Third Person POV
Adrian quickly lifted Diane into his arms just as Damian came running, alarmed by Ashley's scream.
"Dad! What happened to her?" Damian asked, his voice laced with panic.
Adrian didn't answer. He carried Diane into a nearby room—old but immaculately kept—and gently laid her on the bed. Damian and Ashley hovered in the doorway, watching nervously.
"Fetch the doctors," Adrian ordered one of the guards.
Moments later, the palace's medical practitioners arrived and began examining Diane. Adrian ushered the children out of the room, shutting the door behind them.
Hours passed.
"Where the hell is my sister!?"
The hall erupted as Gianna stormed in, her eyes wild with worry. Her daughter trailed behind her, trying to calm her.
"Mom, relax. The doctors are with her. She's okay," the young girl pleaded.
Gianna's eyes locked onto Adrian—leaning silently against a pillar like nothing had happened.
"I told you to leave her alone!" she shouted, lunging at him. Adrian caught her wrists mid-swing.
"Gianna, calm down!" he said firmly.
Realizing what she'd done, she drew back and composed herself, just as the doctors emerged from Diane's room.
"There's nothing physically wrong," one doctor explained. "But... she's crying in her unconscious state. We've never seen anything like it."
Gianna's expression twisted into concern.
Adrian dismissed the doctors. After a beat, Gianna spoke.
"I'll take my daughter home," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Let Diane stay here overnight. I'll return tomorrow with the guardians to check on her. It looks like she had another magical breakdown."
She stepped into the room and approached her unconscious sister. Tears were streaming from Diane's closed eyes.
Gianna leaned down and gently kissed her forehead. "We'll figure this out, Di."
She turned to Adrian one last time.
"And one more thing—don't let your wife anywhere near my sister."
The warning was sharp.
Then she left the palace with her daughter.
---
Ashley's POV
The whole ride home felt strange. I was weak—drained, like something inside me was fading. By the time we got back, all I wanted was sleep.
Then I saw it.
A beautiful white cat sat calmly on our couch, glowing faintly like a cracked light orb.
"Mom? You got me a cat?" I asked, surprised.
Mom squinted. "A cat? I didn't get you any—" she stopped mid-sentence when she got a proper look. "Patty?"
Wait. What?
She squatted down in front of the cat like they were old friends.
"Where's Diane?" the cat asked—speaking actual words.
I stared. "Mom. The cat just—just talked."
Patty looked up with glowing blue eyes, clearly annoyed. Her voice was smooth, slightly raspy, but commanding.
"She told me she was coming here," Patty said. "I checked everywhere."
I laughed, a little nervous giggle. That earned me matching glares from both my mom and the talking cat.
"Sorry… it's just… you sound adorable," I said.
Patty turned to me, still regal even in her exhaustion. Her fur was dimmer now, like her energy was fading.
"I didn't come here to amuse children," she muttered.
"You got bored of Devan already?" Mom teased.
"Please. Don't flatter your sister. I'm only here because I feel so sick."
I watched her fur—glowing less and less by the second. Suddenly, my own weakness returned. I could barely stand.
Mom noticed immediately.
"Go to bed, Ash," she said softly. Then, without another word, she picked Patty up and disappeared into her room.
I dragged myself to the kitchen, my stomach growling. Butler Kim was still up. He always was.
"Butler Kim… anything up?"
He handed me a bowl of salad without a word.
Kim was a follower—one of the oldest. He'd served my grandparents and now my mother. And like always, he looked the same. Never aging. Never tired.
That kind of power made you wonder.
I thought about asking him about the cat, but I didn't have the strength. I ate, bathed, then collapsed into bed.
The last thing I expected… was Patty.
---
I felt something leap onto my bed.
"Wha—Patty?!"
The glowing white cat was curled at my feet.
"You finally decided to wake up," she said, smug as ever.
I blinked. "You again?"
"Thanks for the compliment, my sweet," she said, reading my surprise. "Yes, I can read minds. Talking isn't my only gift."
Great. Now I couldn't even think privately.
"How'd you get in here?"
"I teleport."
Right. Of course she does.
"I like you already," she said, stretching. "You're a step up from Calian."
She said my uncle's name like it was poison. I didn't bother asking what happened between them.
"So… what are you doing in my room?" I asked.
She perked up. "We're going to school together!"
I stared. "No pets allowed."
"Pet?!" she gasped, offended. "I'm considered your sister by Devan!"
Sister? Devan really needed to get his eyes checked.
"There's no universe where we're sisters," I said. "You're a cat."
"And you're a snob," she said, then pouted. "Please? No one will see me. I'll be invisible to humans."
She kept whining until I gave in. Honestly, I was too tired to argue.
---
Third Person POV
"Adrian!!"
Gianna stormed into Diane's chamber the next morning—and froze.
Adrian was lying on the bed beside Diane, holding her hand.
"Gianna, you're here?" Diane asked softly, blinking as she came to.
Gianna stared. Something felt wrong. Her sister never let anyone get close—especially not him.
Before she could say anything, Aunt Simone entered with the guardians. Adrian and Gianna stepped aside as the group began examining Diane.
Outside the room, Gianna spun toward Adrian.
"What did you do to my sister?!"
"Nothing. She woke up during the night… said she was scared… and asked me to stay," Adrian said honestly.
Gianna narrowed her eyes. "She asked you to stay? She hates you. Don't you find that suspicious?"
Even she doubted her own words. Sure, everyone knew how much Diane resented Adrian for what happened thirteen years ago. But to invite him to lie beside her?
It didn't make sense.
Not unless something was changing.
Or returning.