Warm

"Madam, the lady is missing" the servant called early in the morning.

"What happened?" Diana had this inexplicable feeling going for days now. Hearing the words of the servant made it all come true.

"This servant brought the breakfast to the lady and knocked on her room but no one is answering. But then the door was slightly ajar and this one saw that there is no sign of the lady staying in the room. Other servants were sent to look for the lady but no one was able to find her"

"Have you reported this matter to the Master?"

"Not yet"

"It's alright. I'll handle his side. Track her whereabouts before and after she had gone missing. There's no need for me to say other things you should do. And make sure that no one else will know about this matter for now" the servants are trained in this matter so Diana didn't say more.

Diana sighed deeply. Ever since they found Ashaina in their Moon's ward, things had been difficult.

During that time, Ashaina tried to deny herself from accusation but she didn't know that the room is monitored.

Although Diana and Vance didn't confront her regarding the matter, but the relationship between them became complicated.

Things in their house are a little troublesome these days.

Even her husband barely spend time with her now.

She didn't want to meddle much in his business affair, but she still had an idea about what the company is currently experiencing.

Sometimes though, she feels like there's something else Vance is being busy with.

But unlike those who is suspicious if their husband has an affair, Diana trusts Vance.

Diana wondered back to the problem at hand and called the contacts she knew that might be related to her daughter. But after calling everyone, no one had an idea where Ashaina might be.

Diana tried calling her husband but apparently, he was in a meeting, she didn't disturb him but sent a message regarding the situation.

While waiting for the report of the servants, she decided to go to the Old Master to seek advice.

Although the Old Master decided to separate himself from the concerns of the family, but Diana is more comforted having to talk this matter out. Besides, she can't trust any of the other family members. If they happen to get a wind of what happened, they will not offer help but add to trouble.

As soon as she got near the mansion, Diana was able to hear resounding laughter.

She seems to hear a familiar voice and she can't help but long for it.

"My good granddaughter is merciless" the statement sounds appalling but the tone behind it is clearly proud and amazed.

"Grandpa is that good, this granddaughter had to use all of her strength and barely win over grandpa" Yue was selling cuteness.

"Honey mouth. Well, there's no need for my granddaughter to hold back, the more excellent you are the more grandpa is happy for you" the Old Master feel youthful spending time with his precious granddaughter.

Old Zeke and other servants are also glad to see their master finally being lively. Ever since the death of his wife, in addition with the problems caused by managing a large family, the Old Master rarely smile and laugh. But now, within the hour that the young miss stayed, laughter never ceased in the mansion.

"Then this granddaughter can only make grandpa happier. How about another round?" Yue had long let down her guard and is genuinely enjoying the company of her elder. She really like the warm feeling of having such caring family.

The two didn't notice Diana approaching with incredulous expression.

The Old Master was not particularly close to his grandsons and granddaughters. In fact, most of the members of the family are afraid and can rarely speak in his presence.

However, Diana had observed before but didn't ponder much about it, but the Old Master really treated Yue a bit different. But what about her, didn't she feel the same the moment she saw her back then.

There should be a common factor between the two of them.

"What's the meaning of this?" Diana should know at least to certain extent the Old Master would never let a non-family call him grandpa so intimately.

Diana stared at Yue really hard, not the malicious type, but was trying to grasp something.

The more she did, the more she can feel her heart trembling with confusion, fear, and excitement.

She didn't notice that she already reached the step and stumbled.

But instead of an awkward fall, she was supported by a careful hug.

Facing Yue, Diana couldn't help but reach for her face.

"My baby. How could it be. I'm so sorry" she uttered words that's independent on its own, but all who heard can understand what she meant. They can only sympathize.

Yue led her mother to sit and console her by patting her back.

Yue is not angry that her mother for what happened. She knew those people involve in the conspiracy carefully planned everything just to deceive her family.

Since no one disagreed to her statement a while ago, it was pretty apparent to Diana that Yue is really her daughter. There's no need for any particular test, the Old Master wouldn't be acting this way if everything is not confirmed.

It didn't take long for Diana to calm down and compose herself. She had experienced big scenes in the past, and although the situation at present is overwhelming, she can easily be sensible.

"I planned to inform the two of you but I didn't expect you would discover it this way. But I'm glad that you easily accepted you daughter" the Old Master was satisfied by the reaction of Diana. Among his daughters-in-law, she is the one he is most satisfied with.

"Then Father, who did this?" Diana can almost piece in all the puzzle pieces.

For an old family like the Lancers, if there's no bigger hand working, things wouldn't be kept this long before being discovered.

"We have yet to fully confirm this matter so we'll have to lure them out" the Old Master didn't mean to hide any more information and is willing to discuss their plan.

"That would be dangerous for my daughter" Diana can't help but prioritize the welfare of her daughter. It's not been long, but there's no awkwardness in her act when it comes to being a mother to Yue.

"It's alright mother, Brother Yan and grandpa already planned for it. Possible dangers have already been assessed and countermeasures are in place" surprisingly, Yue also didn't feel aloof with the current situation. It must be because of their genuineness.

"Is there anything that I can help in this matter?" Diana would not let Yue be in danger by herself.

"Yue would be presented as my granddaughter during the National Banquet" the National Banquet is an annual celebration wherein all nobles are invited in the palace. This is done during the beginning of the year.

In fact, the competition to be the next Royal Designer would be conducted the month before the National Banquet. The first project of the Royal Designer would be to design the outfit of the Royal Family for the said event.

If Yue can win that position, then it would help a lot for their plan.

"Then I'll make sure that my baby is prepared for the event" Diana immediately thought of several plans to ensure that her daughter's debut would be perfect. She also needed to inform her family regarding this matter. Using their military power, surely, things are going to be easier to execute.

"Thanks mother"

"There's no need to say thank you between the two of us, I'm your mother, you can always rely on me" Diana patted her daughter's head gently. No wonder she wanted to get close to Yue, she is her own.

"Mother" like a child, Yue hugged her mother a little clingy. She feels so sweet.

"Ehem, after seeing her mother my granddaughter left this old man in desolate" the Old Master was acting like a kid.

"Of course not, I love grandpa" Yue gave the old man a small hug.

A little bit far from the pavilion, two eyes are continuously observing this warm scene. Conflicted, but happy for the person drowning with love. There's also sadness since the days he can be with her is now more limited.

He can only hope she won't forget him. He'll make sure she'll come back to him.

He decided not to ruin their moment and left.