Orphanage
Ivana Ser stood beside Cathy and bowed to Annan. "Thank you for bringing Cathy back."
"You're too polite. Annan's my dad." Cathy pulled her Little Sidekick upright.
Looking into those determined blue eyes, Annan suddenly felt as though he were speaking to an adult.
Annan remembered arranging for the "smartest person in Free City" to study under Ingrid. He didn't know what Ingrid had taught her, but he couldn't tell whether exposing a ten-year-old to the adult world was a good thing or a bad one...
"Lord Annan, even in Middle Earth, few children get to grow up safe and healthy..."
As if she had sensed something in his pitying gaze, Ivana explained, "The children are all grateful to you. We all want to grow up quickly so we can help you..."
"Mm-hmm!" Cathy chimed in.
"Then you'll have to wait a few more days." Annan smiled.
After dropping Cathy off, Annan made a circuit of Free City before returning to the City Lord's Mansion.
Holding Lily, Annan sent the maid Abby to invite Aunt Susan's family and the others to dinner at the City Lord's Mansion.
Leila returned soon after. When she heard about dinner, she regretted releasing the fish she'd caught... There had been enough for a plate of fish sauce.
That evening, the people Annan knew gathered around the long table in the City Lord's Mansion dining room.
At this rare gathering, they spoke freely about the girls Annan had brought back, the Freedom Cup in a few days, and the Rikaner Kingdom.
As for the girls, they were good people with no ill intentions.
When the conversation turned to the Freedom Cup, Annan asked Martin which of the Three Great Legions he would side with. Martin answered: whichever one won.
Finally, on the subject of