Accompanied by the public disclosure of Caitlyn's identity as Faen's spokesperson in Piltover, Caitlyn could clearly feel the change in the attitude of the surrounding crowd.
Before this, although House Kiramman wasn't a small family in Piltover's Bluewind Manor, it definitely didn't count as big either. If forced to say, it was upper-middle class, belonging to the level of falling short of the best but better than the worst. But now, even those so-called big families of the past did their best to fawn when coming to exchange greetings with her, afraid she would be slightly dissatisfied with them, causing the entire family to lose their place in the future Piltover.
And being able to obtain today's special honor, others might not know, but Caitlyn knew incomparably clearly, it all originated from that man who possessed her body...
Thinking this, the expression on Caitlyn's face didn't change at all. As the top student of the family, pinned with high hopes by people in the family since childhood, Caitlyn knew better than anyone what kind of responsibility she shouldered. And this responsibility also catalyzed Caitlyn's own ambition. But similarly, innate kindness also made Caitlyn unable to turn a blind eye to some conventionally accepted things in the past—whether in the plot of Arcane or the original League of Legends universe setting, Caitlyn was a complete Zaun sympathizer.
Especially in Arcane Season 2, her own mother was blasted to death by Jinx, but when it really came to life and death, she was still willing to temporarily put down hatred and fight side by side for the future of the two cities.
It was just this innate kindness was more of a burden and pressure for Caitlyn most of the time.
Knowing this was wrong, but powerless to change it; there was nothing more cruel than this in the world.
But now... Caitlyn found she seemed able to change all this. Or rather, she already possessed the ability to change all this.
Faen didn't care about power. If saying at the very beginning, to ensure Zaun could walk on the correct path to harvest enough joyful emotions, thereby completing his own first pot of gold in the spirit realm, Faen still did everything personally. Then accompanied by Zaun entering the right track, Faen handed over the subsequent work to Soona and others almost without any reluctance.
Hmm, in others' view, this was Faen selflessly handing over his power. But actually, in Faen's view, this was finally being able to dump the mess, then sit back and enjoy the fruits, enjoying a life of continuously harvesting joy even doing nothing.
And under these circumstances, Caitlyn was incomparably certain through the interaction during this period that people around Faen, not to say pure idealists, were definitely 'good people' in people's impression. Zeri needless to say; deciding to fight against Chem-Barons back then was for friends in the neighborhood to have better working environments and salary treatments.
Her mother Soona chose to leave Silco back then because Zaun became worse. Although not a pure idealist, even saying somewhat Zaun-ist, she herself was still kind. This could also be glimpsed from her domestic policies during this period—under the circumstance where Faen almost washed his hands of Zaun letting it develop freely, Zaun's situation could be said to be getting better day by day.
Of course, it was also possible the foundation was too poor, plus Piltover, this biggest headache for Zaun, was now suppressed into silence by Faen, so it developed so fast. But no matter what, in the interaction during the past period, Caitlyn could determine that neither Soona nor Zeri developed with the idea of making Zaun the next Piltover, and then making Piltover become Zaun.
Instead, just like Faen hoped, hoping Zaun becomes better, but not hoping Piltover also becomes as desperate as the past Zaun...
Thinking in her heart, clearly able to realize the wish in her heart, yet Caitlyn felt a burst of sourness coming from her heart. Noticing the change in Caitlyn's expression, her mother Cassandra also walked up and asked: "What's wrong? I see you don't look well, is it because your body is uncomfortable?"
To this, Caitlyn just shook her head somewhat tiredly—Body uncomfortable? No, Caitlyn could feel her body was fine. What had a problem was her thinking.
But Caitlyn didn't say these words out, because just like becoming Faen's servant, even if her mother knew, she could only feel sadness powerlessly, unable to help her substantively.
Not interested in things like mother and daughter crying together, Caitlyn also said after thinking briefly for a moment: "I'll go rest first... Mom, can I leave things here to you?"
Hearing Caitlyn's inquiry, Cassandra also revealed a confident smile besides heartache. Looking at Caitlyn gently, patting her daughter's shoulder, she said: "Don't worry, child. I am the Auditor of House Kiramman. Under the circumstance of occupying absolute advantage, all initiative is in our hands. Leave the related negotiation work to me; you can rest assured to handle those things that make you feel tricky but I can't help with."
As Caitlyn's mother, how could Cassandra not see Caitlyn's heart was constantly struggling now. And if Caitlyn didn't say, Cassandra wouldn't ask. Because she knew Caitlyn was a smart girl. If Caitlyn chose to hide it herself, it only meant she couldn't play any role in this matter; whatever she did would only add sadness in the end. Since so, then start from the aspect she was familiar with, letting her daughter face the problems to be dealt with in a more relaxed posture.
Thinking, Cassandra also supported Caitlyn's shoulder and said: "But if you really feel desperate, might as well say it. You are my daughter, I am your mother, I should bear it together with you."
Feeling the encouragement and intimacy in her mother's words, Caitlyn also took a deep breath involuntarily, then nodded seriously and said: "I know!"
Saying this, Caitlyn also washed her face, then waved to her mother, turned around and left that bustling banquet.
Although weird to say so, compared to when she came, Caitlyn felt much lighter. After all, she never liked those twists and turns in social interaction... didn't like it before, like it even less now.
And just having left the banquet manor, before Caitlyn could think about where to go, a familiar voice came from the side.
"Caitlyn? Why did you come out? I thought I had to wait a while longer!"
Turning her head to look, entering her vision was none other than Vi, whom Caitlyn was thinking about.