Collapse, I became Duck's daughter at the start?

"What good is an apology? What were you even thinking? I really don't understand."

Kiana was genuinely angry.

"Alright, it was my fault."

Theresa sighed softly as she appeared at the doorway.

"Auntie?"

"Bronya and I discussed it..."

"No, Auntie, you can't play like this! She's still a child, and this is how you treat her? Bronya, how can you be a mother? Have you gotten too full of yourself?" Kiana rarely lost her temper like this, but this time she couldn't hold back.

"I... I thought it would only stimulate the Stigmata within her. I was observing her the whole time, ready to intervene at any moment, but I didn't expect Losha to get on stage so suddenly..."

Theresa said helplessly.

She had been too careless this time, completely failing to anticipate this situation.

"It's good that Losha is just exhausted. She should recover after some rest..."

"Good? She's lying here, and you call it good?" Compared to the silent Bronya, even Kiana, who usually cowered before Theresa, retorted.

"Setting aside the physical aspect, scaring Losha with three Honkai Emperors, weren't you afraid she'd develop some psychological trauma? Auntie, when you were ten, could you face a Honkai Emperor without any fear?"

"I'm sorry..."

Although the test results showed that Losha's Stigmata power was much stronger than she had anticipated, if she had actually been attacked by the simulated Honkai Emperors, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"Headmaster, Bronya, you were too reckless."

Raiden Mei didn't try to calm Kiana down but instead agreed with her stance.

"Shouldn't methods with such risks be discussed by everyone before proceeding?"

Hearing Raiden Mei's words, Bronya clenched her fists, her silver-grey eyes flickering.

"Bronya, you're acting like this..."

Raiden Mei didn't want to blame Bronya, but her reaction and actions this time were too negligent.

"Truly unqualified."

Compared to the commotion outside, Losha's consciousness space was also turbulent.

"Are you crazy?! Do you know what you're doing?!"

"Losha" pinned her to the ground, her crimson eyes staring intently as she questioned. Her expression was more serious than ever before.

"I... I want to protect Mama Bronya..."

Losha was startled by her actions but knew she had taken a risk.

"Crazy, idiot! You're too immersed in the role!"

"Losha" hadn't expected her to be so deeply affected, but she truly went for it when there was danger.

"I... I trust Mama Bronya..."

Losha explained.

"Heh... heh... Don't you know she was stunned at the time? How many people do you think are as foolish as you!"

"Losha" complained.

"You're putting your life in someone else's hands!"

"Don't you understand yet? They can never truly understand you. You're the only one bearing the suspicion, the tests, the risks!"

"Losha" wasn't foolish; she had long noticed Theresa observing her in secret, and she had been paying attention. But Losha's actions had truly terrified her.

"If you want her to truly care about you, you can never just love unilaterally, understand!"

"Losha" took a breath. If she hadn't reacted quickly enough, Losha's little scythe wouldn't have been enough to block even one strike from a Honkai Emperor.

"Don't forget, who are we?"

"Losha" released her grip.

"I'm sorry... I'll be more careful about our safety next time..."

Losha pursed her lips.

"You think I care about my safety?"

Hearing Losha's words, "Losha" was furious.

Before she could finish her next sentence, Rosia's figure vanished.

"Idiot, what I care about is..."

"Rosia" turned her head and stomped her foot.

"It's you."

"Awake?"

The first person Rosia saw when she opened her eyes was Bronya.

"Mama Bronya?"

Rosia was a little surprised because Bronya, who usually had no expression on her face, managed a smile this time.

"They all went to class and left me here to watch you."

Although Bronya's words were almost the same as before, her tone and gaze had clearly changed.

"I'm sorry for making Mama Bronya miss class..."

Rosia said apologetically.

"It's okay."

Bronya patted her little head, as if returning to the past.

This personality hasn't changed one bit.

"How are you feeling now? Headmaster Theresa said you should be fine."

Bronya continued.

"Mhm, I feel great, just a little tired, but it's okay, I can still go to class."

Rosia shook her little head, indicating she was fine.

"Okay."

Hearing Rosia's words, Bronya didn't stop her but instead, with the help of Project Bunny, picked her up.

"Mama Bronya, I can walk by myself."

Rosia said a little shyly.

For some reason, these past few days they all liked to carry her around, which still made her a bit embarrassed.

"There, just for a little while."

Bronya's tone had clearly softened.

"Okay."

Rosia replied obediently.

"Rosia Floe."

When they reached the doorway, Bronya suddenly called her name.

"What is it? Mama Bronya?"

Rosia asked, confused.

"No more dangerous things next time."

Bronya said with a serious expression, her grip on Rosia tightening slightly.

"Mm."

"What do you want for dinner? Mei-sister has training tonight, so I'll make some too."

"I'll eat anything Mama Bronya makes."

Rosia said happily.

The reason for her happiness wasn't that Bronya was going to cook personally, but because Bronya's attitude now was completely different from before.

"Mhm..."

Many images flashed through Bronya's mind, but in the end, she gently shook her head, then looked at Rosia and said after some thought:

"Then let's make some Russian borscht."

Chapter Thirteen: Kiana: If I call you, do you dare to answer?

Evening

Raiden Mei was in special training, so she didn't return for dinner.

Kiana, on the other hand, sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, turning her head away from Bronya.

"...Rosia, come help me."

Glancing at Kiana, who was still angry, Bronya ignored her and called out to Rosia.

"Okay, Mama Bronya."

Rosia stood up from the small stool, looking at Kiana with some confusion.

"Carrots, cabbage, onions..."

Although she had asked Rosia for help, Bronya actually needed to stand on a small stool even when she was cooking.

"Help Mommy get two cans of beef from the box under the bed in the room."

Wiping the fine sweat from her forehead, Bronya said unconsciously.

"Okay."

Rosia skipped away happily.

"Hmm..."

Realizing what she had just said, Bronya pursed her lips, but then her lips curved into a slight smile.

Although she found it difficult to feel the true emotion behind this expression, she thought it might make Rosia a little happier.

"Bronya, do you know you were wrong?"

Kiana asked discontentedly after peeking to confirm Rosia had entered the room.

"Kiana, you only need to take care of yourself. Does my daughter need you to manage her?"

Bronya's chopping paused for a moment, but she quickly continued.

"There won't be a next time."

Wiping her hands, Bronya turned back, her silver-gray eyes giving Kiana a cold look.

"You..."

Kiana was surprised by Bronya's cold gaze. It was the first time she had seen Bronya look so intimidating.