Year 1210 of the holy Ashment Empire calendar.

  The southern part of the Ashment empire.

  In front of a grand mansion stood a dignified man, seemingly in his mid-twenties, holding the hand of a young girl dressed in a worn-out, milky sample.

  ““Welcome back, master.”” The maids and butlers lining up in two rows loudly expressed their welcome.

  At the forefront stood a middle-aged man dressed in a butler uniform and a woman in her mid-twenties, dressed in a maid uniform, sandwiching two young boys dressed in luxurious clothes.

  “Welcome back, master.” Said the old butler as he performed the salute, followed by the maid.

  “Welcome back, Father.” Said the older boy of the two.

  “Who is she, Father? Is she my new toy?” curiously inquired the younger boy as he leaned in to prob the young girl's face.

  The man looked troubled when he heard that. Then, as if he had noticed his father's discomfort, the older boy hastily reprimanded the younger one.

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  “Rick, do be rude.”

  “I am back, everyone. I hope everyone is doing well in my absence. Luke, Rick, both of you seem to be growing bigger in my short absence.” The man calmly responded to their welcome.

  “… and Luke, Rick, this is Lilia. From today, she will be your sister.”

  “What?” Luke exclaimed in surprise, unable to hold back his bewilderment.

  “Is she your illegitimate child?” Rick said it in contempt, his voice carrying disgust, as he questioned his father’s faithfulness.

  “It is not like that. We will discuss it in the study room,” the man exhaustedly said.

  “Now, Lilia, this is Lucas Willow, your eldest brother. He is 13 years old this year. And this is Richard Willow, your second brother. He is 10 years old this year. Although you are both the same age, he is 5 months older than you. This is Rowan von Navas, the head butler. This is Iris, the head maid.” While Luke nodded his head and Rick stayed still, Rowan and Iris respectfully bowed to Lilia.

  “…..” The young girl, named Lilia, as if being hesitant or shy, kept staring at them while holding the man's hand tightly.

  “Hey, don’t you have manners? Why don’t you greet us? So uncultured,” Rick exploded in fury.

  “Rick! … Lilia, could you greet them like I taught you?” "Gently," said the man as he patted her head.

  Still hesitating, the young girl came out from behind his back and gave a greeting: “….. Nice to meet you, I am Lilia Willow.”

  Satisfied, the young man concluded their first meeting, “Good, now that the first greeting is finished, everyone can go back to work. And Luke, Rick, Rowan, and Iris follow me to the study room.”

  Record of the Willow Dukedom, chief historian, Bold.