Talia's feelings were terribly conflicted at that moment.
She had always regarded Sigrid as the precious girl from her memories whom she could never find again.
And spending this time under the same roof as Sigrid had made Talia see her as both a rival and a close friend she got along with wonderfully.
Sigrid was far too unguarded with her, sincere and genuine.
Every day, Sigrid would inexplicably hug Talia and sniff her twice. Talia found it troublesome—she clearly wasn't a cat—but at the same time, she felt that Sigrid was unexpectedly a substitute for her precious daughter, Sigrid.
Whenever she thought that way, Talia felt a little guilty.
As it turned out, Sigrid really was Sigrid.
Now, judging from Sigrid's response and the spell she had just used, Tears of Pope Porant II, it was obvious that Pope Porant II referred to Sigrid. The Sigrid Talia had seen throughout the Shadow World last time must have been Sigrid as well.
Talia finally understood why the calculations in the Shadow World had always ended up one challenger short.
Her expression was troubled. She had no idea how to handle the complicated relationships between herself, Lanchi, Sigrid, and Hughberlian in the future.
"Tata."
Just then, a childish voice drew her attention back.
Talia shifted her gaze toward the voice.
She saw the petite figure open her arms and stretch them upward.
Hughberlian had been the only one to hug her just now, while Talia had been standing to the side without holding her.
"Wuu—"
Seeing little Sigrid asking for a hug, Talia finally found herself unable to resist. She crouched down, hugged Sigrid, and rubbed her cheek against hers.
She would think about the future later. She couldn't take it anymore right now and only wanted to hold Sigrid tightly.