Alexia glanced at the slumped figure beside her—no, not a man. A boy.
"Emm… Mina, come to pretty sister."
Wide-eyed, Mina clutched Michael's arm, pressing closer. Michael pulled her into a protective hug, his glare sharp on Alexia.
Alexia sighed. Okay, yeah, I deserve that.
"I won't be mean this time," she said, her voice softening. "Mina, come here."
Mina hesitated, looking up at her brother. Michael studied Alexia, then let out a quiet sigh before giving a small nod.
Mina nodded back and shuffled toward Alexia in tiny, cautious steps.
"Pretty sister, Sila says he'll beat you up if you say bad things," she announced, lifting the stuffed bear. "So please be happy, so Sila will be nice."
She paused.
"And no making Brother Michael sad."
Michael blinked. Then, slowly, a soft smile tugged at his lips—tired, but real.
"I won't. I just want to give you something."
Mina's eyes lit up. "A present?" But then, just as quickly, her excitement dimmed. She clutched Sila a little tighter.
"But… Mommy and Daddy said I shouldn't take things from strangers."
Alexia's expression softened. She crouched down to Mina's level, her voice gentle, coaxing.
"Well, what if I'm not a stranger? What if I'm just a big sister who wants to give you something nice?"
Mina hesitated, her wide brown eyes flickering to Michael for reassurance.
He had been watching in silence, his face unreadable. Then, slowly, he exhaled, running a hand through his messy hair. When he spoke, his voice was quiet. Careful.
"Mina… it's okay. You don't have to wait for Mom and Dad's approval this time."
A beat of silence.
Mina blinked up at him, something unreadable flashing across her face. Then, in an instant, the shadow of doubt disappeared, replaced by a bright, innocent smile.
"Big sister, I can take presents!"
Without hesitation, Mina rushed to Alexia, struggling to climb onto her lap. It took some effort—and a little help from Sila—but eventually, she made it, settling in with a triumphant huff.
Panting slightly, she grinned up at Alexia.
"So, pretty big sister, what does Mina get? I want something big!" She stretched out her little arms wide for emphasis—then suddenly gasped.
"Oh! Maybe Sila can get new clothes! Mine are still fine, but Sila has holes."
Beaming, she lifted the raggedy bear right up to Alexia's face.
Alexia sighed, doing her best to keep a kind expression.
"No, Mina. I'm giving you coins."
Michael sat up straight, eyes wide.
Mina gasped. "Big and shiny? Lots and lots?" Her hands clasped together as she stared at Alexia, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Big sister, it's my birthday, you know! Brother Michael said he'll take me to school when we reach the city."
Then, she leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper.
"But school is boring… and Brother Michael said he won't go with me."
Sila nodded solemnly in agreement.
Mina pouted. "But big sister, I don't wanna go."
Alexia let out a long, suffering sigh, rubbing a hand down her face. Then, without another word, she pulled out a heavy bag of coins and dangled it in front of Mina.
"This is for you."
Before Mina could react, Alexia pulled out another pouch of coins.
"This is for your brother. Now hide it before someone else sees."
Michael had been silent through it all, but at those words, his lips quivered—just slightly. He bit down on them, hard, forcing himself to stay composed.
Mina, completely unaware of the weight of the moment, gasped. "Brother Michael! Brother Michael! I have coins for you!"
She held up the pouch proudly, beaming.
Michael swallowed, his hands tightening into fists.
He didn't trust his voice enough to speak.
Alexia watched as Michael hugged that little menace, Mina.
[ Host, that was a nice thing to do. Hermes now sees that you're not just a cold-hearted, sarcastic witch—but one with a heart. ;) ]
Alexia rolled her eyes.
Before she could respond, Mina gasped, practically bouncing in Michael's arms. "Brother Michael, you can eat tonight! And go to school! And buy a castle! And a pony! And—oh! You can finally become a real knight!"
Alexia sighed, rubbing her temples as the tiny voice droned on.
Great. She'd just given a five-year-old dreamer access to money.
This was going to be a problem.
"Yeah, Mina. Brother Michael will become a knight and protect Princess Mina." Michael smiled, lifting her up like she really was royalty.
Mina giggled, nodding eagerly. "And Sila can be my pet Drago pig! Cute, but—" she held up a tiny finger, her expression turning serious "—breathing fire."
She started counting on her fingers, already planning out her royal court.
Michael just sighed, accepting his new life-long duty.
Alexia shifted in her seat when Michael suddenly looked away from Mina—and straight at her.
He hesitated, then mumbled, "Big sister… I'm sorry for calling you a little girl." A blush was already creeping up his cheeks.
Before Alexia could respond, he lowered his gaze, voice barely above a whisper.
"Pretty big sister… thank you."
His eyes darted everywhere but her.
Alexia blinked. Oh no.
She could handle fights, sarcasm, even battle. But a flustered, grateful Michael?
This was a nightmare.
"Brother Michael, where's your sincerity?" Mina pouted, her tiny fist bonking him on the head.
Michael barely reacted. "Princess Mina!"
Mina nodded, completely serious. "Yes. Obey the princess."
Michael just grinned, tucking the two bags of coins into his storage space before setting her down.
Mina frowned. "Brother Michael, why do you have to hold my coins too?"
Michael sighed. "Mina, when you awaken and get your own storage space, then you can keep your own stuff."
Mina gasped, horrified. "But that's a billion years from now!"
"Mina, it's just five more years."
He barely dodged as Sila swung at him.
Mina scooted over, plopping herself down on Alexia's left.
Michael tilted his head, then casually took the seat on her right.
And just like that, the interrogation began.
"Big sister, are you a princess?" Mina asked, eyes wide. Beside her, Sila stared too—equally invested.
"Pretty big sister, why are you going to the City of Dawn?" Michael chimed in, his face slightly red, eyes practically glowing.
Mina gasped. "Big sister, is Sila handsome?"
Michael leaned in. "Pretty big sister, do you live in THE City of Dawn?"
Mina's voice dropped to a whisper. "Big sister, can I overthrow the empire with Sila?"
Michael, completely serious: "Pretty big sister, have you ever seen the princess? I heard she's super mysterious."
Mina: "Big sister!"
Michael: "Pretty big sister, can we live with you?"
[Pretty big sister, why so silent? ]
Alexia took a deep breath, then calmly covered her ears.
"La la la. I can't hear you."
Mina and Michael paused for half a second before doubling down.
"Big sister, your hair is so shiny!" Mina declared, happily tugging on a strand.
Michael, now visibly red: "Pretty big sister, how old are you?"
Then Mina hit her with the final boss-level question.
"Big sister, can you marry my brother?"
Alexia choked. Excuse me?
Mina, completely serious: "I know he's weird, but… yeah, he's… Big sister, just marry him."
"MINA!" Michael practically exploded.
Mina just shrugged. "What? Mom said I have to find you a wife or you'll be lonely and sad forever."
Michael's soul left his body. "WHAT? WHEN did that happen?!"
Mina: "When you refused to kiss Pyra."
Michael: "...Mina, were you spying?"
Mina shuffled closer to Alexia, hugging Sila. "...It wasn't just me." She mumbled. "Mom and Dad were there too."
Alexia, at this point? Shrinking deeper into her seat.
"Mina, I'm thirteen. I don't need to worry about marriage."
Mina shook her head, completely unimpressed. "If you don't get married, I'll never have little brothers and sisters from your wife."
Michael groaned, rubbing his temples. "That is... not my problem."
"Well, it is now." Mina huffed, crossing her arms. "Sila and I have already decided—you're having ten. You're welcome."
Alexia's body trembled as she desperately held back her laughter.
Mina wasn't done. She turned to Alexia with an innocent smile. "And pretty big sister looks like she can make lots of brothers and sisters for you. You just need to hug a lot."
Silence.
Alexia blinked. Michael choked. Even Sila seemed caught off guard.
Mina, completely oblivious to the tension, continued. "Mom and Dad said I shouldn't hug boys that aren't Brother Michael, or else I'll have to take care of a little sister or brother all by myself."
She gasped. "And share all my things. Even Sila!"
Alexia clamped a hand over her mouth, her shoulders shaking. Michael, on the other hand, looked like he had just aged ten years in the span of a single conversation.
"And sister Pyra was beautiful and told me she would have you do anything to her."
Michael buried his face in his hands. "Mina, Pyra was seventeen."
Mina just shrugged, completely unbothered. "Mom said game is game."
Michael let out a long, exhausted groan.
"And anyway," Mina continued, "Sister Pyra said she'll wait for you! Oh! And she promised that when you two get married, I can live with you forever!"
Alexia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mina, what if I want to marry you instead?"
Michael froze. Then, slowly, he turned to stare at her. "Pretty big sister, you can bend, but not with my sister."
Mina gasped, clutching Sila to her chest. "I won't cheat on Sila!"
Alexia smirked and leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Mina's forehead.
Mina froze. Her eyes went wide.
Michael looked away like he'd just witnessed something unspeakable.
"Sila," Mina whispered, gripping her stuffed bear with trembling hands. "It's not what you think. I would never betray you. She—she forced me."
Her voice cracked.
Alexia sighed, rolling her eyes. Then, with all the care in the world, she pecked Sila on the head too.
Mina gasped.
Sila… remained silent.
"Sila!" Mina wailed. "You didn't even fight back! Don't you love me anymore?"
Michael buried his face in his hands. "I can't do this anymore."
Alexia sat up, stifling a laugh—then paused.
The carriage had stopped.
Alexia lowered her hood, adjusting her mask as she strolled away.
At the last moment, she glanced back at Michael and Mina. "Make sure you both don't die."
"Pretty sister, wait! I don't even know your name!" Michael called after her.
She hesitated—just for a second. Then, without turning around—
"Alexia."
And with that, she took off toward the city gates.
Michael watched her go, exhaling as he picked up Mina.
"Cool," he murmured. Then, softer—like a promise.
"I hope we meet again, Alexia."
As Alexia approached the towering dragon gates, she paused, gazing up at the imposing entrance.
"I wonder what Helian and Azure are up to," she mused.
[Host, they left before you. Probability suggests they're already in the city.]
Alexia sighed. "Yeah… They said they'd be at Lux Inn. Good luck to them."
Somehow, she had a feeling they were already causing trouble.
***
"Darling, are you really going to sleep on the floor? What's so scary about sharing a bed?" Helian asked, voice dripping with mock innocence.
Azure, lying stiffly on the hard wooden floor, said nothing.
Helian sighed dramatically. "You're not down there because I'm shirtless, are you? I hate to break it to you, love, but I always sleep this way."
"Good night, Helian."
"But I'm not tired, dear." Helian propped himself up on one elbow, smirking. "The night is for excitement, not for sleeping. Especially when I have my very own princess to keep me company."
Azure's grip on his blanket tightened. "I am not a princess."
"Of course not." Helian grinned. "But you're my princess."
Azure exhaled slowly. Ignore him. Just ignore him.
Helian watched him struggle in amusement. This was going to be a long night—for Azure, at least.
Helian gasped dramatically. "Is the floor really that nice?"
"Yes, I love it. It's my favorite place in the world," Azure muttered, stubbornly turning his back to Helian.
All he heard was laughter. Then—blessed silence.
Azure sighed in relief, smiling as he closed his eyes.
And then—warmth. Arms wrapped around his waist. A breath tickled his ear.
"You're right, darling. The floor is the best place in the world."
Azure went rigid. "Helian—"
"Hmm?"
"I just want to sleep."
"Which one?"
Azure immediately shut his mouth. Not falling for that.
He shifted, trying to wriggle free. A tortured groan sounded behind him.
"What now?!"
"Darling, stop moving." Helian's voice dropped to a dangerous purr. "Or I might not be able to control myself."
Before Azure could protest, the grip around his waist tightened.
"Helian!"
"Yes, darling?"