«Daphne... I want to know the truth!» I say in a firm and determined voice. «That excuse about the energy disruption from using the Supre Blood Word never convinced —not from the start—and it makes even less sense with each passing day!» Daphne and I are standing in the sa rocky plain where I used to train with Ayra, but in a different spot. Here, among the stone peaks, there are also trees and little ponds—probably so kind of forest border. Yeah, Daphne’s my trainer now too... She’s not super strong, but learning from her is actually really helpful: she knows tons of Blood Words, she’s great at explaining things—and most of all, she’s got a lot of patience...
«And what makes you think I’m lying to you?» she replies flatly, crossing her arms and giving the kind of narrowed stare people use when they’re being challenged.
«Because I know Ayra! Not as well as you do, of course, but I’m sure that sudden, drastic shift in how she treats has to an sothing...» I lower my sword—there’s no way I can keep fighting Daphne in this state of mind. «...I know you both have your reasons for hiding it from , but her coldness—this complete disinterest she’s suddenly showing —is tearing apart. I can’t sleep at night, and I know there must be a serious reason behind it. People don’t change like that for no reason! Please, Daphne, whatever it is, I need to know! Did I do sothing wrong? Did I hurt her, disappoint her? If that’s the case, I’d fight the strongest vampire in the world if that’s what it takes to win her back!»
«Oh, Lyon...» Daphne sighs, her face darkened with a deep lancholy. «It’s not your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong—in fact, maybe you even did too much...»
«Too much...?» I echo, not understanding what she ans.
«What I’m about to tell you is sothing Ayra confided in —a secret between sisters—sothing she made swear never to share with anyone. And I expect you to do the sa. You’re her familiar, and the bond between you two has always fascinated ... but you deserve to know. I’ll be direct—there’s no point in dressing it up or softening the blow...»
I nod—my heart is pounding so loudly it feels like Daphne can hear it. My whole body is trembling, caught between impatience and the fear of finally learning the truth. It’s like I’m waiting for the most important news of my life, but I don’t know if it’ll be good or devastating. Daphne’s expression turns serious, her scarlet eyes locked onto mine with intense focus.
«Ayra...» she pauses, takes a breath, then speaks again—her voice almost breaking. «...Ayra wants to undo the Binding Ritual she made with you. She doesn’t want you to be her familiar anymore.»
«Y-YOU’RE JOKING...?!» I shout, my eyes widening in disbelief.
«Unfortunately not...» Daphne murmurs, turning her gaze away as tears begin to form in her eyes—just like mine—as if she’s on the verge of crying too. «I’ve told you before that my little sister has always had... let’s say, a soft spot for . Ever since we were kids, she’s copied everything I do—from the dumbest things like how I dress, to how I talk, even how I walk... and how I act around my familiar.»
Her tearful eyes lock with mine again.
«You understand where I’m going with this...?»
«I-I hope not...» I stamr, the words barely making it out of my mouth. Sadly, I fear I already know exactly what she ans, and I pray to the God of Light that I’m wrong...
«Ayra has always treated you the sa way she’s seen treat Kajetan. And that’s not a coincidence...» Daphne begins to sob more deeply.
«The Ayra you’ve known until now—the sweet, kind, affectionate girl you’ve fallen for—was just her latest attempt to imitate . You were right, I lied to you... The coldness, the distance she’s been showing you isn’t just a phase. I only said that to buy ti, hoping you’d figure it out on your own. But your love for her blinded you so much, you couldn’t see the truth. The indifferent, distant Ayra you’ve seen these past few days... that’s the real Ayra.»
With slow, steady steps, Daphne walks toward , while I—completely frozen—can only stand there and listen.
«As hard as she tried to copy the sweetness and affection I show Kajetan, in the end her true nature took over. She couldn’t keep the mask on anymore—the pressure of pretending around you every single mont beca too much for her. But instead of admitting she failed... she chose to walk away from you.»
Now Daphne is standing right in front of . «...I’m sorry, Lyon. This is my fault too. I went along with her—I spoke to you like she really was a girl with a heart of gold and real empathy—just because I truly hoped she might change. For a mont, I even fooled myself into believing she’d beco that special person you saw in her. But... it was just a brief illusion. I really hope you can forgive .»
At those words, my legs give out, as if my bones suddenly disappeared—but Daphne catches before I fall, wrapping tightly in her arms.
«Why...? Why...? It’s not fair...»
My crying is uncontrollable and muffled, my breath crushed by an invisible weight pressing down on my chest. Tears stream nonstop onto Daphne’s chest. She gently helps sit on the ground, then sits down too, stretching out her legs and inviting to rest my head on her thigh.
During training, Daphne obviously doesn’t wear her usual elegant white coats, but lighter, more casual clothes suited for the occasion. Right now, she’s wearing a short erald-green dress with a skirt that stops at mid-thigh. My cheek is pressed directly against her soft, smooth skin—a comforting sensation that, sohow, eases my endless despair.
«I... I can’t just pretend nothing happened after hearing all this... Take to her! I want her to say it to my face!» I whisper between sobs, my fingers nervously clutching the hem of her skirt—a desperate gesture, but also one of attachnt, as if trying to feel her even closer. She understands right away, and I soon feel her delicate hand slide through my hair, gently caressing the back of my neck with a tenderness I’ve never known before.
«Lyon... I told you all this on the condition that it stays between the two of us.» Daphne’s voice turns more serious, though it never loses that gentle tone—like a warm, caring scolding. «Ayra confided in —a secret between sisters—and even if I don’t agree with her choice at all, I’ll never stop loving her with all my heart. You’ve just experienced it yourself—the imnse pain, the unbearable suffering of being betrayed by soone you love. So you, more than anyone, should understand why this needs to remain between us. Besides... you’ll see it for yourself in three months.»
«What... are you talking about?» My voice is barely more than a whisper now.
I hear Daphne let out a deep sigh—not a good sign.
«Ayra asked to beco your mistress...»
«WHAT...?!»
«Even I could barely believe what she said... I never imagined she’d go that far. She actually had the nerve to suggest a trade—between you and Kajetan. And she knows how much I love my familiar... It really hurt .»
«And... you... what did you say to her...?» I ask, my voice shaking.
«The way I see it, the choice isn’t between having you or Kajetan as my familiar. It’s about which one of you needs more. Kajetan has beco so strong that my presence is almost unnecessary—these past few days, he’s even started mastering the Perfect Vis-Flamma while sparring with Syrius Vondler, Levreshka’s bodyguard. But you... you’re still just starting out. You’re inexperienced, and more than anything, emotionally broken. You’re a truly special boy, Lyon. I’ve always told you that—and I’ve told Ayra, too. I can’t just stand by and let you fall into the hands of so cruel, heartless noble like Countess Alia! As painful as this decision is... in the end, I felt like I had no choice but to accept her offer.»
The silence that follows is the heaviest, most suffocating thing I’ve ever felt—broken only by the sound of my own heart-wrenching sobs.
Daphne leans toward and pulls into a warm, comforting hug—her arms tight around as I feel her tears dripping onto my face.
«I... I promise I’ll never leave you, Lyon! I won’t let you suffer ever again, for any reason! I’ll take care of you just like I’ve taken care of Kajetan all these years—no, even more! I’ll pamper you, spoil you in every way I can, until you find the happiness you truly deserve! I promise, Lyon...»
What... a strange feeling. My heart... it’s pounding like crazy, but it’s not just from the pain of being abandoned by Ayra. There’s sothing else. I’m sure of it...
«Thank you, Daphne... thank you so much... thank you for existing...»
Those are the only words I can manage to say—the summary of the million conflicting thoughts swirling in my head. A feeling of gratitude, mixed with sothing else... as my arms wrap around her waist, returning the hug. We stay like that for several long minutes, holding each other in silence.
«Lyon...» Daphne’s voice is barely a whisper as her soft hand rests gently on my cheek, bringing my face just a palm’s width from hers. Her cheeks are visibly blushing, and she’s wearing a sweet, reassuring smile that lts my heart. «Let show you how much I care about you...»
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