Chapter 441: The Beginning Of The End [CIII]

“You girls are here,” Aestrea smiled softly.

His eyes gazed down on the Lumi first, showing a little bit of surprise as she now looked like her snake-form, but without being on it.

Her long, slimy, green hair fell onto her shoulders, leaving the nape of her neck open for the view; her shimmering emerald eyes were bright and clear, showing almost the innocence of a child despite having an adult form.

Her figure had improved a little from the last time he had seen her; now her waist had a gentle curve to her buttocks, and her breasts seemed a little more perked up.

She was also four or five centimetres taller than before.

“Hehehe~” she giggled happily before hugging Aestrea’s waist, just barely reaching out to his upper chest.

Aestrea patted her head before another figure threw on his arms, which was none other than Chaerin, his daughter.

“Papa, I really misseeed youuu…” she dragged on, her voice sounding muffled as she spoke into his back, slighly tickling him.

Chaerin didn’t change anything since this was probably the appearance she was going to have after nine years, but Ruli and Leaf… of course, changed.

They grew up, and now both of them were nineteen years old, fully displaying the youth of a young adult!

Ruli stood a step behind the others at first, as if unsure whether to rush forward or wait for Aestrea to say something.

This was probably a result of Aestrea leaving them for nine years…

But other than that, she had grown into a very beautiful woman, and her talent, which was graded at SS-rank, had long been improved.

Her pale lilac hair fell straight down her back, smooth and soft in the light. A few strands rested over her shoulders, brushing against the front of her blouse.

The color suited her calm gaze; warm brown eyes watched Aestrea in silence, steady and thoughtful. There was less mischief in her face than before.

Time had shaped her into someone quieter, someone who observed before she spoke.

She wore a fitted white shirt tucked into a high-waisted skirt, the shade of dusk violet, the fabric hugging her hips before falling to mid-thigh.

A thin belt rested at her waist, simple and neat. Her legs had grown longer, with dark stockings tracing their length, ending in low leather boots polished with care.

She held herself straight, shoulders back, chin lifted, yet her fingers twisted slightly at the hem of her sleeve, giving away her nerves.

Leaf, on the other hand, had no such restraint.

Her pale green hair, lighter than Lumi’s and softer in tone, flowed down to her lower back in loose waves. It framed her face and made her brown eyes seem warmer.

There was a spark in them, lively and bright, as though she carried spring within her chest. A faint grin tugged at her lips while she stepped closer.

She wore a cropped moss-green jacket over a cream blouse, the top few buttons undone.

A short black skirt flared around her thighs, swaying with each step. One side of the skirt held a silver chain pinned to the waistband, adding a sharp touch to her look.

Her legs were bare, smooth and firm, leading down into knee-high boots of dark brown leather.

Both girls had grown taller and looked like rare beauties.

Seeing Ruli a little hesitant, Aestrea shook his head before pulling both of them into a hug, causing their eyes to widen momentarily before softening.

“I missed you, Big Brother…”

“Me too…”

The two of them muttered softly, causing Aestrea’s embrace on them to tighten a bit.

“I missed you two aswell.”

He replied, pulling them back to reveal a quite soft smile.

After a while, the tight knot in their chests eased by a lot, and Leaf was the first to pull back with a wide grin on her face.

“Since you’re back, you’re not running off ever again!” she said, placing herhands on her hips while staring at him with a resentful look.

“We already prepared something,” Ruli nodded with a faint smile.

“Prepared?” Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

’…I thought I was the one supposed to… whatever.’

Rustle~

“Come on~, let’s go already!”” Chaerin slipped around to his side and took his hand.

And so the five of them left together.

The town beyond the estate walls carried the charm of old stone and timber. Narrow streets wound between tall houses with wooden beams and clay roofs.

Banners of deep red and gold fluttered from iron hooks. Merchants called out from stalls lined with fruit, warm bread, smoked meat, and bright fabrics brought in by caravans.

Leaf walked close to Aestrea’s right, her skirt swaying as she pointed out each stand with open delight.

She bought candied nuts and pressed a small paper cone into his hand, then took one for herself, cheeks puffed as she chewed.

Ruli remained on his left. She did not speak as much, yet her presence was always next to him. From time to time, her sleeve brushed against his arm.

When the crowd grew thick, she stepped closer, brown eyes alert, one hand lightly gripping the edge of his coat.

Lumi skipped a little ahead, turning once to show him a flower crown she had bargained for.

The green of the leaves matched her hair so well that it almost seemed grown from her own head.

They passed a fountain carved from pale stone, water spilling from the mouth of a lion into a round basin below. Children ran past them laughing.

A bard sat near the well, plucking a lute and singing a tale of knights and distant wars.

Leaf suddenly grabbed Aestrea’s hand and tugged him toward a small archway wrapped in ivy.

“This way.”

Beyond it lay a quieter path leading up a gentle hill.

At the top stood an open garden overlooking the town. Wildflowers spread in patches of blue and yellow, and beyond the walls, green fields stretched far into the distance.

They settled beneath a broad oak tree.

Ruli laid out a small cloth from her satchel, revealing simple food they must have packed earlier: fresh bread, sliced apples, a wedge of cheese, and a small bottle of sweet berry wine.

“You planned a picnic?” Aestrea asked, his eyes moving between them.

“Of course!” Leaf looked proud.

“We wanted today to be calm since we just went through a war!” Ruli’s lips curved into a faint smile.

After setting up the things and preparing to eat, Leaf suddenly tore a piece of bread and held it up to Aestrea.

“Say ah.”

“I have hands.” Aestrea looked at her flatly.

“Not today.” She leaned closer, his eyes bright.

“Today you’re being fed by your little sister~!”

Lumi turned at once, not wanting to lose as well, after all, no one could still her dear master! She quickly picked up a slice of apple and lifted it toward his lips

“Master, me too!”

Ruli watched the scene for a second, then quietly cut a small cube of cheese and held it out as well.

“You should eat properly.”

Aestrea stared at the three offerings in front of his face and let out a slow breath.

“Papa is quite popular.” Chaerin giggled from his side, already chewing on fruit.

“I can see that,” he muttered with a dark face.

In the end, he leaned forward and took the apple from Lumi first. She beamed, legs swinging where she sat.

Then he accepted the bread from Leaf, who looked far too proud of herself, and finally the cheese from Ruli.

When his lips brushed her fingers by mistake, she froze for a split second before pulling her hand back, ears faintly pink.

“Oh? What was that?” Leaf caught it at once.

“Nothing,” Ruli replied, far too fast.

Chaerin crawled into Aestrea’s lap without warning, nearly knocking the bottle of berry wine over.

Papa, you feed me too.”

He steadied the bottle with one hand and used the other to lift a piece of apple to her mouth.

“Careful.”

She took a big bite and laughed, juice staining the corner of her lips. Lumi reached over and wiped it off with her thumb.

“You’re messy,” Lumi said.

“You’re sticky,” Chaerin shot back, poking Lumi’s cheek.

Leaf leaned across Aestrea, trying to steal a slice of apple from the cloth. Ruli smacked her hand lightly.

“There’s enough.”

“I know, I know.” Leaf grinned and grabbed one anyway. “Big Brother~, taste this wine. We saved it just for you!”

Aestrea lifted the small bottle and took a sip.

It was quite sweet, with a faint tart edge.

“It’s good,” he said.

“We asked the old brewer to keep the best one.” Leaf’s shoulders relaxed in satisfaction as a bright smile appeared on her face.

“We thought you might prefer something simple.” Ruli looked down at the cloth.

“I do,” he nodded.

They continued the rest of the day talking and playing around happily, despite them being older, they still retained that childlike innocence.

The four of them even started playing catch, causing Aestrea’s eyes to soften as he looked over to them.

It brought back some delightful memories…

“Already tired?”

A few minutes later, the four stopped playing and sat down. But instead of answering his question, Lumi suddenly leaned against his side.

“Master… Don’t leave for nine years again.”

Her tone was light, yet her fingers held his sleeve tight.

“Next time, take us with you,” Chaerin nodded at once

“Yes. If there’s danger, we can fight too!” Leaf pointed at him.

Ruli did not speak, though her eyes lifted to meet his.

Aestrea looked at each of them. The clingy snake girl, his spoiled daughter, the lively Leaf, the quiet Ruli.

He placed one arm around Lumi and Chaerin, then reached out with the other to pull Leaf and Ruli closer into the small circle.

“Don’t worry… I’m never leaving without everyone again.”

Leaf smiled widely.

Chaerin hugged him tighter.

Lumi laughed in soft little notes.

Ruli’s shoulder finally rested against his without hesitation.

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