"Surprised?"

Sitting under a large tree, Orion pulled out of his personal space the basket he received from Amelia.

"Well..."

Stella sat next to him with a neutral expression, slightly stunned by the sudden revelation.

"Kind of."

Giving him a nod, she smiled.

"Do they know?"

Shaking his head from left to right, Orion pulled out two sandwiches from the basket.

He extended his hand toward her and presented one of them. Delicately, Stella took it in her hands.

"It might be the biggest surprise, but that's something I wanted to do."

Biting into the food, he smiled.

"They were with me during the most challenging parts of my life, supporting me with their everything."

"It is the responsibility of a man to ensure their partner, or in my case, partners, are properly treated."

While she also took a bite into the sandwich, Stella listened to her father.

"They waited for me for an entire year. There is no reason for me to doubt their love."

"And since I love them..."

He finished the first half of the sandwich while closing his eyes.

"All I can think of is to bring them the happiness they deserve."

With a smile, he opened his eyes and placed his hand on the top of her head.

"Of course, I also love you."

"I know."

She answered with the same smile. The love between them was, and forever remained, one between a father and his daughter. They needed no confirmation to recognize it.

Taking out another triangle-shaped sandwich, Orion gave it to Stella before taking one for himself.

"Stella..."

"Hmm?"

Her cheeks stuffed with food, she turned to him.

"How old are you now?"

"Eighteen."

She went through eight grueling years in the elemental space, trying to awaken the titan.

"Since we're on the topic, let me ask you a question."

"Is there someone you like? I know you haven't been outside much and don't know anyone, really, so it's a pretty useless question."

It was a genuine question. If there was someone, only a few choices could actually match with his thoughts.

'The most probable person would be Nylon. Then, Elliott, or Heto. Forget about Keleanos; he only has eyes for those twins.'

As he waited for Stella to answer, he pondered.

"That's a good question. Actually, I haven't really given it my thoughts."

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Putting a finger to her chin, she tilted her head.

"It's honestly very difficult to answer. I live with a very athletic, genuinely kind, smart, and formidable father."

"Admitting it is embarrassing, but you are quite handsome, too."

Lifting his eyebrows from the sudden praise, he scratched his cheek.

"The bar is quite high for anyone who would dare approach me."

Orion laughed.

"That might be right."

But again, she pondered.

"No, there's no one."

Her expression was locked into a frown. There was no sign of lies behind her words, which Orion chose to believe.

Stella had no reason to even try. Her circle of acquaintances was very limited, leading her to live separated from others.

"I'm not interested in romance at the moment. All I need is to improve my control over this power my mother left me."

"Since this body is basically immortal at this point, and that I am still growing toward my peak condition, I have all the time in the world."

"I'd rather construct more devices with Reon and improve the development of 'Science' however I want, rather than being obstructed by love."

Then she frowned and panicked slightly while looking at him.

"I didn't mean to imply that I think your feelings are obstructing or anything! It wasn't the right way to say it."

Orion laughed heartily at her flailing reaction.

"You're just like me. It somehow makes it reassuring and sad at the same time."

Pulling out the bottle Amelia placed inside the basket, Orion opened it and continued.

"There was a long time when I refused to let love hinder my quest for vengeance."

He placed the bottle under his nose after opening it.

"Coffee. And it's still hot."

Pleasantly surprised, he thanked Amelia in his mind.

Pouring the drink into the cups she had placed inside the basket, Orion gave one to Stella.

"Even if I refused to let these feelings out, I never spat on Amelia's feeling of love. I knew, deep inside, that once I spoke those words, I would never find the escape I needed."

Sipping his coffee, he gazed into the cup like he always did.

"Our situations are indeed extremely different, but the way I see them is extremely similar."

"How so?"

Stella was intently listening to his father's words. She always loved hearing his voice since she was little. It was soothing and always carried knowledge behind every sentence.

At least, that was how he perceived it.

"I believe the need to prove your mother's work is similar to how I wanted to accomplish my revenge."

"Our eyes and hearts are only drawn to this very thing we look toward, giving very little time to anything else."

"But in your case, that isn't exactly the case. You are more open and accepting of everyone."

"You've accepted everyone as being part of your family, and I think it is a great feat."

"Only a few people would accept having that many 'mothers'."

While smiling, he kept drinking. Stella followed his motion with a nod, drinking shortly after.

"In your case, it might be even more challenging. Isn't Olivia just one year older than you? They're all in their twenties... Except for a few of them."

Both thought of May, Tetra, Mia, and Nia.

The first was at least 'alive' for forty years, while the next was well over five thousand years old. The twins were two thousand years older than Stella.

"If we're talking about age, I think you are far older than me."

Poking at his arm, she mocked him lightly.

"Around an eternity, at this point."

They laughed together.

Internally, she was relieved Orion took his time of infinite travel through time as a joke rather than not.

"Anyway, I was curious. If you have no one you like, just focus on your duties. I'll support you every step of the way."

"Thank you."

Stella hugged his arm and rubbed her right cheek up and down. Answering his daughter's affection, he caressed her hair gently.

For a while, they enjoyed the moment in peace.

...

"Is this the store?"

"Yes. Are you following me inside or do you want to stay here?"

Pondering with a finger on her lower lip, Stella came to an answer rapidly.

"I'll go with you. I'm interested in the products humans created, even if they are jewelry."

Nodding, Orion pushed the door.

Instantly, the clerk recognized him, even with his hair a different color than in her memories.

"Welcome, sir."

As Orion approached the counter/glass case, she respectfully bent her upper body, not only toward him but toward Stella.

His companion was gleaming with a beauty and a charm she rarely witnessed from the women who shopped in this store.

Compared to the fake and forced charm wealthy people relied on, Stella was naturally radiating grace and elegance.

"..."

Frozen on her, the clerk was awestruck.

"!"

Noticing the smile on Orion's face, she rapidly composed herself and took on a more professional stance.

"My apologies. I have seen many beautiful women in my time working in this establishment, but never have I seen such a natural beauty before."

Orion nodded.

"She is my daughter. As she was interested in your craft, she decided to accompany me."

A proud and courteous smile formed on the woman's face as she stared directly at Orion.

"We will not disappoint!"

"Please, wait over here. I will bring your order in just a moment."

Redirecting Orion toward her right, she smiled and turned around, disappearing into the depths of the building.

"What do you think about this place? Can you trust them with the rings?"

Orion nodded.

"You might not be able to hear it, but I can hear the sounds of relentless strikes from further inside."

Stella focused her senses on her hearing.

*Cling*

*Clang*

The faint sound of someone striking a hammer against a piece of metal could be heard once she focused.

"You're right. I can hear hammering."

Surprised, she looked at him.

"They are actually very professional. Working the metal, shaping the item perfectly, and adjusting the decorations. Everything is done here."

"Florian recommended this place. Knowing him, he wouldn't have accepted a low-graded ring from the market for Kamala."

"His feelings are more passionate than anyone gives him credit for. That's why I trusted his advice and ordered from the same place."

From the night they all drunk together, Orion came to learn more about his fellow friends.

With open hearts, they shared many stories and secrets with each other, creating a bond that would last forever, even in the face of adversity.

"Here is your order."

The clerk brought a wide tray with nine gorgeous boxes placed on top of it.

"Can I look at it?"

She nodded at his question.

Picking up the first box to his left, Orion opened it gently.

"..."

A genuine smile formed as he lowered the box for Stella.

"Are these... all like this?"

The woman nodded with her eyes closed. Orion's reaction was all she needed, and she was blessed with a silent smile.

"These are the greatest products we have worked on since establishing this store. Providing us the raw materials also helped greatly create these wonderful rings."

Stella took the box in her hands as Orion opened them one by one to confirm his order was correctly fulfilled.

Stella's Remnant power reacted to the ring, activating her sigil for just a split second.

It instilled in her the desire to craft something, too. Items that would equal this beautiful product in her own way.

After opening the last box and confirming the quality of the products, he nodded.

He immediately paid the store for the incredible work they provided and left with Stella.

"Thank you for your patronage."

Bending her upper body further than she did for Florian, the clerk showed gratitude toward him.

Every single person in this establishment felt proud after hearing of his reaction.

The reputation of the store greatly increased afterward, as they were blessed, without any party knowing, by Stella's Remnant power.

An era of beautifully crafted jewelry and genuinely hardworking craftsmen flourished in Albriar, pushing the development of this core city even further.