Golden Melody (Editing)

Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Wov Residence

The courtyard of the Wov residence buzzed with quiet movement.

Suitcases rolled across the stone path. Drivers lifted luggage into the trunks of waiting cars.

Near the driveway, Zatariel heaved another suitcase into the back of the car with exaggerated effort.

"You know," he announced loudly, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves, "normal students transfer schools at the beginning of the year."

Aleanna stood beside the car.

Silent.

Zatariel kept going.

"It's January, Aly. Two months. The school year ends in two months."

Aleanna didn't answer. She simply shook her head.

"No explanation?" he pressed. "Not even a dramatic goodbye speech? I expected better from you."

Nothing.

Zatariel sighed dramatically.

"Fantastic. My favorite argumentative cousin has been replaced with a silent mannequin."

Aleanna lowered her gaze.

Still nothing.

Zatariel leaned against the car door.

"Seriously. Can't you just wait until the closing ceremony? Leave after?"

Aleanna shook her head again.

That was all.

Zatariel rubbed his face.

"Talk. Please. You're killing me."

His older sister Margery stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Aleanna's shoulders.

"Let her be, Zat," Margery said gently.

Zatariel scoffed. "I'm asking reasonable questions."

Margery glanced at Aleanna, then back at her brother.

"Maybe she needs it."

"Needs what?"

"A new environment. Different country."

Zatariel rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please. That's the kind of advice people give in self-help books."

Margery smirked. "Maybe she'll come back normal again."

Zatariel blinked.

"...I hate that you're not wrong."

He glanced at Aleanna again.

Quiet.

Under his breath, he muttered,

"I miss the old Aly."

Before anyone could respond, A scream erupted from inside the mansion.

"AAAAHHHHHH!!"

High-pitched.

Zatariel's head snapped toward the door.

"Zadriana."

Without another word, he tossed the last suitcase into the trunk and sprinted inside.

Five-year-old Zadriana stood in the middle of the carpet, crying hysterically.

In her arms— Their pet cat.

Its white fur was stained red. One leg hung at the wrong angle.

Zatariel's heart dropped.

"Oh no—"