, Luo Shu paused, watching Kanon Kanase, who was still processing the situation:
"Actually, whether you stay here or return to the Aldegia Kingdom, both options have their merits."
"But personally speaking, I'd prefer if you stayed."
"After all, both in terms of prospects and stance, my position aligns highly with yours."
"No soliciting!"
Hearing this, La Folia immediately stepped between them, forming an X with her arms:
"Deliberately mentioning the awkwardness of her status is serious cheating, Minister Luo Shu!"
"Aren't you clearly suggesting to Kanon that she won't receive fair treatment back home?"
"Fair treatment from royalty?" Luo Shu burst into laughter. "Sorry, La Folia, do continue. Go on, say more~"
La Folia's mouth twitched slightly before she took a deep breath and sighed:
"Fine. Though it's only written in law and never formally enacted, in the Aldegia Kingdom, the royal family's status is indeed above ordinary citizens."
"So as a royal member, Kanon would enjoy superior treatment too."
Hearing this, Luo Shu smiled:
"A former king's illegitimate daughter receiving superior treatment? Then what about the already superior nobility?"
"Can you guarantee those nobles related to your royal family would respect Kanon as they respect you?"
Luo Shu's expression turned teasing:
"'Poor relatives are best kept hidden in the mountains, never visiting for life."
"Without being able to reveal anything about the Class, can you swear those nobles wouldn't think this way?"
"Aldegia Kingdom has a thousand-year-old inheritance!"
Being accused so bluntly of being antiquated, La Folia took several deep breaths before turning to Kanon Kanase.
Faced with La Folia's questioning look, Kanon clasped her hands together and said hesitantly:
"Um... Your Highness La Folia, could you give me a bit more time to consider?"
"How could you address me as 'Your Highness'?"
La Folia looked at Kanon Kanase with a mix of amusement and exasperation. After a glance at the angelic girl before her, she ultimately abandoned her earlier thoughts.
Class inheritance, exploitation, brainwashing, control...
Even if her family would exercise some restraint now that she had returned to the homeland, they would undoubtedly implement all necessary measures, likely testing Kanon as well.
While La Folia wouldn't hesitate to use herself for personal gain, exploiting family members crossed her moral boundaries.
Not having met Kanon Kanase before, she could have treated her as a distant relative. But now... using this child felt no different from exploiting her own two younger sisters.
With that thought, La Folia suddenly felt it might be better to leave Kanon Kanase under Luo Shu's care—provided she first investigated Luo Shu's intentions towards the girl.
Turning slightly towards Luo Shu, she said:
"Although unresolved, let's set aside the matter concerning my aunt for now."
At this, Luo Shu raised an eyebrow:
"So you want to discuss cooperation regarding the fabricated Spirit Medium?"
"Correct." La Folia nodded slightly and explained, "I agree to your additional terms for collaboration, Minister Luo Shu."
"I'll notify my family shortly to prepare a fabricated identity for a false princess, with limited public disclosure."
"No need to rush."
Luo Shu waved his hand dismissively and instead produced a brownish-yellow scroll.
Under the watchful eyes of the female Familia members—excluding the unaware La Folia and Kanon Kanase—he solemnly pressed the scroll onto the table and slid it towards La Folia:
"Given our lack of mutual trust, let's sign this cooperation contract before discussing anything else."
Hearing this, the female Familia members present exchanged odd glances.