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.."
"Ugh.. it hurts," Amaya said while rubbing her head.
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 started 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.
"He wants to meet? What for?" Amaya mumbled in confusion.
"Hah… what does he want now?" Amaya walked towards her bed and sat on it, wondering about his sudden order 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.
"Vey, where did you come from, hmm?" Anna said while holding Veylor by his armpits, bringing him to eye level.
"Mew!.. Myu!.." Veylor tilted his head like he was looking at an idiot.
"Hah.. Of course, you wouldn't know," Anna said after heaving a sigh.
"Well, you'll be my pet from now on," Anna said as she hugged Vey.
"Meow!" Veylor replied, seemingly agreeing to her words.
*Growl* *Growl*
Veylor's stomach started 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 started shaking his head with a loud, disapproving sound.
"Mew!!"
Seeing that, Anna started to chuckle out loud.
"What about meat then?"
Veylor's eyes shone when he heard the divine word "meat" and started nodding frantically.
"Myu!.. Myu!.."
"Haha," Seeing him act like that over some meat, Anna chuckled.
"Yes, yes, Vey is going to eat meat," Anna said, shaking her head.
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 banister 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.
"Yes, Miss Anna," Andy replied as he moved towards Anna.
"Can you get the chefs to prepare some meat for Vey?" Said Anna
"As you say, Miss Anna." Andy bowed his head and started 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 started watering, and he leaped 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!"
"Miss Anna," Andy walked forward and replied to 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.
"He already finished all of it?" Andy couldn't help but question his eyes.
"Yes," Anna replied with a small chuckle.
"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 started 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 her talk with her two best friends about Zora's mother. She left the room, slowly closing the door, making sure not to wake the beast sleeping on her bed.
Anna started 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.
"Anna..! sob!" Zora replied while sobbing.
Anna's anxiety reached a new level when she heard Zora crying.
"What happened, Zora?" Anna asked, her voice dripping with concern and anxiety
"Uwah.. I-I fell while running uwah.." said Zora while sobbing
As soon as Anna heard her words, she started blinking her eyes like she couldn't believe what she had heard.
"You fell?" Anna asked to make sure that she heard her right
"Yea… oomph"
Anna clenched and unclenched her right fist a few times, took a deep breath, and thought to herself.
'It's fine, she must be on edge due to her mother's health… I shouldn't say anything mean.'
"I hope you fall again! You psycho," Anna said in a gentle, calm voice.
"You meanie!!" Zora replied with a sharp voice.
"How's your mom?"
"Huh? Oh… Mom's fine, she just fell from the ladder while taking something out of our old apartment.. She still can't move, though."
"Hanna and I wanted to meet and check up on your mother. Is that fine with you?"
"Sure thing… but it's not possible till the day after tomorrow. We're moving Mom home tomorrow morning."
"Oh... Sure, then Hanna and I are coming to meet you and your mom the day after tomorrow."
"Sure.. I have to go now, Mom is calling me."
"Sure, see you soon."
"See you, Anna"