The air conditioning, it's better to let him enjoy the warmth of the air conditioner.

Phoenix Academy Maggie picked up her phone, her thumb quickly tapping out a message, "Kasai Rinkai Park, I heard the ecosystem there has improved, and marine fish have increased."

"The time is set at eight in the morning, we'll meet at the park entrance."

"Okay."

Seeing Aozawa's reply, the lines on Phoenix Academy Maggie's cheek softened a bit.

Even she was unaware of the change in her expression upon receiving a message from Aozawa.

Miwa Kazuki, sitting in the driver's seat, saw it clearly.

Looking at the young lady's expression, it's not just somewhat like; it's 100% the look of a girl in love.

Who is the other person?

Given his position, it's probably not appropriate to ask such questions.

Should he report to the Mrs.?

The thought flashed through Miwa Kazuki's mind, but he chose to suppress it.

If he reported to the Mrs., it might anger the young lady, possibly losing his job.

It's better to act as if he didn't see or notice anything.

He doesn't believe the young lady is the type of person to associate with just anyone.

Miwa Kazuki drove back to the Imperial Palace, heading straight to the North Wing of Honmaru Palace.

Aside from attending school, Phoenix Academy Maggie always had breakfast and dinner with her mother.

Meanwhile, she reported information from the Imperial Court Retainers or discussed international and business matters.

Thanks to her status as a Treasure User, Phoenix Academy Maggie was no longer in the past position where she could only listen without being able to do anything.

Now, her opinions and decisions greatly influence Kochou's decisions.

The more this was the case, the less Phoenix Academy Maggie wanted to express her opinions on matters.

Because she realized that as she became stronger, her mother's position naturally weakened.

Even if there were no apparent abnormalities on the surface.

Phoenix Academy Maggie could still detect the crack emerging between mother and daughter in private.

Perhaps this is the sorrow of a Prime Minister's family.

The still young Kochou clearly has no intention of relinquishing power or retreating to a secondary position.

Fortunately, Phoenix Academy Maggie wasn't too obsessed with power.

Her concession prevented the situation from becoming ugly.

Phoenix Academy Maggie looked out the window as the car stopped at the entrance of Honmaru Palace.

Someone immediately stepped forward to open the car door.

Phoenix Academy Maggie got out of the car and noticed Miwa Kazuki furrowing his brow, evidently displeased that someone had usurped his authority to open the door.

For most people, even the smallest power cannot be allowed to slip from their hands.

It's better with Aozawa and Nomura.

Phoenix Academy Maggie sighed inwardly as she walked toward Honmaru Palace, disliking the surrounding undercurrents.

She wasn't incapable of dealing with it; she simply couldn't tolerate this atmosphere spreading among family.

Miwa Kazuki followed closely behind.

...

Inside Honmaru Palace, the clock promptly chimed, indicating it was time to dine.

Kochou set aside the file in her hand without continuing to deal with it.

Today is different from the past.

In the past, she could let Phoenix Academy Maggie wait for her, even sending someone to inform her that she needn't wait to dine together, and that she could eat alone.

Back then, she was in a strong position.

Even dining together.

Initially, it was out of a thought that, as Dio's friend, she could possibly be possessed or killed.

Now it's different.

Now, more of it is to maintain the relationship.

Kochou excels at intrigue, and precisely because she puts so much thought into it, she's accustomed to thinking a lot about many things.

Far less straightforward than others.

Between mother and daughter, it's supposed to be a very normal relationship.

In her eyes, it must be stratified into superior and subordinate.

Strength and weakness must be clear.

Even if a daughter being excellent is good.

But being too excellent would make her as a mother feel a bit pressured.

Or say, threatened.

Even someone as dangerous as Phoenix Academy Maggie, there are several similar in Tokyo, but those people don't have relationships as close as Kochou's.

They wouldn't interfere much in Kochou's doings.

If you can't see them, you can pretend they don't exist.

Phoenix Academy Maggie is different.

Due to habits cultivated since early years, Kochou often discusses various matters with her daughter.

If she refused to disclose such matters because Phoenix Academy Maggie became a Treasure User, it would appear too stiff.

If she explained them too clearly, she'd have to worry about Phoenix Academy Maggie possibly opposing or proposing other opinions.

Kochou couldn't casually say, with a smile to her daughter, "You're still young," and gloss over things like before.

The power and status Phoenix Academy Maggie possesses are enough to impact her decisions.

Kochou had to admit that she seemed unable to accept without any resentment the fact that her daughter surpassed her.

There was always a thorn in her heart.

She greatly wanted to maintain her dignity as a mother but lacked the actual power.

Kochou took a deep breath, got up, and walked toward the Prime Minister's Office outside.

...

The western room of the North Wing in Honmaru Palace was converted into a dining room by the servants.

Phoenix Academy Maggie pushed open the door, warm light fell upon the table.

Tonight it's obviously French cuisine, with the renowned French-style baked snails, whose shells had been removed by the kitchen beforehand.

Such retention of snail shells is suited for restaurants.

For dishes like these eaten at home, they don't need to be too aesthetically pleasing, focusing more on the convenience of eating.

Kochou smilingly said, "Maggie, sit down."

"Yes."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded.

Miwa Kazuki was tactful and stepped forward to pull out a chair for her, letting her sit down, and then chose to retreat outside at Kochou's prompting glance.

Leaving only the mother and daughter to catch up.

"Maggie, how was your day at school today?"

Kochou began to care about Phoenix Academy Maggie's life at school.

To be honest, Phoenix Academy Maggie felt uncomfortable.

If her mother was asking these matters out of genuine care, Phoenix Academy Maggie would naturally be happy to talk about them.

But having that intention to draw closer by saying these kinds of things felt a bit deliberate.

Even if her mother's expression and tone were clever, like an ordinary mother asking about her daughter's life.

Yet Phoenix Academy Maggie, having grown up with her mother's teachings, couldn't see her mother's true intentions?

Seeing through is one thing; revealing it is another.

Phoenix Academy Maggie chose not to see through her mother's intentions and spoke happily about the things happening at school.

Simply omitting the emotional exchanges with Aozawa.

She didn't want her mother to know about the complex relationship between her and Aozawa just yet.

It's not that she's afraid her mother would oppose their relationship, knowing Aozawa had multiple romantic involvements.

Rather, she knows clearly, once Aozawa shows his value, her mother might rush to urge her to formalize the relationship.

She might even be eager for her to have children with Aozawa's bloodline.

He's the only Angel Envoy outside of Dio, after all.

...

"It's good as long as you enjoy yourself at school."

Kochou chatted while eating, seeing the school matters being finished, she switched to discussing some international matters, "Recently, I've received some tidbits."

"Zionist people are arriving in Tokyo, their target is meeting the Prime Minister Julia who will be visiting Tokyo next Monday."

"You should have the Imperial Court Retainers collect relevant news on the streets."

"I also need to consider how to handle security work."

"Mother, let me handle the security."

Phoenix Academy Maggie took on the task of bodyguard.

A nation's prime minister being assassinated in another nation is no minor matter.

It's not just killing Julia, but also undermining Japan's dignity.

With her protection, Julia's safety is ensured.

Kochou pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, Julia wants to use this opportunity to fish and conduct a purge of domestic forces."

"Thus, you have to disguise yourself and avoid revealing your identity for now."

"Let's see if you can lure the enemy out."

"Eliminating them would also be beneficial to us, at least we wouldn't worry about the Middle East's situation changing."

"Okay."

Phoenix Academy Maggie nodded, continuing to eat the Australian lobster on her plate.

Kochou couldn't adapt to such silence.

She used to be indifferent; now she doesn't want the dining table to become awkwardly quiet, wanting to chat until the meal ends.

This way, Kochou can avoid the awkwardness bubbling up in her heart.

Thus, Kochou brought up Emily's matter, "The director of Institute No. 47 was poisoned at Haneda International Airport..."

"Mm."

Phoenix Academy Maggie responded casually, preferring the quietness of the past.

They're mother and daughter, is there a need to adopt such an external method to communicate?

She felt a bit tired.