From the return from Thousand Peaks, for the next two years, Jun poured all his passion into the revival of the Lee Clan. Building relationships with various powers in the star systems, reclaiming the clan's old assets, and generously investing the capital from Jun and Eda's Lumen caves, the Lee Clan was able to restore its former glory within those two years. However, the growth did not stop there. The graph continued to show an upward trend. Laughter never left the lips of the people living within the clan.
Eda became increasingly intertwined with the Lee Clan. Over the two years, she provided guidance on the clan's decisions and built relationships with the people. Gradually, she started participating in determining the clan's major and minor policies, and it became natural for her to confirm decisions.
"Where is Lady Eda? I need to confirm something related to the trade with New Iran."
"Lady Eda? She was observing the training of the new runners. Oh, after that, she took a few administrators and went to the market to conduct a price survey."
"Really? Well, then I'll have to wait. But, by the way..."
"Yes?"
"Since when did it become natural to confirm things with Lady Eda?"
"Umm... Good question. Well... does it really matter? She's smart and wise, and considering her relationship with the young clan master, it should be okay."
Moreover, Eda dealt with the few who felt aversion to her through proper channels. The most significant reason for their aversion was the fact that she was a witch and that her master was a Red Grant. She openly disclosed everything about her master to the clan, from what happened during the war to the Red adopting her after the war for interstellar plant trade, and the philosophy and teachings she received from Red.
Red Grant was known as the most fearsome witch during the war, but her activities after the war were mostly unknown. Therefore, Eda's revelations were a fresh shock to the entire Lee Clan. No one had expected her to be involved in the lumen plant transport business for medicinal purposes.
Similarly, Red's philosophy was in line with this. Eda copied and distributed a book about the new era witch. Red Reflections: Witches & War. Which had been circulated among some witches. Those who read it were once again surprised by Red's post-war activities. The content was much more wholesome than they had expected, and there were similarities to the teachings passed down from the East Ocean.
Smiling at questions about that part, Eda replied, "In any case, good intentions tend to resonate. I'm glad that my master's philosophy aligns well with the teachings from the East Ocean."
Even the few individuals, including Jang, who initially disliked her eventually surrendered. They came forward publicly, knelt before her, apologized, and offered to resign from their positions, taking responsibility. Jang, in particular, apologized to her in front of everyone.
"Lady Eda, I'm truly, deeply sorry for everything. I have no excuses for attempting to slander you. I will take responsibility and step down. Please show mercy to others..."
Eda, in turn, forgave them, but it wasn't without conditions.
"Please get up. I wasn't affected at all. If you feel sorry towards me, then demonstrate that by working even harder for Jun. Taking responsibility isn't about resigning; it's about acknowledging your mistakes, embrace yourself, and working even harder to make amends. That, in my opinion, is the true way of taking responsibility."
Eda's modesty, combined with her warm words, dispelled any remaining doubts in Jang and his associates. Jang felt ashamed for having viewed her with a twisted mindset until now. Subsequently, he was deeply moved by her. He thought to himself, "Indeed, there must be a reason why the next clan master chose her," and they exclaimed.
"...We will follow the orders of Lady of the house!"
"What? What did you say?"
Around the time when it had been a year since Jun's return to the Lee Clan, Remi successfully gained admission to a prestigious university in another star system. It was considered one of the best in the galaxy, especially in the field of engineering, ensuring a bright future upon graduation. Interestingly, Remi had achieved such high scores in the entrance exams that she almost didn't need a recommendation letter. On the day she received her acceptance letter, a celebration erupted in the clan. It was more like a festival than a party.
On that night, when usually the stars would twinkle and illuminate everyone beneath them, it was different. The clan's main residence was ablaze with lights and energy, as if determined to turn night into day. The clan's courtyard was adorned with sparkling decorations, and tables were laden with drinks and food. People were dancing, making noise, and thoroughly enjoying the present.
Jun and Eda initially intended to throw a party to celebrate Remi's success, but it somehow evolved into a festival. The clan's main gate was wide open, allowing ordinary citizens to join in. The clan headquarters accommodated more people than usual. Thanks to this, the guards and guardians were on the verge of exhaustion, but deep down, they were also celebrating Remi's achievement.
"Now, let's give a round of applause for our clan's pride!"
With a face flushed from the abundant drinks, Jun shouted. As soon as he finished, everyone clapped and cheered.
"Remi! Remi! Remi!"
"So smart! So cute!"
"Wow!"
However, Remi herself couldn't lift her face.
"Uh..."
The ladies who had been trying to put teddy bear pajamas on her finally succeeded. Remi, in golden teddy bear pajamas matching her hair color, tried to take them off as soon as they were put on. However, even Eda found her attire incredibly cute, so they agreed she would wear them for just one day. Remi, despite feeling embarrassed, didn't seem to hate the pajamas too much. It was just that this type of embarrassment was unfamiliar to her, and she was trying to avoid it in any way possible.
"This is hell... Excidium's underworld..."
"Why~ It's so cute."
As Remi, the star of the party, kept lowering her head, looking like she wanted to sink through the floor, the tipsy Eda came over and hugged her tightly. Both of their faces were turning red, but Remi's embarrassment was due to shyness, while Eda's was due to overindulgence. Eda, who had drunk excessively, leaned her face against Remi's cheek, almost losing her senses.
"Our smart Remi... What should I do when you're this adorable? Huh?"
"Uh, Eddie. You are drunk. Hey, Jun. Can you take her away..."
Unfortunately for Remi, Eda wasn't the only one who overindulged.
"Huh? Why? Eda likes ittt, you knowuu."
Jun, not entirely sober, slurred his words. Remi fell into despair.
"...You've never been helpful, ever!"
"Hehe. It's been a while sinceee, I heard that kind of comment from youuu. How about taking a picture together with Edaaa?"
Jun, who had brought a camera from somewhere, tried to take a picture of the bear-clad Remi and Eda in an embrace. Remi protested with a glow.
"Hey, hey! Stop!"
"All right, I'm taking ittt. Three, two..."
"Just a moment! If you're going to take a picture, wouldn't it be better if all three of you were in it?"
Suddenly, a man wearing a black hat appeared from the side, took the camera from Jun, and suggested taking a photo of all three. Jun, looking confused, glanced at the man, and shrugged.
"Hmm? You... seem familiar from somewhereee. Well, whateverrr... Take a good shot."
Handing the camera to the man in the black hat, Jun turned back and continued to embrace Remi. As Remi struggled, unable to resist Jun's strong arms, she turned to the man in the black hat with pleading eyes.
"Wait, wait, wait! Just a moment. Please! Don't take it!"
"Come on, get ready. Three, two, one, click!"
As the night of madness passed and the next morning arrived, Jun, holding onto his splitting headache from the hangover, checked the messages. And just like that, the hangover seemed to vanish all at once.
[Sender: Dan dan
Receiver: Jun jun
Date: 8536
Title: Yesterday was fun.
My friend Jun, yesterday was truly enjoyable. Honestly, it seems like interesting things happen when you're around. It was my first time participating in such a chaotic festival, but I discovered there's a unique kind of fun that only comes from that kind of mess. How about making it an annual event?
I went to congratulate your friend Remi, who seemed to be achieving good results based on my recommendation, and unexpectedly, I had such a good time. You three really seem to get along well, huh?
I'm attaching the photos I took. And from now on, try to drink moderately.
Crown prince Dan
East Ocean Empire imperial, Regent]
/
8538, Galactic Calendar
After Jun returned to the East Ocean, two and a half years later, he officially became the 17th clan master of the Lee Clan. The crown prince attended his clan ascension ceremony.
8539, Galactic Calendar
Under the leadership of the Lee Clan, new economic agreement was signed between Thousand Peaks and the East Ocean. Thanks to Jun and Eda's persuasion of the high-ranking members of the Lumen Association, resources in a form untouched by United Mining flowed into Thousand Peaks. Although the East Ocean still held resentment, the atmosphere was favorable among the people of Thousand Peaks who disliked United Mining even more. In the position of needing to prevent it, United Mining became entangled in a power struggle initiated by the chairman and failed to respond adequately.
When Eda and Jun visited Thousand Peaks, they tried to find information about the Phoenix just in case. However, nothing came up.
Meanwhile, the Emperor of the East Ocean failed to wake up from a comatose state and passed away. The crown prince inherited everything.
8540, Galactic Calendar
Lee became the 3rd East Ocean clan, promoting it to 2nd rank nobility. Everyone in the East Ocean began to suspect the collaborative relationship between the new emperor and the Lee Clan, but they were powerless against the formidable emperor and the vast wealth of the Lee Clan.
The Lee Clan began to enter its golden age, receiving proposals for marriage alliances from noble families and interstellar megacorporations across the galaxy. Jun rejected all of them, instead introducing his counterpart Zhen. Zhen met a young lady among them, and after getting to know her, he informed Jun that he intended to pursue a relationship with her. Jun did not interfere in any way.
Eda's throat condition gradually improved. The six marks on her neck were fading. Despite visiting various hospitals, the cause of her improving condition remained a mystery. Whether it was the Lee Clan-owned hospital or consulting with the best doctors in the East Ocean, they couldn't pinpoint the reason.
"Lady Eda, with all due respect, our facilities cannot conduct further examinations. There is a hospital in New Iran with doctors renowned as the galaxy's foremost authorities on neck-related issues. Perhaps you might consider going there."
"Hmm... I'll think about it."
However, Eda didn't explore other hospitals beyond that point. She mentioned that since her condition wasn't deteriorating and seemed to be improving, there seemed to be no need to fuss over it, and she decided against further investigations.
One day, while having lunch with clan members, someone pointed out the vocalizer around her neck.
"Lady Eda, it seems like you haven't replaced the vocalizer battery for a long time. Are you okay?"
"Oh? This? You're right. Since coming to the East Ocean, my throat condition seems to be improving. With the usage decreasing, the intervals for battery replacement have been getting longer. Hmm, should I try going without it from tomorrow, except for once?"
The next day, after saying those words, Eda removed the vocalizer and spent a day without it. While she couldn't make loud noises, everyday conversations posed no significant issues.
The members of the Lee Clan fully embraced Eda as one of their own. Particularly, Jang's group, who used to dislike her the most, became her close aide. As they got to know Eda's personality and abilities, the prejudice against her as a witch turned out to be unfounded. Everyone viewed her as a beautiful, sincere, wise, and experienced individual, not to mention the lover of the clan master, Jun.
While they didn't publicly announce their romantic relationship, everyone, including Remi, who was studying in another star system, assumed it to be the case. Since Eda and Jun neither confirmed nor denied it when asked, the assumption only strengthened.
One day, during a meeting where Jun took a break while Eda was out, a clan member approached him and asked, "May I inquire about the marriage plans, clan master?"
Jun responded somewhat flustered, "M-marriage? There aren't any specific plans yet."
The clan member, with a puzzled expression, asked, "Really? Isn't Lady Eda here? Perhaps a celebration could be arranged as soon as tomorrow..."
"Ahem. Let's discuss that later. Instead, let's continue discussing the investment in equipment for the Thousand Peaks runners. I've tried it myself, but the runners in Thousand Peaks lack quality equipment at reasonable prices. If we could provide them with good-quality equipment at a fair price..."
There was an incident involving Eda as well, when she needed reference material. After asking a clan member next to her to fetch the necessary data, an interesting exchange occurred. The clan member Eda asked for help was a young female, but it was Jang who brought the requested information.
"Lady of the house, I've brought the information you requested. Since I happened to be on my way, I brought it instead of the friend you entrusted with the task."
"Oh, thank you. But why do you address me as 'Lady of the house'? You have been calling me that for a while now."
"Well, isn't it because you'll be the one to celebrate the wedding ceremony with the clan master?"
"Huh? Oh, that..."
Whether Eda was embarrassed or unable to answer due to the awkwardness of the situation, Jang continued speaking.
"Although it hasn't happened yet, it wouldn't be strange to address you that way considering you'll be the one in the future."
"…Just call me by my name."
"Yes, Lady Eda."
8540, Galactic Calendar
Remi graduated from university with excellent grades. Although United Mining extended a scout offer to her, Remi reportedly responded with some abuse and did not look back. Instead, she considered pursuing graduate studies. She told Jun that she wanted to explore further studies.
When Remi returned to the Lee Clan, a festive atmosphere reminiscent of her enrollment celebration erupted once again. Female clan members, who had missed her teddy bear pajamas, attempted the same prank. However, this time, Remi anticipated it and soared into the sky with a jetpack she claimed to have made in a university club, successfully evading them all night.
However, as a consequence, Remi flying in the night sky was captured on video and uploaded to the interstellar video platform, L-Tube, with the title "Flying Teddy Bear." The video recorded billions of views. Eda barely managed to stop Remi, who was threatening to blow up the L-Tube server after seeing the video.
Remi didn't have immediate plans to attend graduate school, so she decided to take a break at the Lee Clan and explore her options. Meanwhile, Jun, acknowledging the hard work they had all put in, planned a vacation for himself, Eda, and Remi. Using Remi's graduation trip as an excuse to take a brief break.
They chose a planetary beach in a star system famous for its resort-like atmosphere. The location was renowned for its undeveloped natural environment, where eight out of the twelve months in the standard universal unit of time boasted sunny weather, warmth, and the ripening of sweet fruits. Additionally, it was a place where naturally occurring bioluminescent plankton emitted a beautiful blue glow every night. However, the remaining four months brought storms and tidal waves, requiring careful management.
The beach that the Lee Clan acquired six months ago was yet to be opened, especially during the four stormy months it faced. To test and explore the area before its official opening, Eda, Jun, and Remi decided to take a 4-night, 5-day vacation there. However, Jun had an even greater purpose in mind.