“I will be going as well.”

“Where do you think you’ll be going? You just got back from the South.”

“It is different this time, mother. I have to go.”

“Ha…!”

Elena let out an exasperated sigh when Irene. Unfortunately, her eldest daughter was not the only one begging. Elena had no idea what occurred in the South, but Mia Pendragon had finally started speaking again in nearly 10 years. She stood side by side with her older sister and tugged at her mother’s dress with clear, innocent eyes.

“Please. Mother…”

“Mia.”

Although her words felt a little awkward and slow after remaining silent for such a long time, her daughter’s cute voice perfectly matched her appearance. Elena could not help but smile at Mia’s adorable appearance. But she soon wiped the smile off her face and spoke to her two daughters with a stern expression.

“Absolutely not. The duke is now in Leus for a serious matter. Besides, he will need to depart for the imperial castle soon. I do not know what might happen. So both of you will stay in the castle and…”

“That is exactly why I must go to Leus, mother.”

“You…”

Elena was about to scold her daughter, but promptly closed her mouth. Irene was neither pleading nor whining like a child. Instead,...