Celinina (Continued)

She knew this might be due to her unique family background... After all, in a large family like Texas, it's hard not to realize one's own specialness.

This is why she is even more afraid of the uncontrollable consequences that might arise from arguments within her family.

So she has been trying her best to play herself well... to play the role of Texas's granddaughter well, and to meet the training requirements of her father and grandfather.

If you want to fight, then fight; if you want to study, then study.

She believed that as long as she became strong and outstanding, her family would stop arguing.

So even if Salvadore were to leave her alone in Siracusa now, she would be willing.

If only...

My family can continue to live a peaceful life.

That being said, Celinina was ultimately just a little girl, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid when facing a completely unfamiliar environment and completely unfamiliar people.

Therefore, when facing the person even her grandfather respected, she unconsciously tensed up.

Fortunately, Maria didn't do anything. She just gently stroked the girl's palm, making the girl's hand tickle, and then she silently looked up.

Would you be willing to stay by my side and study for a while?

Her voice was gentle, and her words carried a hint of consultation.

She didn't want to force the girl to do anything; she hoped the girl would stay by her side of her own free will.

"This..."

The girl paused for a moment.

Such an attitude inevitably left Celinina feeling confused.

She never imagined that one day she would have to make her own choices.

The sudden situation made her instinctively look at her grandfather.

When people feel lost and helpless, they always hope to find answers from those closest to them.

But Salvadore, for the first time ever, closed his eyes at that moment.

She respected her girl's choice... or rather, she respected Maria's choice.

Since Maria wanted to hear the child's opinion, he would remain silent and not give the girl any instructions.

They remained silent.

Seeing her grandfather's attitude, Celinina understood that she needed to make her own choice.

But having never done anything like this before, her face showed an uncontrollable struggle.

She looked at Maria, then at Lavinia beside her, and finally at her grandfather who remained silent.

After struggling for a moment, she took a deep breath and lowered her head.

"Please allow me... to learn from you."

"... Yeah."

Faced with Celinina's answer, Maria didn't say much. She just lowered her eyes slightly, said something, remained silent for a few moments, and then stood up and looked to the side.

"Is it alright for one more person to stay, Lavinia?"

Maria hadn't forgotten that she was currently staying temporarily in Lavinia's room.

If you want to bring someone, you need to ask the room owner's permission.

"No... no problem."

The little girl naturally wouldn't refuse Maria's choice.

Rather, in her view, Maria's willingness to stay in her home was already a help to her.

There were plenty of places to stay, but Maria chose to stay in her little, shabby house to protect her, and she didn't want to repay that kindness in any way.

Faced with Maria's demands, she naturally agreed to them within permissible limits.

After receiving an affirmative answer, Maria turned her head back to look at Salvadore in front of her.

"In that case, I am willing to accept this responsibility, but I cannot guarantee that I can raise this child into the successor you hope for. I will only teach him in my own way."

"... I believe you."

Salvadore did not hesitate; he trusted his judgment.

Her granddaughter, Celinina, is a perfect rough stone. Under the polishing of the powerful Maria, she will surely shine even brighter!

Outside the church, the rain gradually stopped...

After the rain had almost stopped, Maria led the two children away from the church. Along the way, Celinina hesitated and looked back several times, but all she saw was her grandfather's gratified gaze.

It's unclear what decision she made, but after turning back for the third time, she completely turned her head away, never looking at the other person again.

At that moment, the bodyguards also came over.

One of them looked at his patriarch with some confusion.

"Why... why did you hand the young lady over to that person?"

"... Are you curious?"

Salvadore smiled and turned his head away.

Upon seeing his patriarch's appearance, the other party hesitated for a few moments, but ultimately curiosity overcame any initial awe, and he nodded.

I'm very curious.

"It's just because I think she's more suitable."

Salvadore gave his answer with a smile.

But this kind of response, which hardly qualifies as an answer, left the other party feeling helpless.

Was his master... playing a trick on him?

A moment later, he asked another question.

"Then... who exactly is that woman?"

"..."

This time, Salvadore didn't answer the questions as readily.

He gave the bodyguard a deep look, then shook his head.

Knowing this won't help you.

"But..."

"No buts... this is my order."

Salvadore's attitude was firm.

He glanced at the other person again.

"Don't investigate... neither you nor my good-for-nothing son... go tell him that Celinina is staying in Siracusa with Lady Maria. This is my order. If he dares to disobey, then he'd better be prepared!"

Salvadore's voice was not loud, and his tone was not very forceful.

Growing older has brought him many changes.

The biggest change is that he no longer resorts to raising his voice to assert his authority, unlike when he was younger.

He is powerful enough that even if he only speaks softly, everyone should listen attentively.

But even these words caused several bodyguards to slightly change their expressions.

Because they noticed that Salvadore glanced at them a few times while saying those words.

Clearly, he already knew that some of his bodyguards had chosen his child.

But he didn't say it out loud; instead, he kept them around as normal...

He even said those words to them at that moment.

This...

The group exchanged glances, somewhat unsure of what to do.

But Salvadore simply turned his head and quietly left.

Several loyal bodyguards were the first to follow...

Time flies.

The group made it home just before lunchtime.

This room, which is only about 30 square meters, is now crammed with three people, making it feel a bit crowded.

Fortunately, the people present didn't care much about living conditions, and after simply dividing the area, they settled down.

Lavinia hugged the books she had borrowed and began to study diligently.

Maria, meanwhile, was tidying up all the information she had gathered that day.

Celinina, on the other hand, seemed somewhat reserved.

"Um..." Seeing that Maria really didn't intend to pay attention to her, she finally chose to speak up.

"When... do you plan to train me?"

"Train?"

Maria turned her head and looked at the other person.

What kind of training do you want to do?

"... the technique of killing."

Almost without hesitation, the little girl, not yet ten years old, uttered surprising words.

Maria watched him silently.

There was no confusion in those blue-gold eyes.

She genuinely intended to learn how to kill from Maria.

But...

"Why?"

Maria tilted her head.

"Because..."

Celinina hesitated for a moment.

She wasn't sure what caused Maria's confusion.

She knew all too well what kind of person her grandfather wanted to mold her into.

Therefore, her arrival in Siracusa inevitably meant her involvement in the murders and assassinations that took place in the darkness.

Wasn't the purpose of having her follow Maria to learn how to kill?

Upon hearing the girl's words, Maria remained silent for a long time before shaking her head.

"Did Salvadore tell you this himself?"

"... no."

Celinina is a good girl; she doesn't lie. She seemed very hesitant in the face of Maria's words.

Because this wasn't something Salvadore told her directly, but rather something she had guessed from the nurturing plan her grandfather had created for her.

Therefore, he lacked confidence when faced with Maria's question.

But Maria noticed the girl's problem at this moment.

She frowned and then slightly rose to her feet.

A tall figure is graceful for an adult, but for a child, it is nothing short of a giant.

In an instant, Celinina tensed up again.