Zenith follows up by petting Norn and Aisha on their heads.
That rubbing is gentler than usual.
Zenith is very happy too.
Because her daughters are growing up.
"Madam... thank goodness..."
Lilia quietly holds on to Zenith's shoulder.
On Lilia a tear-filled smiling face she rarely showed.
Zenith with a blank expression rubs Lilia's hand.
Lilia bites her lips as to hold back her tears.
"These are from Madam and I."
After taking Zenith back to her seat, Lilia turns around to give the girls their presents.
A pair of matching handkerchiefs with pretty flowers embroidered.
"Thank you very much. Lilia-san."
Norn candidly accepts hers, but Aisha looks hesitant.
Does getting the same thing make her uncomfortable?
"Em, mother, can I accept this?"
"Oh, of course. You are also Paul-sama's daughter."
The mood has changed somehow.
Lilia has always been instructing Aisha of her role as a maid.
"From today too, please continue to serve Rudeus-sama and Norn-sama with respect."
"... Yes, mother."
Ah, Lilia is still Lilia.
But even saying that, recently, whether in the tone of her voice or whatever,
I have never seen her sternly lecturing Aisha.
She has her own thought process.
After Lilia returns to her seat, Zenith places a hand on her shoulder.
"Madam..."
"..."