In a world where everything seems perfectly logical and pragmatic. The thought of anything existing outside of the realm of what one already knows seems impractical.
That is how Melinda Morrison sees life.
The very life where she has shared nearly e...
The phases of the moon unveil the hidden depths of one's true self.
"Is it true that the Count is my real father?" Nüwa asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Kiraz sighed softly, offering a gentle smile as he patted her head. "Yes, Nuwie. The blood analysis confirmed it. Your mother and I always had our suspicions, but now we know for certain."
Nüwa's expression darkened, and she fidgeted with her hands. "And those children of the Countess... they're my brothers and sister?" She asked, her tone subdued.
Kiraz nodded slowly. "Yes. You're actually the oldest of the Count's daughters, by a mere month."
Nüwa frowned deeply, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't think they like me much."
Curiosity got the better of me as I skimmed the relics in the Kathozh household cellar, the dim light casting shadows over the archival pieces. "Why do you think that?" I asked, still focused on finding what I had come for.
"They looked at me weird at dinner after I took the blood test," Nüwa admitted, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't like being stared at."
I paused, glancing back at her with understanding. "That makes two of us, my dear niece. Don't concern yourself with their stares. They're likely just shocked, learning they had another sibling all this time."
Then, my fingers finally brushed against it—the journal. Noxi's journal. A piece of her soul captured in ink, something she carried everywhere. As a child, my curiosity had led me to try and read it, only to be thwarted by the protective wards she had placed on its pages. Due to my lack of magic, I could never break through her enchantments back then. But now, as Lavania, I was capable of much more. I wondered if those magical wards had faded over the centuries. Wards required upkeep, and even the most skilled sorcerers couldn't cast spells to last indefinitely.
Unless one was a supreme sorcerer.
I carefully opened the journal, and to my delight, the pages were no longer sealed, nor were the pages blank as untouched snow. They were filled with Noxi's immaculate handwriting, the strokes familiar yet distant.
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"So... we're distant relatives, then," Nüwa said as she came closer, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she peeked over my arm. I smiled gently.
"Yes, you're my great-great-great niece. No matter who your current family is, I'll always be your family too, Nuwie."
A soft smile tugged at her lips, and she nodded. "Okay, Mama." Her gaze wandered over the scattered relics. "Can I look at the other stuff?"
"Of course," I replied, encouraging her. "These are your ancestors' possessions. Feel free to explore."
As she eagerly searched through the boxes, I returned my attention to the journal.
"Noxi's diary?" Kiraz asked, leaning over my shoulder. I glanced at him, mildly surprised. "I didn't think you'd remember."
