Lawrence, having clambered back onto Toradon, wiped away an imaginary tear with his paw. "This is the pure love between young people, so wonderful, so delightful... Even without experiencing it, just witnessing it brings joy, don't you agree, Toradon?"
Toradon, stroking his chin, agreed, "Yes... I'm quite happy too, but it seems there's someone here... who can't seem to share in the joy."
"Who! Who is so blind!" Lawrence stood up in anger, "They're ruining the atmosphere, take them out and feed them to the dogs!"
Toradon couldn't help but laugh, "Well, they're clearly not happy, yet they still manage to blend into the atmosphere, they must be forcing themselves..."
He sighed and shook his head, though his expression seemed somewhat schadenfreude, "The young lord seems... to hold quite a grudge against her."
No feeling.
Ravenna emphasized to herself that she shouldn't feel anything.
Firstly, she wasn't in a romantic relationship with Ansel three years ago, nor was she now, so there was no reason for her to be emotionally affected by Seraphina's intimate gesture.
Secondly, Ansel's actions were clearly intentional, which went without saying.
Thirdly, showing any negative emotions now would be greatly detrimental to herself.
Under the pressure of these three factors, Ravenna managed to control her outward emotions well — a mere guest, not overly intimate, yet not too isolated.
She took her seat, numbly picked up her knife and fork, and waited for the birthday celebration's protagonist to speak.
"Now that Ansel's gift has been given, little Seraphina, please also accept mine and Anne's gift," Flamelle said with a smile.
He snapped his fingers, and the butler Saville instantly appeared behind him with a tray, walking towards the expectant Seraphina.
"Please accept the lord and madam's gift, Miss Seraphina," Saville said, bowing slightly and placing the tray before her.
The girl leaned forward, eager and anxious, to see that the modestly sized plate held nothing overly ornate, just a seemingly ordinary emblem.
"This, this is..."
"This is the emblem of Hydral, well... let's just say, it overlaps a bit with the pact head's symbol."
Flamelle explained warmly. "It's an emblem that only core members recognized by the head of the Hydral family can possess. You, little Seraphina, wouldn't normally need it, as the pact head's proof is more direct, but the gift Anne and I are giving you is contained within this."
"Since it's a storage-capable device, I initially thought to give you a ring or a pendant for convenience, but Anne reminded me... the jewelry you wear shouldn't come from me."
He looked at Seraphina's hands, adorned with two rings, and she, belatedly realizing his intent, touched the snake ring symbolizing her pact head status, her cheeks flushing as she understood Flamelle's meaning.
"So after much thought, this emblem seemed most appropriate. Carry it with you or imprint it on your clothing for its effects."
"As for the specifics, I don't need to be as secretive as Ans," the man said with a hearty laugh.
"You don't need to thank us, little Seraphina."
Annelisa spoke softly, "You just need to do what you can do, and do it to the best of your ability. That's more meaningful than anything else."
"What I can do..."
Seraphina looked at Ansel, and Ansel smiled, taking the emblem from her hand and gently pinning it to her chest.
"Not just for me, Seraphina."
The young Hydral said, "What mother means is, live your life well."
"I'm not that generous and kind."
Annelisa covered her mouth and chuckled, "At the very least, there's one thing Seraphina needs to remember, that is—"
"I will definitely stand by Ansel's side!"
That decisive, firm, passionate voice made Ravenna tremble slightly.
How... familiar words.
She instinctively turned her head to look at the girl who had spoken these words. She was radiant, confident, and even filled with a kind of... heartfelt joy.
Seraphina Marlowe, she was genuinely happy that she could contribute her strength to Ansel.
"No matter what happens, no matter what I encounter, no matter who it is! Even if it's a divine species... as long as they are Ansel's enemies—"
Seraphina swung her fist with force, her confident and fierce demeanor like a wolf baring its fangs.
The fiery, unwavering light in the girl's dark red eyes, "I will smash them all, I won't let anyone threaten or harm Ansel!"
Once upon a time, Ravenna had also made a similar promise.
But now, looking at Seraphina, looking at her confident demeanor, she realized something—
Even though she had responded to Ansel as decisively as Seraphina.
But she didn't have the determination to match.
She didn't place Ansel... in such an important position.
And now, why would Ansel treat her... as three years ago?
*