Summoned and Unwanted

One of the people present knew the most about the emotional suffering Shana could suffer. She was none other than Tula. The twenty-four-year-old woman is stuck with the memories of her ten-year-old self.

Tula never knew when she could return to normal and play with the other children. She didn’t want Shana to be an eight-year-old girl at the age of two.

On the other hand, Iris was the most conflicted person in the dining hall. She had gotten used to aging four times faster than humans, yet she was afraid Shana’s mind would not age four times faster like the goblin’s mind aging.

Regardless of how conflicted Iris felt, she became determined to let Shana live an everyday life by using the experiences Iris learned in her goblin tribe.

After the situation started to return to normal, Vincent chose to tell give them hope.

“Shana has my blood coursing through her veins. I had experienced a sudden aging increase, but now it stopped. I hope Shana will get to age normally after a while.” He said while rubbing Shana’s belly with his thumb.

The previous mood changed to a felicitous one. The encouraging words Vincent spoke made their hearts stop worrying about Shana. Knowing Shana could one day live an everyday life brought a peaceful expression to their faces.

“Hehe.” Vincent chuckled and joked, “Let’s eat breakfast. The only problem we have is that we will not be able to have fun with baby Shana for many years.”

.....

Shortly, everyone enjoyed their breakfast. Before leaving the dining hall, they approached Vincent and Shana, being held by one arm.

Shana was oddly quiet for a baby, as she barely cried. She appeared to like watching Vincent while sometimes specifically moving her eyes on Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Sakura, Sofy, and Mimi.

Shana acted as if she could feel the connection between a father, mothers, and daughter. Or the connection of the retainer bond.

Each person, be it an adult or a child, wanted to hold Shana, yet they were afraid of dropping her. They smiled and touched Shana from multiple places.

Some touched her soft cheeks as if her scales could move like skin yet protect Shana from harm. Some gently rubbed her belly, and others gently caressed her head.

It almost became a competition after Shana sometimes giggled. In the end, not making Shana giggle made a few of them feel like they had lost.

Their determination to make Shana giggle the next time they encountered her awake became a new goal to accomplish. Shana wasn’t going to be a baby for years.

The mermaid in a wheelchair Mera, the deer woman Rafa, and the orc Holger looked better than yesterday while following Maid Xu out of the dining hall. It appeared she was currently taking care of them.

Vincent recalled how they stayed with each other while eating. He wondered if it had become second nature to doubt the intentions of those around them.

Vincent also noticed the three of them peeking at Leah, Clara, and Beth. The three little girls had the slave curse tattooed on their necks, yet they acted like ordinary children having fun eating breakfast in the morning.

Mera, Rafa, and Holger didn’t show signs of anxiety after using the three little girls as a reference for their future and treatment as slaves.

[What a pleasant morning. It almost makes one forget what happened yesterday. Now all that remains is to hear the response from Lilith’s parents about visiting to see Shana and bring the adoption forms.]

-I want to agree, but today is Tuesday. We still have a few days left to prepare ourselves and receive the official date of the judgment by combat.-

[Yeah... that sucks. Sigh. But think on the bright side, will you? We have a cute daughter and an attractive elf joining our harem soon.]

[Hehe. Now the bride is looking at us with a frown.]

“Should I purge that wicked mouth?” Jun Ye Rim told

Kazumi while her cheeks were starting to blush.

“You can purge half of it. At least she can stop teasing me while her mouth recovers, haha.” Vincent laughed.

[Humph! My words are like gold. You will be the one who suffers the most.]

*~Ga-ga~* Shana giggled after hearing Vincent laugh.

“Looks like Shana doesn’t mind too. Haha.” Vincent laughed again while Shana accompanied his laugh with her giggles.

After spending another half an hour in the dining hall, Ester, Lupa, Iris, Lilith, Sakura, Jun Ye Rim, and Plow left to start their day doing their thing. To train, to work, to prepare for the upcoming judgment by combat, or spend time with the mansion’s residents.

Mimi was the last one to leave Vincent and Shana together.

Mimi showed signs of anxiety, something very unlikely of her. She mentioned not visiting for a day or two, and her excuse was vague for some reason.

Vincent tried to trust her by saying, “Remember to visit if what you need to do becomes more than you can handle. You have become my woman, and I will protect you as your man.”

Mimi became happy to hear this. Instead of taking a snack like usual, she kissed his cheek, placed a vial with her blood on the table, and left the father and daughter alone.

Vincent looked at the vial of blood. He frowned at the thought of Mimi being involved in something dangerous and taking longer to visit.

*~Ga-ga~* Shana giggled while looking at Vincent with her green eyes. When their green eyes met, Vincent’s frown relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face.

[Don’t worry about the future. Live in the present and have fun with Shana.]

“Yeah.” Vincent took the vial of blood and stood up.

“Little Shana. Our time together is over for now. I will take you to babysitter Yula or Maid Xu. Your father needs to train so that he can protect you.” Vincent said before leaving to find a babysitter.

A while later, Vincent was returning from giving Shana to Maid Xu. She wanted to frown, but looking at the cute baby in her arms made her lips smile instead.

Currently, Maid Xu has her hands full. She was fixing two maid outfits to fit Mera and Rafa. Not to mention a set of winter clothes for the large Holger.

Additionally, Maid Xu was preparing a new set of presentable and durable winter clothes for the judgment by combat. Vincent, Ester, and Lupa’s clothes were being made based on their fighting style.

Ester’s clothes were going to be thin, and they weren’t going to cover her entire body, similar to her summer dancing clothes, yet the material which remained warm for one year after the magic beast died cost a hefty sum to combine warmth and flexibility into one.

Fabio was impressed by the blueprint Maid Xu had shown him.

On the other hand, the clothes for Vincent and Lupa weren’t too special. They were going to be made of thick fabrics and were going to look presentable for a Baron and his wife.

Maid Xu was also taking the initiative to make a set of clothes for Sofy and Mimi. She knew both women had the highest chance to participate in the judgment by combat.

Vincent left and felt a little strange not to have Maid Xu frown at him. He shrugged his shoulders and went to the entrance door.

“Should I tell the twins to train with me near the gate?” Vincent pondered while rubbing his chin. It would be like hitting two birds with one rock to train and protect the gate at the same time.

[I do not think it is a bad idea, but do you think they will be there? Lupa might have already taken them to train.]

“Well, let’s see who is on guard duty today...” Just as Vincent took his first step forward, the entrance door opened, and Renn appeared huffing and puffing.

“Teacher... a luxurious carriage has arrived... they want to enter, and the coachman...” Renn paused to take a breather. “Say the guests want to meet with you, and you know who they are...”

“Take a breather first, Renn.”

*Huff, huff...* Renn shortly regained his breath. He looked at Vincent and stuttered, “I-I-I think it has the insignia of the r-royal family!”

[Oh! So it must be Princess Anna, that annoying Bilka, and Royal Guard Duka Lucas. I wonder if they are here to talk about the judgment by combat since we are in a secret alliance.]

-I only hope it is them and they aren’t here to bring bad news.-

[I agree.]

“Let’s go to tell your brother to allow the princess entry.” Vincent casually said.

Renn became impressed Vincent was not suffering from nervousness.

Furthermore, Renn became uneasy to hear the princess of the Lusterfall kingdom could be inside. To let the princess wait in front of the gate was rude and likely punish-worthy.

Vincent was about to run toward the gate when Renn loudly whistled. Vincent saw the gate open quickly. He stopped and guessed the twins had an idea someone very important was using the royal carriage.

However, one thing was on Vincent and Kazumi’s minds. This visit was a formal visit. It meant from the place to the Lionheart Emerald Mansion; everyone could see someone very important visit the family of the Lionheart branch.

“Renn, I know you must be tired, but could you tell your mother to prepare something good for our guests?” Vincent asked.