Adrian watched as his women exchanged excited glances, their eyes brimming with both relief and anticipation.
Their intense training in the virtual chamber had left them stronger and battle-hardened, but he could see the need for a moment of peace and rest in each of their expressions.
"Alright, ladies," he said warmly, gesturing toward the grand entrance of the manor.
"Go on inside. Take a bath, have a proper breakfast, and we can go on outing together, since we have no time for individual dates for today. You've all earned it."
Sophia gave him a lingering look, her usual sly smirk playing on her lips.
"Don't think you're off the hook, little brother," she teased, her voice lilting. "A day of outing doesn't replace the me wanting to go on a date with you."
Eve, not one to be left behind, chimed in, her voice bubbling with eagerness. "You'd better not forget about me, Adrian! I'm expecting you to spoil me too."
Adrian chuckled, his gaze moving across the others. Isabella, standing by with a graceful smile, nodded in silent appreciation, while Seraphina, ever the stoic guardian, gave him a rare but approving glance.
Rosalyn, meanwhile, stayed near the back, her cheeks flushed a deep pink as she avoided his gaze, her shy mannerisms betraying her excitement.
Soon, they'd undergo the level reset, allowing them to reach heights previously blocked by inferior mana circulation manuals.
Turning his gaze to the courtyard, he waited patiently, knowing that Chris and her mother would arrive shortly.
He'd arranged for a few of his Draconian awakened soldiers to escort them, ensuring their journey was safe and secure.
Adrian leaned against the stone wall in the courtyard, watching the morning mist swirl as he awaited Chris's arrival.
The sounds of laughter and chatter echoed from the other side of the castle, where the ladies were enjoying a well-deserved bath and breakfast before the day's events.
Shortly after, a small procession approached from the gates, led by Chris, her mother supported beside her, and a few Draconian-awakened guards who had accompanied them.
The sight of Chris's wide eyes and the relieved look on her face brought a smile to Adrian's lips.
He noticed Christine walking alongside them, her innocent curiosity brimming in her gaze as she took in the castle surroundings.
As soon as Chris spotted him, her expression softened, and she broke into a run, arms outstretched. Adrian held his ground, allowing her to leap into his embrace.
The moment she collided with him, she clung to him tightly, her shoulders trembling as she whispered, "Adrian, you're safe… I was so worried."
Tears glistened on her cheeks, and her fingers gripped his shoulders as if afraid he might vanish.
Adrian stroked her hair gently. "Chris, I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me like that," he said softly, holding her until she steadied herself.
He knew the last few days must have been a whirlwind for her, especially waiting for him while taking care of her mother.
Pulling back slightly, Chris wiped her eyes, smiling through her tears. "I… I couldn't help it. Seeing you standing there safe, after everything, I just… I missed you so much."
"I missed you too," he replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His gaze shifted to Chris's mother, who looked both weary and relieved.
Despite the curse still affecting her, she seemed to have gained a bit of color, and her posture wasn't as frail as before.
"How is your mother's condition?" Adrian asked, looking at Chris with a gentle expression.
Chris took a deep breath and replied, "Thanks to the doctors and items you sent, her condition is stabilized. The curse's spread has been controlled for now, and she's even feeling a bit better. There isn't much improvement beyond that yet, but it's a start."
Adrian nodded, relieved to hear at least some positive news. He then reached out, wiping away the last remnants of tears from Chris's cheeks with his thumb, his gaze steady and determined.
"Now that things have settled down a bit, I have fewer distractions. I'll be focusing on finding out who exactly cursed your mother, and root out every rats practicing such curse and black magic. No one will harm our family again."
A warm sense of comfort filled Chris's heart, and she found herself leaning into his touch.
"Thank you, Adrian," she whispered, her voice barely audible as she looked up at him with deep gratitude in her eyes.
He hugged her tightly, conveying all the reassurance he could. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he promised. "And I'll see to it that your mother gets the peace she deserves."
Chris let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and nodded. "I know you will."
Stepping back, Adrian gently guided her toward the doors of the castle. "Take your mother inside and let her rest for now. You should eat breakfast as well. Today, I'm planning a family outing to let everyone enjoy some quality time together and rest up. You could use some relaxation after all the worry and hardship."
Chris's face lit up with a genuine smile, her eyes sparkling at the mention of an outing. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Adrian."
She cast a quick glance at her younger sister, who looked up at her with eager anticipation. "We'll get her settled and join you after breakfast."
Adrian nodded, giving Christine a gentle pat on the head as they walked past. The little girl beamed, clinging to her mother's side as they made their way inside, the castle doors closing softly behind them.
With a sense of satisfaction and relief, Adrian turned back to the courtyard, his mind already planning the day ahead.
He wanted to give them all a break from their burdens, if only for a short while. Their struggles might not be over, but today, at least, they would be able to forget them.
After taking a stroll for a short time, Adrian made his way to the dining hall where he found Isabella, Seraphina, Sophia, Eve, Chris and Christine and Rosalyn finishing up their breakfast.
Their laughter and bright expressions warmed his heart. Sophia spotted him first, a playful grin spreading across her face.
"About time, little brother," she teased, nudging Eve, who was already eyeing him with a knowing smile.
"Everyone ready?" Adrian asked, his eyes twinkling as he took in their lively, refreshed faces. They all nodded eagerly, clearly as excited for the day as he was.
"Well then," he said, "we're going to spend today as a family. No training, no stress. Just a day to relax and make some memories."
The joy on their faces was unmistakable, and even Seraphina's usual composed demeanor softened with anticipation.