The Supreme on the moon stirred again, this time with calm fury.
Asterion closed his eyes.
He focused on his connection to his Domain.
...
Somewhere in the Waking World, two Legacies of the House of Night sat together.
"As I said, this Citadel will give us a footing against the other Great Clans now," one young man said.
The other sighed.
"You still don't get it, do you? No matter how many Citadels we have, we can't keep up with Song and Valor without a Supreme of our own."
The first man leaned forward excitedly.
"That's why I think we need to challenge a Fourth Nightmare too!"
The other man scoffed.
"And you think that's easy? The Supremes are controlling the House's access to Seeds of the Fourth Nightmare, and you think conquering one is that simple?"
"That's why I think we should send as many people as we can!"
The other man put his head against the table, grumbling something under his breath.
"Besides, the King of Swords will not let us do something like that."
"Well, we need to worry about the Queen of Worms more. Ravenheart is closer to us."
The other man raised an eyebrow.
"You said something smart."
"Hey!"
A moment of silence settled between them.
"But still..."
The first man leaned back.
"If we don't have a Supreme of our own, the House of Night will fall sooner or later."
The other sighed.
"Yeah. At this point, we can only hope the two Supremes kill each other."
"Which clan do you think has the better chance of winning?"
"Well, Valor has Lady Changing Star, and there are rumors about that mystery Saint too."
"Lord of Shadows? I heard he attacked a convoy of the Song Clan a few days ago."
"You think he's with Valor?"
"Who knows?"
The man took a sip of tea.
"But if the Lord of Shadows is with Changing Star under Valor, then Asterion has a better chance of winning."
"..."
"..."
The other man blinked.
"Who has a better chance of winning?"
The first frowned in confusion.
"I said the King of Swords has a better chance of winning."
"Ah."
...
On the moon—
A faint smile appeared on the Supreme's face.
He had caught the connection.
However—
'Asterion.'
The demonic voice returned.
Asterion immediately became attentive.
"Do you truly believe you are capable of going against Fate?"
The voice spoke with condescension.
Asterion frowned lightly, searching for its source once again.
However—
Back in the Waking World, the first Legacy suddenly spoke.
"Do you think Asteri—"
He paused.
"Hmm?" the other man asked.
The first shook his head.
"Do you think the Queen of Worms will sit aside while—"
Their conversation no longer mattered.
What happened did.
Snap.
Asterion's eyes widened.
The connection to the two men vanished.
He shot upright.
Then—
Snap.
Another thread disappeared.
"Do you understand?"
The demonic voice of the mysterious man echoed once more.
"The strings of your name are nothing in the face of the strings of Fate, Asterion."
Silence.
The voice did not come again.
Asterion could only stare into the endless expanse of space.
For perhaps the first time in a very long time—
He wasn't sure what he could do.
His eyes narrowed.
This man...
Was more important to deal with than Changing Star.
...
Nephis stood in front of the café door.
She hesitated.
Coming back this quickly felt...
A little strange.
Still—
She pushed the door open.
The warmth of the morning sun disappeared behind her as she was greeted by the cool air inside the café.
And—
"A, B, C, D, E, F, G!"
Nephis blinked.
Orphne's cheerful singing reached her ears.
Master Sunless was sitting with his back toward her, lightly clapping along with the little girl.
Even some of the patrons had joined in.
Kim looked delighted, while Luster and Quentin smiled at the child.
Nephis found herself smiling faintly as she quietly approached.
Orphne had her hands intertwined beneath her chin, swaying with every word while singing with her eyes closed.
"H, I, J, K, L-M-N-O-P!"
Sunless smiled brightly at her while Aiko watched from behind the counter.
Nephis slowed.
The sight was...
Adorable.
Far more adorable than it had any right to be.
And seeing Master Sunless like this filled her heart with far more warmth than should have been appropriate for a mere acquaintance.
'We walked into something very adorable.'
Cassie's voice suddenly appeared in her mind.
This time, the Seer was paying attention.
"Q, R, S, T, U, V! W, X, Y and Z!"
Orphne finished with a brilliant smile.
The nearby patrons applauded.
Nephis joined them.
Orphne looked past her Papa—
And spotted her.
Her entire face lit up.
She gasped.
"Pretty miss!"
The girl hurried past Sunless and ran toward her.
Sunless stood as well.
His black eyes landed on Nephis.
A smile appeared on his face.
"My lady."
Orphne reached Nephis and stopped beside her leg.
Nephis smiled down at the girl before looking toward Sunless.
"Good morning, Master Sunless."
Then she lowered her gaze again.
"Good morning, Orphne."
Her smile was faint.
She hadn't exactly been practicing it for hours since yesterday.
Orphne beamed anyway.
Then she hurriedly stepped back.
"Good morning!"
She even gave Nephis a little bow.
That earned a proper smile from her.
'We have to make sure Master Sunless and little Orphne are available, Neph.'
Cassie's voice returned.
'One way or another.'
There was unmistakable amusement in her tone.
'Cass!'
Nephis shot back humorlessly.
Sunless spoke before Cassie could torment her further.
"My lady, I don't believe my schedule had today available for Memory crafting."
Nephis blinked.
"Ah—"
She hesitated.
"I came to..."
Her mind suddenly betrayed her.
Sunless simply stood there, that handsome café owner staring at her with a gentle smile.
"...relax."
She internally forced herself to regain her composure.
"As you said, I could come whenever..."
Her voice trailed off.
Sunless blinked.
Then his expression brightened into a wide smile.
"I see."
He seemed genuinely pleased.
"I'm glad you showed up, then. I'll prepare your spot right now."
"Ah! Ah!"
Orphany hopped excitedly in place as the adults looked at her.
"Pretty miss, will you sit with me?"
Sunless immediately stepped in.
"Orphany, let's let pretty miss have some alone time for now, okay? She's here to rest."
He crouched beside her, raising a finger gently.
Orphany blinked.
Then looked down.
"Okay..."
Sunless winced internally.
But—
"It's fine, Master Sunless."
He looked up at Nephis.
"I don't mind sitting with Orphany for a while."
She ignored the warmth that appeared in her chest at hearing Master Sunless call her 'pretty miss.'
Orphany's face immediately lit up.
Sunless stood.
"I really appreciate it, my lady, but you don't have to force yourself."
Orphany looked between them in confusion.
Nephis shook her head.
"I'm not forcing myself, Master Sunless."
She looked down at the little girl.
"I'd actually like to sit with Orphany."
Sunless studied her for a moment.
Then his expression softened into a smile.
"Well, if that's how it is, I'm grateful."
Nephis gave him a faint smile and nodded.
Orphany immediately grabbed her sleeve.
"Come! Come! Papa told me where you sit. I want to see your pretty hair again!"
Nephis's smile grew slightly as she allowed herself to be dragged along.
"Don't steal her hair, please," Sunless called after them.
"I won't!"
Nephis almost chuckled at the interaction.
Orphany pulled her toward Master Sunless's private area.
And suddenly—
Nephis became self-conscious again.
Right.
Master Sunless had walked her there from outside yesterday.
Orphany was taking her there from inside.
Which meant...
Nephis's heartbeat quickened slightly.
She glanced toward the door to Sunless's room.
They would have to pass it on their way to the porch.
She could see inside.
She could finally get a good answer!
"Here!"
Orphany cheered and opened a door early.
Nephis's entire plan collapsed like a landslide.
It wasn't Master Sunless's room.
It was Orphany's.
'Well, that was close at least?'
Cassie's voice entered her mind.
'You'll help me...'
'I will.'
Nephis sighed internally.
'Once I've had my fun.'
!!!
'Cassie?'
Silence.
'Cassie?!'
Still nothing.
'Song of the Fallen?!'
Nephis's expression nearly fell.
The one person who was supposed to help her had apparently decided to abandon her for her own amusement.
Nephis entered the little girl's room instead.
She looked around.
It was a lovely room.
Soft pink and white were mixed with black and gentle gold accents. Somehow, the four colors worked together despite appearing as though they should have been fighting two against two.
Orphany ran toward a box beneath her bed and dragged it out.
She flipped it open.
Nephis crouched beside her and looked inside.
The chest was filled with toys.
Nephis smiled faintly at the simple wonder of childhood as Orphany rummaged through them.
She glanced around again.
The room was also surprisingly clean.
"Your room is very nice," Nephis said, deciding to start somewhere.
Orphany immediately looked back at her.
"You like it? Thank you!"
Nephis smiled.
The girl's manners had most likely been instilled by Master Sunless.
Or...
Someone else?
Nephis's chest tightened for a reason she refused to examine.
She quickly pushed the thought aside.
"Your room is very clean. Does your Papa clean it for you?"
Orphany shook her head with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm.
"No! Papa taught me to clean up myself!"
She turned back toward the chest and continued digging through her toys.
"Every time I play, Papa makes sure I clean up after myself."
Then she giggled.
"But he's a softy! He helps me sometimes and cleans up when I fall asleep!"
Nephis smiled.
She could actually imagine it.
Master Sunless sitting somewhere in the room while Orphany wandered around, picking up her toys one by one and putting them back into the chest.
Perhaps he would occasionally help her.
And if she exhausted herself playing...
Nephis imagined Orphany falling asleep on the bed.
Sunless would probably tuck her beneath the covers.
Maybe brush some hair away from her face.
Kiss her forehead.
Then quietly clean whatever toys remained scattered across the room before standing at the doorway and looking back at the sleeping girl with that gentle smile of his.
The image created a different kind of warmth in Nephis's heart.
Then her imagination added a faceless woman standing beside him in the doorway.
The warmth immediately disappeared.
'Back to the mission, Neph.'
If Cassie wasn't going to help her, she could get the information herself.
"Look here, pretty miss! I have a star pillow!"
Orphany triumphantly pulled a star-shaped pillow from beneath her covers and hugged it with a brilliant smile.
Nephis stared at her.
...
'Maybe I'll play a little first.'
And so, the two girls played with toys.
Well...
Orphany played.
Nephis tried.
She smiled at the girl as she attempted to perform whatever role Orphany kept giving her with enough seriousness to make the little girl giggle uncontrollably.
Which only confused Nephis further.
Eventually, they reached a point where Orphany began showing her the many drawings she had made.
"And this is a big bad doggo, and this is me beating it!"
She proudly showed Nephis a childish scribble of herself jumping at a huge Nightmare Creature.
Nephis smiled faintly.
However, when Orphany turned to the next page—
Her smile disappeared.
For the first time since Nephis had entered the room, the little girl's cheerful expression faded.
Nephis's own smile slowly disappeared as well.
She could feel Orphany's positive emotions plummet.
Her gaze fell to the page.
There was the café.
The lake.
A man holding Orphany's hand who was clearly supposed to be Sunless.
And Orphany's other hand was being held by...
Nephis's heart clenched.
It was merely an outline.
The shape of a woman.
No face.
No expression.
Nothing.
The implication was difficult to misunderstand.
Still—
"Orphany," Nephis began carefully. "Can I ask who that lady is?"
Orphany didn't speak for a few seconds.
"No one..." she mumbled.
The sadness in her voice did something painful to Nephis's heart.
"No one?"
"Orphany doesn't have a mama, so I don't know what to draw."
That was a confirmation.
Or something close to it.
The possibility that Sunless had a lover who simply hadn't decided to accept Orphany remained, but Nephis found that unlikely as well.
Why would Master Sunless accept someone unwilling to respect his daughter?
The realization should have made Nephis happy.
It didn't.
Not when Orphany looked like she had cried over this very subject many times until even her smile had grown tired of trying.
For a moment, Nephis simply looked at her.
Then she raised her hand.
She gently placed it on Orphany's head.
The girl looked up.
Nephis softly patted her hair.
Orphany grew still.
Her lips parted slightly.
It felt somewhat similar to how Sunless patted her head.
And Orphany liked it.
A small smile slowly returned to her face as she leaned into Nephis's touch and allowed her head to be patted.
Nephis decided not to ask anything else about Sunless's personal life.
Not now.
She would rather help Orphany instead.
They remained like that for a few moments before Orphany suddenly pulled away.
She grabbed her colors and began scribbling on the drawing again.
Confused, Nephis looked over her shoulder.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
Her face grew warm.
'I like little Orphany even more now.'
Cassie's amused voice appeared in her mind before disappearing again.
The reason was obvious.
Orphany had picked up silver.
She was filling the empty outline with long silver hair.
Then she looked at Nephis's face, studying her seriously as she tried to decide between a lighter or slightly darker shade for her skin.
"O-Orphany?"
"Hmm?"
The girl looked back.
"What are you doing?" Nephis asked.
Orphany tilted her head.
Then smiled brightly.
"I'm making pretty miss in the drawing!"
She cheerfully turned back to her work.
Nephis opened her mouth.
She should stop her.
Probably.
But then her gaze fell upon the drawing.
Master Sunless.
Orphany.
And now...
Her.
Nephis suddenly wasn't sure if she wanted to stop the little girl.
However, Orphany abruptly stopped drawing on her own.
Nephis quietly released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
However, Orphne abruptly stopped drawing on her own. Nephis quietly released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding as the little girl stared down at the picture, silver crayon still held between her tiny fingers.
For a few moments, Orphne simply looked at the three figures. Her Papa. Herself. And now Nephis standing beside them.
Then she looked up.
"Pretty miss?"
Nephis tilted her head. "Yes?"
Orphne hesitated for the first time since Nephis had entered the room. Her fingers tightened slightly around the crayon before she asked, much more quietly than usual, "Do you mind being my mama?"
...
Nephis's entire mind went blank.
Her lips parted slightly, but nothing came out.
'Mama?'
Cassie became completely silent inside her head as well.
Orphne waited.
Nephis looked down at the drawing again.
Master Sunless was holding one of Orphne's hands.
Nephis now held the other.
Three figures standing beside the café and lake.
Together.
For some reason, Nephis's chest tightened.
She looked back at Orphne.
The little girl's hopeful expression slowly began to fade.
"Oh..."
Her golden eyes lowered.
Nephis immediately felt something painful twist inside her chest.
Orphne looked down at the drawing.
"Then... I can't draw you?"
"What?"
Nephis blinked.
"No."
Orphne's shoulders sank further.
Nephis realized immediately how that had sounded.
"No, Orphne. That's not what I meant."
The little girl looked up again.
Nephis hesitated before gently reaching over and placing her hand on Orphne's head.
"You can draw me."
Orphne's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Nephis gave her a faint smile.
"Really."
The girl's expression brightened immediately.
Then she looked down at the picture again.
"But..."
Nephis paused.
The word caught in her throat.
She glanced at the drawing.
At Sunless.
At Orphne.
Then at herself.
She had known Master Sunless for such a short time.
She had only met Orphne yesterday.
And yet...
The picture did not look unpleasant.
That realization caused warmth to creep into her cheeks.
Nephis gently continued patting Orphne's head.
"Let me think a little about the other part, alright?"
Orphne stared at her.
Then her entire face lit up.
"Okay!"
Apparently, that was more than enough for her.
She immediately returned to coloring Nephis's hair.
Nephis watched silently.
'You didn't say no.'
Cassie's voice finally returned.
Nephis's eyes narrowed.
'Cassie.'
'I'm only observing.'
'Stop observing.'
Cassie laughed quietly before disappearing from Nephis's thoughts again.
Orphne suddenly looked back up.
"Pretty miss?"
"Hm?"
"Don't tell Papa yet."
Nephis blinked.
"About the drawing?"
Orphne nodded seriously. "It's our secret."
A faint smile appeared on Nephis's lips.
"Alright."
She lowered her voice slightly.
"Our secret."
Orphne beamed.
Then her golden eyes wandered upward toward Nephis's hair.
She stared for several seconds.
Nephis noticed.
"What is it?"
Orphne pointed toward her head.
"Your hair was black before."
"Ah."
Nephis had almost forgotten that she had entered the café disguised.
"That's because I was using a Memory."
Orphne's eyes widened.
"A Memory?"
Nephis nodded.
"Some Memories can change what you look like."
"Really?"
"Really."
Orphne immediately brightened.
"Papa makes those!"
Nephis smiled.
"Yes. I know."
"Papa makes lots of Memories."
There was unmistakable pride in the girl's voice.
"He's really good."
"I've noticed."
"The best!"
Nephis couldn't help but smile at her absolute certainty.
After that, the supposed investigation disappeared almost entirely from Nephis's mind.
For the next twenty minutes—or perhaps considerably longer—the two of them simply played.
Well...
Orphne played.
Nephis tried.
At one point, Nephis became the ruler of a kingdom built from pillows. Then she became a knight charged with defending said kingdom.
Orphne found Nephis's completely serious approach to every ridiculous role utterly hilarious.
Eventually, the door opened.
"Are you two still alive in here?"
Both girls looked toward it.
Master Sunless stood in the doorway.
His black eyes moved across the toys scattered around the room before settling on Nephis.
Then Orphne.
His lips twitched.
"I see I've lost control of my own home."
"Papa!"
Orphne immediately jumped to her feet and ran toward him.
Sunless barely had time to brace before she wrapped herself around one of his legs.
He looked down.
"Hello to you too."
Orphne raised both arms.
"Up!"
Sunless sighed dramatically.
"You know, I do possess a spine."
"Up!"
"Merciless."
He crouched and lifted her easily.
Orphne immediately wrapped both arms around his neck.
Sunless looked toward Nephis.
"My lady."
Nephis stood.
"Master Sunless."
"I came to tell you lunch is ready."
"Thank you."
Sunless nodded.
Then his gaze shifted toward the drawing lying near the toys.
Orphne noticed.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait!"
She wriggled in his arms until Sunless nearly lost his grip.
"Careful."
Orphne grabbed the drawing before he could see it properly and pressed it against her chest.
Sunless raised an eyebrow.
"What are you hiding?"
"Nothing."
"That sounded extremely convincing."
"It's a secret."
Sunless looked toward Nephis.
Nephis looked away.
His eyebrow rose slightly higher.
"I see."
Orphne stared at the picture again.
Then at Nephis.
Then her Papa.
Her expression became thoughtful.
"Papa?"
"Hm?"
Orphne held the drawing up.
"Can pretty miss be my mama?"
...
Sunless froze.
Nephis froze again.
For several long seconds, no one moved.
Then Sunless slowly looked toward Nephis.
His face began to redden.
Nephis suspected hers was doing the same.
"O-Orphne."
The little girl looked at him innocently.
"Yes?"
Sunless cleared his throat.
"You can't just ask someone something like that."
Orphne frowned.
"Why?"
Sunless opened his mouth.
Paused.
Then apparently discovered that explaining relationships to a four-year-old was considerably harder than fighting Nightmare Creatures.
"Because..."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"That's something very important."
"But I like her."
"I know."
"And she likes me."
Sunless glanced toward Nephis.
Nephis abruptly became fascinated by a nearby stuffed animal.
"And you like her."
Sunless became even redder.
"Orphne."
"What?"
Nephis felt her heartbeat jump.
Sunless sighed before gently tapping the girl's nose.
"Don't be a silly bird."
Orphne pouted.
"I'm not a bird."
"You behave suspiciously like one."
"No."
"Yes."
"No!"
Sunny chuckled.
Then his expression softened as he turned toward Nephis.
"My lady..."
Nephis finally met his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
His embarrassment was obvious.
"Please don't feel like you have to answer anything because of her."
Nephis shook her head.
"It's alright."
"Still."
Sunny adjusted Orphne in his arms.
"I apologize."
Nephis hesitated.
Then smiled faintly.
"You don't need to."
Sunless studied her expression for a moment before relaxing.
"Thank you."
He looked down at Orphne.
"Come on, troublemaker. Lunch."
Orphne's disappointment vanished instantly.
"Food!"
Nephis nearly laughed.
...
When they reached the private dining area, Sunless placed Orphne in her seat. The girl immediately began looking over the dishes on the table with open excitement.
Sunny glanced toward Nephis.
"You can take your usual seat outside. I'll bring your food out once you're settled."
Nephis looked toward the porch.
Then toward Orphne.
Then Sunless.
"Master Sunless?"
He stopped.
"Yes?"
Nephis hesitated.
"Would you..."
Her voice became slightly quieter.
"Would you both like to join me?"
Sunny stared at her.
Orphne immediately raised both hands.
"Yes!"
Nephis's lips twitched.
Sunny looked toward his daughter before returning his gaze to Nephis.
A warm smile slowly appeared on his face.
"If you don't mind."
"I don't."
"Then we'd be happy to."
...
Some time later, Orphne had finished eating and was running through the grass near the lake. A tiny creature with translucent wings and a soft blue glow fluttered ahead of her, dipping between the flowers as the little girl chased after it with delighted laughter.
"Come back!"
Nephis watched from her seat as Orphne nearly caught it, only for the creature to suddenly dart upward and escape her grasp. The girl gasped in betrayal before immediately chasing after it again.
Sunless sat beside Nephis, one arm resting comfortably against his chair as he watched his daughter with a gentle smile.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
It was peaceful.
The lake shimmered beneath the afternoon light. The Familiar Café rested quietly behind them, and Orphne's laughter drifted through the air whenever the strange little creature escaped her again.
Nephis's eyes wandered toward Sunless.
He looked completely at ease.
Then a strange thought appeared in her mind.
If someone saw them from a distance...
A man and woman sitting beside each other while watching a little girl play in front of them.
Nephis felt her face grow warmer.
'We look like...'
She stopped herself.
No.
Absolutely not.
Orphne's question earlier had clearly affected her more than she wanted to admit.
Still...
Her gaze returned to the little girl.
Then to Sunless.
"Master Sunless?"
"Hm?"
He turned toward her.
Nephis hesitated for a moment before asking, "Have you ever thought about finding someone?"
Sunless blinked.
Nephis immediately realized how that sounded.
"For Orphne," she added quickly. "And yourself."
Understanding appeared in his black eyes.
"Oh."
He glanced toward Orphne.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
"I've thought about it."
Nephis's heartbeat changed slightly.
Sunless rested his cheek against one hand.
"But it's not something I can be careless about anymore."
"Because of Orphne?"
He nodded.
"If it were only me, I could afford to make stupid decisions."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"I've made plenty."
Nephis almost smiled.
"But now..."
His expression softened as he watched Orphne.
"If I brought someone into my life, I'd also be bringing them into hers."
Nephis listened quietly.
"Orphne doesn't get attached easily. But when she does, she loves people rather wholeheartedly." His smile became fond. "So I would have to be very sure about someone before allowing them close enough for her to think of them as family."
Something about the word made Nephis's chest tighten.
Sunless sighed lightly.
"Whoever I chose wouldn't just have to accept me."
His gaze remained on Orphne.
"They'd have to accept her too."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No uncertainty.
Nephis understood immediately.
Orphne wasn't something a potential partner would merely have to tolerate.
She was part of Sunless.
Anyone who wanted him would have to want his daughter as well.
For some reason, Nephis liked that answer very much.
Her eyes returned to Orphne.
"Then..."
Sunless looked toward her.
Nephis hesitated.
"Do you think someone like me would be good for her?"
His expression shifted.
Nephis continued before embarrassment could stop her.
"I don't have much experience with children. My life isn't exactly normal either."
That was an understatement.
"And I'm not sure I'm particularly..."
She searched for the right word.
"Good at this."
Sunless stared at her for a moment.
Then his expression softened.
"My lady."
Nephis looked at him.
"Orphne asked you to be her mother after knowing you for two days."
Nephis's face immediately became warm.
Sunless chuckled.
"I think that answers what she thinks."
"That's Orphne."
"She's quite selective when she wants to be."
Nephis gave him a doubtful look.
Sunless smiled.
"But if you're asking me..."
His expression became more serious.
"Yes."
Nephis became still.
"I think you'd be wonderful for her."
There was no hesitation at all.
Nephis's heart skipped strangely.
Sunless looked toward Orphne again.
"You listened to her. You played with her even though I'm fairly certain you had absolutely no idea what you were doing."
Nephis frowned.
"I understood some of it."
"I'm sure you were an exceptional pillow queen."
Nephis stared at him.
Sunless's lips twitched.
She decided to ignore that.
"You were gentle with her," he continued. "You took her seriously. And when she was upset, you cared more about making her feel better than whatever you originally wanted to ask."
Nephis's eyes narrowed slightly.
He really had noticed.
Sunless shrugged.
"Children don't need perfect adults around them."
His gaze softened.
"They need people who genuinely care."
Nephis looked toward Orphne again.
The little girl was crouched among the flowers now, whispering something to the glowing creature as though attempting diplomacy.
A small smile appeared on Nephis's face.
Then another question entered her mind.
A much more dangerous one.
"If that's what you think..."
She paused.
Sunless waited.
Nephis's fingers shifted slightly against the table.
"Would you ever consider someone like me to be—"
Her voice stopped.
Her heartbeat suddenly became far too loud.
Sunless's eyes widened faintly.
Nephis looked away.
What was she saying?
She couldn't finish that sentence.
Not when she wasn't even entirely certain what she had been about to ask.
A partner?
Someone for Orphne?
Someone for him?
All three possibilities were far too embarrassing.
Silence settled between them.
Nephis expected Sunless to tease her.
He didn't.
For several moments, he said nothing at all.
Then he looked toward the lake.
"You already have enough to deal with."
Nephis slowly turned back toward him.
Sunless's voice was quiet now.
"The war. Corruption. Humanity slowly abandoning the Waking World. The Great Clans."
He paused.
"And probably a ridiculous number of other things nobody bothers to ask whether you actually want to deal with."
Nephis remained silent.
Sunless smiled faintly.
"You're also..."
For the first time, he seemed hesitant.
"...rather beautiful."
Nephis's heartbeat jumped.
Sunless cleared his throat and looked away.
"So I imagine you've had more than enough suitors trying to add themselves to that list of problems."
Nephis stared at him.
"Most of them are annoying."
A laugh escaped Sunless before he could stop it.
"That doesn't surprise me."
Nephis's lips curved faintly.
Then Sunless became quiet again.
"I admire you, Lady Nephis."
The amusement disappeared from his voice.
Nephis looked toward him.
"I've told you that before."
His black eyes met hers.
"But I don't admire Changing Star."
He paused.
"I don't care that you're Immortal Flame's daughter. I don't care about your title. And while being a Saint is certainly impressive, that's not what makes me want you here."
Something warm began spreading through Nephis's chest.
"I admire you as a person."
Sunless smiled gently.
"And precisely because I do..."
He looked toward the café.
"I don't want to become another problem."
Nephis blinked.
Sunless continued before she could speak.
"When you first came here, I promised you something."
"A place to rest," Nephis said quietly.
He nodded.
"A place where no one wants anything from you."
His gaze moved back toward her.
"Where you can eat something you like, read beside the lake, spend time with Orphne, or simply sit here doing absolutely nothing if that's what you want."
Nephis listened silently.
"If I suddenly started pursuing you because I happen to admire you..."
Sunless gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.
"Then I would be putting another expectation on you."
Nephis's chest tightened.
"And I don't want that."
He glanced toward Orphne.
The little girl had finally abandoned her glowing prey and was picking flowers instead.
"I'd rather you keep coming here because you're happy here."
His voice softened.
"Even if that means I have to keep certain thoughts to myself."
Nephis froze.
Sunless seemed to realize what he had admitted a second too late.
His expression stiffened slightly.
Nephis stared at him.
Certain thoughts?
Her heartbeat accelerated.
Sunless cleared his throat.
"I believe I've said considerably more than I intended."
Nephis continued looking at him.
Then, very quietly—
"What if you wouldn't be another problem?"
Sunless became completely still.
Nephis's face warmed.
She almost wished she could take the words back.
Almost.
But she remembered Orphne's drawing.
Her own silver-haired figure standing beside Sunless.
The little girl's hand in hers.
She remembered how strangely natural the picture had looked.
So Nephis held his gaze.
Sunless stared at her for several long seconds.
Then something warm appeared in his eyes.
He smiled.
Not the teasing smile he often used.
Not the charming smile of the café owner.
Something quieter.
Something almost painfully sincere.
"Then..."
He paused.
"I suppose I'd have a great deal more to think about."
Nephis's lips slowly curved upward.
Neither said anything else.
They didn't need to.
In the distance, Orphne suddenly lifted a handful of flowers over her head.
"Papa! Pretty miss! Look!"
Both of them turned toward her.
Orphne stood beneath the afternoon light, smiling proudly as she held the flowers she had gathered.
Nephis smiled.
Beside her, Sunless did the same.
And for just a moment—
The thought returned.
A man.
A woman.
Their little girl playing beneath the sun.
Master Sunless.
Herself.
And little Orphne
This time, Nephis didn't force the thought away quite as quickly.
Later that night, Nephis lay awake in her room.
The Ivory Tower was quiet around her. Moonlight slipped faintly through the window, painting pale shapes across the room while Nephis stared at the ceiling without really seeing it.
Her thoughts had been annoyingly persistent ever since she returned.
Orphne's drawing.
Her question.
Sunless sitting beside her near the lake.
And, most embarrassingly...
Her own words.
'What if you wouldn't be another problem?'
Nephis's eyes slowly closed.
What had possessed her to say that?
She had practically invited him to pursue her.
Not literally.
Probably.
But considering what they had been discussing, there were not many innocent ways to interpret it.
Nephis rolled onto her side and pulled part of the blanket closer.
Her face felt warm again.
She had fought Nightmare Creatures that could destroy cities. She had challenged Saints, survived Nightmares, crossed Death Zones and walked willingly toward battles that might kill her.
Yet apparently asking a handsome café owner whether he might consider her romantically was where her courage finally became questionable.
Her lips twitched.
Still...
Sunless was single.
The thought appeared again.
This time, Nephis did not try to suppress it.
There was no mysterious wife.
No lover hidden somewhere.
No woman waiting for him.
Orphne was his adopted daughter, and he was raising her alone.
And he had admitted that he admired Nephis.
Not Changing Star.
Her.
A small smile slowly appeared on Nephis's face.
She rolled onto her other side.
'You're smiling.'
Cassie's voice suddenly entered her mind.
Nephis's smile vanished.
'Go away.'
There was a brief silence.
Then—
'So Master Sunless is single.'
'Cassie.'
'And he admires you.'
'Cassie.'
'And you basically told him he was allowed to—'
'Good night, Cassie.'
The mental connection abruptly became very quiet.
Nephis closed her eyes.
Several seconds passed.
Then Cassie's voice returned one last time.
'I'm proud of you.'
Nephis opened her eyes.
Her expression softened slightly.
Then—
'Now go away.'
Cassie laughed and finally disappeared.
Nephis pulled the blanket a little higher.
Her mind wandered back toward the café.
Toward Orphne.
Toward the ridiculous drawing of the three of them standing together near the lake.
Her.
Sunless.
Their—
Nephis immediately stopped.
'Not our.'
Her cheeks warmed.
A few moments later, though, her smile returned anyway.
And this time, there was no Cassie around to comment on it.
She thought of Sunless again.
'Maybe ours?'
Elsewhere, the Familiar Café had long since fallen silent.
Sunless sat beside Orphne's bed, watching the little girl sleep beneath her blankets. Strands of black hair had fallen messily across her forehead, so he reached forward and gently brushed them aside.
"Good night, silly bird."
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.
Orphne shifted slightly in her sleep but did not wake.
Sunless smiled faintly, pulled the blanket a little higher around her shoulders, and stood.
He was about to leave when something near the scattered toys caught his attention.
A book had been left facedown on the floor.
Sunless sighed quietly.
"I thought we were getting better at cleaning."
He bent down and picked it up.
A loose page slipped from between the sheets.
Sunless caught it before it reached the floor.
He glanced down.
Then froze.
There was the café.
The lake.
Orphne stood between two figures, holding both of their hands.
One had black hair.
The other had long silver hair.
Sunless stared at the picture blankly.
He didn't move.
Didn't blink.
For several long seconds, there was nothing at all on his face.
Then his shoulders trembled.
Once.
Then again.
His fingers tightened around the edges of the page.
A tear silently rolled down his cheek.
Sunless remained completely still.
Another followed.
He closed his eyes.
His shoulders shook once more before he raised a hand and quickly wiped the tears away.
Silence returned to the room.
Orphne continued sleeping peacefully behind him.
Sunless opened his eyes and looked at the drawing again.
His gaze lingered on Orphne.
Then Nephis.
Then himself.
He stood there for a long moment.
Eventually, his hand moved toward the book.
He hesitated.
Then stopped.
Sunless looked at the picture one last time before carefully separating the page completely.
Not a single part of it tore.
He held it between his fingers as essence quietly gathered around the fragile sheet of paper.
Threads formed.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The crude drawing did not change. Not one line. Not one uneven patch of color.
The page simply became a Memory.
Nothing powerful.
Nothing complicated.
Just something that would last.
Sunless looked at it for another moment.
Then dismissed it.
The drawing vanished safely into his soul.
He remained standing beside Orphne's bed in silence.
After a few seconds, Sunless wiped beneath his eyes once more, turned toward the sleeping girl, and gently pulled her blanket higher.
Then he quietly left the room.
...
Walking through the halls of the castle in Ravenheart was the Queen of Worms.
"He killed them?" she asked.
"Yes. Not all, but some," Beastmaster answered.
"Did he destroy the supplies or steal them?" Ki Song asked.
"He didn't seem concerned with the supplies beyond stopping us," Seishan answered.
"If he was with Valor, he would have taken the supplies. So there is still a chance he didn't join the King of Swords," Beastmaster noted.
"It weakens possibilities. It does not remove them," Ki Song said.
The women nodded as they opened the doors to the throne room.
"Send—"
Ki Song stopped mid-step.
Her eyes narrowed at the sight before her.
Her daughters were already there.
All of them.
And they, too, were staring ahead with widened eyes.
Because sitting upon the throne belonging to the Queen of Worms...
Were shadows.
Darkness rested across the throne like a living thing, surrounding the outline of a man wearing a demonic mask.
The Lord of Shadows sat casually upon Ki Song's throne.
One leg rested over the other.
His head leaned lazily against his left fist.
As though he belonged there.
"You made it," the Saint said.
Ki Song's eyes narrowed.
"Lord of Shadows."
"Exceptionally perceptive."
Beastmaster immediately stepped forward.
"How dare you barge into our Domain and sit upon the Queen's throne!"
The Lord of Shadows barely moved.
"How dare I?"
His masked face tilted slightly.
"I did exactly what I can. I walked into your land and claimed a throne that you yourself have no right to."
Several of the Saints moved to step forward.
Ki Song did not.
Calm.
Composed.
Overwhelming.
She walked ahead instead, stopping before the throne and staring at the creature occupying it with suppressed hostility.
"Why are you here?"
The shadows remained still for several moments.
Then—
A snort escaped him.
"Why am I here?"
The Lord of Shadows leaned back.
"Isn't it obvious?"
His voice became colder.
"I'm here to remind you of your place."
Ki Song's eyes narrowed.
Beastmaster's hand twitched threateningly.
The Lord of Shadows didn't care.
"You are awfully confident in claiming the dead as yours while daring to dwell in an existence that bows to my will."
Someone near the back snorted contemptuously.
Ki Song did not.
Her expression merely grew colder.
"You are quite full of yourself, Lord of Shadows. Walking into my Domain..."
Her gaze hardened.
"Sitting on my throne."
The Lord of Shadows shifted comfortably upon the throne.
Almost as though claiming it a second time.
"I am here to warn you, child."
The Saints behind Ki Song stiffened.
The Queen of Worms felt her annoyance approaching its limit.
"I will say this once in your presence."
The shadows surrounding him stirred.
"If your people march into Godgrave, they will face me."
His masked face turned toward the gathered Saints.
"And they will all die."
Ki Song stared at him coldly.
"You think you have what it takes to defeat my daughters?"
The Lord of Shadows remained relaxed.
"Is the fool lying half-dead in your palace not enough for you to understand what I am?"
What?
Ki Song's eyes narrowed further.
She stepped forward.
"Is that a threat, Lord of Shadows?"
"No."
The shadows answered.
"It's a promise."
His voice became chillingly calm.
"The next time I see your daughters, I will tear them apart limb from limb and spike their heads atop your palace unless you heed me."
BOOM!
The Queen of Worms moved.
She did not care about the reactions of the women behind her.
She simply raised her hand—
And a deafening explosion tore through the palace.
Across Ravenheart, people looked toward the castle in alarm.
Some ordinary people were thrown from their feet as part of the palace erupted in dust and debris.
For several moments, nothing could be seen.
Then the smoke began to clear.
The throne was empty.
No shadows.
No mysterious Saint.
No Lord of Shadows.
Only his departing words remained.
"Foolish girl."
The voice echoed through the ruined hall.