The Retired Young Mercenary Is Secretly a Billionaire

"Haiya!"

Ivy tightened her small fists and punched straight into the air.

Clarissa stood several steps in front of her with her arms folded.

"More pressure."

Ivy immediately adjusted.

Clarissa pointed toward her shoulders.

"And keep your body straight."

Ivy straightened her back.

"Yes, Master!"

She punched again.

"Haiya!"

Clarissa nodded.

"Better."

Another punch.

Then another.

Ivy’s little face had become completely serious.

Sweat had already formed along her forehead, but she showed no intention of stopping.

Olivia sat nearby under the shade with a plate of snacks.

She picked one up.

"Want some?"

Ivy didn’t even look at her.

"I’ll pass."

Olivia froze.

She slowly looked down at the snack in her hand.

Then back at Ivy.

"Huh?"

Ivy punched again.

Olivia stared at her in disbelief.

"Are you really the Ivy I know?"

Clarissa laughed.

Ivy looked slightly offended.

"What?"

Olivia raised the plate.

"You rejected snacks."

"So?"

Olivia placed one hand over her chest.

"This is serious."

Clarissa shook her head.

"How about we rest for a while?"

Ivy looked toward her.

"But Master..."

"We shouldn’t rush."

Clarissa walked closer.

"If you push too hard on the first few days, you’ll only hurt yourself."

She gently adjusted Ivy’s stance.

"We’ll learn slowly."

Ivy hesitated.

Then nodded.

"Okay, Master."

Olivia smiled.

"So she’s really not giving up."

Clarissa looked toward Ivy.

"No."

Her expression softened.

"It’s the desire to protect."

Olivia followed her gaze.

Ivy had already started practicing the basic stance again even though Clarissa had told her to rest.

Olivia smiled helplessly.

Then...

The doorbell rang.

All three looked toward the house.

Olivia frowned.

"Who would come at this time?"

Ivy immediately turned.

"I’ll check, Sister Olivia."

Before Olivia could answer, Ivy had already started running.

"Don’t run inside!"

Olivia called after her.

Ivy ignored the warning.

Clarissa laughed.

"She’s energetic."

"Too energetic."

Olivia stood.

Ivy rushed through the hallway.

The doorbell rang one more time.

"I’m coming!"

She reached the entrance.

Her small hand grabbed the handle.

The door opened.

Ivy stopped.

Everything stopped.

There was a young woman standing outside.

Tired.

Her face thinner than Ivy remembered.

Her eyes carrying years that shouldn’t have belonged to someone so young.

But Ivy knew those eyes.

She knew that face.

Even after all these years.

Even after seeing it mostly through photographs she secretly kept.

Ivy didn’t move.

Thea stood on the other side of the doorway.

For a moment, she couldn’t breathe either.

She had imagined this moment thousands of times.

Sometimes Ivy was still a tiny child.

Sometimes older.

Sometimes angry.

Sometimes smiling.

Sometimes Thea arrived too late.

But none of those imagined reunions had prepared her for the real one.

Ivy’s lips slowly parted.

Her eyes filled.

One tear escaped.

It rolled down her cheek and fell onto the floor.

Her voice trembled.

"Big Sister..."

Thea’s entire expression broke.

"Ivy."

That was enough.

Ivy rushed forward.

"BIG SISTER!"

She threw herself into Thea’s arms.

Thea almost lost her balance from the force.

She immediately wrapped both arms around her.

Ivy buried her face against her chest.

Then started crying.

Not quietly.

Not carefully.

Years of waiting came out all at once.

"Big Sister..."

Her hands grabbed tightly at Thea’s clothes.

"You came back."

Thea closed her eyes.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Yes."

Her voice cracked.

"I came back."

Ivy cried harder.

"You finally came back."

Thea tightened her arms.

Her chin rested against Ivy’s hair.

For years, she had sent gifts without signing her real name.

Watched from shadows.

Asked other people whether Ivy was safe.

Wondered if one day her sister would hate her.

Wondered if she would die before ever holding her again.

And now...

Ivy was here.

Warm.

Real.

Alive.

Holding her as if she could never let go.

Thea’s tears fell into Ivy’s hair.

"I’m back, min kjære søster ."

She swallowed.

Her voice failed once before she forced the words out.

"I’m back."

She hugged her even tighter.

"And I’ll always be with you."

Ivy shook her head against her.

"No more leaving?"

"No."

"You promise?"

Thea’s eyes closed.

"I promise."

Ivy’s fingers tightened again.

"You won’t disappear?"

"No."

"You won’t send gifts and never come?"

Thea froze.

That sentence hurt.

She pulled Ivy closer.

"No more."

Her voice broke completely.

She kissed the top of Ivy’s head.

"I’m here."

"I’m really here."

Footsteps hurried through the hallway.

Olivia appeared first.

Clarissa followed.

Both stopped the moment they saw the doorway.

Neither said anything.

Ivy still clung to Thea.

Thea’s face was buried partly in her sister’s hair.

Both were crying.

Olivia’s eyes immediately became wet.

Clarissa’s expression softened.

There was something different about two sisters who had spent years separated only because one of them believed distance was the only way to protect the other.

Ivy buried her head even deeper against Thea.

Thea gently rubbed her back.

"Don’t worry."

She whispered,

"I’m not going anywhere now."

Ivy didn’t respond.

She only tightened her grip.

Thea laughed through her tears.

"Ivy..."

Still no answer.

Olivia finally smiled.

"Ivy."

The little girl didn’t move.

Olivia continued gently,

"Why don’t you invite your sister inside?"

Ivy finally turned her head slightly.

Olivia smiled.

"She just came from a very long journey."

"She must be tired."

Ivy looked up at Thea.

Thea smiled down at her.

Clarissa added,

"And..."

Ivy looked toward her.

"Don’t you want to give your sister the present you prepared?"

Ivy’s eyes suddenly widened.

"The present!"

She finally loosened her arms.

Thea almost laughed.

But Ivy immediately grabbed her wrist instead.

"Come."

Thea blinked.

"Where?"

"Come with me, Big Sister."

Before Thea could say anything, Ivy started pulling her into the house.

Thea followed willingly.

"Ivy, slow down."

Olivia laughed.

The sisters disappeared toward the hallway.

Clarissa stared after them.

"Ahh..."

Olivia looked toward her.

"What?"

Clarissa smiled.

"Does she think we’re going to take her sister away?"

Olivia chuckled.

"It’s been years."

She looked toward the hallway.

"And she finally gets to see her."

"I doubt she’s letting go anytime soon."

Clarissa nodded.

"Reunions are so happy."

Then she became thoughtful.

"I wonder how Miles felt."

Olivia looked toward her.

Clarissa continued,

"When he met his mother after seventeen years."

A voice suddenly came from behind them.

"I forgot what she looked like."

Both women turned.

Miles stood near the entrance.

Chloe was beside him.

Their hands were joined.

Clarissa smiled.

Olivia did too.

Miles looked toward the hallway where Thea and Ivy had disappeared.

"I forgot her face."

His expression became distant.

"But..."

"I kept seeing her in dreams."

Chloe quietly looked at him.

Miles continued,

"Blurry."

"Never clear."

"Sometimes I could only hear her voice."

"Calling for me."

His fingers tightened slightly around Chloe’s hand.

"And when I finally saw her..."

He smiled faintly.

"In the middle of the city..."

For a moment, the memory returned completely.

That impossible recognition.

That ache in his chest.

The feeling of becoming six years old again without understanding why.

"I fell onto my knees."

Clarissa raised an eyebrow.

"You?"

Miles laughed softly.

"Yes."

He looked toward her.

Then his smile weakened.

"Even though my memories were hazy..."

"I could feel things I’d never felt before."

He glanced at Chloe.

"I didn’t need the memories to know."

"Something inside me recognized her before my mind did."

Clarissa stared at him.

"That sounds nothing like you."

Miles chuckled.

"People keep saying that."

Chloe smiled.

"Hello, by the way."

Clarissa immediately brightened.

She walked toward her.

"Chloe."

She took both of Chloe’s hands.

"How are you?"

"I’m good."

Clarissa pulled her inside.

"I heard you’re traveling."

Chloe nodded.

"We just arrived."

Miles remained standing behind them.

He blinked.

Then pointed toward himself.

"Am I getting ignored?"

Olivia laughed.

"Come inside."

Miles sighed dramatically and followed.

Olivia continued,

"Did you meet Mom and Dad?"

"Yes."

Miles nodded.

"Uncle."

"Aunt."

"Your grandmother too."

Olivia smiled.

"Good."

Then she suddenly remembered.

"I wonder how Grandpa is doing."

Miles immediately smiled.

"That old man?"

Olivia narrowed her eyes.

Miles continued,

"He’s busy with something extremely important in Star Harbor."

Olivia became suspicious.

"What?"

"Important old man business."

"Miles."

He laughed.

Olivia sighed.

"Seriously."

She walked toward the sitting area.

"He called me back here from Star Harbor."

She began pouring tea.

"And then he left for Star Harbor himself."

Miles accepted the cup she handed him.

Olivia shook her head.

"Now he’s not coming back."

"I’ll probably have to meet him there."

Miles took a sip.

"Are you going back?"

"Yes."

Olivia sat down.

"I’m a professor."

She looked at him.

"I can’t take endless leave just because I happen to know the owner of the college."

Miles smiled.

"If you want..."

Olivia immediately looked suspicious.

"I can extend your vacation."

"No."

Her answer came instantly.

Miles laughed.

Olivia continued,

"That will make me lazy."

She took her own tea.

"I’ve already spoken with the schools here too."

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"Schools?"

"For Ivy."

Olivia nodded.

"I’m taking her with me when I return."

She smiled faintly.

"And I heard Thea also wants to settle here."

Miles nodded.

"She does."

Olivia looked toward the hallway.

"If both sisters stay with me..."

Her smile became warmer.

"...I won’t feel lonely either."

Miles nodded slowly.

"That’s actually a good idea."

Then he added,

"If you need anything, ask me."

Olivia smiled.

"I will."

Suddenly...

Rapid footsteps came from the hallway.

Everyone looked over.

Ivy appeared first.

She was practically dragging Thea behind her.

"Big Sister Olivia!"

Thea laughed helplessly.

"Ivy, slow down."

But the moment they entered the room...

Everyone became quiet.

A flower crown rested on Thea’s head.

Small flowers had been carefully woven together.

Some were slightly uneven.

A few petals were already bending.

But Thea wore it like the most precious crown in the world.

Ivy stood proudly beside her.

"Look!"

She pointed toward Thea.

"Big Sister Olivia."

"How does she look?"

Olivia smiled immediately.

"So pretty."

Clarissa nodded.

"Really pretty."

Chloe smiled too.

Her eyes sparkled.

She had never met Thea.

Never met Ivy.

Yet somehow the sight of the two sisters standing together made her chest feel warm.

Thea looked slightly embarrassed.

Then her eyes moved across the room.

She noticed Miles.

Her expression changed instantly.

"You..."

Miles smiled.

"Hello, Princess."

Thea stared at him.

"You’re here?"

Miles stood.

He looked at the flower crown.

"All your life..."

He walked closer.

"...people around you called you Princess."

Thea listened.

"You were obsessed with gems."

"Rare stones."

"Jewelry."

"Anything shiny enough to make you stop walking."

Thea almost laughed.

Miles pointed toward the crown.

"And look at you now."

Ivy proudly adjusted one of the flowers.

Miles smiled.

"A crown made of real gems."

Thea frowned slightly.

"These are flowers."

Miles shook his head.

"No."

He looked toward Ivy.

"Those are real gems."

Thea’s expression slowly broke again.

Miles continued softly,

"You really are a princess today."

Thea closed her eyes.

Tears immediately gathered beneath them.

When she opened them again...

She looked directly at Miles.

"Thank you."

Miles became quiet.

Thea’s voice trembled.

"Thank you so much, Miles."

Her hand slowly touched the flower crown.

"Thank you for pulling me out of there."

She swallowed.

"Even after..."

Her eyes lowered.

"...I said so many terrible things to you."

Miles sighed.

"Come on."

Thea looked up.

"I knew you didn’t mean them."

Her lips trembled.

"But I still said them."

"And now..."

Her expression became serious.

"I pushed all the responsibility onto your shoulders."

Miles watched her.

Thea continued,

"Please let me help."

"That’s how it was supposed to be."

"I know them."

"I know their people."

"Their routines."

"Their structures."

Her voice became increasingly urgent.

"I can’t just sit here while your people put themselves in danger wearing my face."

Miles raised one hand.

"No hurry."

Thea stopped.

Miles looked toward Ivy.

"You just met your sister."

Thea became quiet.

"Spend time with her."

"But..."

"Thea."

Miles’ voice remained calm.

"Your sister waited years for this."

Ivy quietly moved closer to Thea.

Miles continued,

"You can help later."

"But right now..."

He smiled.

"Be her big sister."

Thea looked down at Ivy.

Miles continued,

"And don’t worry about safety."

He gestured toward Clarissa.

"See her?"

Thea turned.

"Clarissa is the Clan Supreme of the Five Clan Alliance."

Thea froze.

Her eyes widened.

"Clan Supreme?"

Clarissa gave a small smile.

Miles nodded.

"She personally came here."

"To protect Ivy."

Then he looked at Thea.

"And you."

Thea slowly looked from Clarissa to Miles.

"You don’t have to worry about anything."

Thea stared at Clarissa differently now.

"She’s..."

Her eyes narrowed with realization.

"The Clan Supreme of the Five Clan Alliance?"

Miles nodded.

Thea suddenly remembered something.

"The sword."

Miles looked toward her.

"The one you got from the auction."

"Jade One."

Miles smiled.

Thea continued,

"It belonged to them?"

"Yes."

Thea stared at Clarissa.

Then another realization hit.

"The warriors..."

Miles nodded.

"You’ve already met them."

Thea looked shocked.

"Darius."

"Reina."

"Marina."

Miles continued,

"Ren and Aerin too."

Thea slowly shook her head.

"I didn’t realize."

Clarissa smiled.

"They don’t exactly introduce themselves with banners."

Thea laughed faintly.

Then bowed her head slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Clarissa."

Clarissa immediately smiled.

"Nice to meet you too, Thea."

Ivy had been listening to everything with growing confusion.

Finally she looked toward Thea.

"Big Sister?"

Thea looked down.

"What?"

Ivy pointed toward Miles.

"You know this brother?"

Miles smiled.

Olivia answered first.

"He’s our cousin."

Ivy immediately looked toward her.

"The cousin you told me about?"

Olivia nodded.

"Yes."

Ivy released Thea’s hand.

Then walked directly toward Miles.

She stopped in front of him.

Miles looked down.

Ivy looked up.

And kept looking.

Miles raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Ivy examined him seriously.

Then announced,

"Big Brother."

Miles almost laughed.

"Yes?"

"You’re tall."

Miles nodded seriously.

"Thank you."

"And handsome."

Miles smiled.

"Thank you again."

Ivy continued,

"Just like Sister Olivia told me."

Olivia immediately looked away.

Miles slowly turned toward her.

"Oh?"

Olivia pretended to drink tea.

"I don’t remember saying that."

Ivy ignored her.

She looked back up at Miles.

"Are you strong too?"

Before Miles could answer...

Clarissa immediately said,

"Believe me."

Ivy turned.

Clarissa smiled.

"He’s very strong."

Ivy’s eyes widened.

"Even stronger than you, Master?"

Clarissa hesitated.

Miles immediately looked toward her.

"Master?"

Clarissa avoided his gaze.

Ivy waited eagerly.

Clarissa finally answered,

"Maybe."

Ivy looked amazed.

Miles stared at Clarissa.

"Master?"

Clarissa sighed.

"You see..."

She pointed toward Ivy.

"I’ve taken her as my student."

Miles looked down at Ivy.

"What gives?"

Clarissa smiled.

"She said she wants to become strong enough to protect her sister."

Miles’ expression softened.

He looked toward Ivy.

She stood proudly.

Miles smiled.

"A martial artist who trains to protect someone."

Clarissa nodded.

"Exactly."

Miles gently patted Ivy’s head.

"That’s a good reason."

Ivy smiled.

"Good luck, little cousin."

"Thanks."

Miles straightened.

Then he suddenly looked toward Thea.

A mischievous smile appeared.

Thea immediately became suspicious.

"What?"

Miles pointed toward Ivy.

"So..."

Thea waited.

"If she’s my cousin..."

His smile widened.

"Doesn’t that make us cousins too?"

Thea stared at him.

Chloe immediately laughed.

"More cousins?"

Miles looked toward his wife.

Chloe shook her head.

"If Mom were here..."

She smiled.

"...she’d be even happier."

Miles nodded.

"Definitely."

Ivy looked between everyone.

Then Miles crouched slightly in front of her.

"Little cousin."

Ivy looked at him.

Miles pointed toward Chloe.

"Meet your sister in law."

Ivy followed his finger.

Chloe smiled warmly.

Miles continued proudly,

"My wife."

Ivy’s eyes widened.

She looked at Chloe.

Then back at Miles.

Then at Chloe again.

"You have a wife?"