Amelia remained silent, her head bowed, her green eyes fixed on the floor. Why wasn't she going back? Perhaps it was fear—fear of facing her Big Sis, the one person she'd always looked up to. She'd slipped away from home to find her, convinced for so long that her sister was dead after being gone for months without a word. The thought of confronting her now, after all that had happened, twisted her heart in knots.
"Why?" Mira pressed, stepping closer, her green eyes blazing with frustration. "You ran away to find Big Sis, didn't you? She's back now, so why won't you come home?" Her voice echoed in the small study, sharp and insistent, cutting through the tense silence.
"I…" Amelia's lips moved, but no words followed. She kept her head down, her feathers trembling slightly, as if shielding herself from the weight of Mira's question.
"Where's the decisive Amelia I know?" Mira demanded, her voice tinged with exasperation. The Amelia she remembered was bold, unflinching—a killer who never hesitated. This quiet, uncertain girl was a stranger, and it unnerved her.
"Enough, Mira," Lucas interjected, his brow furrowing. He could see the turmoil in Amelia's eyes, a vulnerability that stood in stark contrast to her usual cold demeanor. Today, she seemed less like the stoic bird-beastkin he knew and more like a frightened bird caught in a storm. "Don't push her."
Mira let out a sharp huff, her gaze flicking to Lucas. His calm, handsome face only fueled her suspicions. Had he brainwashed Amelia? Manipulated her into staying? The thought made her wings twitch with agitation.
*Thud, thud… creak!*
The study door swung open, and Nicole stepped inside, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders as she towel-dried it. She froze, her gray eyes widening at the scene before her—particularly at the unfamiliar woman with blood trickling down her neck. "Master, who's this?" She asked, her curiosity piqued as she glanced at Mira's wings.
"Her name's Mira, Amelia's companion," Lucas said calmly, reaching out to ruffle Amelia's hair gently, a gesture that felt natural to him but sent a jolt through Mira.
Mira's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze locked on Lucas's hand. Amelia, the cold, unyielding Amelia, letting someone touch her like that? It was unthinkable. Amelia's temperament mirrored Big Sis's—detached, direct, untouchable. The sight of her allowing such casual affection was jarring, and Mira's suspicion of Lucas deepened.
"Amelia's companion?" Nicole echoed, her voice tinged with surprise. Her eyes darted to the blood on Mira's neck, her mind racing. This didn't look like a friendly reunion.
"Nicole, take Mira to get her wound treated," Lucas said, his tone even but firm. He wanted to give both Amelia and Mira space to cool off, to think clearly before their emotions spiraled further.
"Yes, Master," Nicole replied, nodding. Her gray eyes met Mira's, waiting for her to move.
"Amelia, go with them," Lucas said softly, giving Amelia a gentle push. "You two can share a room tonight."
He knew some conversations needed privacy. As assassins, they'd likely guard their secrets in front of others, but alone, they might open up. Amelia's guarded heart, he suspected, was tied to her sister, and this reunion with Mira might be the key to unlocking it.
Amelia nodded silently, her steps hesitant as she moved toward the door. Mira hesitated, then followed, her eyes still burning with questions. Nicole trailed behind, her presence a quiet reassurance.
Mina's eyes narrowed. "Master, I'll go keep an eye on them," She said, her voice low. She didn't trust Nicole alone with Mira—not yet.
"Go, but don't interfere with Amelia's conversation," Lucas instructed, his voice gentle but firm. He sensed that Amelia's inner turmoil revolved around her sister, and this encounter might help her confront it.
"Yes, master," Mina said, her cat ears twitching as she moved with graceful, silent steps, her hips swaying slightly as she followed the others.
Once the four left, Annie darted to Lucas's side, her brown eyes wide with concern. "Master, how did that Mira get in here?" She asked, her fox ears twitching nervously.
"Same way you did," Lucas said with a wry smile, patting her head. He walked to the window, gazing out at the snowy night sky, then down at the castle grounds, his mind already analyzing the breach. Annie's infiltration with Andrew to "rescue" Mina flashed through his mind, and he chuckled at the memory of her mistaking his ear-cleaning for something scandalous.
"Like me?" Annie's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as she recalled her own reckless stunt.
"Master, do you think Amelia will leave with her?" Helen asked, her rabbit ears drooping slightly. Despite Amelia's aloof nature, Helen had grown fond of her over time, and the thought of her leaving stung.
"It's up to Amelia," Lucas said, his tone measured. "We have to respect her choice." He wouldn't force her to stay, though he doubted she'd leave so easily.
"I don't think she'll go," Annie said, crossing her arms with a confident nod. "Where else would she get castle food? Or live this comfortably? She won't give that up."
"Master, should I tie up that Mira?" Ayesha suggested, her face serious. "Lock her in the guardhouse for a few days, and Amelia won't have to go anywhere."
Lucas rolled his eyes, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. "Ayesha, it's not that simple," He said, amused by her straightforward solution. Amelia's sister was a wild card, and the situation was far from resolved.
---
Meanwhile, in Amelia's room, the two bird-beastkin sat on the edge of the bed, their eyes locked in a tense, silent standoff. The room was small but cozy, lit by a single lantern that cast soft shadows across the walls. The air smelled faintly of lavender, a stark contrast to the heavy emotions between them.
"Amelia, is that noble threatening you? Does he have something on you?" Mira asked, breaking the silence, her voice sharp with concern.
"No," Amelia said, her green eyes flickering briefly before dropping to the floor.
"You're lying," Mira said, leaning forward, her gaze piercing. "You never look people in the eye when you lie."
"I'm not lying," Amelia said, her voice cold but steady, her fingers tightening on the bedsheet, the veins on her hand standing out.
"You've changed, Amelia," Mira said, her voice hardening. "You're not a proper assassin anymore."
"I've disappointed Big Sis," Amelia said, her tone icy, her grip on the sheet tightening until her knuckles whitened.
Mira's face darkened. "I'm going back tomorrow, and I'll tell Big Sis to come talk to you herself," She said, her voice clipped. She knew Amelia's stubborn streak all too well—arguing further would be pointless.
"Is Big Sis's mission done?" Amelia asked suddenly, her voice urgent, sidestepping Mira's question.
Mira's stern expression crumbled, replaced by a look of defeat. "It failed," She said, her voice heavy. "We lost twelve people, and Big Sis got hurt."
Amelia's face paled, her eyes dimming with sorrow. She hadn't expected her sister to fail, let alone be injured. The news hit her like a blow, and she struggled to process it.
"Why are you staying here?" Mira pressed, her voice softer now, tinged with genuine confusion. "You were always so loyal to Big Sis. Why won't you come back to see her?"
Amelia hesitated, then asked, "Is there really a dragon?" Her voice was quiet, avoiding Mira's question once again.
Mira glared at her, exasperated. "Big Sis wasn't sure if it was a dragon, but the beast was massive," She said, her tone grudging.
"Oh," Amelia said, climbing onto the bed and pulling the blanket over herself. "Let's sleep."
"You—" Mira's teeth ground together, her frustration boiling over. Amelia's stubbornness was infuriating, and their clashing personalities made it impossible to find common ground.
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