Lucia and Li Guo were locked in a tense standoff, while Bai Zhi sat as if on pins and needles.
Yet she was clearly not the point of conflict in this silent storm. The two belonged to different camps; even without her, the confrontation between them would still have been stark.
Li Guo's gaze shifted slightly as she said, "Aunt, I heard that Your Highness Raphael has returned?"
Naturally, this news could not be kept hidden. It had already become impossible to conceal when Raphael descended upon [Ether Star].
Lucia said calmly, "In a few days, I will arrange for her formal return to the royal family. You needn't concern yourself with it."
"How could I not?" Li Guo chuckled. "I am also a member of the royal family, and I hope to do my part for it. After all, she is Aunt Oudina's child. When will you arrange for me to meet her... or could it be that I have already met her?"
Her gaze suddenly fell upon Bai Zhi.
Lucia said coldly, "First deal with all that messy nonsense of yours before thinking about this. No one is going to indulge your madness forever."
"How would Aunt like me to deal with it?" Li Guo obediently replied. "You are my elder, so naturally I should listen to you. I definitely will."
Lucia gave Li Guo a noncommittal glance before turning to Bai Zhi. "Didn't you hear what I just said? Go call him over."
Bai Zhi sighed. "At most, I can pass along the message. I can't guarantee that Master will be willing to see you... Whether you have business with him is your own matter."
As though sulking, or perhaps feeling wronged, she sprang up from the sofa and hurried outside like a rabbit that had just