Now that Fred had successfully completed it—and with such astonishing success—his plan could also be brought up with his father at an opportune moment.
Thinking this, Lacus's gaze shifted toward her father.
Bathed in the golden glow of the sunset, Siegel was staring at the report on the screen, his brows relaxed but his eyes wide open.
While satisfied with the test results, he was also deeply shocked by Fred's performance just moments ago.
"This phase of the plan is complete."
Meeting his daughter's gaze, Siegel slowly closed his eyes and sighed, his shoulders no longer held as high as usual.
Though he considered himself still in his prime, facing Fred's performance just now gave him a sense of growing old.
While Fred's abilities weren't yet excessively extraordinary, he was only a fourteen-year-old Natural.
The thought made Siegel's heart ache again.
"Mm, next is the matter regarding Creuset."
Lacus's gentle voice drew Siegel's attention back.
"Creuset..."
Hearing this, Siegel tapped his finger lightly on the steel table, the tapping sound adding a hint of tension to the previously relaxed atmosphere.
"Brother Fred is not someone who kills indiscriminately."
Knowing her father was conflicted, Lacus lowered her gaze and continued.
After all, promises made should be kept, and in Lacus's view, Fred was indeed trustworthy.
On the other side, hearing Lacus's words, Siegel slowly exhaled the breath he had just drawn into his chest.
Lacus had sharp intuition; if she said so, it was likely not mistaken.
The only question was how Fred would prove this matter.
"Patrick is probably still discussing MS matters with Fred right now. We'll talk to him in a few days."
Siegel said, temporarily settling the matter.
"Mm~"
Lacus offered no objection.
Given Fred's workload today, visiting him might disturb his rest.
Moreover, meeting him in person wouldn't be difficult.
After all, Fred's daily routine was quite simple.
He was either at home or outside piloting a Mobile Armor or Powered Armor.
And on the road, he was always reading.
To see Fred, they only needed to show up on the days he trained with the MS.
Besides, they had to visit the Plantation irregularly anyway, so it wouldn't be a waste of time.
If all else failed, she could always bring someone along~
The thought filled Lacus with a bit of anticipation.
Every time she saw Fred, it felt like they were one step closer to peace.
The pressure her mentor had placed on her—as if she were the key to peace—also eased considerably.
Thinking of her mentor, Lacus's eyes sparkled.
She wondered how her mentor would evaluate Fred. Perhaps she could arrange for them to meet.
He would likely become her ally.
But she realized this might have been the first time she had lied to her father.
Actually, if she had spoken directly, it probably wouldn't have been a big issue.
It just felt like it would make her actions seem too unconventional.
Perhaps it would worry Father, and make him wonder if I favored that person.
And under the current circumstances, if Father were to realize it, it would likely make him even more concerned.
For this companion she had acknowledged, Lacus believed she could offer some care.
"Speaking of which, the marriage law is about to be passed."
Siegel's words interrupted Lacus's deep contemplation.
"Father, is this truly necessary?"
Hearing this, Lacus's relaxed brows once again tightened into a frown.
"This will inevitably provoke backlash."
If this bill were passed, it would undoubtedly cause a backlash.
Moreover, was this bill truly about freedom?
Forcing others to choose their partners without freedom—this seemed excessive no matter how one thought about it.
Such a law, which felt like forcibly controlling emotions, made Lacus somewhat uncomfortable.
In her view, it shouldn't be this way.
"We must do this; otherwise, our population will only continue to decline."
Siegel sighed, his tone tinged with his own helplessness.
"..."
Lacus's cherry lips parted slightly.
She wanted to say that it wasn't necessary to enforce it so strictly—simply offering suggestions would suffice.
But seeing her father's expression, she held back.
In truth, her father's reasoning made sense, and she could understand it to some extent.
Even she couldn't think of any other way to increase the birth rate of Coordinators.
And she and her father might never walk entirely on the same path.
Yet, she herself didn't even know what direction she was heading in.
Perhaps only by gaining strength could she see the path ahead clearly.
Or perhaps, she could find some insight in that young brother.
"Moreover, we might also take this opportunity to probe Creuset further."
Unaware of Lacus's thoughts, Siegel calmly shifted the topic.
"Father, if we alert him..."
Lacus quickly interjected.
"It's fine. If he provides his genes at the Gene Screening Institute, we can naturally trace it. If he doesn't or provides false information, we can still investigate."
"He won't notice."
"Alright."
Lacus didn't continue to object.
Her father's reasoning was sound.
If they were to be exposed under such circumstances, they would have been exposed long ago during their previous investigations.
Fred's influence on her was perhaps too significant.
Lacus muttered to herself, while Siegel, seeing her seemingly troubled expression, clearly misunderstood.
At this moment, the father lost his usual sharpness when facing enemies and his gentleness when dealing with friends.
His eyes held only a father's tenderness and concern.
"What does Lacus think of Athrun?"
"Athrun..."
Hearing this, Lacus snapped back to attention, the confusion in her eyes quickly fading.
"...I'd like to think about it a little longer, if that's alright."
Lacus lowered her gaze and bowed her head. From Siegel's perspective, he could still see his daughter's soft, rosy cheeks, small and delicate, utterly endearing.
"Hmm... That's fine."
Siegel fell silent for a moment, then nodded as well.
They still had time.
For now, the neutral faction was still maintaining balance and mediating between the two sides.
With Fred potentially serving as a key balancing force in the future, there was no need to rush.
If the two sides fell out, this engagement would be meaningless.
If things hadn't deteriorated by then, they could revisit the matter later.
Hearing her father's words, Lacus felt the tension in her back ease slightly.
Originally, for the sake of balance, she should have agreed.
But...