Just after a simple inspection, as Fred was about to lead the others inside, he was stopped by a loud call from behind.
"Freed!?"
"Miss Imanla."
Fred nodded at the colleague before him who was both familiar and somewhat unfamiliar.
Imanla looked at Fred and smiled, about to go up and catch up, when she noticed the pink-haired girl beside Fred.
Instantly, her smile froze on her face.
Although the guards didn't recognize Lacus, Imanla certainly knew her boss's daughter.
Because of this, Imanla was clearly startled, her mouth hanging open wide, adding a touch of dazedness to her otherwise elegant demeanor.
Why was Lacus here, and with Fred of all people? Surely it couldn't be...
No, that couldn't be right.
She had that intention, but the princess was only a few years old.
How could that be possible?
Still, it seemed Fred was becoming increasingly important to the Clyne Faction.
Imanla naturally had no idea about the recent upheaval Fred had caused.
Nor did she know the reasons behind it.
But that didn't stop her from piecing together clues to understand Fred's current situation.
Thinking this, Imanla's beautiful eyes shone even brighter as she looked at Fred.
"Miss Imanla, hello."
Noticing Imanla's gaze, Lacus smiled knowingly and took the initiative to greet her.
"Miss Lacus."
Imanla glanced at the oblivious guards nearby and didn't reveal the girl's identity.
"Hmm~"
"Mr. Fred~ Let's find time to have a meal together sometime~"
Without saying much more to the princess, Imanla quickly shifted her focus back to Fred.
She wasn't familiar with Lacus; compared to the princess, Fred was clearly her target.
Moreover, flirting with Fred in front of Lacus was essentially showing her boss that she was working diligently.
Whether Lacus thought so or not, that was Imanla's current mindset.
"Perhaps when there's a chance."
Fred's response was essentially the same as "next time for sure."
Imanla didn't seem upset, as she had already anticipated this answer.
"Then next time it is~"
Imanla waved her hand in farewell.
With outsiders present, there wasn't much need for further conversation among them.
After this brief interlude, Fred and the others officially entered the Plantation.
"I didn't expect Brother Fred to be quite popular here."
Lacus teased, looking at Fred with a smile.
Fred could tell at a glance that her mischievous side was acting up again.
He could only shake his head with a wry smile.
"Yes, thanks to all of you."
Fred didn't hide the fact that he had noticed their identities.
In his view, there was nothing to conceal; the Clyne Faction likely hadn't intended to keep it a secret anyway.
Hearing Fred's words, Lacus chuckled knowingly.
"I heard Father only asked her to gather intelligence, not to do this."
Lacus also felt that Fred indeed had that kind of charm.
After all, at his age, with such talent and personality.
He was undeniably likable.
As for Fred seeing through them, that was somewhat surprising.
However, the boy was sharp and observant, so while this outcome was beyond Lacus's expectations, she wasn't too shocked.
Fred simply smiled and moved past the topic.
He still had plenty to do.
And he had no intention of finding a partner to settle down with just yet.
With this Golden Finger, living a long life shouldn't be a problem—there was still plenty of time.
"What are Fred's family like?"
As Fred's villa came into view in the distance, Lacus blinked curiously and asked.
"They're all good people."
According to the plot, they weren't really bad people either. The reason for their intense hostility was partly due to being misled by Blue Cosmos, and perhaps there were other reasons as well.
But with Fred's arrival, everything had changed.
The future had undoubtedly shifted as well, just like Creuset's death.
So, he said this with complete confidence.
"I see."
Lacus tilted her head.
It felt like he had said something rather obvious.
She had been asking about any taboos.
But if they were good people, she probably just needed to act as she normally would.
Confident in her own cuteness and charm, Lacus set aside the small worry in her heart.
Meanwhile, Alec, following behind, watched the two ahead with a slight smirk.
He wondered how Flay, a brother-obsessed girl, would feel seeing a girl her own age coming along.
But it probably wasn't his concern...
Well, he was just responsible for security, after all.
As they chatted, the group quickly arrived at Fred's doorstep.
"Brother~!"
As soon as she heard the door open, Flay came bouncing to the entrance, followed closely by a black Haro, which also hopped along, looking rather endearing.
But before her smile could fully bloom and she could throw herself into her brother's arms, Flay caught sight of the pink-haired girl.
Seeing this, Flay abruptly stopped in her tracks.
She then grabbed Fred's arm and shyly hid behind the boy.
Flay wasn't as complicated as Alec had imagined—her first reaction was simply shyness.
After all, she only acted that way around her brother.
Now, seeing not only Lacus but several adults behind Fred, it was no wonder she felt shy.
As for jealousy, Flay, who currently felt she was living a happy life, didn't feel any at all.
This was one of the changes Fred had brought to Flay.
Different childhood experiences could completely change a person.
If Flay had once been jealous and constantly comparing herself to others due to a lack of affection in a single-parent household, now, with parents and a brother, she had developed a gentler and softer heart.
As for why her brother had brought back such a pretty girl after just going out, Flay was, of course, still curious.
"Haro?"
The Haro that Athrun had sent over tilted its head as it looked at the unexpected guest.
It was quite adorable, drawing Lacus's gaze from Flay to the round little machine.
"Let me introduce everyone."
Fred affectionately and longingly patted Flay's little head before continuing.
"This is Lacus Clyne, who will be staying with us for a few days."
"And this is my sister, Flay, and the robot Haro."
Fred quickly introduced both parties.
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