strongemChapter 40 /em/strong

strongemAfter several hours of arriving in Ravenska, Aliana finally met her adoptive parents. /em/strong

strongemThe security protocol that had initially dyed them was rxed once Gabriel and Marisse passed the full inspection. The guards who had been firm now nodded respectfully, allowing the couple into the hotel grounds. /em/strong

strongemIn the main room of the homestay, Aliana sat patiently, though alert. Meanwhile, Elena was busy preparing drinks and snacks on the table to wee Aliana’s parents. /em/strong

strongemWhen the sound of a car came from outside, Aliana immediately stood up. Her heart beat slightly faster. Momentster, a security guard opened the door, and Gabriel stepped in first carrying arge woven basket of food, followed by Mariss Their faces were bright with affection and longing. /em/strong

strongem“Dad… Mom.” /em/strong

strongemAliana greeted her adoptive parents in a low voice, tinged with the kind of longing she couldn’t hide. Her smile bloomed for the third or fourth time that day. /em/strong

strongemElena, standing nearby, gave a respectful nod, then quietly stepped back to give them space. /em/strong

strongem“My darling,” Marisse said as she hugged Aliana tightly, warmly. The familiar scent of Marisse’s light perfume wrapped Aliana in the nostalgia of childhood-a scent that had always made her feel safe. /em/strong

strongemGabriel didn’t say much. He simply patted Aliana gently on the head, then said in his usual yful tone, “Did you get taller, or did I get shorter?” /em/strong

strongemAliana chuckled softly. “Maybe both, Dad.” /em/strong

strongemMarisse loosened her embrace and studied Aliana closely. “Our little girl’s getting thinner.” /em/strong

strongem“You’re right,” Gabriel replied, his voice slightly trembling. He raised the basket he brought. “Your mom made all your favorites. Let’s eat!” /em/strong

strongemThey sat together in the living room. Marisse unwrapped arge parcel from the basket-homemade food, still warm, neatly wrapped in cloth and wax paper. /em/strong

strongem“I brought bone broth soup and homemade pull-apart bread. You still like them, right?” she asked. /em/strong

strongem“Always,” Aliana replied gently. /em/strong

strongemThe ssic wooden table in the center quickly filled with the aroma of savory broth,rge vegetable chunks, and soft bread fresh from the warm cloth. The steam blended with the natural wood scent that filled the home’s cozy interior. From the hallway, Elena-trying to stay discreet-couldn’t help but swallow quietly. /em/strong

strongemTheir conversation remained light. They caught up, talked about the market, a neighbor’s dog giving birth, and the soup Marisse used to bring Aliana during the winters. /em/strong

strongemBut beneath every sentence, there were hidden codes-messages only the three of them could understand. /em/strong

strongem“This soup,” Aliana said, stirring her spoon in the bowl, “tastes just like I remember. But… something’s different. Did you change the secret ingredient?” /em/strong

strongemGabriel chewed slowly, then nodded subtly. “The spice we used to make isn’t safe anymore. I threw it out under the old tree near the east shed.” He took another bite andughed. “But don’t worry, the core vor is still there.” /em/strong

strongemAliana understood immediately. That sentence was code. The “old tree near the east shed” referred to a remote area just beyond the homestay a location never included in Andrian’s surveince maps. Gabriel’s message was clear: he wanted to shift their meeting from Rafe’s original spot to a safer one. /em/strong

strongemAliana nodded softly. “That’s a shame… I liked the old vor too. But I guess I can’t taste it as often now. I can’t even step into the kitchen these days-there’s always someone blocking the way.” /em/strong

strongemMarisse smiled faintly, catching the subtext in her daughter’s words. Her eyes shimmered with emotion as she replied gently, /em/strong

strongem“Next time, we’ll make it together. Your father and I will help. Besides, it’s casier and faster when we prepare the spice, team.” /em/strong

strongemThe conversation continued. To an outsider, it would seem like any family reunion, full of warmth and catching up. But every line held two meanings, as if they were ying a game of codednguage beneath everyday chatter. /em/strong

strongemAliana took a bite of the bread and then, in a casual tone, looked at her father and asked, “Oh, by the way… how’s the neighbor’s dog? The big white one?” /em/strong

strongemGabriel looked straight at his daughter, then responded cheerfully, “The one that always guards the front door and barks whenever someone walks by?” /em/strong

strongem“Yes,” Aliana replied lightly. “He always barks when I pass.” /em/strong

strongemGabriel nodded, understanding instantly. Aliana was talking about the guard stationed by the door. His face remained rxed as if discussing something trivial. /em/strong

strongem“He’s fine, but he does look a bit dangerous. Sometimes I wonder-what exactly is he guarding? Maybe he’s just scared of his owner… scared enough to be a vicious dog?” /em/strong

strongem“Could be.” /em/strong

strongemAliana smiled faintly and nced briefly out the window to make sure no one was catching on to their real conversation. /em/strong

strongem“His owner is known to be fierce. Cold. Like a human icicle.” /em/strong

strongemGabriel chuckled softly. “Ice man, huh?” he muttered, ncing at his daughter before continuing in a lower voice. “Speaking of which, did you know some people have been asking about the owner of that dogtely?” /em/strong

strongemAliana fell silent. Though the statement sounded casual, she caught the hidden meaning. Gabriel was referring to the people hunting Andrian during the charity g. Previously, Aliana had asked Rafe to request her father’s help in identifying the assants. /em/strong

strongem“Who?” Aliana asked cautiously, her tone subtly shifting. /em/strong

strongemGabriel stroked his chin thoughtfully, still speaking in a casual tone but with measured intent. /em/strong

strongem“Myfriend who lives near the dog owner’s ce said there’ve been a few ice vendors stopping by the neighborhoodtely. Normally, they sell far up north, but suddenly they’ve beening into our town.” /em/strong

strongemAliana’s body tensed. She knew exactly what her father meant. “Ice vendors” was a clear code-it referred to a group professional assassins who often operated without clear motives. With a quiet breath, she tried to hide her reaction. /em/strong

strongemof /em/strong

strongem“Why would the ice vendors be interested in the dog owner?” Aliana asked carefully, her tone light but not hiding the edge of worry creeping into her voice. /em/strong

strongemGabriel offered a faint smile. His voice sounded joking, but Aliana knew the message was far from lighthearted. /em/strong

strongem“Apparently, the dog owner’s been drawing too much attention while going about his daily business. Maybe someone got irritated and decided to send ice vendors to settle the score.” /em/strong

strongemAliana paused, then slowly reached for her ss and took a sip, steadying her thoughts. /em/strong

strongem“The group of ice vendors is called ‘Argent Coil,” Gabriel murmured as if talking about produce prices at the market. “People used to call them the ‘Silver Ring. They usually set up shop in the north, buttely, word is they’ve been seen drifting near the city.” /em/strong

strongemAliana said nothing. /em/strong

strongemArgent Coil. That group was the stuff of legend. They made no distinctions-guilty or innocent, if the price was right, they moved in. To them, lives were numbers. And when they worked, they left no trace behind. /em/strong

strongem“Shame I’m too grown-up to enjoy ice anymore,” Aliana whispered, her voice barely audible. /em/strong

strongemGabriel exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “They don’t sell your kind of ice anymore, anyway. They deal in adult vors. Seems like their target market was never kids to begin with.” /em/strong

strongemAliana’s eyes widened. From her father’s phrasing, she understood the hit wasn’t meant for her-it was meant for Andrian. /em/strong

strongemMarisse gently put her spoon down. “Even if they sell all kinds of ice, you shouldn’t overindulge, sweetheart. I don’t want you getting toothaches.” /em/strong

strongemAliana smiled faintly, grateful for her mother’s concern. “My teeth haven’t hurt in a long time.” /em/strong

strongemFor a moment, silence filled the room. Only the distant call of birds and the ticking of the old wall clock broke it. Then Gabriel chuckled softly, breaking the tension. /em/strong

strongem“Oh, by the way, your mother stopped by the market before we came here. You know the old vendors still ask about you?” /em/strong

strongemMarisse smiled, continuing where he left off. “They miss you. A few even asked when you’d stop by the shop again. They say the market feels empty without you.” /em/strong

strongemAliana smiled gently, her voice soft and tinged with guilt. She understood her father was talking about the Corvo family’s agents who missed her presence. /em/strong

strongem“Give them my regards, Mom. Tell them I miss the market too. But… I can’te back as soon as I’d like.” /em/strong

strongemMarisse looked at her daughter with understanding. She nodded slowly. “There’s no need to rush. People at the market understand. What matters most is that you’re safe and well.” /em/strong

strongem“But I know,” Gabriel interjected softly, “you’d be morefortable at home. There’s no ce like it.” /em/strong

strongemAliana paused, a dull ache in her chest at her father’s words. She gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re right. There’s no ce moreforting than home.” /em/strong

strongemGabriel studied her, wise and calm. “Sometimes life pulls us far from what we know best. But I believe you’ll find your way back-sooner orter.” /em/strong

strongemAliana looked at her father with quiet gratitude. That simple statement gave her the inner strength she needed right now. /em/strong

strongemMarisse suddenly pped her hands gently, trying to lighten the mood. “Alright, enough sad talk. There’s still plenty of food. Come on, finish your soup. You need to eat well to stay healthy!” /em/strong

strongemGabriel chuckled, nodding in his usual cheerful manner. “Your mother’s right. I don’t want to see you lose more weight. If you fall sick, who else will help us run the shop?” /em/strong

strongemAlianaughed softly at her father’s joke. “Alright, I’ll eat more now. But if I gain weight, don’tinter /em/strong

strongem“Noints,” Gabriel said,ughing heartily. “The rounder you are, the better you’ll look as the mascot for our shop when business gets slow!” /em/strong

strongemAlianaughed again, the moment wrapped in warmth and humor. /em/strong

strongemBut thatughter faded when the sound of steady footsteps approached from the hallway. All heads turned to see Elric standing firmly not far from the living room. /em/strong

strongem“Apologies for the interruption, Miss Aliana,” Elric said politely but firmly. “It’s time for you to rest. Per Mr. Andrian’s orders, you’re not to overexert yourself today.” /em/strong

strongemAliana paused before nodding gently. She understood-it was a soft signal that the visit needed to end. With reluctance, she turned to Gabriel and Marisse, who were already on their feet, sensing the shift. /em/strong

strongem“You do need your rest. You must be tired from the journey,” Gabriel said, still wearing his warm smile. He nced at his wife and gave a small nod. “We can’t stay long either. We have to open the shop in the morning, right?” /em/strong

strongemMarisse gave her daughter onest hug. “Take care of yourself, sweetheart. And don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need anything.” /em/strong

strongemAliana hugged her tightly. “I promise, Mom.” /em/strong

strongemGabriel approached and gently patted Aliana’s shoulder. “We’ll see each other again soon.” /em/strong

strongemAliana nodded, trying to smile through the heaviness in her chest. “Yes, we will.” /em/strong

strongemSlowly, Gabriel and Marisse walked toward the door, Aliana escorting them to the entrance. Elric, ever formal, opened the car door and gestured for them to leave. /em/strong

strongemAs Gabriel stepped into the vehicle, he turned once more and waved lightly. /em/strong

strongem“Don’t forget to finish your food. I don’t want your mother’s cooking to go to waste!” /em/strong

strongemAliana gave a small smile, waving back. “I’ll eat it all. Drive safely.” /em/strong

strongemOnce the car door closed, Aliana let out a long breath, her smile fading. What remained was a lingering worry-one that slowly filled the space left behind by the warmth of her parents’ visit. /em/strong