Kiana lay on the bed.
Her long white hair fanned out around her, like a lily in full bloom.
Otto lowered his head, gazing at the exquisite face just inches from his own.
Then, he captured her lips.
This was his way of telling Kiana that no matter what she became, no matter how many personalities she had, he would never cast her aside.
As always, he still craved her.
Kiana tilted her head up, her body trembling slightly as she returned his kiss. The unease in her heart gradually dissipated.
So what if she had a split personality?
She still had Otto by her side. Unlike the past, she was no longer alone.
"You are my Valkyrie, and I am your Overseer."
Their lips parted. Kiana, face flushed crimson, looked up at Otto as he spoke words that sounded like a confession.
Otto didn't pull away, instead pressing his forehead against hers.
He and Kiana hadn't been through enough together.
The bond between them wasn't deep enough.
Their feelings for each other couldn't be called normal love; perhaps it was just a twisted sense of dependence.
But none of that stopped Otto from wanting to kiss her.
If not now, was he supposed to wait for a farewell kiss when she eventually tried to stab him with her sword of scouring flames?
He lowered his head and captured her lips once more.
"Do you want to become an S-rank Valkyrie tonight?" Otto asked.
The young woman before him didn't answer. A few minutes passed before a faint sound escaped her.
"Mm."
Her voice was laced with apprehension.
Kiana knew what "becoming an S-rank Valkyrie" meant.
It was the promise she had made with Otto.
But she was worried. Worried that once Otto had everything he wanted, he would no longer cherish her.
In that moment, she was like someone blinded by love, having already cast all thoughts of her dual personality to the back of her mind.
And that was precisely Otto's goal.
St. Freya Academy was not the right place for a showdown.
If Kiana found out the truth and the shock caused the Queen of the Void to descend, the small fry at this academy would be useless. Even the Valkyrie Judah would be no match for the Herrscher of the Void.
Therefore, Otto had no intention of discussing the matter here.
He brushed Kiana's hair aside, a smile gracing his lips as he gazed at her beautiful face.
Kiana's cheeks flushed a deeper red, but her naturally vivacious personality allowed her to boldly meet his gaze.
"From now on... please take care of me," Kiana said softly.
Her heart was filled with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation for the future.
Otto was just about to respond to her expectations when the wonderful atmosphere was shattered.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A series of urgent, forceful knocks echoed from the door.
Kiana yelped in surprise. She pressed her hands against Otto's chest, shoving him away before covering her own burning face.
What in the world came over me? Didn't I say we would talk about this after I properly became an S-rank Valkyrie!?
She had gotten lost in the wonderful atmosphere, sinking deeper and deeper.
Thank goodness that knocking woke her up.
This young lady will become an S-rank Valkyrie on her own merit; I don't need to go through any backdoors!
---o---
Otto, on the other hand, frowned in annoyance. Who was disturbing people this late at night? Didn't they know everyone needed their rest?
Dammit!
Who gave them the guts to knock on the Overseer's door in the middle of the night? Did they think everyone got the same special treatment as Kiana?
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The knocking continued, showing no signs of stopping.
If Kiana's knock was a light tap, worried about being discovered, this was utterly brazen, as if the person had no fear of punishment.
Otto's frown deepened. In his experience, only one person dared to be this arrogant.
"Grandpa, hurry up and open the door!"
As expected, a certain impatient Headmaster shouted from the other side.
The moment Kiana heard the voice, she shot up from the bed.
"G-Great Aunt!?"
Why is Great Aunt knocking on the door!?
Kiana was frantic. She realized that if Theresa came in, it would be impossible to explain why she was in Otto's room in the middle of the night.
Moreover, her clothes were in disarray, and her flushed face wouldn't cool down instantly.
No, I have to get out of here. Fast.
Kiana's eyes darted to the window, her intention obvious. Just as she was about to make a run for it, Otto grabbed her hand and shook his head.
He pointed to the wardrobe in the room, indicating that she could hide inside.
There was a selfish motive behind this.
If Kiana jumped out the window, that would be the end of their night. But if she hid in the wardrobe, perhaps they could return to their earlier atmosphere after Theresa left.
Letting Kiana leave just like that... he felt a little unwilling.
"Go on, go on."
Otto nudged Kiana towards the wardrobe. Seeing his insistence, Kiana had no choice but to duck inside.
Her heart was pounding in her chest. Hiding in here, was she sure Theresa wouldn't find her?
Otto glanced at the closed wardrobe door. The knocking still hadn't stopped. He opened the door to find, as expected, Theresa standing outside with her arms crossed.
"Grandpa, you're so slow," Theresa complained, marching straight into the room.
She wasn't carrying Judah's Vow.
Watching the back of Theresa's nun-like uniform, Otto breathed a sigh of relief. If this girl had shown up in the middle of the night carrying Judah's Vow, Otto felt his life might have been in genuine danger.
But it made sense. Theresa had no reason to raise the flag of rebellion just yet.
Closing the door but not locking it, Otto sat down in his chair, crossed his legs, and addressed Theresa with a smile.
"My dear little Theresa, what brings you to your grandpa?"
Although, Otto already had a good guess as to why she was here.
Theresa plopped down on Otto's bed—the very spot Kiana had just occupied—but she looked at the mattress with a hint of confusion.
Otto followed her gaze, and his heart dropped.
He had forgotten to put away the pillow Kiana brought.
Theresa stared at the cute pillow on Otto's bed, feeling a sense of familiarity. Had she seen it in her grandfather's room before?
It really was adorable. To think her grandpa would use such a cute pillow.
But that wasn't the point.
Theresa's gaze moved away from the pillow. Seeing that she wasn't going to press the issue, Otto secretly sighed in relief.
"Grandpa." This wasn't a plea for funds or an attempt to slack off. For once, Theresa had come to Otto on serious business. She wore a solemn expression.
"Are you taking Kiana away from St. Freya Academy tomorrow?"
As I thought.
Otto looked at his granddaughter and nodded without hesitation.
"I will be taking her from here tomorrow. This is something I decided a long time ago."
Hiding in the wardrobe, Kiana's heart warmed as she listened to their conversation. Both Otto and Theresa were so good to her.
She was truly blessed to have met them.
However, Theresa's voice rang out again.
"Grandpa, are you taking Kiana away to continue doing... excessive things to her?"
"Like you did to Kiana before?"