~the undead Diaries~ (re-editing!!)

the lullaby

The girls placed their dishes into the sink, a clatter of plates and utensils ringing through the kitchen before they hurried to catch up with me. I was already ascending the staircase when one of the Athenians, a girl with curious eyes and an inquisitive expression, called out to me. "If you are the leader and Finn is the leader too, what will happen? Will he stay the leader, or will you, or will you both share the role?" she asked, her brow knitting together in confusion.

I paused and turned to face her, a warm smile breaking across my face. "Well, we will both be leaders, but I will still be the leader of this house for now. It's important to me that I get to know Finn—and all of you—better first. I want to ensure that you all feel comfortable and that none of you will betray me or my brother," I explained, my voice steady and reassuring. "Even though, truthfully, I don't think any of you would do that." With a nod of encouragement, I continued up the stairs, feeling the camaraderie begin to solidify among us.

"Now come along, everyone! It's time to get you settled into your rooms so you can freshen up and get some rest," I called out, trying to maintain a cheerful tone. "We have a big day ahead, and I'll be assigning jobs tomorrow to ensure I can sleep soundly tonight."

I turned and began walking down the hallway, the soft glow of the lights illuminating the way to the girls' sleeping quarters. At the end of the hall, I paused in front of the first door. "Athena, this is your room," I announced, gently pushing the door open to reveal a spacious room adorned with light pastel colors and cozy furnishings. "It's big enough for you, complete with a closet to store your things and a private bathroom for your convenience. I hope you enjoy it," I added, smiling warmly as she stepped inside.

As she settled in, I carefully closed the door behind her. "Have a good sleep, Athena!" I called through the closed door, my voice full of affection.

Next, I made my way to the second room, confident in my choices. "Monrow, this is your room—it's just as nice as Athena's," I said, opening the door to reveal another inviting space, equally filled with warmth and charm. Once Monrow entered, I gave her a friendly wave and closed the door gently, wishing her goodnight as well.

"Now, follow me, little one," I said, glancing back at Darcy with a playful grin. We made our way to the next door, which was slightly smaller but still cozy and inviting. "Darcy, this is your room." I opened the door to reveal a snug bedroom, decorated with whimsical touches that reflected her vibrant personality. "It's a bit smaller than Athena's and Monrow's, but what makes it special is that it's connected to my room. This way, you'll always be close to me," I explained, gesturing toward the door leading into my own space.

I pointed out the essential features. "There's your bathroom to the left and a closet for your clothes. Just be mindful of the door on the right; that leads to my room, so you can come to me if you need anything," I added with a wide smile, wanting her to feel safe and comfortable. Darcy stepped into her new space, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Goodnight!" she called back to me, her voice filled with eagerness for the adventures that awaited us all.

With a content heart, I turned to leave, knowing they were all settled in for the night.

I gently closed her door behind me, the soft click reverberating in the quiet house as I made my way down the dimly lit hallway toward my room. The air felt thick with tension, and as I navigated the familiar path, I unexpectedly collided with Finn. He stood there with an infuriating smirk plastered across his face—a familiar sight these days.