Liliana felt happy seeing that Xiu didn't change her behaviour towards her. Even now, after sixteen years, she was still the same little sister Liliana used to dote on and also smack for her nonsense.

[Enjoying the company?]

"A lot," Liliana smiled. "When he's working on something, a different side of his emerges. The transformation is interesting to see."

[I really don't like how similar you two are despite staying away.]

"Do you?"

[...he just reminded me a lot of your younger self and let's be honest, that version isn't very good.]

"But you still clung to that version a lot."

[Maybe I'm a masochist.]

Liliana chuckled softly.

[Hmm,seems like you have good opinion of him. Good. I didn't want to fight you.]

"You'll fight me if I don't like him?" Liliana raised an eyebrow.

[Of course. In any case, things are now good, right? You're not going to stop talking, right?]

Liliana froze upon hearing her hopeful voice. It sounded so innocent and scared, making her feel even more guilty. She knew Xiu very well and was one of the only people Xiu showed her childish side to, but for sixteen years, she remained absent from her life.

"I'm sorry, Xiu." She said. "Sorry for being a coward."

[Apologises accepted. Now answer my question.]

"We came to an agreement," Liliana said, turning towards Aegon. "I'm his lifetime mentor and also creative partner, if you can call it that."

[I expected it from him. He's very emphatic, you know. He has convinced himself that he prioritizes himself, but really, it's not quite true. I knew from the beginning that he'll forgive you easily.]

Liliana couldn't deny her words. In the one month, she has experienced it herself, especially on the moment they talked about the past.

[Most kids would resent their mother for what you did, even if they understood your position. But he didn't.]

Aegon didn't think much of his own situation. Instead, he felt sad for her situation even though he became the victim of it.

"Yes, it's honestly tough to imagine that you raised him." Liliana said in a low voice.

Unlike Aegon, Xiu was very vindictive and would stop at nothing to bring down the people she resented.

[It's the opposite, Sis. You should know that.]

Liliana smiled and asked, "That reminds me, did he experience something traumatic in his childhood? Aside from the first day, I mean."

[.....what happened, Sis?]

"Just answer me first," Liliana insisted.

[I don't think so. He lives pretty much in the mansion and city with us and his friends. There wasn't anything that could give him trauma. Beside, he'll tell me if something like that happens.]

"Perhaps, I'm wrong then." Liliana muttered.

[Sis, you're scaring me now. Tell me what happened?]

Liliana Directer her attention back to the communication stone and said, "He had a breakdown and also began hyperventilating when I told him about demon's plans."

She closed her eyes and said, "Initially, I dismissed it as him just remembering that day very well. But there's something bugging me and I think there's more to it. Maybe I'm just overthinking."

[Your overthinking is most of the times right, Sis.]

"It doesn't make sense." Liliana muttered.

[I'll talk to him later.]

"I'll suggest having the House Valeria check up on him." Liliana said. "It isn't something big, considering it's probably hidden deep in his consciousness. But it's still there and it's better if it's solved."

For a few seconds, there was no reply as Liliana waited. Soon, she finally heard Xiu's relaxed voice.

[Rovan said it's easy to deal with. There's nothing to worry about.]

"That's good. Very good." Liliana heaved a sigh of relief as well.

[By the way, when are you meeting with Dad?]

Liliana chewed her lips and said, "Give me a bit more time, Xiu. You're different."

[He doesn't hate you, Sis. Why are you so worried?]

Liliana didn't want to talk about it, so she turned her gaze towards Aegon who smashed a big piece of born into smithereens before using it in crackling hot fire, mixing it with several other ingredients.

"Aegon is making something," Liliana said. "A world breaking discovery. And it seems like he already has the lead."

[Tell me if he needs more materials. I've prepared for days like these already.]

"I have my storage ring," Liliana replied. "By the way, when can I meet you?"

[Whenever you want. Doors were never closed for you. sis.]

"Can you please stop reminding me of that?" Liliana sighed. "It hurts, you know."

[Little Sun isn't angry, so someone else has to do that job, Sis. I can understand what you did during birth for a moment, but not what you did afterwards.]

Liliana couldn't even say anything in return. All of it was true and it still stung deep in her heart. But she knew she deserved this and felt a little joy that someone finally snapped at her.

[Sorry about that. But I can't forgive you that easily for it. Neither my brother. I can't overlook what you two did to him.]

Liliana bit her lips and nodded, "Fine. I'll meet you later then and you can punish me however I want."

[You're already doing that to yourself. I know you enough to guess it, Sis. Same is for my dumb brother. You're both hopeless and for god's sake, Little Sun doesn't even care about all that.]

Liliana could sense the suppressed annoyance in her voice and felt happy knowing that her child had someone to be angry on his behalf.

"I'm pretty sure you have a hand in it, Xiu. Don't pretend otherwise." Liliana said. "You've changed. You won't fill his heart with hate."

[Then, you've wasted years being with me if you can't even see my heart full of hatred.]

"You didn't deny my words."

[I don't need to. Anyways, where are my nephew and niece?]

"Don't you know it already?" Liliana rolled her eyes. "You've kept an eye on them. You think I wouldn't notice it."

[Who knows? I heard you got a brain damage after that night.]

"I'll slap you!" Liliana scowled. "And if you want to meet them, well that's a tough job. They're both way too busy because they took their blood too seriously."

She sighed, "Even I get to meet them rarely, especially since that brat is always on some special secret mission and Art would never give me the details. They make me worry to death."

[Hehehe! Believe in your blood, Sis. They're such a cute and intelligent pair, so they'll be fine. Though, do tell me when they're back, I want to meet them.]

A sudden realisation dawned on Liliana, as her head snapped back at Aegon. She asked, "Wait! This will be the first time they'll meet Aegon. And it's not going to be good."

[Leave it to me, Sis.]

"They've listened to many rumours surrounding him," Liliana facepalmed. "I just hope they're not influenced a lot. Although I tried to correct them when they were young, things still got out of hand."

[As I said, just chill and let me handle the mighty Xiu handle the matter of her favourite nephews and niece. You focus on your family.]

It took a moment for Liliana to understand that Xiu was talking about Songsword Family. It had been so long since they've even talked, so she forgot she came from that godforsaken family.

"What did they do now?" She asked, eyes narrowing dangerously.

[They're planning to announce Little Sun as their grandson and also invite him to thier party. ]

"I already knew they're stupid, but this..." Lilliana sighed. "Wait, planning to? They haven't done it yet?"

[I never trusted those snakes, Sis. So I always made sure I got their information fast. If you don't mind, can I deal with them my way?]

Liliana couldn't help but chuckle dripping from amusement. If she agreed on this, she knew the House Songsword were finished. It didn't matter how much they had, because the one targetting them was Chen Xiu.

Worst of all, she had all the resources of House Augustus at her disposal. Arnold had left her in charge in his absence and there was simply no way Arthur could say no to Xiu.

With this much Power, unless Emperor himself stepped in and intervened, there was no way the Songsword Family was going to survive.

But Liliana knew Xiu wouldn't target them directly, to make sure the Emperor got no chance to intervene.

The only thing that stopped her was Liliana's existence. Xiu respected only a few people, but that respect came deep from her heart.

Just because Liliana came from that family, she never took action against them, even now that they were planning to take advantage of Aegon.

Liliana's smile slowly disappeared from her face as she answered, "Spare their lives. I owe them that. Otherwise, I don't care what you do."

[Got it! I wasn't planning on going for the kill anyways. It's just a little payback for thinking of using my baby and for all the atrocities they did on you. In any case, have a nice day and help little Sun. See ya later.]

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