From Kiana the Lord Ravager Onward: A Grand Fabricated History
Author: Better Hang Myself Than Write
The moment she heard that, Kiana's pupils contracted sharply.
Oh no.
How did I forget about that part?
Even though Cecilia's persona was supposed to be a loving mother by design, from Herta's point of view, this "mother" was still someone who had left her daughter sleeping on Jarilo for more than ten Amber Eras without ever showing up.
For the sake of laying groundwork for future fabricated history, Kiana felt she had to salvage Cecilia's reputation a little.
"Big Sister Herta, actually, Mom—"
"You don't need to defend her," Herta cut in, her tone carrying a trace of indignation.
"I may not be some model guardian, but at least the first thing I did after coming back was look for you. And what about her? More than ten Amber Eras have passed, and there's not even a shadow of her."
"When I found you, judging by the state you were in, you could have woken up early a long time ago."
"So if that woman never came looking for you, then either she's dead, or it makes no difference whether she is or not."
Kiana: "..."
Even though Herta was saying all this for her sake, Kiana still felt faintly offended somehow.
This misunderstanding had grown a little too big.
Kiana wanted to explain, but for a moment she genuinely had no idea how to begin.
Forget it. Let Herta have her prejudice. As long as it didn't interfere with recharging, it was fine.
Herta waved a hand, her expression easing somewhat.
"Forget it. Let's not talk about her."
"Now that you're here with me, I'll take good care of you. As for that Cecilia, if she's got any conscience at all, she'll come looking for you sooner or later."
"And when she does, I'd really like to ask her how she could leave her own daughter behind for so long."
Uh… was this Herta gearing up to stand up for her?
It was moving, sure, but why did this whole situation feel like it was getting weirder and weirder?
In the end, Kiana chose the safest possible response.
"Mhm. Big Sister Herta is the best."
That obedient little answer visibly brightened Herta's mood. She turned her face slightly and shot Ruan Mei a smug look full of triumph.
Ruan Mei expressionlessly looked away.
She suspected bugs had eaten Herta's brain.
Still, since Kiana had chosen Herta for now, she saw no need to rush.
In any case, she had already decided to stay at the space station for a while longer. There would be plenty of time to slowly get closer to this mysterious girl.
As for what came later?
There was time enough.
"Since Miss Kiana has already made her choice, I respect it."
"But Herta, don't forget the real business. I didn't come here just to watch you show off."
At those words, Herta finally remembered what she had come for in the first place.
...
...
"You call this real business?!"
In Herta's private laboratory, Herta was getting visibly heated as she stared at Ruan Mei, who was currently feeding Kiana snacks.
According to Ruan Mei, they were supposed to get on with serious work.
But what exactly was she doing right now?
Still unwilling to give up, was she?!
As for Ruan Mei, she acted as though she hadn't heard Herta at all. She calmly picked up another piece of pastry and held it out toward Kiana.
"Thank you, Big Sister Ruan Mei."
Kiana obediently accepted the pastry and took a small bite, her cheeks puffing up like a chipmunk's.
Seeing that, Ruan Mei's gaze softened slightly. She reached out and gently brushed away the crumbs at the corner of Kiana's mouth.
"Eat slowly. There's no rush."
"RUAN MEI!!!"
Herta finally snapped. Her heels pounded against the floor as she rushed over in three quick strides, grabbed both Kiana and her chair, and yanked them backward by half a meter.
"That's enough! She's my little girl, not your test subject!"
Ruan Mei slowly withdrew her hand, her tone flat.
"I'm only showing concern for her. Herta, you're overreacting."
"I'm overreacting?! Just now you were clearly—"
"Feeding her," Ruan Mei interrupted.
"Scientific research shows that moderate sugar intake helps ease tension. Since this is Miss Kiana's first time in the lab, she may not be used to it yet."
But Herta refused to let that pass.
"Then where's my share?"
After all, whenever Ruan Mei came to the space station before, those pastries had always been made for Herta.
And now?
Now there was nothing for her.
She was being maliciously bullied!
Sure enough, Ruan Mei still hadn't given up. She was clearly still trying to steal away her little girl through these petty little tricks!
Did she seriously think this kind of thing would work against her?
What a pipe dream!
At that, Ruan Mei finally shifted her attention away from Kiana and looked toward Herta.
To be honest, given how well she knew Herta, she could more or less guess what was running through Herta's mind right now.
Unfortunately, Herta had probably only guessed half of it.
Now that Kiana had clearly chosen Herta, Ruan Mei naturally wasn't going to keep shamelessly pressing the girl to leave with her.
That would be graceless, and more than a little sore-loser behavior.
The reason she was acting like this now really was because she wanted to win Kiana over.
Because even if she did wait here at Herta's side until that Emanator of Abundance finally arrived—then what?
She wasn't familiar with Cecilia at all.
And why should Cecilia cooperate with her?
So Ruan Mei had decided to start with the daughter instead.
As long as she built a good relationship with Kiana first, then when Cecilia finally appeared, she would naturally have a much better chance.
As for Herta?
Toward her old friend, Ruan Mei could only offer an apology.
And to be fair, the fact that she hadn't prepared Herta's portion of pastries wasn't because she was petty and trying to retaliate.
She had done it for Kiana too.
Because only this kind of differentiated treatment would make Kiana feel how special she was in Ruan Mei's eyes.
That was the little cleverness of a genius.
Watch and learn.
And Herta had finally had enough.
She dragged Kiana's chair several meters farther back, then planted herself squarely between Kiana and Ruan Mei, hands on hips, glaring down at Ruan Mei.
"Ruan Mei, do you think I'm stupid?"
Ruan Mei looked innocent. "Why would I?"
"Then do you think I can't tell what you're trying to do?"
"Then shall I apologize?"
"I don't need one!"
And so, with Herta laying down the final word, this farce—which wasn't quite a farce—finally came to an end.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 150)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 110)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter69)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter95)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 55
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 40
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 45
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 32
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 31
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 31
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