Aresia was surprised as she had suspended her duties with the Gryphon Legion for the week and had allocated her weekend to research. The teacher wasn’t supposed to come this week, and Aresia expected an entry request, yet an unexpected visitor arrived. It had to be someone important.

Aresia speculated it was the Duchess, her mother. At this hour, Aresia suddenly felt nervous.

“Is the person here in the building? Who has arrived?”

No one without clearance could enter the magic laboratory.

The responsible teacher didn’t recognize the visitor. Guessing, “It should be a household servant.”

It wasn’t the Duchess herself who had arrived.

“Okay, I’ll be right there. Thank You.”

Seeing off the responsible teacher, Aresia invoked her Water Mirror and altered her attire. She swapped her experimental robe for a more convenient and similar-looking medical robe. Today wasn’t an official event, so beneath the robe was her regular attire—simple and unadorned, a plain black long skirt. This attire was a stark contrast to the previous Aresia, an atypical choice that didn’t fit the Duchess’s standards.

Aresia was accustomed to preparing several clean outfits in her spatial pouch. However, these clothes didn’t align with the Duchess’s style. There was a school uniform in there, so she immediately changed into it. After tidying her appearance, ensuring there were no discrepancies, she left the laboratory.

Waiting in the building was indeed a footman from the Duke’s household, someone Aresia recognized from the Duchess’s entourage. She nodded calmly and asked where the Duchess was.

“She’s waiting in the dormitory hall.”

She returned to the dormitory with the footman. As she stepped into the hall, a graceful figure approached.

“Oh, my dear Aresia! Long time no see. Do you miss Mommy?”

Aresia hesitated as the person approached and was immediately hugged, her face pressing against the soft, fair chest. She smelled a sweet, intoxicating, and warm fragrance that wasn’t overwhelming.

This intimate action left Aresia a bit stunned. The embrace didn’t last long, and the person let go, but not without placing a kiss on each cheek. It wasn’t exactly a traditional kiss but rather a touch of the lips without actual contact—a firm peck on each side.

After the affectionate gestures, the person directed Aresia to sit and offered her water, concerned that Aresia might have been thirsty because of walking outside.

Throughout this encounter, Aresia didn’t have much of a chance to react.

As she settled down, sipping iced tea and having a piece of cake offered by the Duchess, Aresia finally had the chance to observe her mother of sorts.

The Duchess Grysenna von Rogest, was nearing forty but appeared to be in her twenties. She greatly resembled Duke Rogest, with golden-blue eyes. Visually, Aresia bore a strong resemblance to her, but Grysenna’s features were more delicate and refined, akin to a well-cultivated pink rose.

The two sat, looking more like sisters than mother and daughter, with hardly any visible age difference.

“Iheard that Aresia takes her studies very seriously at school, and became a top student. I’m so proud when I hear about it.”

Grysenna dabbed her eyes, displaying an emotional side rarely seen by others, handling the situation with remarkable elegance. Seeing someone of her stature shedding tears was incredibly touching.

This was Aresia’s mother—a warm, radiant individual with a touch of genuine romance. Aresia realized this aspect was rarely revealed in front of relatives. Apart from that, Grysenna’s demeanor perfectly aligned with her status as the Duchess.

Indeed, it wasn’t hard to see Amos’s character in both of them. In their family, it was true that the son resembled the father while the daughter took after the mother.

After a bit of tidying up, Aresia finally called out, “I’m sorry, Mom, for keeping you waiting.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I know you don’t take leave from school often. Mom’s here for just a while.”

Grysenna put down her handkerchief, smiling. She reached out and gestured their heights, and Grysenna’s eyes held a hint of worry. “You’ve grown taller. Your face looks thinner, and the color… Are you not eating properly?”

Aresia’s height for her age was already quite tall. Grysenna was half a head taller, and with her heels, it explained why Aresia leaned on her chest.

Any loving mother would notice the changes in a child not seen for a while. Upon Aresia’s return, not only had she grown taller and lost some weight, especially in her face, although not very evident, it was enough to be noticed by the duchess. Despite Aresia’s potion doses for her soul, she seemed paler, almost as if recovering from an illness.

Aresia denied the accusation firmly, “No, it’s just a growth spurt. Lost a bit of weight, but I’m eating as usual.”

Her response seemed to sway Grysenna’s doubts, who then took a piece of cake and began eating herself.

“No, let mom check. Only then will mom be assured.”

Grysenna gestured for her attendant to bring her magic wand. She wasn’t a high-level mage but skilled in facial and soul magic. Aresia knew the routine and stood while Grysenna conducted a series of spells, taking longer than usual.

Though not worried, Aresia was relieved after the test results. Her body showed signs of weakness but nothing else.

After the series of checks, Grysenna finally relaxed, hugged Aresia warmly, and engaged in heartfelt conversation.

Calculating the time, it had been nearly two months since they last met. Grysenna had much to catch up on, eager to know about Aresia’s recent life. Even though it was their first meeting in this life, Aresia’s past memories allowed her to relax and be more affectionate. It was the motherly love she had lost long ago.

Grysenna had been observing Aresia closely. When she was gone, she’d often receive reports about the household, but her husband never directly informed her of Aresia’s changes, leaving her worried.

It was clear that the once playful and fashion-loving child, now more focused on magic, had indeed changed drastically. Grysenna had sensed something was amiss despite the tests showing no issues.

This sense of sadness didn’t last long. Grysenna quickly diverted her attention.

“Aresia, haven’t you been taking care of yourself? Why are your nails cut?”

Aresia, who once loved decorating her long nails, had them cut almost to the flesh, although healthy in color. She replied confidently, “I couldn’t manage them, so I cut them off.”

In truth, it was more of a bother to keep long nails while doing experiments. Luna, the housemaid, cut them off for Aresia, who tried to justify it as a matter of convenience.

Grysenna, disapproving, said, “No, a child’s appearance is vital. Come, let’s go back to your room. Mom will take care of it!”

Aresia’s thoughts: Oh no!