Sophia's lips parted in surprise. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment she forgot to breathe. Then, slowly, a mischievous smile curled across her face.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and something sharper, as she looked at the stranger beside Ethan.

"Oh my god!She looks so cute….It's like those dolls my father used to gift me in the childhood.''

Moments later,she started to dream of her embracing the soft woman like a pillow to sleep.

She wondered how comfortable it would be to grab those cute fluffy things.

The weight of her earlier frustration vanished. A new kind of fire lit in her chest as she watched them.

"Well, well," she whispered to herself, her smile deepening. "This should be interesting."

...

"Haaa…" Ethan breathed deeply, his chest rising and falling as he took in the familiar air.

The breeze carried the faint sweetness of wildflowers that grew across the estate. The familiar scents and sights washed over him, and for the first time in days, he felt his shoulders relax. The stone paths, the trimmed hedges, the sound of rustling leaves all felt like home.

Behind him, Rony and Lia stepped out of the carriage. Both looked slightly nervous, their eyes darting around with hesitation.

Lia's hand gripped her dress tightly, her wolf-like ears twitching faintly as she stood close to her father. Ethan glanced back, his sharp blue eyes softening. He gave them a reassuring smile that seemed to melt away a little of their unease.

"Don't be nervous," Ethan said in his calm, deep voice. His presence carried both authority and warmth. "Just treat this place as your own."

Lia blinked, then managed a small smile that lifted her face. "It lacks the bustle of the Duchy," she admitted shyly, "but the people here feel very vibrant." Her voice carried a quiet joy, and her tail gave a small, unintentional sway.

Before Ethan could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air. It was soft, melodic, and teasing with just the right amount of heat to make his skin prickle.

"Honey, did you bring me a sister to accompany me?"

Ethan froze and his senses screamed of danger. His spine stiffened as a tingling chill ran down his back.

Turning slowly, he found Sophia striding toward them with confident steps, her eyes locked on Lia. Her smile was playful, but Ethan could see the spark of mischief in it.

"Wait," Ethan started, his lips parting to explain, but Sophia was quicker. She swept forward like a storm and grabbed hold of Lia's hands before he could say a word.

"Oh my… my…" Sophia breathed, her eyes sparkling as she studied Lia up close. "You are so gorgeous. And those ears..it's so..so soft!"

Her voice was filled with excitement as her fingers brushed over Lia's trembling ears.

Lia's face flushed scarlet. Her body stiffened, and her lips parted in embarrassment as Sophia's praises kept coming without pause. "So cute. So delicate. And this tail..ah, it's too good"

Lia's ears twitched violently, her face heating up to a deep red as if she were about to boil over.

Her tail swayed rapidly, betraying her flustered state. She glanced helplessly toward Ethan, with her eyes giving a pleading look.

Ethan felt a throbbing headache forming as he rubbed his forehead. He cleared his throat sharply, trying to regain some control. "Darling, you are mistaken. She and her father will be looking after Jester Crunch and the other fast food chains."

For a moment, Sophia froze. Slowly, she turned to look at Ethan, her eyes narrowed. But instead of her usual fiery glare, what shone in her gaze was worse..

It was filled utter disappointment. Her lips pressed together, and her shoulders dropped just a little.

Ethan tilted his head in confusion, his brows drawing together. "Huh… what did I do now?" he muttered under his breath.

But Sophia didn't answer. She ignored him completely, her smile quickly returning as she looped her arm through Lia's. "Come, Lia," she said sweetly, though her voice carried a note of insistence. "Let me show you the estate."

Before Ethan could stop her, Sophia tugged Lia along with surprising strength.

Lia stumbled forward, her cheeks still burning as she gave Ethan one last panicked glance before being swept away. Her tail swayed helplessly behind her as Sophia practically dragged her inside with excitement.

Ethan stood there, lips slightly parted, watching their figures disappear into the estate. His sharp jawline tensed as he exhaled a slow breath.

A small smirk tugged at his lips, though his eyes still carried a hint of disbelief.

Rony stood silently beside him with his arms crossed, and maintaining an expression calm as always. The silence between them lasted for only a moment before it was broken by the shrill, joyful voices of children.

"FATHER!" A pair of small figures ran down the path, their eyes shining with pure excitement. "You're back!"

Ethan turned, his gaze softening instantly. His strong frame bent slightly as he opened his arms, ready to embrace them. The cool, composed man who had just been standing still like a statue now looked like a father eager to hold his children close.

"Father .."Miranda jumped into Ethan's lap while Ray stood aside holding two little ones,Nera and Herion but Ethan just opened his arms and embraced each one of them.

As they rushed toward him, Ethan's lips curved into a rare, gentle smile, the kind that could melt away any gloom.

"Oh My kids.....You have grown so much when daddy wasn't at home."

And in that moment, surrounded by familiar air, returning faces, and laughter, he knew this place was more than an estate.

It was his home.

....

After finishing his meeting with the small kids,Ethan was grabbed by the bigger one hungry for his love.

SLURP… Slurppp!

"Sto… Smoochhh!"

Ethan's words were cut off as Sophia suddenly pushed him to the side and locked her lips onto his. Her mouth was hot, desperate, and full of hunger as she kissed him without restraint. Ethan's

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