After a short wait, Lily returned with Mom and Dad trailing behind her. They looked relieved—and surprised—to see Miss Sera with me.
I took the moment to introduce them.
"Mom, Dad—this is Miss Seraphina Armanis. Miss Sera, these are my parents. Ethan Westberg and Sejal Westberg."
Miss Sera gave a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."
My mother smiled warmly. "Thank you for looking after our son."
"You have a lovely family, Alve," Miss Sera said softly, her eyes lingering on them with a distant kind of fondness.
I glanced at her and answered, "Aren't you part of it too?"
She blinked and looked at me, caught off guard.
"I mean it," I continued. "You've always been there—training me, bickering with me, worrying about me. If that's not family, I don't know what is."
She looked down suddenly, a tremble in her breath.
"Thank you… Alve," she whispered, her voice almost cracking.
Was she crying?
I stepped in front of her and crouched down, gently wiping away the tears escaping from her eyes.
"Master, that's so unlike you," I teased softly. "How about we all go get dinner at our favorite pub?"
Miss Sera gave a small nod, smiling faintly through her tears. "Mm…"
I stood up and turned to Mom and Dad. "Let's go grab something to eat. I don't think any of us finished dinner earlier… thanks to that sudden summoning."
"Very well," Dad replied with a slight chuckle.
"Lily," I called out. "Bring that pouch of coins with you. And try not to lose it."
She shot me a glare. "Why are you treating me like a child? I can handle a little pouch."
"Sure… I'll believe it when I see it," I smirked, already turning around while guiding Miss Sera's wheelchair.
With how hyped she looked earlier, I wouldn't be surprised if she dropped it out of excitement. Maybe I should secretly ask Mom to hold it instead.
"Hey! Big bro Alve! Get back here!" Lily shouted.
"Let's just go eat," I said casually, trying to hold back my grin.
Mom sighed as she watched us. "Alve, you really shouldn't tease your sister so much…"
But in her voice, I could hear the warmth of someone happy to see her children home and safe.