After a period of 'political training' that could only be described as hellish, Theresa was finally 'graciously' released by her 'good grandma,' Bishop Otto.
As she stumbled back to her familiar living quarters, her body almost drained of its soul by documents, her first thought was to find Kael, throw herself into his arms, complain bitterly, and replenish her nearly depleted 'Kael energy'!
She had timed it perfectly; at this hour, Kael should have just finished his morning patrol and was likely in his dorm or a nearby park.
She excitedly ran to Kael's dorm door, didn't even knock, and simply used her authority to swipe it open—a habit she had never changed.
"Kael! I'm back! Did you miss me?! Let me tell you, Grandma, she's absolutely..." Theresa flew in like a happy little bird, her voice chirping with joy.
However, her words abruptly stopped.
In the living room, Kael was indeed there. But he wasn't alone.
He was squatting on the floor with a little girl, her back to the door, with rare purple long hair, seemingly assembling a complex Haxxor Bunny model.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing them both in a warm glow; the scene looked... unusually warm and harmonious?
The smile on Theresa's face instantly froze.
Who was that girl?!
Why was she in Kael's dorm?!
Why was Kael so patiently playing with models with her?!
A strong sense of crisis and jealousy erupted from the bottom of Theresa's heart like a volcanic explosion!
How many days had she been 'imprisoned'?!
How could an unknown little girl suddenly appear by Kael's side?!
Kael heard the commotion, turned his head, and saw Theresa frozen at the doorway, a hint of surprise on his face, which quickly turned into a gentle smile: "Theresa? Are you... done with your work?" He noticed Theresa's complexion wasn't good, and she had faint dark circles under her eyes.
Sirin was also startled by Theresa's sudden intrusion. She immediately dropped the model parts in her hand and quickly hid behind Kael like a frightened little rabbit, her small hand tightly gripping his clothes, only revealing a pair of wary golden eyes, cautiously assessing this suddenly appearing, imposing white-haired big sister.
Theresa watched Sirin's obvious dependence on Kael, and the fire in her heart burned even brighter.
She rushed forward a few steps, pointing at Sirin behind Kael, her voice rising several octaves: "Kael! Who is she?! Why is she here with you?!"
Her tone carried accusation and grievance, as if Kael had done something to betray her.
Kael was taken aback by Theresa's reaction, then realized that this girl must be getting jealous again.
He stood up somewhat helplessly, slightly shielding Sirin who was hiding behind him, and explained: "Theresa, don't scare her. Her name is Sirin, and she's a child I brought back from the frontline."
"Brought back from the frontline?" Theresa frowned, still full of hostility. "What kind of child needs you to personally bring her back and keep her at home?!" She sized up Sirin, especially those unique golden eyes. "She wouldn't be some dangerous person, would she?"
"Theresa!" Kael's tone became a little more serious. "Sirin is a victim! She's been through many terrible things and now needs care and quiet, not suspicion and interrogation!"
Then, Kael explained the process of finding Sirin and the inhumane treatment she had suffered to Theresa in as concise but clear language as possible—of course, ensuring Sirin couldn't hear him.
As Theresa listened to Kael's narration, the anger on her face gradually gave way to shock and sympathy.
Although she was willful and prone to jealousy, she was kind by nature, and hearing about such cruel things happening to a little girl made her feel very uneasy.
Especially when she heard that Sirin had broken down crying because of a comforting pat on the head, her eyes even reddened slightly.
"...So, you brought her back?" Theresa's voice softened, and her gaze at Sirin became much gentler, though still with a hint of unnoticeable complexity.
Even knowing the reason, seeing Kael so protectively caring for another girl still made her feel a little sour.
"Mm." Kael nodded, stroked Sirin's hair, signaling her not to be afraid. "She's much better now, right, Sirin?"
Sirin still clutched Kael's clothes tightly, hiding behind him, filled with distrust towards Theresa.
She muttered softly, in a volume only Kael could hear: "...This big sister... doesn't look like a good person..."
Theresa couldn't help but retort: "Hey! Little brat! Who are you calling not a good person?! I'm Kael's best friend!"
Sirin was startled by her sudden raised voice and shrank back further.
Kael quickly mediated: "Alright, Theresa, she's just a little shy around strangers. You just got back, you must be tired, right? Go rest first, I..."
Just then, Sirin seemed to pluck up her courage. She gently tugged Kael's hand, looked up at him with her clear golden eyes, and for the first time, clearly and accurately called him by his title:
"...Kael Gege."
Her voice was still soft, carrying a hint of shyness, but that 'Gege' was uttered with exceptional clarity and naturalness.
Kael was completely stunned!
Gege?
Sirin called him... Gege?
An indescribable warmth instantly spread throughout his body, mixed with immense surprise and emotion.
He had always carefully looked after her, guided her, never expecting anything in return, only hoping she could emerge from the shadows. And this 'Gege' seemed to be the best affirmation of all his efforts.
The corners of his mouth uncontrollably turned upwards, revealing an incredibly radiant and gentle smile. He squatted down, looked into Sirin's eyes, and softly responded: "Mm, Sirin."
Theresa watched this scene from the side, watching Kael's smile, a smile she had never seen before, radiating a kind of 'proud father's' contentment because of that 'Gege'. Her heart instantly felt like a spilled spice rack!
Sour! Super sour!
She had known Kael for so many years! Accompanied him through life and death! Eaten meals and played games with him! Even... even gone that far! She had never heard Kael speak to her in such a gentle tone! This purple-haired brat had only been here for a few days! And she was already calling him Gege! And Kael was even so happy!
Unfair! It was too unfair!
Theresa puffed out her cheeks in anger, like an inflated pufferfish, glaring fiercely at Sirin, then looking at Kael with an incredibly mournful gaze, as if accusing him of 'favoritism'.
Sirin was a little scared by Theresa's glare and hid further behind Kael, but her grip on Kael's hand tightened.
Kael felt the invisible sparks flying between the two girls and immediately felt a headache.
He could only gently shield Sirin with one hand and helplessly rub Theresa's head with the other: "Alright, stop messing around. You're tired too, go rest first. Tonight... tonight I'll make you bitter melon cake, how does that sound?"
Hearing "bitter melon cake," Theresa's eyes lit up for a moment, but then she snorted again, reluctantly accepting this 'pacification'.
But she had already secretly decided that she must keep a close eye on this brat named Sirin! She absolutely couldn't let her snatch Kael away!
And so, Kael's peaceful life, after Theresa's return, once again became 'rich and colorful'.
On one side was Sirin, who needed patient care and was gradually opening her heart; on the other was Theresa, full of jealousy and vowing to defend her 'sovereignty'.
Theresa: My sovereignty over Kael is inviolable!
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