Chapter 108.1

Claude looked at the note and touched his forehead with a large hand. “What was the reason for the burial?” he asked. “It seems there were problems with the explosion operation. The foundation may have been weaker than expected, or the explosion was stronger than anticipated.”

Carso, sensing Claude’s self-blame, glanced at him. Claude spoke to Owen, who stood behind Carso. “Let’s go immediately. Prepare, Owen. And Carso, you stay here and help Mother.” “Brother, I am the one in charge! I should go with you…”

“The workers there are the ones I’ve been managing before you arrived. It’s better if I go and resolve it.” Cutting off Carso’s words coldly, he took off his coat and headed straight into the bathroom. There was no time to waste. A burial accident, how dreadful. He had to send the rescue team as soon as possible and head to the scene himself.

Claude turned the faucet, poured cold water, and clenched the edge of the sink with trembling hands. He sent George away and rebuilt Del Casa. It felt like standing on an exam stage. It seemed like all the trials he had to go through to become the true owner of Del Casa were pouring down on him.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, distorted by splashing water, he wiped his wet hair and left the bathroom. Then he put on the prepared clothes and looked down at the still beautiful Del Casa. What he held tightly in his hand… He would not let go of anything.

Until now, if he had the determination, he could have had anything and let it go on his own. But now, it was different. He tightly grasped it in his hand, and involuntarily, it was slipping away.

Luan and the knights, who had finished their preparations in the direction of the knights’ building, rushed forward and lined up. In addition, some outstanding individuals in the construction industry were brought in, and their vehicles entered the airspace.

No matter how quickly they rushed to the Valencia area, it would take four hours. Claude hung Owen’s coat over his arm and put on his hat.

“Let’s go.”

****

While looking at the sumptuous spread of food, Canilia’s stomach, which hadn’t even had time to digest, growled. Since she arrived here, Luan has been serving desserts at every mealtime, filling the table with dishes she had never seen before. From one to ten, all the dishes were tailored to her taste. However, Lia simply stared intently at her mother’s face without touching the food properly. Laura was the same.

“You’ve really grown up a lot.”

“Oh, that again? But, I didn’t grow much in height.”

“Well, isn’t Mom not that tall either?”

“Is that so?”

“Tell me your story. How have you been? I want to hear it now. What happened there? What happened?”

Laura and Canilia shared a room and even slept in the same bed. Although she had become accustomed to the noble life, as soon as she saw her mother, she started acting like a mischievous child, as if she had returned to her mischievousness in Luber.

In the end, Canilia gave up on the meal and held her mother’s hand as they went for a stroll in the garden.

“I’ve been doing well, better than I expected. I was given nice clothes, a nice room, and delicious food. I even received private lessons from the best teacher in the Empire. If I didn’t like something, it was not being able to meet you and having to cut my hair short. The Countess wanted me to be a boy, you know.”

Canilia walked through the sunny garden, bouncing like a mountain bird. Starting with how cool her older brother Kieran was, and the events that unfolded as she became close to Princess Rosina. Even Claude, who used to be a symbol of fear when she was young, had become the kindest man in the world.

Laura laughed along with her daughter, her eyes welling up with tears.

It was both sad and impressive to see a child who had lived denying her identity find happiness within that struggle.

She sat on a bench surrounded by nameless flowers, holding her mother’s hand and a handkerchief in hers. At that moment, something caught her eye, bringing a pleasant feeling. A bird fluttered its wings and flew into Ian’s study.

“Paulen…?”

It was undoubtedly Paulen.

She recalled Owen proudly boasting that blue-tipped birds were rare in the world.

Could it be the arrival of Del Casa?

“I gave the book you made to those children yesterday. And look… they seem so delighted. Aren’t they adorable?”

As Laura spoke, the children sat quietly, leaning their heads together, and unfolded the book brought by Lia. Seeing the mischievous children who had been following her around for days sitting so attentively filled her with a sense of pride, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“But Mom, I can receive a title. So, I have to choose a surname. I want to use your surname.”

Surprised, her mother’s lips parted slightly, unsure of how to respond. Lia tightly held her mother’s hand.

A slight tremor could be felt. It was hard to accurately read the emotions in her expression, but it definitely seemed like she was pleased.

“It’s been long since I uttered my father’s surname. It feels unfamiliar.”

“Please tell me.”

At her insistence, Laura’s lips began to move, hesitating.

“…Alexei.”

“Alexei. Laura Alexei.”

Canilia Alexei.

It sounded unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. Lia continued to repeat the name, tapping her palate with her tongue. The fact that she was getting a proper name filled her with joy.