The moon hung in the sky, illuminating the world beneath.
Amaya was deep in sleep, wandering the dreamland with a small smile. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind emerged from her window, causing her to turn to look for her blanket, which had been pushed off due to her constant twisting and turning. As she was already at the edge of the bed, she turned to search for the blanket.
*Thud*
"Eek?!"
Amaya, deep in sleep, was suddenly jolted awake after hitting the ground. She frantically moved her head and scanned the room, checking if someone was there. She heaved a sigh when she found no one in her room, then her eyes moved towards the window through which the cold wind entered the room.
She got up and walked to the window, closing it.
"I forgot to close the window again.. hah.."
Amaya rubbed her head as she groaned.
"Ugh.. it hurts,"
She walked towards her bed and climbed into it, seemingly getting ready to go back to sleep. Her head was about to hit the pillow when her room's window began to pulsate with a Verdigris glow. This caused Amaya's face to drop into a frown.
She stood up from her bed and walked towards the runic carving, and touched it. Her eyes began to tremble before coming to a still after a few moments.
Amaya looked at it with confusion and spoke.
"He wants to meet? What for?"
"Hah… what does he want now?" Amaya walked towards her bed and sat on it, wondering about his sudden demand to meet him.
While Amaya was deep in thought nearby, a hooded figure couldn't hide his excitement after hearing her words. The hooded figure soon disappeared like he had never been there in the first place.
After going inside a nearby alley, he took out his smartphone and made a call, which was picked up soon after.
"Hello!" Came a gentle yet authoritative voice.
"Young master."
"What is it?"
"The midnighter contacted Amaya via the claw of night."
"Did you find out what he said to her?"
"He asked her to meet him".
"Hmm… Tail her and try to find out information about the midnighter."
"As you say, Young master."
"Also, try not to get too close; he might have a sensory sub skill."
"Okay!"
The hooded figure shut off his smartphone and went back to keep an eye on Amaya.
Anna had a solemn look as she wondered where Veylor came from. She had asked butler Jack to look around and find anything about him, and he had confirmed that there was no cat similar to Veylor in the nearby area.
Anna held Veylor by his armpits, bringing him to eye level as she questioned the innocent cat.
"Vey, where did you come from, hmm?"
Veylor tilted his head like he was looking at an idiot.
"Mew!.. Myu!.."
"Hah.. Of course, you wouldn't know."
Anna heaved a sigh as her eyes brightened. She hugged him and declared.
"Well, you'll be my pet from now on."
"Meow!" Veylor replied, seemingly agreeing to her words.
*Growl* *Growl*
Veylor's stomach began growling, causing Anna to stand up from her chair and walk towards the door.
"Heh, you sound hungry, Vey."
"Myu!"
"What do you want to eat?"
"What about veggies?"
After hearing Anna, Veylor began shaking his head with a loud, disapproving sound.
"Mew!!"
Seeing that, Anna began to chuckle out loud.
"What about meat then?"
Veylor's eyes shone when he heard the divine word "meat" and began nodding frantically.
"Myu!.. Myu!.."
"Haha," Seeing him act like that over some meat, Anna chuckled.
Anna shook her head as she spoke.
"Yes, yes, Vey is going to eat meat."
She left her room at the far left end of the second floor, the soft click of the door fading behind her. The long hallway stretched ahead, lined with tall windows and framed paintings in gilded edges. Her steps were steady as she passed the grand staircase at the centre of the house, its dark oak bannister gleaming under the soft glow of chandelier light.
She descended gracefully, the faint echo of her footsteps filling the vast foyer. Below, the dining room awaited; a space of quiet grandeur, where crystal and polished wood gleamed in the late afternoon sun.
"Miss Anna!!" The nearby servants bowed towards Anna, while Anna just nodded to acknowledge their greetings
"Uncle Andy," Anna called out to her butler.
Andy walked towards and questioned with his signature smile.
"Yes, Miss Anna."
"Can you get the chefs to prepare some meat for Vey?"
"As you say, Miss Anna." Andy bowed his head and began walking towards the kitchen..
As soon as Andy left, Anna walked towards the dining table, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor. The dark oak surface gleamed beneath the chandelier's glow, its reflection sharp and flawless. Cream velvet chairs stood neatly around it, their curved backs like quiet sentinels waiting for the evening to begin. The space radiated quiet luxury, untouched yet full of presence. She soon placed her hand on a chair and moved it out a bit so she could take a seat. She placed Vey on a chair near her and waited for Andy to return.
Soon, Andy returned with a plate that was covered by a silver cloche. Andy placed the plate on a small table that had been set up earlier for Veylor. Andy removed the silver cloche a faint aroma of freshly cooked meat lingered in the air, warm and rich.
As Veylor gazed at the freshly prepared meat, his mouth began watering, and he leapt towards his meal.
Seeing Veylor, Anna gave a small smile, which soon faltered. Veylor finished the meal within seconds and looked back at her with tearful eyes.
"Myu..!" Cried Veylor, seemingly not full even after gulping down a full meal's worth of meat. Seeing his tearful eyes, Anna couldn't help but call out to Andy.
"Uncle Andy!"
Andy looked at Anna with a puzzled expression, but didn't show it.
"Yes? Miss Anna."
"Please, get a few more similar meals for Vey," Said Anna. As soon as Andy heard that, his smile faltered, and he looked at Veylor with a raised eyebrow.
Andy's signature smile couldn't help but falter upon hearing that. He looked at Andy and questioned.
"He already finished all of it?"
Anna chuckled at his question and replied with a small, amused nod.
"Yes,"
"Ah.. Let me get more meals then," Andy said as he walked towards the kitchen, still staring at Veylor.
Soon, more meals were given to Veylor as he ate till he was full and went to dreamland, maybe eating more within his dreams.
Seeing that, Anna walked up to him and picked him up in her arms, gently cradling him as she began walking towards her room. The room was cosy and inviting, with a double bed placed neatly in the centre. A study table sat by the window, stacked with books aligned perfectly on a shelf above it.
A spacious wardrobe stood along one wall, offering plenty of storage. The attached bathroom and washroom added comfort, making the space feel complete and private.
As she lay down with Veylor on the bed, she remembered to contact her pink-haired friend about meeting her.
"I should ask Zora about her mother," Anna mumbled to herself as she turned back.
She left the room, slowly closing the door, making sure not to wake the beast sleeping on her bed.
Anna began walking, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor as she walked towards the garden. As soon as she reached the garden, she took out her smartphone and called Zora.
*Brr* *Brr*
Her phone rang for a few minutes before it stopped. Anna furrowed her brows when Zora didn't pick up her call. She called again.
After waiting for a few moments, the call was picked up. As soon as Zora picked up the call, Anna got ready to scold her for not picking up her phone, but soon she stopped midway.
"...Hello?" came a weak and meek voice, hearing that Anna's face turned into a frown.
"Hello? Zora? Is everything alright?" Anna asked, her voice tinged with concern.
The next moment, her heart started to beat loudly as she heard Zora's sobs.
"Anna..! sob!"