Otto fell silent.
Aboard the Brilliant Covenant, a sea breeze swept past the two of them, tugging at their hair. Kallen stood perfectly still, her mind racing.
Otto was almost certainly trying to convince her to give sothing up. Or perhaps he held so sort of leverage—a sliver of hope that could save her life, but only through a path that would utterly betray everything "Kallen" believed in.
In that mont, Kallen's thoughts flashed to Rita waiting below. Then to Theresa. Her heart skipped a beat.
Otto, that madman... He wouldn't actually try to lay a hand on Theresa, would he? Did he intend to turn her into another Luna Kindred?
Kallen's expression hardened as the thought took root.
"Otto, that's enough!" she snapped, her voice sharp and trembling with indignation. "Enough! I won't have anyone else getting hurt or losing their lives because of !"
"Kallen..."
"Otto."
Kallen didn't give him the chance to talk her around.
She stood tall before him, one hand pressed to her chest, her eyes blazing with resolve. "I don't know if I truly am Kallen Kaslana, but I won't run away from my fate either!"
Otto watched her, subrged in a long silence. In that instant, he felt as though a ghost of a slap had landed silently against his cheek. The sting was hauntingly real.
It was as if the slap Kallen had dealt him five hundred years ago had bridged the centuries to strike him once more.
Then, he smiled. It was a smile layered with relief, bitterness, and a faint, lingering trace of envy.
"You really are... her."
What does that an? Kallen felt a chill crawl down her spine.
She had the sinking feeling that Otto was about to do sothing monuntal. But as she braced herself, Otto simply turned away, gazing out at the vast expanse of the ocean beyond the deck.
"Kallen... whatever you decide, I will respect it."
"Huh?"
Kallen blinked, caught completely off guard. She had been ntally prepared for Otto to try and force her hand. To hear those words from him was the last thing she expected.
"Just... don't forget that there are people in this world who care about you."
Kallen imdiately thought of Yae Sakura. Aside from Otto, Sakura was likely the person who cared for her most in this world. But in the end, she wasn't this world's Kallen.
Kallen looked at Otto, falling silent as a wave of complex emotions washed over her.
"Thank you... Otto," she replied. Her voice was calm and low, yet anchored by an unshakable certainty. "But enough is enough. No one else should suffer because of or the blood in my veins. I'm... I'm tired. If death is my final destination... I'll et it gladly."
"...I see."
Otto didn't turn back, nor did he say another word. Kallen turned and headed for the VTOL, and he made no move to stop her.
The aircraft took off, descending toward St. Freya Academy below. Once Kallen stepped out, the jet humd back to life, heading back toward the Brilliant Covenant. Only Rita remained behind.
Rita approached Kallen and gave a slight, elegant bow—a gesture so perfectly poised it was impossible to find fault with.
"Lady Kallen, the Overseer has requested that for the next four days, I serve as your personal maid. I will be responsible for your daily needs, and should you require anything, I shall relay your requests to Lord Otto on your behalf."
Was Otto still hoping she'd change her mind? Or did he know all along she'd refuse him, and left Rita here as a precaution? Kallen's head was spinning.
Yet, she had a nagging suspicion that Otto truly wouldn't interfere with her choice. Even if she wasn't his Kallen, he seed intent on granting her every wish.
"I... I don't need a maid," Kallen said softly, shaking her head.
"Understood. In that case, Lady Kallen, I shall reside within St. Freya for the ti being. If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to call for ."
"..."
Theresa and the others hurried over just then.
"Kallen! What did Grandpa say to you? He didn't bully you, did he?" Theresa's face was a mask of anxiety as she grabbed Kallen's hands, looking her up and down for any sign of trouble.
Yae Sakura followed close behind, her eyes filled with a mix of tension and worry. Seeing them like this, Kallen felt a gentle warmth bloom in her chest.
What could happen...? Otto's theories were just that—theories. She wasn't the real Kallen of the Sanguine Nights. She might as well treat this as a beautiful misunderstanding.
Kallen offered a helpless smile and said softly, "It was nothing. We just... talked about the world I ca from."
She tried her best to sound casual. Unfortunately, the Kaslana family seed to have a genetic deficiency when it ca to lying. Everyone could hear the slight tremor of "off-ness" in her voice.
"Grandpa called you up there just for that?" Theresa asked, her brow furrowed in suspicion.
"Yeah, just that," Kallen nodded, her gaze drifting involuntarily. "He also said... I should cherish the ti I have here."
Theresa blinked, her eyes narrowing. She could tell sothing wasn't quite right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Beside them, Hiko watched Kallen, a small frown playing on her lips.
She could see that Kallen's smile was forced. Still, she didn't push, assuming they had just touched on painful mories of the past—or perhaps the fact that Kallen would be leaving in a few days.
"Alright, alright, let's head back first," Hiko said, breaking the heavy silence. "Standing around here is exhausting enough as it is."
The group began to walk toward the dorms, the air filling with their chatter. Kallen listened to Kiana ramble about the day's training and how "aweso" she was for finally passing her makeup exams. i offered her usual gentle encouragent, Theresa chid in with the occasional jab, and Bronya followed quietly in the rear.
This kind of life... it's actually quite nice.
Kallen felt her heart start to settle. Just then, she felt her hand being squeezed gently by Yae Sakura. It was incredibly warm—a warmth that made Kallen's heart flutter, making it hard to let go.
The "clueless" types really were the natural enemies of the "schers." Kallen felt like Sakura had her completely figured out without even trying.
"Kallen," Sakura said softly.
"Hmm?"
"Is everything really alright?"
Kallen's pace faltered for a fraction of a second.
She turned to et Sakura's eyes and saw the worry, the care, and a certain... sharp intuition, as if Sakura had sensed sothing hidden deep beneath the surface. Kallen's stomach did a nervous flip.
Please, don't go digging... I just want to disappear quietly in three days and transform into the next Valkyrie.
Kallen quickly forced another smile. "I'm fine. Really."
Sakura watched her, silent for several beats, before finally giving a small, slow nod.
"If you say so."
-- --
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