Alice made an adorable face, as if she had just remembered something important and slightly embarrassing. She scratched her cheek with a finger, looking away briefly.
"Hmm... Aunt Morgana's... busy," she said, slurring her words. "She said she was trying to decipher some ancient scrolls in the east tower and that no one should bother her. Not even me."
Vergil arched an eyebrow. "She said that even though she knew I'd be back today?"
Alice nodded vigorously. "She said that if I saw you before she did, I was supposed to hug you so hard that you wouldn't be able to get angry."
Vergil sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose.
"She still uses children as an emotional shield... typical Morgana."
Katharina laughed scornfully. "What did you expect? That she'd greet you at the door with flowers and a bottle of wine?"
"Maybe a bottle, at least," muttered Vergil.
