Counseling Quarter, Magwurt Castle

1324, 18 Aug 2025

"XO, thank you for bringing Seira and Keira here right before their nap time."

"No problem."

Vex replied shortly, and he was about to say goodbye when Lan Yan'er asked him to stay.

"XO, we have to talk. So please wait a moment while I take Seira and Keira to their rooms."

Vex didn't know what to say so he just nodded slightly, while Seira and Keira waved their hands before leaving with Lan Yan'er.

A moment later Lan Yan'er returned with two cups of tea and invited Vex into her office. She stared at Vex for a brief moment before asking, "XO, looks like something's bothering you?"

"Yeah, I'm a little worried because you let two kids play in the park alone."

"Well, I don't let Seira and Keira go to the park alone." Lan Yan'er smiled slightly before continuing, "We just came back from shopping when Keira and Seira saw the dog next to you and asked if they could play with the dog.

I watched from afar how Seira and Keira approached you, then cheerfully played with your dog. I felt relieved when they laughed so freely. Because it was their first laugh since Specialist Hebert left them."

"Specialist Hebert?"

A question mark appeared on Vex's forehead, while Lan Yan'er was stunned for a long time.

"XO, don't say you didn't know that Seira and Keira were Specialist Hebert's daughters."

"Honestly, I don't know. What's more, they looked like normal kids when they were with me."

Lan Yan'er took a deep breath before saying, "To be honest, I still wonder why they are so happy to be with you."

Vex pondered before asking, "May I know why Seira and Keira have not been sent to their mother? If there were any issues regarding personnel security or operational security from IDG, I could help take care of them."

Lan Yan'er took another deep breath, and for a moment, pain crossed her gaze. "Seira and Keira are still here not because of opsec-persec problems. But because two months ago their mother died in a traffic accident, and I still don't know how to tell them that their mother also already left this world."

Silence enveloped every corner of the room for a long time, until Vex finally asked, "What about the adoption option?"

"Specialist Peggy, Specialist Amber, other Specialist Hebert's closest friends, and even TF Amethyst personnel who don't know him have volunteered to adopt Seira and Keira. However, Seira and Keira close their hearts to anyone who tries to get close to them.

After finding out that their father already passed away, Seira and Keira who were super cheerful now become very quiet. Then, for the first time they laughed freely this afternoon while playing with your dog."

Vex nodded slightly before asking, "What about you Lieutenant? They seem pretty close to you."

Lan Yan'er sighed deeply before answering, "Our closeness is more like teachers and students, while what they need is a deeper relationship. They are at an age where talking to the people closest to them is crucial for their growth mentally and emotionally."

Vex nodded. He has heard that even if babies didn't understand the words spoken by those around them, parents were still advised to talk to their babies using soft language and never let them feel lonely.

As for older children, giving them the widest possible opportunity to express themselves through conversation or other interactions was equally important.

Therefore, it was very worrying if a child chooses to close his or her heart off, no matter if it was consciously and unconsciously.

After taking a deep breath to calm the nervousness in his heart, Vex then asked in a slightly trembling voice, "What about me? Is there a chance I could adopt Seira and Keira? I may not be the ideal father but, at least I know how to change diapers and bathe children."

With an expression that was hard to describe, Lan Yan'er looked at Vex. "XO, do you really know how to change a child's diapers?"

"Yeah, there were times when I helped my wife change our child's diaper."

* Fuiiitttt fiuuu. . . . .! *

Lan Yan'er spontaneously whistled like a thug who found a smoking hot babe passing by.

"XO, if you were five years younger I would have gone crazy over you."

Vex casually said, "Stop joking and answer my question."

After clearing her throat, Lan Yan'er then said, "I don't mean to doubt your intentions. However, right now the best option you can give is to interact with Seira and Keira as much as possible. Then, let's see if the adoption option is feasible for you."

"Understood," Vex answered calmly but steadily.

- - - - -

Parks and Jogging Areas, QRF Element Complex

0910, 21 Aug 2025

For the last three days, Vex accompanied Seira and Keira to play in the park with Big Brown. So today he plans to take them to Amethyst Theater in Magwurt Mall.

Seira and Keira really loved Big Brown. So Vex thought they would also like the Wildlife Series that would be playing at Amethyst Theater starting today.

As soon as Seira and Keira arrived, Vex immediately greeted them with a smile from ear to ear.

"Today I'm going to watch the Wildlife Series at Amethyst Theater. Would you like to come?"

Seira and Keira didn't answer immediately, both of them were busy checking the area around Vex before asking, "Lucan, where's Brownie?"

"I left him at home."

Keira, who since meeting with Vex hardly ever said a word, suddenly turned towards Vex and said with a hopeful gaze, "Lucan, can we take Brownie?"

"No, Big Brown can't get into the theater."

Hearing Vex's answer, Keira's eyes suddenly started to tear up, and Seira immediately grabbed both her hands while saying gently, "Keira, don't cry so Big Sis Lan won't worry. We can still play with Brownie tomorrow."

Keira nodded three times, while Seira turned to Vex, "Lucan, we'll go home first and see you tomorrow."

While Seira walked away holding onto Keira who was trying hard not to sob, an epiphany touched Vex's mind like a thunderbolt striking in broad daylight.

'Looks like it's not me, but Big Brown who brightened their hearts all this time.'

Without delay, Vex pursued Seira and Keira. "Wait, you can go to my house if you want to play with Big Brown."

Keira instantly turned towards Vex and while tilting her little head she asked, "Really?"

"Of course."

Vex immediately picked up Keira and took Seira, then led them to a mini-cottage across the park.

'I have to keep this a secret.'

Vex muttered while hardening his resolve to monopolize Seira and Keira's playing time.

- - - - -

Mini-cottage 01, QRF Element Complex

1230, 21 Aug 2025

Like most German Shepherds in general, when staying at home Big Brown would spend his time lazing on the couch. Even when Vex came home, he would still lie on the couch.

However, when Vex said, "Brown, your friend comes."

Instantly, Big Brown jumped from the couch and ran to the front door, unknown whether he understood Vex's words or because he was aware of the presence of two kids who had played with him for the last few days.

While wagging his tail as hard as possible Big Brown welcomed his two friends. Without wasting time Seira then rubbed Big Brown's head gently, while Keira hugged his back.

"Uuuh... Keira loves Brownie."

Smiling from ear to ear, Vex then took Seira, Keira, and Big Brown to play on the inner yard.

- - - - -

When lunchtime arrived, Vex asked Seira and Keira what they wanted to eat for lunch. The two of them simultaneously answered.

"Pancake."

Lunch with pancakes was not a natural thing but, Vex didn't bother and sent one of his bodyguards to buy a package of assorted pancakes from Siena Patisserie.

As soon as the pancakes arrived, lunch began. Seira and Keira had different ways of enjoying pancakes. Seira would rub the syrup on the small pieces of pancake separately. Meanwhile, Keira would pour all the syrups on the plate and then stir them together before rubbing small pieces of pancakes into the mixture.

At first glance Keira's eating style looks very messy, but Vex lets it be. As long as Keira didn't waste food, Vex wouldn't reprimand her. Of course, that didn't mean Vex was silent when Keira was about to mix tomato sauce into the syrup on his plate.

Gently, Vex took the tomato sauce from Keira's hand. "Pumpkin, you can't mix tomato sauce with syrup."

And Keira did not argue. She looked at Vex while tilting her little head, then nodding three times.

Lunch was only halfway through when one of Vex's bodyguards reported he had a guest. A moment later, Vex found Lan Yan'er standing at the door carrying a large suitcase.

"Are you going on a trip?"

"To be more precise go to FOC South 860 until the day after tomorrow, and because Seira and Keira are already here, I plan to let them temporarily stay here."

"Goodbye then."

Vex said indifferently, and Lan Yan'er instantly massaged her forehead.

"Duh... XO, don't kick me out yet."

Lan Yan'er handed the large suitcase in her hands before continuing.

"These are Seira and Keira's change of clothes, pajamas, diapers, and toothbrushes. After finding out that their father has passed away, Seira and Keira sometimes wet the bed every 2-3 days. So make sure they wear diapers before going to sleep."

"Understood."

"Also, Seira and Keira are fanatical pancake fans. So their consumption of pancakes should be limited to one meal a day and make sure they eat enough vegetables, fruits, and protein."

Vex immediately scratched the back of his head. "Well, they're having a pancake lunch right now."

"Just make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Understood."

"Now, let me say goodbye to them."

Without waiting for Vex's permission, Lan Yan'er entered and headed for the dining room. Seira and Keira panicked a little when they saw Lan Yan'er, but Lan Yan'er did not reprimand them for having pancakes for lunch, so they breathed a sigh of relief.

Gently, Lan Yan'er wiping Keira's lips which were covered with syrup. "Be good here and when Big Sis comes back, we'll have a pancake party."

As soon as Seira and Keira heard the word 'pancake', both of them instantly nodded.

After hugging Seira and Keira tightly, Lan Yan'er then returned to meet Vex who was still standing near the entrance.

"XO, if anything happens to Seira and Keira, I will mobilize my fans to skin you alive."

"Understood, now... shoo... shooo!"

After shooing away Lan Yan'er as if she was a stray dog Vex closed the door, and Lan Yan'er could only sigh silently before leaving.

*****