Chapter 480

"You're back in Kazdel so soon?"

"Um."

Maria nodded, carefully examined the other person, and then asked curiously.

"This... is your shop?"

"To be more precise, it's the shop my husband and I own."

Yelai still had a smile on her face, and at the same time, she took out a photo from the backpack next to her.

When it was handed to Maria even blinked.

The photo shows the life of a family of four.

It's clear that Yelai's husband is a Sarkaz mercenary; he's tall and strong, but he seemed inexplicably shy when the photos were taken.

At the bottom of the photo are two twin children, each less than a meter tall, who appear to be a boy and a girl.

The woman inherited her father's bloodline, with small Blackhorn on her head.

The man appeared more obedient, holding his mother's hand respectfully.

The photo itself is nothing special, just a gentle family of four.

But for some reason, Maria could see yellow and red stains on the edge of the white frame of the photo.

This sign looks rather old.

If I understand correctly, Yelai should frequently take out this photo to look at and touch it...

Do you love your family very much?

Maria tilted her head back, her tone calm.

Yelai, however, chuckled lightly.

"Certainly."

"Thanks to Your Highness, even now, I can move around with my husband relatively normally... This would have been unimaginable for me before..."

Yelai spoke with a touch of emotion.

Who would have thought that, after being instilled with the idea from childhood that Sarkaz were evil and insane creatures, Sarkaz?

It just goes to show that fate always plays some tricks on people, big or small.

It's just a pity...

Yelai's eyelids drooped slightly.

This made Maria realize that her partner's marriage did not seem to be smooth sailing and that there might have been some unexpected events along the way.

So, after a brief pause, she turned her head slightly again.

Is this place... still open for business?

"Certainly."

Yelai was not stupid; after sensing Maria's slightly reserved, awkward kindness, she smiled, waved, and called out softly.

"Yelina?"

"I'm here, Mom."

Inside the kitchen, a bright-eyed girl wearing a chef's apron walked out of the room.

She looked like she hadn't been fully awake for long, still a little groggy, but when she looked at her mother, her tone was still gentle.

Soon, she also noticed Maria beside her.

After a moment of confusion, the quick-witted girl guessed Maria's identity and stared wide-eyed with curiosity.

"You're the magical friend Mom was talking about, right?"

The little girl looked very lively. She pushed open the railing at the front desk and slowly walked out.

Since there are no customers in the shop right now, she can relax a bit.

After carefully examining Maria again, she widened her eyes slightly.

Indeed, just as her mother Yelai had remarked, Maria did not seem like a woman who could be conceived naturally.

The subtle aloofness she exuded towards the world was a powerful weapon against those with a strong sense of curiosity.

Just looking at it, you can tell a story!

That makes me really curious!

"Yelina..."

Seeing his daughter's bold behavior, Yelai felt somewhat helpless and nodded apologetically to Maria.

"This child has always been like this... I hope you don't mind."

But Maria didn't seem to care. She glanced at the girl a few times, then looked at Yelai in front of her.

She looks much taller than you.

Yelai's race was unknown, and he wasn't particularly tall, only about 1.56 meters. However, as Yelai's daughter, she was an astonishing 1.7 meters tall... Although she wasn't considered exceptionally tall among the tall Sarkaz, she was at least at the level of a normal person.

"Yes."

Yelai looked somewhat proud, and even reached out to pat the girl's head, which made the girl blush slightly.

"I'm not a little kid anymore, Mom."

She mumbled something, but still lowered her head, letting the other person stroke her.

Once Yelai had withdrawn his hand with satisfaction, she stood up straight and looked at Maria beside her.

Maria stared at the relationship between the mother and daughter, lost in thought.

This startled Yelai, who then spoke with some concern.

"How are you?"

"Um?"

Maria looked up, a hint of confusion on her face.

She didn't understand why the other person would ask that question at this moment, but after hesitating for a few moments, she nodded.

"I'm fine."

"Is that so."

Yelai sighed.

She suddenly recalled the questions she had asked the other party at the border not long ago.

At that time, she noticed the ring on Maria's hand and asked Maria if she had ever been married.

But was Maria's answer at that time...?

If it were an ordinary person, Yelai would have assumed that the other person had simply put the ring on his finger casually.

But perhaps because she knew many Banshees, she clearly realized that the ring on Maria's hand was unique to Banshees and was used for courtship.

Maria couldn't possibly not know.

But her answer was no, which only shows that this was a past that Maria was unwilling to talk about.

Although her family life isn't exactly perfect, compared to Maria, who has always been alone, she seems much happier.

So after thinking it over for a while, Yelai felt that things couldn't continue like this.

After all, we've met a few times, so we're practically acquaintances.

She couldn't just stand by and watch Maria go back to the past, could she?

As long as you're alive, you have to keep looking forward.

So...

What are your plans for the future?

After ordering some snacks with his daughter, and watching her mutter as she left, Yelai spoke softly, looking at Maria.

Although she already had some ideas, in this matter, she could only play a supporting role; the final outcome still depended on Maria herself.

If Maria is willing to make contact, she actually has quite a few suitable candidates.

Moreover... for certain groups of people, widows are not just a negative label.

Maria, in particular, was absolutely deserving of the title of a beautiful woman.

"Future?"

Maria was somewhat puzzled when she heard Yelai's voice.

She hesitated, looking at Yelai who was smiling gently in front of her. After thinking carefully for a few moments, she shook her head slightly.

"I don't have any particular plans."

She didn't really have much of an idea about what she should do next, but...

Why are you asking this?

Maria sensed something subtle in Yelai's words.

But she didn't understand where this subtle feeling came from.

In fact, Yelai's attitude had seemed a bit strange from the very beginning... Maria really couldn't understand where this strangeness came from.

Yelai, on the other hand, simply lowered his head and pondered for a few moments before looking up.

So, you mean, you're willing to try?

Yelai did not understand Maria's doubts, but took them as Maria's subtle expression of her attitude.

She didn't particularly want to find new companionship, nor did she mind having...

Since Maria has this intention... then things become easier.

"?"

Maria was puzzled.

"Well... I have a few friends here, I was wondering if you'd like to get to know them."

Yelai's words became more delicate.

She knew that since Maria was still wearing the ring, it meant that Maria was still reluctant to let go of her previous marriage. In this case, the most important thing to do to bring the two together was to find a way to open Maria's heart.

Maria, however, became increasingly puzzled.

But looking at the earnest little face of the other person, Maria pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly.

If it's just about getting to know people, that's not a bad idea...

Yelai seemed quite pleased to receive Maria's affirmative answer.

She smiled, turned around, and went to inform her friends.

Maria, on the other hand, sat there quietly enjoying this brief moment of tranquility.

A little while later, Yelina also poked her head out from the kitchen.

Carrying two plates of pastries, she looked around, and after not finding her mother, she angrily went to Maria's side.

"You said you wanted me to prepare some snacks, but then you just ran off?"

"Really."

The girl spoke with some resentment.

Maria, on the other hand, watched quietly as the other person sat down in front of her.

After pausing a few more times, she blinked curiously.

"Yelina... is that so?"

Maria's tone was unusually hesitant.

After Yelina turned her head, she paused for a few moments before speaking softly.

Can I ask you a few questions?