Lucian caught Kal'tsit's hand in his.
Maybe it was the nature of her work, but her hand wasn't soft at all—slightly dry, even. It suited her. She wasn't just a sharp-tongued woman; she was a meticulous, hard-working doctor.
So Lucian didn't mind. In fact, he wanted to hold it a little longer.
Kal'tsit didn't give him the chance.
She jerked her hand back like she'd been shocked, lips pressed tight. "Don't get familiar with me. Amiya's education is my responsibility. I don't need an outsider butting in."
"That's awfully cold of you."
Lucian smirked. "Amiya and I really hit it off! She already calls me big brother—give it time and she'll be calling me dad!"
"Besides, being a guardian is important work. Pick the wrong woman and she'll raise you just to use you later. If Amiya keeps being looked after by a cold, sharp-tongued woman like you, what if she picks up your bad habits?"
"Y–you...!"
Kal'tsit's composure cracked, her expression screaming that she wanted to curse his entire bloodline into oblivion.
It was a far more human look than the deadpan mask she'd worn earlier, and Lucian found it delightful.
There would be plenty of chances to tease her later.
Just as she drew breath to speak again, frantic footsteps echoed at the infirmary door.
A long-haired girl in a white coat stumbled in, papers scattering everywhere.
She froze when she realized both Lucian and Kal'tsit were looking at her. Her face went crimson as she waved frantically.
"N-n-no! I wasn't eavesdropping! Kal'tsit told me to come, so I arrived ten minutes early like protocol says! And I didn't hear anything! I swear on my mother's name I didn't hear a word!"
Her panic only escalated. "E-even though I do think Kal'tsit might be a bit too focused on work to excel at childcare, that's part of her charm! Her tiny flaws only make her more perfect! Helping make up for my teacher's shortcomings is a man's duty! So in the end it's all the man's fault! Kal'tsit did absolutely nothing wrong!"
Kal'tsit: "..."
Her clenched fists trembled. Lucian noticed the color rising on her face—several shades darker than before.
He was thrilled.
So the Empress of Rhodes Island could get flustered too.
A short while later, in the same infirmary—
The long-haired girl sat where Kal'tsit had been a moment ago, cheeks blazing as she ground out,
"My codename is Folinic. I'm a trainee Operator of Rhodes Island, and Kal'tsit's student."
She finished her reluctant introduction and shot Lucian a vicious glare.
"Because of you spouting nonsense, I misunderstood Kal'tsit! Her expression at the end was terrifying! How are you going to compensate me?!"
Lucian snorted. "I'm pretty sure ninety percent of that was you eavesdropping and letting your imagination run wild."
Folinic was obviously an honor-student type—and Kal'tsit's personal student at that.
Kal'tsit was apparently busy and didn't have time to handle Lucian directly, so she'd sent Folinic to give him a physical exam and explain Rhodes Island's basics.
That meant she'd intended to accept Lucian from the start. Their earlier discussion had just been her professional due diligence—understanding what this Holy Son actually thought.
Rhodes Island's background was deep enough that Lucian wondered just how entangled they were with Kazdel and the Sarkaz.
As for Folinic... well, all honor-students were a bit repressed and prone to overthinking. Somewhere along the line, she had invented the theory that Amiya was Lucian and Kal'tsit's secret child.
That leap was so wide Lucian almost floated away.
But the idea was funny, so he kept teasing.
"Let's put aside how Kal'tsit and I supposedly produced a little bunny. Why'd you jump straight to us having a kid? Even if she didn't say anything—do I really look that old?"
Folinic's eyes widened in outrage. "What do you mean 'even if'? Kal'tsit takes amazing care of herself! Even if she works for days without sleep, her skin stays soft and radiant—I'd kill to look that good! I want to be just like her—no matter how many years pass, still looking that young... W-wait! She is young!"
She was absolutely adorable—Lucian felt like he'd discovered a rare toy.
And her rant contained plenty of interesting clues. Kal'tsit was no young woman by age.
Folinic didn't doubt for a second that Kal'tsit might have a child.
But judging by appearance, Kal'tsit looked barely older than Folinic. They could pass for sisters.
So Lucian asked, curious, "You've known Kal'tsit for a long time? What's your relationship with her?"
"...Why do I have to tell you anything?" Folinic huffed, cheeks puffed.
She ordered Lucian to stand up so she could measure his height and weight.
Lucian obeyed, still trying to charm her. "Don't be so cold. I'm Rhodes Island's one and only officially designated partner, and Amiya calls me her wonderful big brother. We'll only be working closer from here—investments, joint ventures, going public, all that. Shouldn't we get to know each other better?"
Folinic: "Lies! All lies! (○｀3′○)"
The model honor-student clearly didn't believe a word he said and even stuck out her tongue.
But she didn't say anything about touching a grown man all over to take his measurements, which made the situation even more awkward.
When she tugged up his sleeve to prepare for Blood Drawing, she finally spoke again, albeit reluctantly:
"Kal'tsit is a friend of my mother. I've known her since I was a kid. She's an incredible researcher. Even that awful Ursus Empire had no choice but to rely on her."
Lucian's eyes brightened. "Kal'tsit worked in Ursus? And you're Ursus?"
Folinic corrected him immediately. "I was born in Ursus, but I'm not an Ursus."
She inserted the Needle with practiced ease, drawing a tube of blood she had no idea was priceless.
As she processed it, she continued,
"My mother worked for Ursus, so I lived there as a child. But that suka bleh Empire—never mind Infected, they look down on anyone who isn't Ursus. So my mother also... hmph."
Folinic cut herself off with a snap and said nothing more.
The Ursus Empire was ruled by the Ursus people—round-eared bears built for the cold. As a so-called warrior race and the dominant ethnicity of a powerful Empire, they even named their nation after themselves. Naturally, they believed they were superior to other races.
Proud, violent, and savage. They treated the Infected with cruelty, and they persecuted non-Ursus civilians just as viciously.
The mere thought of it was unpleasant.