There she was, sitting with her back turned towards him, her dark blonde hair curled down her back. The lion's ears with their dark tips were unmistakable. She sat there in the cold breeze, her hair wet with lting snowflakes. It was hard to discern whether she sought solitude or felt forlorn.
Zetius’s heart felt as if it were going to explode. He had yearned for this mont for months, his mind screaming in desperation. Now, she was here in the garden of the Hoffmann estate, partly blanketed with snow.
Canis and the others huddled to the side. They gave him an assuring nod, as if to say, ‘Go for it!’
With a courageous step, he began, “Fr~Frain.” His voice faltered. Her ears twitched reflexively. “Frain!” he shouted loudly.
Frain turned. Her purple eyes widened, and her round cheeks were clearly in the middle of chewing. It was her, munching on a at bun, with another in her other hand.
A smile widened on Zetius’s face. His plea had been answered. She was fine, thanks goodness.
She slowly rose to her feet, stunned.
Zetius rushed towards her, arms open wide. “You’re truly alive. Holy Gaia.”
Then, the Lioness gripped his arms. Zetius blurted, “What—”
A loud thud echoed through the garden as Frain forcefully slamd Zetius to the ground. He heaved as air was forced from his lungs, followed by a groaning sound.
“Ooohh…” Cubie exclaid. She would have grimaced if she had a face.
Canis clapped his hands. “Such a playful reunion! Hahaha!”
Zetius blinked, dazed, as Frain pinned him down with her body. “Who are you!?” she growled aggressively.
Surrendering, Zetius held up both hands, palms open towards her, showing he ant no harm. “F~Frain… It’s , Jack,” Zetius stamred. Her purple eyes glared down at him, filled with disbelief.
“Jack was dead! You’re lying!”
“Zeta!” Astrid rushed towards them across the snowy ground, her face etched with worry.
“Stay back, red head! Zeta, that’s your real na, Phony-man!” Frain growled loudly. Her claws tightened around Zetius’s throat.
Zetius wiggled his free hands. His mind raced, “I might be able to knock her out if push cos to shove, but… how could I gain her trust?!” He agonised over the thought.
“Little Lioness, he is indeed Jack. But to be precise, Zetius is his true identity — Jack was rely a shell,” Canis explained gently, walking towards them with his long-handled hamr.
“C~Canis, you’re saying Jack and Zeta are the sa person?” Frain muttered, her voice faltering. Then, she sniffed Zetius’s scent to confirm. There was a familiarity to it.
“Affirmative, child. Please let the poor soul go,” Canis pleaded as he approached them, lightly tapping her on the shoulders.
Reluctantly, Frain backed away. She sat with her legs tucked under her, studying Zetius’s visage delicately. Suddenly, her eyes beca glassy, her lips trembling uncontrollably.
Sensing her lingering incredulity, Zetius began to recount, “Frain, it’s . We t in Southern Germund, on that busy street with the slave trader, Rothar, or Rother, doesn’t matter, and we’ve—”
She raised a hand, stopping him.
Then slowly, Frain wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, snuggling softly against him. A soft whimpering cry escaped her lips, so subtle that only he could hear. Zetius patted her hair and back as he used to, gently and kindly.
“I’m so sorry, Frain…” Zetius whispered.
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The warmth they shared rekindled in that mont. Despite the different body, his soul remained the sa to Frain.
Steve and Canis exchanged a faint smile at the heartwarming sight. anwhile, Cubie floated in circles around Astrid, humming with joy.
“Jackie… I couldn’t… I—” Frain was out of breath, struggling to find words.
Zetius hushed her gently, “Now, now, Frain. I’m here. I’m here now…”
The snow sprinkled atop the two, but their warmth shall keep them on, ...that was all they needed, a tiless embrace against the fleeting snow, two souls tethered by a love that winter itself could not chill.
***
As Frain led the group into the familiar hallway where Zetius used to tread, their footsteps echoed on the carpeted floor. Nothing much had changed since he left.
“Who ate it all!?” a child's voice rang out from the kitchen on the left. Zetius could guess whose it was: Lumus, the male twin.
“Lumie! It was you who ate everything! You glutton!” Lumus accused loudly as he erged into the hallway, a sad expression on his face.
“No, I did not!” Lumie denied sternly, crossing her arms. The twins, wearing thick crimson cardigans, flinched at the sight of the large group of guests being led by Frain.
“Frain?” Lumus exclaid, stepping closer with caution. “Who are these people?”
Frain smiled sheepishly. “Don’t you rember Sir Canis and Steve?” She gestured to them; they returned her wave.
“Of course, we do,” Lumie replied sharply, adjusting a flopped ear with her hand.
“I ant those two new faces,” Lumus pointed out, not so politely.
“We’re friends!” Astrid approached and crouched down to the twins’ level. But they scooted away hastily, hiding behind Frain’s legs. Clearly, they were scared of Astrid’s stern deanour.
Zetius patted Astrid’s head, smirking. “You need to earn their trust first, Astrid.”
“I know that!” she snapped in mock annoyance, brushing his fingers away.
Lumus glanced up at Frain. Seeing her double chin, his suspicions soared. “Did you eat everything in the fridge? My at buns are all gone! The maid said they stocked ‘em this morning,” he accused, narrowing his eyes.
Frain visibly tensed, her attempt at nonchalance failing. “I did not…” she denied, then yelped as Lumie pulled up Frain's top, exposing her chubby midriff and slit belly button. Frain quickly pulled her top back down, embarrassed.
Zetius gasped, not believing his eyes. “Woah, her refined abs have rged into one soft roll. I just noticed her cheeks beca puffy too.”
Cubie zipped to hover by his left shoulder. “She’s prepped for an hibernation!” she comnted, making Zetius chuckle and break abruptly, “Not funny, Cubie. Be nice to your sister,” he said sternly, his smile disappearing.
“Oh…” Cubie replied, regretting her cheeky quip.
Frain crouched in front of the twins. “S~sorry… I’ve been really stressed out, so I kept eating...” she admitted, her lips curling down remorsefully.
“I kept telling you, I heard the munching monster at night!” Lumie whispered to her twin. Then Lumie took Frain’s hand and squeezed it. “We aren’t mad at you, Frain.”
The little girl then exchanged an understanding nod with the little boy before they ended their reconciliation with a small group hug.
They settled into the guest room, which had a welcoming fireplace. Astrid eagerly helped Steve, igniting the fire with her arcane magic before returning to her seat.
Maids entered and attended to each guest with professional smiles. “That small maid must be Jane…” Zetius mumbled to himself, trying not to disappoint Aurelia. Last ti, she picked on him for not rembering the nas of people. Within a couple of minutes, tea and biscuits were served on the low table in the middle of the room.
They began with introductions. Then, Zetius recounted a condensed version of his rebirth and the events leading to his coma, omitting the vivid adventure in the dreamless realm with not one, but two, Celestius mages.
“Is there sothing on my face, Frain?” Astrid asked, her voice cold.
Frain, who had been staring at Astrid for a long while, tilted her head. “I thought you might be Princess Aurelia’s reincarnation, too.”
“Ha?!” Astrid scoffed, crossing her legs defensively. “Why would you think that? I’m much prettier than that scrawny little princess. What’s appealing about those noodle arms?” she argued blatantly, flicking her hair.
Frain blinked a few tis. “I an, Zetius and Jack shared the sa eye and hair colour. Yours and the Princess’s colours are quite close, that’s why,” she pointed out, nibbling on a large biscuit.
“Aha! By that logic, Frain isn’t entirely wrong to ask. You both share the sa primary hair and eye colours, with perhaps slightly different facial features!” Canis agreed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“I do not agree! Aurelia is the best,” Cubie interjected sharply.
“Shut your yap!” Astrid snapped at her.
“Guys, co on,” Zetius said, raising his voice. He lifted both hands as Cubie zipped behind his head for cover.
After a long, tense staring contest, the tension broke when Astrid dropped her glare and dismissively waved Cubie off. “Fine. Have it your biased way, Cubie.”
“Pffft!” Cubie blew a raspberry in response, mocking her.
“Z~Zetius…” Frain tugged on the fabric of his arcane coat. “About Lupus… She…”
Zetius’s expression darkened almost imdiately, his head slowly turning. “What?”
“She’s alive!” The sudden voice erupted from behind, stunning every living soul in the room.
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