my next life as a villainess, all routes lead to doom x fem!oc [Book 2]

Adopted by the Claes

Kiana watched with grief, along with her friends, as her mother's casket was slowly lowered into the ground. She stepped forward and dropped a white rose on the casket, before walking back with a head hung low. Her friends could only stare at her in pity, as they also couldn't do anything to prevent Kiana's mother from passing away. Sophia went to Kiana's side before giving her a side hug, indicating that they were there for her. Kiana returned the side hug while more tears started streaming down her cheeks as she wiped her red nose from crying too much. Catarina, Mary and Maria also came forward to Kiana, before giving her words of encouragement and motivation. Keith had a small but sad smile while looking at the girls trying their best to comfort Kiana. Nicol, Alan and Geordo all wanted to run to Kiana and hug her, while saying comforting words to her, but refrained from doing so. 

After an hour or so, the funeral for Marellia Damaris, Kiana's mother, was officially over. Keith and Catarina had invited Kiana to come with them to their resident, saying that their mother wanted to see her, so Kiana agreed. They arrived at the resident and went out of the carriage one by one. The doors opened as the three looked behind them to see Millidiana Claes, Keith and Catarina's mother. "Kiana! Oh poor you, come here.."  Millidiana said as she spread her arms out while walking to Kiana. Kiana obliged and let Millidiana hug her, while also returning the hug. "I'm very sorry for the lost, let's not stand outside for too long. You two too, come in!" Millidiana said, before pointing at Catarina and Keith and walking inside with Kiana beside her. Even before the funeral was held, Kiana rarely spoke, only using gestures or not even replying. 

They sat in the living room while the maids brought tea. "Soo mom, why did you invite Kiana here?" Catarina said before sipping her tea. "About that, I would like to ask Kiana something." Millidiana said with a small smile. "I heard that you're supposed to be re-adopted by the Coleman family?" She asked again as Kiana slowly nodded. "Well...instead of being re-adopted by them, would you like to be adopted by me and become a Claes?" Millidiana said, before Catarina, Keith and Kiana all widened their eyes. "Mother, you are adopting Kiana?" Keith asked, unsure if he heard that correct. "Do I have to repeat myself, Keith?" Millidiana said with a deadpanned expression towards Keith. 

"Anyways, Kiana dear, what would your answer be?" She asked with a smile now towards Kiana.  Kiana was silent for a while, before deciding to reply. "...I-It would be my honor, to be a Claes.." She said, before Millidiana stood up. "Alright then, I'll go get the adoptions paper ready. You can call me Mom now, if you wish!" She said, before walking off to the hallways. "AHHH KIANA SAN! YOU'RE GOING TO BE MY SISTER NOW" Catarina said, before jumping at Kiana and hugging her with a huge smile. Kiana unconsciously let a small smile etched onto her face. Keith also smiled and hugged Kiana from behind. "Welcome to your new home, sister." He said, happily. Anne also watched this sweet moment with a smile on her face, before walking back upstairs.  

Time skip : Night time

Keith and Catarina's parents, now Kiana's too, sorted out everything for Kiana after a few hours. They allowed Kiana to go get her belongings from her old house, along with Catarina and Keith. Kiana talked a bit more with Catarina and Keith after what happened, along the way back. Kiana was now in her new bedroom as she was staring at herself in the mirror. 'Who...who would kill mother? Did she have a grudge with someone? Just why would they kill her?' She thought to herself, before sighing loudly. There was a knock on the door and Kiana turned around to the noise. 

"Come in?" Kiana said, before the door opened to reveal Catarina in her night gown. "Oh Catarina san..aren't you supposed to be asleep?" Kiana said, before Catarina gave her a sheepish smile. "I just wanted to talk with you more, and you can call me sister or Catarina if you want! No need to be formal anymore." Catarina said as she sat down on an armchair that was next to Kiana's bed. "Ah I see...what did you want to talk about?" Kiana said as she sat down on her bed. Catarina's face suddenly turned serious and she sighed before replying to Kiana's question.