Once Isabel had given her clear opinion, even the Grand Justice, who had previously been quite insistent, unexpectedly chose to comply.
Once everyone agreed, the matter was settled.
The potential public-opinion problems and contingency plans for various emergencies were handed over to Grand Justice Arius. He was to return and discuss them with Mycroft, then come up with several proposals.
After the Grand Guardian and Grand Justice left, however, Ligeia did not choose to leave with them.
She merely gazed at Isabel with great satisfaction. Although Ligeia's current appearance as a little girl made this expression seem somewhat awkward, it was unexpectedly not out of place.
She approached with a beaming smile, leaped into Isabel's arms, and gently stroked Isabel's head.
"You've grown up, little Isa."
Like a little adult, Ligeia gently stroked Isabel's smooth, pale-golden hair. She lightly touched her forehead to Isabel's and said, "You finally look a little like a monarch now."
Isabel lowered her head slightly and hugged Ligeia around the waist with her other arm.
Feeling the senior's dragon tail lightly sweeping against and patting her calf, Isabel's gaze grew wistful. "Yes..."
If this had happened a year ago... No, even just half a year ago, she could never have imagined that she would grow to this level.
She still clearly remembered what she had been like before meeting Iver.
—She had never experienced any unforgettable tragedy, nor endured any soul-crushing torment. Yet in just a few months, she had grown to a level her past self would never even have dared imagine.
"...Perhaps, compared to suffering, love and hope can help people progress more."
Isabel spoke softly.
She was the person most qualified to say this—because she had long been accustomed to running away and enduring things. If she had truly experienced some painful