Chapter 669: Meeting with the Children - Part 2
"Sisters!"
Fiona ran excitedly toward Iris, Stella, and Charlotte, who were standing on the balcony.
She threw her arms around Iris and rubbed her cheek affectionately against her sister's.
But Iris didn't respond. Her body was stiff, and her gaze was fixed on Arshley, who stood at the door, watching them with a gentle expression.
Several seconds passed before Iris finally snapped out of her daze. She turned to Fiona, her face pale with shock.
"You… you…" She broke free from Fiona's embrace and grabbed her shoulders. "What do you think you're doing!? How can Saint Arshley be here?"
Beside her, Stella and Charlotte also looked panicked. They stared at Fiona, their eyes full of questions and disbelief.
They never imagined Fiona would show up with Arshley—let alone bring her to meet them!
Wasn't that essentially breaking the rules their mother had set?
Of course, Fiona noticed their unease—but she remained calm, a cheerful smile still on her lips.
"Sister Iris, Sister Charlotte, Sister Stella—you don't need to worry," she said, raising one corner of her mouth. With both hands on her hips, she added proudly, "Mommy Arshley isn't scary at all. She's really kind and caring! So stop being so nervous."
Charlotte: "..."
Iris: "..."
Stella: "..."
The three of them exchanged glances, the corners of their mouths twitching.
Who ever said Arshley was scary?
None of them had thought that—not even once.
Their mother hadn't forbidden them from meeting Arshley out of fear they might get hurt—it was to avoid unnecessary trouble, like conflicts or misunderstandings.
And seriously… what was with the whole "Mommy Arshley" thing?
Wasn't her mommy the same as theirs? Since when did this girl get a new one?
"Haaah..." The three of them sighed, staring at Fiona with looks of exasperation.
Sensing their strange stares, Fiona scratched her head in confusion.
"Sister… Did Fiona do something wrong?" She asked softly, almost afraid.
"Wrong?" Iris grinned, then pinched both of her chubby cheeks. "Of course you did, stinky girl! You…"
But her words trailed off. She paused, unsure how to continue scolding her.
Fiona was still a child, just like them—but not nearly as clever. The three of them were much more intelligent, and that made a big difference.
That's why Fiona's way of thinking was so different… and they couldn't completely blame her for it.
As the sisters remained frozen in their panic, Arshley stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face.
"So, you're Charlotte, Iris, and Stella?" Arshley asked softly, her eyes moving from one girl to the next.
On the right stood a girl who appeared to be the biggest and most mature of the three—it was clearly Stella.
She was beautiful and charming, with a unique pair of gold and purple eyes that made her stand out.
Next to her stood a little girl whose face closely resembled Fiona's.
However, her long white hair was tied up neatly in a bun, giving her an elegant and mature air—something rare for a child her age.
That had to be Charlotte, the eldest of the triplets.
On the other side stood another girl with a similar face, but her expression was colder and more distant. Her sharp, cynical eyes were a perfect reflection of Liliana's.
Her white hair was styled in a loose bun, with a red ribbon trailing elegantly down the back.
That must be Iris, the second of the triplets.
"They're so cute and adorable!" Arshley squealed inwardly, her heart bubbling with excitement.
She had expected them to be as beautiful as Fiona—but seeing them in person was a whole different experience.
Charlotte, Iris, and Stella exchanged uneasy glances, nervous and unsure.
"Um… Saint Arshley, is there something we can help you with?" Charlotte asked in a low, cautious voice.
Usually, Charlotte could stay calm when dealing with her mother, father—even Lyra.
But standing in front of Arshley was a completely different story.
After all, this woman wasn't just anyone. She was a Saint—the leader of mankind.
And on top of that… she was their father's childhood friend and his younger sister.
As Charlotte recalled the reason their mother had forbidden them from meeting Arshley, the anxiety in her chest only grew.
Arshley didn't answer right away. She took a few slow steps forward and stopped right in front of Charlotte.
Then, under the weight of Charlotte's anxious and doubtful gaze, Arshley crouched down—and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"So, you're Charlotte, huh?" She said gently. "I'm Arshley—your father's childhood friend. Oh, and by the way… I'm also his wife. So from now on, you'll have to call me Mommy, okay?"
Her voice was gentle and full of affection.
Iris: "..."
Stella: "..."
Both stood frozen, too stunned to speak.
Their father's wife?
So she wasn't just his childhood friend and younger sister—but his wife too!?
"S-Saint Arshley? C-Can you let me go first?" Charlotte asked, panicked.
Arshley blinked, then quickly released her. With a soft smile, she reached out and gently patted Charlotte's head.
"I'm sorry, Charlotte. I got a little too excited and didn't realize I was hurting you. You're okay, right?"
Charlotte took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She nodded slowly.
"I… I'm fine, Saint Arshley," she replied politely, though her voice still trembled a little.
Arshley rolled her eyes, then gently pinched Charlotte's cheek.
"Don't call me Saint Arshley. Call me Mommy. Come on—say it."
Charlotte went silent, her hesitation clear on her face.
But Arshley didn't push her. She simply smiled warmly and said softly, "Didn't I tell you I'm also your father's wife? That means all of you are my children too."
She turned her affectionate gaze toward Fiona, Iris, and Stella.
"Um! Mommy Arshley is right, Sister!" Fiona chimed in, clenching her little fists in excitement. "She's our mom too, so let's call her Mommy!"
Charlotte shot her a sharp glance but didn't say anything. She just let out a quiet sigh.
If it weren't for this smelly girl, things probably wouldn't have gotten this complicated.
Still, she wasn't angry. After all, Arshley was their father's childhood friend—someone who would never hurt them.
Her body gradually began to relax. Then, looking up at Arshley with softened eyes, she whispered, "Mommy Arshley."
"Again!" Arshley squealed with delight.
"Mommy Arshley," Charlotte repeated, her voice steadier this time.
"Ahhh…" Arshley felt joy blooming in her chest. She turned to Iris and Stella with an eager smile. "What about you two?"
Iris and Stella exchanged glances, then softly called out in shy voices, "Mommy Arshley~"
"Again~!" Arshley urged playfully.
"Mommy Arshley!" They said it again, louder and more confident this time.
"Good!" Arshley cried joyfully. She kissed Charlotte's, Iris's, and Stella's cheeks one by one with deep affection.
The moment her lips touched their cheeks, their faces turned bright red with embarrassment.
They still hadn't fully processed everything—but one thing was clear: they could feel Arshley's warmth and genuine love… And that made them truly happy.
"By the way, my dears," Arshley said with a bright smile, "how about joining me for a walk around the capital? I've been wanting to get a closer look at the city. What do you think?"
The girls' eyes lit up instantly. Bursting with excitement, they raised their hands high and shouted in unison, "Let's go!"