Chapter 129: In His Arms Again.
Five days passed in a blink, and the morning sun bathed the castle halls with golden light. Inside the changing chamber, the air was filled with the soft rustle of fabric and the faint scent of lavender soap that lingered from freshly laundered clothes.
Dila stood tall before the mirror, her silver-white hair flowing down her back like strands of silk. Her reflection showed not the fragile girl who had once lain weak in bed, but someone wrapped in new resolve. She wore the uniform prepared for her enrollment at the magic academy.... a finely tailored outfit with deep navy trimming, fitted at the waist, and lined with silver embroidery that shimmered when the light touched it. A soft white undershirt peeked through, paired with a capelet that bore the crest of the academy.
Two maids moved gracefully around her, their hands adjusting hems, smoothing fabric, and fastening the last of the clasps. One knelt to fix the fold of her skirt while the other gently tugged the cape into place over her shoulders.
When they finished, one of the maids stepped back with a small smile, her hands folded neatly before her apron. "Princess, are you ready to learn in the academy?" she asked softly, her voice carrying both respect and a hint of maternal fondness.
Dila’s gaze lingered on her reflection for a moment, her blue eyes catching a quiet flame of determination. Then she answered casually, her tone calm but carrying the weight of anticipation.
"Of course I am," she said. "I’ve been waiting for this for days."
Her words hung in the air like a promise.... not only to the maids, but to herself.
The quiet, polished air of the chamber was suddenly broken by the sound of a door bursting open. The two maids jumped slightly, but before they could scold, a familiar voice rang out.
"Sister! Look, look at me!" Fran’s cheerful voice filled the room as she bounded in, almost tripping on the hem of her own uniform in her excitement.
She wore the academy’s assassin branch uniform, a sleek design in black with subtle deep blue linings, the fabric light yet sharp, meant for stealth and mobility. A short cape draped behind her shoulders, fastened with silver insignia pins. Her long navy-blue hair spilled freely down her back, swaying as her cat ears twitched with pride. The uniform hugged her frame neatly, but still carried the touch of her playful personality, with a triangle hairpin gleaming near her ear.
Fran twirled around once in the chamber, her tail flicking with excitement as she posed like she was showing off a new toy. Her blue eyes sparkled as she waited for her sister’s reaction.
Dila turned, her silver-white hair glimmering faintly under the light. She studied Fran from head to toe with an almost serious face at first, then softened with a small smile.
"Hmmm.... not bad for my little Fran," she said in her calm voice.
Fran’s ears twitched at the praise, her cheeks warming with a flush. Before Fran could squeal, Dila stepped closer, her hand lifting gently to caress Fran’s hair. Her pale, delicate fingers combed lightly through the navy strands as her smile grew just a little brighter.
Fran leaned into the touch, her heart bubbling with joy, while the maids exchanged warm smiles in the background at the sisterly bond before them.
One of the maids, still kneeling as she adjusted the final fold of Dila’s capelet, lifted her head with wide eyes. A warm smile tugged at her lips as she whispered almost in awe, "Wow... they truly are sisters."
The other maid, who had been standing by with folded hands, let out a soft chuckle. Her eyes softened as she looked at the two girls, the princess gently caressing the lively cat girl. "Yes... I agree," she said warmly. "There’s no mistaking it."
Fran’s ears perked up at their words. Her cheeks glowed pink as she hugged herself with pride, swishing her tail behind her. She turned back to Dila, smiling with all the joy in her heart. "Yeah! She’s the best princess in the world!" Fran declared, almost puffing her chest like she was making the grandest statement ever.
Dila blinked at her in surprise, her blue eyes widening just slightly before softening again. She quickly lifted her hand to cover her mouth, muffling the laugh that slipped past her lips. "Wha... where did you even come up with that?" she said between her little scuffing laugh, her voice carrying an almost playful tone. "Hahaha..."
Fran tilted her head, ears twitching, and grinned mischievously. "Because it’s true!" she said, leaning closer with a proud little bounce in her step, as if daring Dila to deny it.
The two maids exchanged another knowing look, their faces warming with quiet affection at the sight of the sisters’ bond unfolding so naturally before them.
Suddenly, the heavy doors creaked open and the butler stepped inside with measured grace. His back was perfectly straight, one hand folded across his chest, the other holding a silver-tipped cane. His deep voice carried smoothly across the chamber as he bowed, closing his eyes in that elegant, practiced way of his.
"Princess Dila," he said with a calm yet formal tone, "your father has summoned you to the throne room."
Fran, still half-clinging to Dila’s arm, covered her mouth quickly but failed to suppress the giggle that bubbled out. Her tail flicked with mischief as she leaned closer to Dila and whispered, "Pfft... look at him, he’s so serious I think his face might break if he smiles."
The butler’s expression, of course, did not waver in the slightest.
Dila gave Fran a sidelong look, her lips twitching faintly as if holding back her own smile. She then let out a soft breath and straightened her posture, her silver hair catching the sunlight from the tall windows. "Right..." she said, her voice casual but calm. "Tell him we’ll be there."
The butler nodded once, perfectly composed, and then stepped back with that same elegant air, closing the door softly behind him.
Fran stifled another laugh and whispered, "He’s like a walking statue."
Fran tilted her head, her cat ears flicking curiously as the door closed behind the butler. She looked up at Dila with an innocent pout, her voice light but mischievous.
"Sister... why are all the butlers here so funny?" she asked, her blue eyes glimmering with mischief.
Dila blinked at her for a moment, and then a small smile slipped across her lips before she broke into laughter. "It’s because... they just are," she said, unable to hold back the sound of her own amusement. Her shoulders shook as she leaned down, rubbing Fran’s head playfully with her palm. "Hahahaha!"
Fran squealed lightly at the head rub but quickly started laughing too, her giggles bubbling out uncontrollably as her tail flicked back and forth like an excited whip. "Ehehehehe... see, even you admit it, Sister!" she said, still laughing.
The two maids standing by the wardrobe exchanged glances, their hands covering their mouths as they tried not to burst out. But soon enough, even they gave in, soft giggles spilling into the air at the sight of the princess and the cat-girl laughing together so freely.
The room, filled with the sound of laughter bouncing off its walls.
After everything is finished preparing they finally move at the throne room.
The heavy double doors of the throne room creaked open, and the echo of footsteps filled the vast marble hall. Dila entered first, dressed neatly in her academy uniform, her silver-white hair catching the morning light from the tall windows. Fran followed right beside her, her assassin uniform sleek and sharp, her tail swishing with a playful sway.
Albedo sat tall upon the golden throne, his usual aura of stern command draped around him like a cloak. His piercing blue eyes softened the instant they fell on his daughter. In a break from his cold, kingly image, he suddenly shot up from the throne with a speed that startled even the guards.
"My daughter!" he cried, his voice trembling with unrestrained warmth. In long strides, he closed the distance, his cape sweeping dramatically behind him. Without hesitation, he scooped Dila up as if she weighed nothing at all, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. His face pressed against hers, his cheeks rubbing clumsily against her own in a flood of affection.
Dila’s eyes widened in disbelief, her arms dangling stiffly at her sides as her father’s warmth enveloped her. Her cheeks squished against his, and she quickly pouted, her lips forming the smallest scowl. "Wh-what are you doing...?" she muttered in protest, her voice half-annoyed, half-embarrassed, her expression deadpan as though this was the last thing she had expected.
Fran, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter right beside them. She clutched her stomach, her blue eyes shining with glee as she pointed playfully at Dila. "Pffft—Sister! Your face! Hahaha! You look like a grumpy kitten!" she teased, her tail flicking wildly as her giggles echoed through the grand chamber.
Dila wriggled faintly in her father’s hold, still pouting but too weak from the sheer surprise to resist. Her silver lashes fluttered as she sighed, cheeks flushed from both embarrassment and the warmth of the embrace. "Father... put me down already," she mumbled, but her voice was softer now, betraying a quiet part of her that secretly didn’t mind the affection.
Albedo, however, clung even tighter, closing his eyes as though to treasure this moment. His voice cracked, heavy with emotion. "Do you know how long I’ve waited... just to hold you like this again? My daughter..."
Fran tilted her head, her laughter quieting into a small smile. She watched the scene, her chest tightening at the rare sight of Albedo lowering his guard so completely.