Vaelith suddenly spoke.
"Allow me, My Lord."
Aldric glanced over at her.
But Draven had already begun moving.
He walked toward his younger siblings, then glanced at Nia.
"Come here."
Nia immediately followed.
Draven bent down and carefully picked up Elenya, while Nia did the same with Lucifer.
Vaelith watched them for a moment.
"From what I witnessed..."
She paused, gathering her thoughts.
"The spell My Lord used is a forbidden form of dark magic. It binds the fates of multiple individuals together."
Aldric's expression became thoughtful.
"Is that so?"
Vaelith nodded.
"What makes it forbidden is the nature of the binding itself. It doesn't merely connect the individuals. It binds their very existences, placing one under the absolute authority of another."
She glanced toward Nia.
"Once the spell is completed, the individual placed under that authority cannot disobey or act against the one they are bound to."
Draven carefully laid Elenya down on the bed.
Nia followed, gently placing Lucifer beside his sister.
Vaelith continued.
"However, there is something else..."
She looked toward Draven.
"An oath or vow is used to establish the terms of the binding. But the true nature of the spell is far more dangerous than that."
Draven glanced at Nia.
*She's mostly right.*
*But making the target swear an oath isn't actually necessary.*
*If it were, this wouldn't be considered black magic.*
His gaze lingered on Nia for a moment.
*The oath is simply a loophole.*
*The spell itself establishes absolute submission. It binds the target's fate to the caster, making it impossible for them to disobey or act against the one they've been bound to.*
*But if the target makes a vow willingly...*
*The spell can use that vow to alter the conditions of the binding in their favour.*
*It doesn't mean they can simply switch positions and become the one holding authority. The caster still retains control.*
*And as long as the caster remains alive, the binding remains in effect.*
Draven's expression remained unchanged.
*So there was never even the slightest chance of the spell failing.*
His eyes shifted toward Nia again.
*But I don't want her to feel as though she was forced into anything.*
*What's the point of that?*
*I'd rather she believe this was her own choice.*
*That would be better for everyone.*
The black cat sitting beside his head stared at him silently.
Meanwhile—
Aldric looked toward the bed.
"So the spell bound all three of their fates together?"
He paused.
"Interesting."
His gaze shifted toward Draven.
"But a spell like that must come at a price."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Especially one that binds the existence of multiple individuals."
Draven glanced at him.
"Yeah."
Aldric waited.
Draven continued.
"The caster dies after completing the spell."
Silence.
Aldric stared at him.
"...What?"
Draven spoke as though it were nothing particularly important.
"I was aware of the cost before casting it."
He shrugged.
"But the thought of dying afterward didn't even cross my mind."
Aldric stared at him for several seconds.
Then—
he sighed.
"Yeah."
He shook his head.
"If you could die from something like that, you wouldn't be Royal Blood."
Draven didn't bother responding.
Instead—
he turned toward Nia.
"If you want to protect someone..."
His gaze remained fixed on her.
"You should be capable of protecting yourself first."
Nia looked at him.
Draven continued.
"So you need to get stronger."
Nia stared at him for a moment.
Then—
she nodded.
"Yes, Master."
Draven gave a small nod.
"Good."
He paused.
"Thanks."
Nia lowered her head slightly.
"Yes, Master."
---
Nearby—
Lyriana, who had been lying down with her eyes closed, suddenly sat upright.
Aldric noticed the movement.
"Huh?"
He glanced toward her.
"What's wrong?"
Lyriana didn't answer.
She simply reached for a package beside her, opened it, and took a bite.
Then—
while quietly chewing—
her gaze settled on Draven and Nia.
She continued watching them without saying a word.
---
Inside another room—
Taysia was lying comfortably on a couch, watching Thaumavision Veil.
However, despite the programme playing in front of her, her attention seemed to be somewhere else entirely.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Hehe..."
She tilted her head slightly.
"It seems someone's having a little fun."
Her eyes narrowed with amusement.
"Sending out invitations, are we?"
She chuckled softly.
"How interesting."
---
Time passed.
The sun gradually descended beyond the horizon, painting the city in the warm colours of evening.
Inside the room—
the TV continued playing.
Draven was sitting comfortably on the couch, eating.
The black cat rested against his chest, while the little slime sat nearby.
His head was resting on Lyriana's lap.
At the other end of the couch sat Aldric, while Nia occupied the space in the middle, quietly eating.
Ryke, on the other hand, was still fast asleep.
Nearby—
Vaelith remained beside the bed, keeping an eye on Lucifer and Elenya.
Both babies were sleeping peacefully.
Kaelira was also asleep nearby, seemingly having no intention of waking up anytime soon.
Pythia, meanwhile, had gone to freshen up.
A little while later—
she finally returned.
Her appearance was neat and refreshed.
She walked over to the table, picked up a package, and opened it.
Inside were several small biscuits.
She took one and began eating.
Aldric glanced toward her.
"That's a gold coin?"
Pythia looked at him.
"Yeah."
She took another bite.
"For a milk biscuit, why not a platinum coin?"
Aldric stared at her.
"Yeah, alright. Now it's a platinum coin."
He shook his head.
"And you'd better pay for it."
Pythia ignored him.
She simply walked over to the couch and sat down.
Then—
she stretched out her legs.
**THUMP!**
Her feet landed directly on Ryke's face.
"Will you wake up already?"
She looked down at him.
"Or is this it for you?"
Aldric glanced over.
"No."
He leaned back.
"He can't die yet."
He paused.
"He still owes me."
Ryke's eyes suddenly flickered.
Then—
he slowly opened them.
"...Ugh."
He yawned.
His gaze shifted toward Pythia's feet resting on his face.
After a moment, he spoke in a sleepy voice.
"I don't know..."
He blinked.
"Is this the kind of treatment you like?"
Pythia stared at him.
"Get lost."
Ryke slowly sat up.
He rubbed his face.
"Okay, okay. I'm getting up."
He glanced around the room.
Then—
his eyes settled on Nia.
"Nia?"
His expression changed slightly.
"So you're awake."
He looked her over.
"And you seem alright."
He tilted his head.
"Are you feeling okay?"
Nia stopped eating.
She looked toward him.
Then—
she gave a small nod.
"Yes."
Ryke smiled faintly.
"Good."
Pythia immediately interrupted.
"Yeah, now get lost."
She gestured toward the other side of the room.
"I want to sit here. Go somewhere else."
Ryke stared at her.
"Wow."
He shook his head.
"What a nice way to ask someone."
Pythia simply stared back.
Ryke raised both hands.
"Okay, okay. I'm going."
He pushed himself off the couch.
But before walking away—
he paused.
He glanced toward Pythia.
Then—
he sniffed the air.
"Do you smell nice?"
Pythia's expression changed slightly.
Ryke rubbed his chin.
"Maybe I should take a bath too."
Pythia settled more comfortably into her seat.
"Yeah."
She took another bite of her biscuit.
"You should."
She glanced at him.
"You stink."
Ryke blinked.
"Really?"
He sniffed his clothes.
"I don't think it's that bad."
He shrugged.
"I use my mana to clean myself once every few days."
Pythia stared at him.
For a moment—
she said nothing.
Then—
she slowly looked away.
"...That's exactly the problem."