Simon gazed lovingly at Gloria and the two were in their own world for a while before Simon broke the momentum, saying, "Since you have agreed. I need to call clan leader Xander's secretary and tell him the news."
When she heard that, she knew that it was time to leave the study, so she readily agreed without any qualms.
"Okay. I will leave you to it, then," she said smilingly as she stood up.
Simon smiled at her gratefully and said, "I will join you in a moment. Wait for me, okay!"
"Um. I will!"
After that, Gloria left the study and nodded at John, who entered the study as she left.
She didn't know what they were going to talk about but when she thought that she would be leaving the clan for a while, leaving her husband, sister, parents and the others, her mood plummeted.
'Sia, should still be outside, right?' she thought as she made her way out of the house, thinking about her little sister, who informed her of her husband's arrival earlier.
Thinking about Sia, a smile blossomed on her face. Sia was a blessing and like a child to her. When she was born, it took her parents seven more years before they finally conceived and gave birth to Sia.
She would be turning twenty-one in two weeks and her birthday would coincide with the annual gala where several clans would gather, mingle and make connections.
These galas were perfect for mingling and forming connections. Some of the members even used that chance to seek partners and form intermarriages between clans. That was another reason why such galas were organized for in the first place.
At the thought of her younger sister meeting her soulmate, if the deities above grant her that chance. After all, love comes unexpectedly, Gloria was very happy. She also found love, and being with Simon brought her a lot of joy.
"Good day, matriarch!"
"Hello, how are you?"
"You look stunning and rosy!"
"Haha, this is the blessings of the deities. Have you, by any chance, seen where my sister is?"
"Oh~ Sia! I think she is at the playground. I saw her a while ago heading that way!"
When Gloria heard that, she thanked the other party before walking on the gravel road heading towards where the playground was.
The Willow clan house, where the matriarch and patriarch live, is in the woods, close to Millstone town where the rest of the clan members live amongst others. They have been living in town for centuries and took root there.
At the clan house, there were still other members who lived nearby, and it was these members who had children that were playing at the playground.
While the children play, the adults would be guarding on the side. After all, it wasn't wise to leave children unattended. What if they are kidnapped and trafficked?
It hasn't been peaceful lately.
It didn't take that long before Gloria started hearing the children playing and the laughter of adults which soothed her heart, especially thinking about how there was no such laughter previously when they were suffering from the numerous attacks which nearly crippled the clan as a whole.
As she approached the playground, her clear eyes spotted Sia who was busy playing with a few children, giggling and playing slide with them.
Seeing her so happy and carefree, Gloria was reminded of the choice that she had just made when she was with her husband.
She wanted to see her baby sister living like this until she was old and buried. She didn't want to see her worried about food, wars, and other issues.
Her parents were very close to the former clan leader who unfortunately died because of an illness. His mother couldn't accept his death and became religious. She was now living in a temple, praying to the deities every day.
Due to the relationship between her parents and Simon, Gloria got the chance to play with Simon. That's how they became childhood sweethearts in the first place.
When she was eight years old, her mother gave birth to Sia and from there on, she was the apple of her eye. Her mother's health deteriorated after giving birth to Sia, and with her father being henpecked, he put more focus on her. As a result, Sia was literally raised by her and Simon, plus the several nannies.
To her, Sia wasn't just a little sister, but the daughter she raised. For her, she was willing to walk through ice and fire. Just like she would do for her husband. Those two meant so much to her, more than anyone else.
The moment she stepped into the playground, Gloria was spotted, and these kids cheerfully called to her.
"Matriarch!"
"Sis!"
All kinds of greetings welcomed her. She couldn't help but chuckle heartily as she picked a little girl from the ground and held her.
Gloria loved children a lot, to be honest. Unfortunately, her fate for the moment didn't allow her to conceive. There have been no signs in the six years she had been married. They went to the hospital and had extensive examination and yet no problems were found.
Since they were both fine, they could only leave it to fate.
What more could she do when they have tried their best?
Gloria played with the few children as she chatted briefly with the adults, who were watching over the kids before she left with Sia.
"Sis, is there anything bothering you?" Sia, seeing that her sister didn't exactly look right, asked worriedly, her brows furrowed.
Gloria faintly smiled as she looked ahead and responded, "I might have to leave the pack for a while!"
"Huh~ what do you mean, sis?" Sia exclaimed as she nudged Gloria's arm forcing the other to look at her.
Sia looked at her sister with a puzzled expression, not understanding what Gloria was saying at all.
Gloria, seeing her expression, felt stuffy and her heart ached. But when she thought of the reason why she was doing all that, she forced a smile on her face and answered, "You know how your sister is good with flowers. There is somewhere I am needed to deal with the gardens. Once that is over, I will return!" without revealing the heart of the matter.
Sia's expression softened when she heard that and a smile blossomed on her face, saying, "I knew it! One day sister will be acknowledged and go far. Can you see it now?" her tone was boastful and filled with pride.
Seeing that prideful face, Gloria's gloominess vanished and felt much better. Her little sister had always looked up to her and kept on encouraging her, even when she was down.
That's why she liked Sia a lot. She was her sunshine, that warms her all the time.
"I believe you now!" Gloria acquiescingly said, agreeing to Sia.
Seeing the other happy made her happier.
"I am happy for you, sis. But ... if you leave, aren't you afraid that brother-in-law might ….. no, there is no way that he can do something like that, right?"
However, Sia's remarks afterwards dampened her mood as her mind was put to work.
Her brows furrowed as she looked at Sia, stopping in the middle of the road, surrounded by dry trees which could fall down with a single push. There was nothing amusing about the scenery at all.
Sia, upon realizing that she might have spoken out of turn, covered her mouth guiltily and looked at her sister apologetically, tears pooling in her eyes.
How could she utter such things loudly like that?
Gloria, seeing her sister panicking and with a guilt-ridden expression, softened as she looked at her and responded, "Your brother-in-law is different from other men. If he had such thoughts, he would have divorced me by now. But see, Aren't I here, now?" defending Simon against such allegations though her heart was wavering.
After all, just like her, Simon loved children a lot. Wouldn't it be unfair to him to spend so many years without holding one?
"Besides, who else in the town is more beautiful than me? There is no way an ordinary woman would snatch him away from me!" she was that confident and didn't mind boasting about it to Sia.
Her qualifications might seem lacking to other people, but when it comes to face value, no one could beat her. She was very confident when it comes to beauty.
They were siblings. What was there not to share?