Liora's laughter echoed through the corridors, sharp and carefree. "Catch me! Catch me!" she called, darting through the wide halls of the manor, her small figure barely more than a flicker of light as she slipped past tapestries and pillars.
Ruin chased behind, her shoes striking the polished floor with growing irritation. "She's got too much energy," she muttered through clenched teeth.
Alya kept pace, her voice laced with a dry amusement. "The Young Mistress is like wind before a storm. Wild, untamed." She gave a sidelong glance at Ruin. "At least she acts her age. The Young Master never did. Even when he was still crawling, it was as if he was performing for someone unseen."
Ruin's brows furrowed. "What are you trying to say?"
But Liora's voice pierced the air again, sweet and shrill. She twisted around a corner, movements sharp and full of glee, her speed almost ghostlike.
"Liora, slow down!" Ruin shouted. "You'll fall and break something!"
"I won't!" Liora shouted back without breaking stride. "Papa said I can't fall!" She veered right, one hand slapping against the wall for balance. With a reckless cry, she vaulted onto the curved banister of the staircase, sliding down like a practiced performer. At the bottom, she landed in a crouch, then bolted forward.
Alya descended with careful steps, her eyes never leaving the child. "Young Mistress, please…be careful!" she called, her tone bordering on panic.
Liora only giggled, hopping two steps at once. "Too slow, Sister Ruin!" she called behind her, her voice soaked in mischief.
The pursuit spilled into a broader hall where sunlight poured through the windows. Drapes shifted with the wind stirred by their movement. Ruin's eyes snapped ahead.
"Raphael!" she barked. "Catch her!"
Liora's steps faltered for the briefest second as her eyes locked on the figure standing at the far end. Her joy burst out louder. "My darling!"
Raphael remained still. He heard her feet pounding toward him, her breath catching. His shoulders lowered with a breath, and he crouched slightly, arms open, as though waiting for her to crash into him.
But Liora was quicker than that. She jumped at the last second, soaring over his arms with a triumphant giggle. "Not fast enough!"
His leg moved fast, sweeping low, but she skipped over it effortlessly, landing in a spin that pulled her away. Her laughter rang out behind her as she turned to look back.
She didn't expect what came next. The shift in air gave her just enough warning. His presence moved silently, sharply, and before she could twist away, she hit something solid. She blinked, startled, as Raphael's arms wrapped around her to steady her from falling.
"Ouch…" she mumbled, rubbing her side.
Raphael lifted her gently, his voice cool and even. "Little one, you must watch yourself."
Liora grinned, undeterred. "You caught me! That's why you're my darling!"
Raphael's brows twitched. "Excuse me?"
Ruin and Alya reached them, both panting. "Thank you, Raphael," Ruin said, catching her breath. "You've finally ended her chase."
Alya nodded. "Yes, thank you."
Raphael tilted his head slightly. "Ruin, who are these two?"
Liora, still clinging to him, giggled. "Silly. I'm your darling."
Alya's tone changed. "Young Mistress, don't say things like that."
Ruin stepped forward, gaze sharp. "Liora, where did you hear that word?"
Raphael's voice came low. "She speaks like an adult. Strange… not good."
Liora puffed out her chest, proud. "Of course! Papa says I'm already grown-up."
Raphael's voice hardened. "And did your papa tell you not to speak this way to strangers?"
Liora nodded, smiling wide. "Yes! But he said I should trust what I see…" She leaned closer to Raphael, lowering her voice to a whisper. "…in my visions."
Raphael didn't answer right away. His expression tensed, and he angled his head slightly as if measuring her words.
"Visions?" he asked, voice flat. "Ruin, take her."
But Liora wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her voice desperate. "No! I don't want to leave you! Just hold me a little longer!"
Raphael's jaw tightened. "Little one… don't lie about things like this. Let go."
"I'm not lying!" Liora snapped, her voice rising in pitch. "I never lie!"
Alya stepped forward, her tone low. "Young Mistress… enough. You shouldn't behave like this. What would your father say?"
Liora didn't flinch. "Papa told me to trust what I see! That's what I'm doing!"
Ruin's voice followed quickly, more firm than before. "Liora, let go of him. Can't you see? He's tired. He just got here."
"He doesn't sound tired," Liora countered, gripping tighter. "And I don't want to. I want to stay with my darling!"
Raphael exhaled slowly. "Stop calling me that. Let go, and I'll listen. We'll speak about your visions, but not like this."
"No!" Her voice cracked. "You'll run away… like I did."
Alya moved in to pull her off. "Young Mistress, don't make this worse. Your father won't like hearing about this."
Liora squirmed. "But Papa will understand!"
Then a voice, quiet but cold enough to silence the air, called out, "Liora."
Everyone stilled.
Luna stood a short distance away. Her posture was poised, still, like glass before it shatters. Subaru stood beside her, his smirk faint, eyes shifting from Liora to Raphael.
"Well, Raphael," Subaru muttered, "seems trouble finds you quicker than peace."
Luna walked forward. Every step was measured, soundless. Her gaze rested on her daughter first, a smile on her face. "Liora," she said softly, "let go of the stranger and come to Mama."
Liora hesitated. Her fingers clutched harder before Alya gently pulled her free. Liora dropped to the ground, her tone defensive. "I was just listening to Papa… he told me to believe in what I see…"
Luna's voice was kind, but too smooth. "Yes, he did. But that doesn't mean you latch onto strangers like this." She knelt and opened her arms. "Come."
The girl shuffled to her mother, dragging her feet. "Okay, Mama."
Luna picked her up with practiced grace. Her hold was secure, but there was no warmth in her grip. "You know better. You must always remember that you are my baby and how you behave in front of others."
Liora's voice turned small. "Sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to be rude."
Subaru chuckled lightly. "Luna, she's just a child."
Luna didn't turn. "She's my child, Father-in-law. I'll raise her as she should be raised."
Subaru's smile dimmed. "Of course. Discipline, always." Then, just low enough for Luna alone, "Strange… I don't recall you being so obedient in your youth."
Luna's head tilted slightly. "What did you say?"
Subaru cleared his throat. "Maybe don't be too hard on her."
She turned her eyes back to her daughter. "Very well…Liora, thank your grandfather."
Liora perked up, almost forgetting the tension. "Thank you, Grandpa!"
Subaru's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Good girl."
Ruin and Alya exchanged glances, then lowered their eyes. But Raphael stood unmoving, his jaw clenched. There was something taut in his breathing, as if he were sensing something beneath the surface.
Luna finally addressed him. "So… this is the stranger my daughter calls her darling."
Liora grinned. "Yes, Mama. Isn't he handsome?"
Luna's smile widened, just slightly. "He is." Her eyes locked on Raphael. "And what is your name, stranger?"
Raphael hesitated. "Uh… sorry, my manners. I'm Raphael."
Luna extended her hand. "A pleasure. Raphael."
He took a step forward and reached. But as their hands met, a sharp cold raced up his arm, stabbing straight through his chest like a needle of silence. His breath caught. For a second, he saw nothing, only felt the weight, the pull, the suffocation.
He staggered.
Luna didn't flinch. Her hand lowered slowly. "Is something the matter?"
Raphael breathed unevenly, trying to collect himself. The pressure vanished as quickly as it came. He stepped back once, still breathing unevenly. "No… I'm fine.""
What was that?
Subaru sighed. "Luna. Was that necessary?"
She tilted her head, all innocence. "What do you mean, Father-in-law?"
"I mean," he muttered, "there's no need to test someone like that in front of everyone."
Liora, still in her mother's arms, looked between them, confused. "Mama? Grandpa? Why is my darling looking scared?"
Ruin stepped closer, her voice low. "Raphael… are you alright? What happened?"
Raphael's voice came low, strained and uneven. "That woman… no mana, no energy. But she's not right. She's… wrong. Evil." He swallowed, his hands flexing slightly at his sides. "I've felt something like this before, with Kibo. But this… it's worse. Like staring into the pit of endless souls and finding the pit staring back."
Subaru's tone lost its usual warmth. "Luna… you didn't have to do that. He's family. He's no threat."
Luna's expression didn't shift. Her smile stayed in place, as if carved there. "Do what, Father-in-law?" She turned slightly. "Ruin? Alya? Did I do anything wrong?"
Alya hesitated only a breath before replying. "No, my lady."
Ruin echoed quietly, "Nothing at all."
Subaru's eyes narrowed, moving from Luna to the others. "Clever. So very clever." He sighed. "Well, then… why don't you and Liora rest a bit? I'm sure the trip wore you out."
Luna's voice softened. "Thank you for noticing. You always were observant."
She turned toward Raphael again, pausing just long enough for her gaze to linger. "It was lovely to meet you, Raphael. I do hope we'll… get along."
Then she stepped away, Alya trailing behind. Liora twisted in Alya's grasp to wave.
"Bye, darling! Take care!"
"Liora," Luna chided gently.
Liora shrank slightly. "Sorry, Mama."
Their footsteps faded into the distance.
Raphael finally exhaled, the air leaving his chest slow, as if it had been held far too long. He stood straighter, but not steady. Ruin's brows drew together.
"What just happened?"
Subaru stepped forward, lifting one hand. "Leave him be, Ruin. He's just… tired. Aren't you, Raphael?"
Raphael gave a slow nod. "Yeah. Just… need a moment."
Ruin didn't look convinced, but she let it go. "I'll be with Lady Luna and Liora if you need anything." She turned away, her footsteps light but quick.
The silence that followed felt heavy, as if something had been pulled too tightly.
Subaru gave a quiet laugh. "So, what did you feel?"
Raphael's voice was tighter now. "Grandpa… who is that woman?"
Subaru chuckled again, but this time there was no amusement in it. "That's Luna. Kibo's mother."
Raphael blinked. "She gave birth to Kibo?"
"Yes."
"But she has no Mana. No energy. Nothing. It's like… she doesn't exist."
Subaru's expression darkened. "Her power is sealed."
Raphael's brow furrowed. "That wasn't sealed."
"No," Subaru murmured. "It wasn't."
Raphael's shoulders stiffened. "Then why say it is?"
"Because it is. Officially. For now." Subaru's voice dropped. "Luna's a witch, Raphael."
Raphael turned his head slightly, almost disbelieving. "A witch?"
"Yes."
"Are we safe?"
Subaru's laugh was dry. "You're asking me that now?"
Raphael didn't answer.
Subaru looked away, his tone lowering. "She married my son. Gave him children. And in all those years, I never once knew what truly went on in her head. That's the kind of woman she is."
Raphael's voice was quiet. "She's unhinged."
"Unhinged," Subaru repeated. "No. That word's too kind."
Raphael glanced down. "She made me feel something I've never felt before…like something I shouldn't think of fighting"
Subaru folded his arms. "You didn't feel her power, Raphael. You felt what lies beneath it. Sealed or not… what she carries leaks through like water from a cracked ceiling. One drop is enough."
"What was it?"
"A warning," Subaru said. "You felt souls, didn't you?"
Raphael nodded slowly.
"Torn. Screaming. Bound in something far older than her," Subaru muttered. "She's not just dangerous, she reminds the world of something it wants to forget."
Raphael's voice dropped. "She's not human."
"No," Subaru said. "She is a witch. Or maybe she still is. It doesn't matter."
Raphael's voice grew colder. "I'll stay away from her daughter."
Subaru's eyes narrowed. "That's not the answer either."
"Then what is?"
Subaru gave a slow, thoughtful smile. "Rest. And when your thoughts return, I'll tell you how to survive around Luna."
His voice lightened. "How was your walk with your sister?"
Raphael managed the faintest smile. "Peaceful."
"Good," Subaru said. "Let that linger for a moment longer."
But Raphael's smile had already faded. "It's gone now."
Subaru's soft chuckle followed them as they walked side by side, but the cold that Luna left behind still clung to the air, like a shadow too stubborn to leave.