Minato froze, his eyes darting back to her. Seeing her cry hit him harder than he expected. The anger that had been boiling in his chest started to crumble, replaced by confusion and guilt...
He stepped closer, his tone softer but still sowhat unsure of his feelings. "No, Alia, I don’t hate you..."
She shook her head, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "Then why won’t you look at the sa way anymore?"
Minato hesitated, his throat tightening. "Because I don’t know what to feel right now."
Alia bit her lip, trying to steady her voice. "I never lied because I wanted to hurt you, Minato. I just... didn’t want that part of my life to co between us."
He sighed, taking another step closer. "You could’ve trusted enough to tell ."
Her tears fell harder now, her shoulders shaking slightly. "I was scared you’d walk away if you knew."
Minato stared at her for a long second, then exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why would I do that?"
Alia lifted her gaze to him; her red eyes beca watery from crying.
He slowly wrapped his hands around her waist and kissed her on the lips... "You’re mine, and mine alone. I would never leave you, no matter what..."
"And about Darius, you don’t have to worry about him soon..." Minato continued talking.
Alia looked up at him, her cheeks warming with a little pink blush. "What do you an?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with curiosity.
"Alia," he said, his tone steady and audible, "have you heard about the Blood Tree?"
She froze for a mont, eyes widening. "Yes... It’s the source of every vampire’s powers and abilities. Not only that, it holds and sustains the entire Continent of Blood." Her hands clenched slightly at her sides nervously.
"Why are you asking this?" she pressed on, sensing the worry and weight behind his words and face.
"Because in seven days’ ti, soone is going to betray you all and start a revolution," Minato responded, his voice low enough not to be heard from outside the door.
Her hands flew to cover her mouth. "Is it... the system?" she whispered, a hint of fear creeping into her tone.
"Yes." He nodded, folding his hands together.
"Did it say who?" she asked, her eyes searching his for answers.
He looked away, running a hand through his hair and letting out a quiet sigh. "It’s the family of your fiancé..."
She stiffened and turned quickly. "Let go and tell my father imdiately."
He grabbed her hands firmly but gently enough not to hurt her wrist, stopping her in motion. "Not yet."
"What do you an, not yet?" she asked, confusion and urgency mixing in her voice.
He leaned closer, pinching her cheeks lightly, forcing her to et his eyes. "Do you have proof?"
She looked down; the tension in her shoulders was evident in her inadequate thinking. "No."
Minato shook his head slowly, his expression serious. "Then we can’t act recklessly. If you tell your father now without proof, who do you think he is going to believe... , the stranger or your fiancé’s family?"
"You’re right," Alia frowned, biting her lower lip. "So... what do we do then?"
He tightened his grip on her hands gently, eting her eyes. "We watch, we wait, and we prepare. I’ll find a way to confirm it before anyone makes a move."
Her red eyes widened slightly. "And the Blood Tree...?"
"Leave it for now. It should probably be guarded, am I right?" Minato replied, his tone cautious.
"Yes, but how am I supposed to trust the guards?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
He sighed briefly, staring down at his hands. "You don’t have a choice."
He clenched his fists slightly. "Alia... I need to get stronger."
She reached out, placing a hand gently on his arm. "You don’t need to stress yourself... You have ."
"It’s not that. I’m not satisfied with my current strength," he admitted, a serious edge to his voice and speech manner. "Do you have a place where I can train alone?"
She bit her lip, hesitating for a mont. "Yes... We do."
"Good. After I settle in, I’d like you to show ."
She nodded, looking down. Minato could tell she thought he was abandoning her, but little did she know that wasn’t possible. By the system’s rules and its Familiar protocol, their bond lasted for life, until the Host died... It’s basically like they are a married couple.
A knock ca at the door, breaking the tense silence. Minato quickly sat on the bed, while Alia adjusted her collar and opened the door.
It was her sisters and Radelia. Without hesitation, they entered Minato’s guest room.
"Hmmm, Alia, you gave him one of the nicest guest rooms we have at the palace," Deborah comnted before hopping onto the bed with a playful smile.
Minato froze for a mont, rubbing the back of his neck and giving a small, nervous smile as the room suddenly beca crowded.
Elizabeth followed behind, her black hair falling over her shoulders as she gave Minato a once-over look. "You’ve got it pretty good here... I hope you appreciate it," she said, smirking proudly.
Minato could see the pridefulness in her sisters... the sa pride he had first seen in Alia when they t for the first ti in his apartnt.
Radelia, however, simply stepped in quietly and stood by the door, her hands folded in front of her. She gave Minato a small nod, acknowledging him for his composure without saying much.
Minato took a deep breath, trying to remain calm despite the sudden attention. "Uh... thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your hospitality," he said carefully, his eyes shifting between the three of them and landing briefly on Alia, who watched the scene silently.
Deborah leaned closer to his ear, curiosity in her tone. "So... what exactly do you plan to do while you’re here?
"Training, I assu?" Minato replied in a noble chipping in his next motive so that it wouldn’t be strange if he wasn’t around all the ti, straightening his posture. "I need to get stronger. There are things that are dear to that I would like to protect."
"Hm, it’s Alia, right?" Deborah said, smiling at both of them.
Alia instantly blushed and covered her face with her hands...
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