"Um... I was so happy just now that I forgot to ask. Who might this young lady be...?"
The director looked at Ellin again.
"Well..."
Furina found herself torn once more.
But just then, Ellin took a step forward of her own accord.
Poised and at ease, she offered the director her hand.
"Hello, Director. I am also Lady Furina's Familiar. Knowing how hard you work, Lady Furina sent me here to offer her regards."
Naturally, the director was deeply touched once again, and his faith in Furina grew even stronger.
Furina, however, was stunned by what she heard.
The reason she had hesitated just now was that she had no idea how to introduce Ellin.
After all, Ellin was the Heavenly Principles. Introducing her required extremely careful wording, both to conceal her identity and to avoid diminishing her status or making her lose face.
Yet she had never imagined that Ellin would so readily acknowledge herself as her Familiar.
She actually admitted in public that she was my subordinate, that she was beneath me...
To play along with me, to help strengthen their faith in me, she was even willing to lower her own standing...
Something stirred within Furina, and a touch of warmth welled up in her heart.
Perhaps the Heavenly Principles really was not so aloof and unapproachable. Perhaps she truly was someone Furina could trust.
With that small gesture, the icy barrier between them was slowly beginning to melt.
By the time Furina came back to her senses, Ellin was already playing with the children.
She really had no airs about her. Cheerful, lively, and easygoing, she could have fun with anyone.
"Come on, children! Look over here!"
Ellin called out, struck a flashy pose, and snapped her fingers.
The space before her instantly trembled. Hydro