Lil had been restless since the morning.

“Even if you move around that much, time won’t go by any faster, you know,”
Kohaku said, exasperated.

“Well, isn’t it fine? She’s just excited that her dad is coming home. She even made a scarf,”
Marron said, seeming to understand, watching the busily pacing Lil with a gentle gaze.

Even while doing her usual morning snow shoveling and taking care of the divine beasts, Lil kept wondering if her dad would come back soon.

Around noon, while brushing the divine beasts, Ian returned, riding on Louis.

“Welcome back, Daddy!”
Lil ran straight to Ian.

Ian got off Louis and lifted Lil up, smiling wryly at her excitement.

“I’m back. Were you a good girl?”
Lil nodded vigorously and immediately began telling him everything that had happened over the past three days, like a whirlwind. Ian listened and gave the occasional nod as he carried the still-excited Lil into the base. Watching her speak so earnestly, Ian thought again how completely opposite she was from Ria.

“Oh right, Daddy! I have a present for you!”
Lil brought out the scarf she had made while Ian was away.

“I made it myself! Miss Rosaline taught me!”
Ian was impressed with how well it turned out. Apparently, Lil had skillful hands.

“Thank you. You did a great job.”
He patted Lil’s head, and she grinned proudly.

“By the way, Lil, I have something to tell you.”
After showering her with praise, Ian brought up the subject.

“Your twin sister is currently in this country. She ran away from the Kingdom of Reiz on her own. My brother is taking care of her now.”
Lil was shocked. She grew worried for the sister she had never met and pressed Ian to explain why she had to run away. Ian explained the situation in detail.

Finally, Ian said,
“Your sister regrets deeply that she couldn’t save you. She says she’s too ashamed to face you. But if you don’t resent her, I’d like you to meet her.”

“I can meet my big sister? Really? I want to—I’ve always wanted to meet her!”
Lil looked truly happy about the chance to meet her sister. Ian felt relieved.

“That’s great, isn’t it? Mireille is a good person. I’m sure you’ll love her too,”
Marron said warmly. Then Ian suddenly realized he had forgotten something important.

“Your sister’s name now is Ria. The cookie lady is your big sister.”
Lil blinked, confused, but gradually realized what he meant. Her feet began to wiggle excitedly.

“Really? Ria is my big sister? Yay!”
Seeing Lil’s overwhelming joy, Ian felt reassured that it was okay for them to meet.

“Will I get to live with her? Will she come here?”
“I suggested adopting her, but she’s not ready for that yet. But maybe if you ask her, she’ll want to live together.”
Sitting on Ian’s lap, Lil bounced up and down in excitement.

“When can I meet her? Can I see her soon?”
“She’s coming here tomorrow.”
Hearing that, Lil was over the moon. Wanting to share her happiness, she ran off to tell the divine beasts.

Ian sent a message to Livian Wilson via a magical bird, letting her know tomorrow’s plan was still on.

Lil went to tell the divine beasts that she would meet her sister tomorrow.

They all congratulated her excitedly.
Lil hugged a nearby fox and whispered her worry—what if her sister didn’t like her?

“Don’t worry. No one could ever dislike you, Lil,”
the fox said. But Lil knew that her own parents had rejected her. That fear remained—that even her kind big sister might do the same.

The divine beasts gathered around her to comfort her.

“Let’s get ready to welcome her. I’m sure she’ll be happy,”
said a rabbit, resting its front paws on Lil’s feet.

“We’ll welcome her together,”
a raccoon said, clinging to Lil’s back to get her attention.

“If I were your big sister, I’d even let her pet my fluffy fur,”
the baby leopard added, a bit full of himself and completely missing the point. Lil couldn’t help but laugh.

Surrounded by everyone’s kindness, Lil’s heart felt warm. She decided to do her best so her sister wouldn’t dislike her.

Lil became even more excited to meet her big sister.