"I was shocked and sad at first, but it quickly eased over," Hill said. "She asked us for help, and Coulson agreed to support her. He believes she has excellent potential."
"Coulson?"
Shen He raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected Coulson to take such a personal interest in Skye.
Then again, it was in line with Coulson's past instincts. Shen He looked over to the Black Bolt and added, "We also have an Inhuman who has yet to undergo Terrigenesis. She's the long-lost daughter of Jia Ying. Maybe we can reach her with… family."
Although in the original timeline Jia Ying had become a manipulative villain—even willing to kill her own daughter and die at her husband's hands in the end—that was a different future. One where none of them had interfered.
The world was already changing.
Black Bolt's expression darkened briefly before softening into solemnity. Since his brother Maximus's betrayal and eventual death, the concept of family had become bittersweet for him. It was also why he and Medusa had been considering having a child—to fill the void left behind.
"Then, you'll stay here for now," Shen He said with a gentle smile. "It'll give you a chance to acclimate to Earth's current state. I may get tied up with work soon, but if you need anything, just let me know."
"Thank you," Medusa replied in place of the silent king, bowing slightly before following Hill.
The atmosphere remained warm. The honeymoon period between Attilan and Chaldea was still going strong, strengthened by mutual trust and aligned goals.
After they left, Shen He sank back into his seat and turned to the glowing tablet. There were still countless documents waiting. Though he had left many responsibilities to Coulson, Shen He couldn't afford to be a mere figurehead—especially now, when so much of the future was in flux.
There was still plenty of intel in his head that hadn't been tapped into yet.
For instance—Skye's biological father, Cal Zabo, who currently ran a shady underground clinic, or the fact that one of Tony Stark's future rivals would soon develop the Extremis virus. Then there was the existence of the Masters of the Mystic Arts under the future Sorcerer Supreme. These key developments could be leveraged, especially now that manpower and support were no longer a limiting factor.
If properly developed, even something like the Extremis Virus could become a valuable asset in Chaldea's arsenal.
He was playing the long game. Testing what kind of ripple effects he could create in this Marvel Universe with the cards in his hand.
He didn't know how much time passed before Jeanne appeared silently behind him.
"Master, don't overwork yourself. It's already mealtime…"
"I didn't want to," Shen He said, standing and stretching. He casually dropped his hand onto her waist, pulling her gently toward him.
Jeanne still flushed, but she was getting used to his affectionate behavior. She cleared her throat with a mix of shyness and determination.
"This won't do. No matter how capable you are, you're still human. You need to eat and rest properly."
"I know, I'll behave."
Shen He grinned. There was something undeniably comforting about being fussed over like this.
"Oh, right," Jeanne said, as if just remembering, "the next summoning event is in two days, isn't it? Everyone's looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of new allies will emerge."
"That depends on whether luck's on my side."
By then, Shen He would have collected 40 more Summoning Stones. In total, he had a hundred.
That usually meant a guaranteed new instance—if not a new Servant. And even if the system didn't open a new mission, summoning new companions was essential. Training them would take time, and with Stark Tower's current construction pace, Loki's arrival was only a few months away.
"It'll be okay." Jeanne gently clasped his fingers. "We still have time."
"Then lend me a bit of your luck, Jeanne. Give me some of that classic 'European draw' power."
Jeanne froze slightly. Normally, she'd have bolted out of embarrassment. But she had been trying lately—learning to be a more responsive girlfriend, not just a bashful one. If she ran again, it would seem like she wasn't making progress.
Finally, she clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and closed her eyes with fluttering lashes, her face burning red.
——Why is she so adorable?
Shen He chuckled, brushing his fingers lightly along Jeanne's waist, taking a moment to admire her nervous, flushed expression. It was deeply satisfying—almost filling in for a meal.
And then—
Ahem.
A pointed cough sounded from the doorway. Jeanne instantly vanished like a fleeing spirit.
"…Rude," Shen He muttered, glancing at the intruder.
Two Ritsuka (Shiki) leaned against the doorframe, her usual deadpan expression in place. "Hey, I'm the victim here. Violet refused to eat without you and kept hounding me until I came to drag you back. If I hadn't interrupted when I did, we'd probably still be waiting."
Her tone was nonchalant, but it had that familiar dry sarcasm Shen He had grown used to.
Now that he thought about it, ever since confirming his relationship with Jeanne, he had been a little… showy. Affectionate in public, at any time or place. Yeah, maybe it was time to tone that down. Just a bit.
"Speaking of which," Shen He said, steering the conversation elsewhere as they walked, "didn't you say you wanted a kitten? Got a specific breed in mind?"
Shiki shook her head. "Forget it. I'd probably kill it."
"You don't need to worry about that," Shen He said softly. "We'll all be here. With so many people around, I'm sure we can protect one little furball. What about a Persian cat? They're calm, quiet, not too clingy. They're chill but affectionate in their own way. You wouldn't feel smothered."
She didn't respond immediately, just followed silently, as usual.
It was a passing comment she'd made while shopping. But Shen He had remembered it. Deep down, she didn't hate that kind of care. She had gotten used to it—perhaps even come to rely on it.
And the strangest part?
Wanting a kitten wasn't something from her past—not from the cold, blood-stained memories of the original Two Ritsuka.
It was a new desire.
A product of her experiences.
A feeling born from the life she was building now.
Which meant…
She was gradually filling the emptiness in her heart with quiet days and warm interactions. With affection, and connection.
With people like Shen He, Jeanne… and Violet.
Each meant something different to her. And she was starting to understand that she wanted those bonds.
"Hey, Shen He."
"Yeah?"
"Will you marry Jeanne one day?"
Shen He choked a little. "What's with the sudden question?"
"I just thought… if you're in love, you eventually start a family, right?"
There was uncertainty in her tone—genuine doubt.
Shen He saw her troubled expression and couldn't help but smile.
"Well, that depends on Jeanne. But for me? I already feel like this is a family."
It wasn't a full answer. Maybe even a cop-out.
But it was honest.
Still… if he didn't propose one day, wouldn't that make him kind of a scumbag?
Shiki thought that quietly, but didn't say it out loud.
She just couldn't picture what would happen after Shen He and Jeanne formed their little household.
Would there still be a place for her?
And what would their relationship look like then?
That was a question she didn't yet know how to answer.