The Emperor made his way toward his office.
Following behind him were Kaiser, Lord Elbus, Lady Jadeite, and Ayumu. The rest—nobles, attendants, and guards—had all been dismissed.
Inside the office, the space was lavishly decorated, yet composed. A single seat had been placed directly across from the Emperor's desk.
Ayumu was guided to sit there.
The others took their places on the couches, while Kaiser remained standing near the window at Visil's side—his gaze fixed quietly on Ayumu.
Ayumu, however, seemed completely unfazed.
She was all smiles, her expression so bright it felt as if she might burst into giggles at any moment.
Visil couldn't help but smile at the sight of his younger sister.
"Are you that happy to be back?" he asked.
"I am happy to see my brother," Ayumu replied, her voice light and sincere. "After such a long time… Brother has grown so much. But brother is still brother."
Visil let out a small laugh. "Well, I am the Emperor now."
"Yes!" she beamed. "I am very, very happy. And that's why I am here."
"Why did you only come now?" The question cut in abruptly.
Kaiser.
His arms were folded, his tone calm—but sharp.
Ayumu blinked, caught off guard. She turned to look at him, studying the man who had remained silent until now. For a brief moment, she simply stared.
Then, as if deciding not to mind his attitude, she turned back to Visil.
Visil spoke gently.
"Don't mind Kaiser…he is a heartless fellow. But yes, Ayumu. I've been Emperor for three years now. All this while… where have you been?"
The concern was clear on his face. Beneath it, something heavier—worry, perhaps even guilt.
Ayumu hesitated.
Then she answered—"I got lost, actually."
Silence fell over the room.
Lost?
"What do you mean, you got—"
"Ah—ah! I mean—" Ayumu waved her hands quickly, flustered. "I heard the news while I was in another kingdom, that the Epsos Empire had a new Emperor. I knew it would be broth— I mean, Your Majesty."
She laughed awkwardly.
"And then I was happy! So I wanted to come back. But then I didn't know the way… and I suddenly got kidnapped—but it's okay, I managed to escape! Then I was traveling again, and I found a place with very advanced medical skills, so I stayed there for a few months…"
She continued rambling, her words tumbling over each other, as if none of it was particularly alarming.
Visil slowly raised a hand to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose.
A headache was coming.
This young girl—his sister—had wandered through unknown kingdoms and places, been kidnapped, escaped, and somehow still found the time to casually stop and learn new things along the way.
She wasn't just lost.
She was distracted. And far too carefree for someone who had walked through that much danger alone.
Kaiser spoke at last, his tone low.
"Are all white magis this… aloof?"
At that, Ayumu immediately grew shy.
Her smile faltered as she lowered her gaze, fingers fidgeting lightly in her lap. She must have looked ridiculous… saying all that so casually.
But Kaiser continued.
"What happened to the white magis lady who was with you before?"
Ayumu looked up again, blinking in mild surprise.
"Ah… so it is true," she said softly. "You are the person I saw that day."
She smiled.
And for a brief, unexpected moment—Kaiser felt his heart throb.
The feeling was sudden. Strange.
Was it because she remembered him…? Or perhaps… it was simply a heart problem.
"…Unfortunately," Ayumu continued, her voice gentler now, "when I turned twelve, Lady Elosha passed away."
The room fell silent.
"She took very good care of me," Ayumu said, her gaze drifting slightly, as if looking into the past. "She guided me in everything she could… gave me an education… teach me about white magis and its history...she introduced me to many people…"
Her fingers curled slightly.
"But one day… she passed away in her sleep. And I… I couldn't wake her."
A pause.
"And just like that… I was alone."
The atmosphere grew heavy. Even the air seemed to still.
Ayumu noticed it—and immediately panicked.
"Ah—ah! But Vesta was with me!" she added quickly, forcing a brighter tone. "So I wasn't alone. Vesta helped me a lot!"
A faint voice echoed through the room.
"Of course I would care for you, my child."
A soft flare of light shimmered into existence and Vesta appeared.
This time, it took the form of a medium-sized bird, its pale, radiant feathers glowing faintly as it perched gently on Ayumu's right shoulder.
"This child was not easy to care for," Vesta continued, its voice ancient and warm. "But it was worthwhile."
Visil stepped forward slightly, a respectful smile forming.
"Mighty Vesta… it has been a while."
The phoenix turned its gaze toward him.
"Let me see…" it murmured. "Is this the boy once called Visil?"
Its eyes gleamed with quiet recognition.
"Eomer used to keep you close. You were like a son to him."
A brief pause as Vesta studied him more closely—its gaze deep, almost piercing, as though reading through layers unseen.
"How you have grown…" it said at last. "And now, I see the man you have become."
A soft, approving hum followed.
"Good… good."
"I am proud to receive your approval and recognition, Mighty Vesta," Visil said with a smile.
Vesta gave a low hum—but then its gaze shifted.
"…However," it added, voice cooling slightly, "I smell a very particular creature I am not fond of. Rotting flesh… and ash. How disgusting."
Its eyes settled on Kaiser.
A grim voice suddenly growled—
"Mind your tongue, you insufferable bird."
Black smoke began to seep from Kaiser's shoulder, curling upward before taking form. It twisted and thickened until a wyvern emerged—its body made entirely of dark, shifting smoke.
Azhdar.
Its shape was menacing, its face sharp and fearsome—but in its current small size, it looked almost… adorable.
Almost.
The wyvern coughed, a small burst of flame sputtering from its mouth as it glared at Vesta, clearly itching for a fight.
"I see the useless lizard is just as displeasing as ever," Vesta replied calmly.
"What—?! You—!"
Azhdar bristled, smoke flaring violently—
But Kaiser placed a hand over the wyvern's snout, stopping it mid-outburst.
The small creature struggled, muffled growls escaping as it tried to snap back, but Kaiser's expression remained completely straight.
Ever so unmoved and unbothered.
"Let's not turn this into another spectacle," Kaiser said flatly. "We should discuss our next step. News of the appearance of a white magis, one whose bloodline was thought to have been cut off, will spread quickly. This will cause… a considerable stir."
"…Right," Visil nodded.
He didn't want her to be burdened by any of this. She had already endured more than enough.
Now, it was his turn. He needed to step forward and take this matter into his own hands.
"Ayumu, why don't you retire for now? We may need to speak with Vesta as well so you can leave him be here. You can rest instead—I'm sure—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Ayumu was staring at him.
Her cheeks puffed slightly, lips pressed into a pout, eyes narrowed in clear dissatisfaction.
Why am I being left out of a conversation that involves me?
Her face said it all.
Lady Jadeite let out a soft giggle. She understood immediately.
This child—powerful as she may be—was still, at heart, a young girl.
"Why don't we get you cleaned up" Lady Jadeite suggested warmly, "and have some tea and desserts after? Will you keep me company, Lady Ayumu?"
Ayumu's entire expression lit up.
The pout vanished instantly.
"Desserts?" she echoed, eyes sparkling.
And just like that, she was already on her feet, happily moving toward Lady Jadeite.
"Then I will be leaving first!" she said cheerfully, waving lightly. "See you later, Vesta, brother, Sir Kaiser… and Sir old uncle."
She waved—very clearly—at Lord Elbus.
And then she left with Lady Jadeite who can be heard laughing lightly.
Lord Elbus froze.
"…Old uncle?" he repeated faintly.
Visil also burst into laughter.
For a moment, the tension in the room lifted.
He was glad.
Glad that despite everything she had gone through—being lost, alone, in danger—his sister still carried that same carefree spirit.
But even as he smiled, there was one thought that lingered quietly in his mind.
Something that refused to leave.
Ayumu was somehow still afraid of him.