I was about to return to the mansion after wandering in the garden with Yuki by my side when Mira came running toward me, her steps quick and urgent. "Miss… Duke has called for you," she said, bowing slightly but her eyes shining with curiosity—or perhaps worry.
I paused and glanced at Yuki, who had been silently watching the bubbles dancing in the air. He tilted his head at me, one eyebrow raised, as if asking silently what I intended to do. I shrugged slightly and muttered, "Then we go."
Yuki made a soft noise from his throat—a small acknowledgment—and fell into step beside me. I held the hamster-turned-boy close to my side, feeling a curious mix of pride and unease. There was a strange tension about being summoned by my father that I couldn't shake, even if Yuki's presence somehow made the world feel lighter.
The hallways of the mansion stretched long and silent, the polished floor reflecting our footsteps. I could hear my own heartbeat louder than anything else. Mira scurried ahead to open the Duke's room, and as soon as the door swung wide, my father's sharp blue eyes met mine. He was standing near his desk, the morning light falling across his stern face.
"Shellia," he said, his tone calm yet carrying an unspoken weight, "come in."
I stepped inside, feeling Yuki stiffen slightly beside me. My father's gaze flickered to the boy, and for a moment, I saw something almost unreadable in his expression. It was as if he knew far more than he should. I felt Yuki's small hand brush against mine, and he shifted slightly, the familiar gesture of comfort—but he did not speak. Instead, he nudged me lightly with his elbow.
[I am with you, Lia.]
I nodded almost imperceptibly, replying in kind with a nudge of my own. Yuki had grown accustomed to this method of communication between us, subtle yet intimate, and right now, it felt like a secret shield against whatever this conversation might bring.
My father's voice broke the silence. "Shellia… you have awakened the power of the Emerald family."
I froze. My heart skipped a beat, and my fingers tightened instinctively around Yuki's hand. "Awakened… power?" I whispered. "What do you mean?"
He sighed, walking slowly to the window and turning back to face me. "Every generation of the Emerald family has at least one spirit user. That user… is the spirit beloved. The spirit beloved is not just a title—it is a responsibility. And the spirit beloved always comes to the daughters, never the sons."
Yuki leaned slightly forward, nudging me again with his elbow.
[This is serious, Lia.]
"Yes, I know," I murmured, my voice trembling slightly despite my effort to remain composed. My father continued, his eyes narrowing with the weight of what he was about to reveal.
"The spirit beloved, Shellia… she is accompanied by more than one spirit. Each spirit is loyal, powerful, and bound to protect her, to fight against the darkness that threatens our world. That… includes demons. If the spirit beloved awakens, it signals a potential rise in demonic activity. You must understand, this is not a danger to our family, but it is a danger to the world at large."
I blinked rapidly, trying to absorb the meaning behind his words. "The world… is in danger?"
"Yes," he said, his tone grave. "And this is why I needed to see you today." He stepped closer, and I could feel the gravity of his presence. "Shellia… this awakening is rare. Once it happens, the spirits will recognize their beloved and will come to her aid. Your bond with them is already forming, and…" His eyes flicked to Yuki. "It seems one has arrived ahead of schedule."
I turned to glance at Yuki, who was standing silently, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. His blue eyes met my father's for a fraction of a second, and then he gave a slight nudge of his elbow toward me, almost as if to say, [Don't worry, Lia.]
My father's gaze lingered on Yuki longer than I expected. "You…" he muttered under his breath, though loud enough that I caught the words. "You are… extraordinary."
Yuki tilted his head slightly, cocking one eyebrow, and nudged me again.
[Lia… I will protect you.]
I swallowed, unsure whether to be reassured or terrified. I could feel the strange energy in the room pulsing faintly, almost like the air itself had grown denser. I looked back at my father. "Father… what does it mean, exactly? That I've awakened this… power?"
He walked closer and placed a hand gently on my shoulder. His eyes softened, but there was still a stern edge to them. "It means, Shellia, that you are recognized by the spirits of our bloodline. You are now a spirit beloved. They will come to you, and they will fight by your side. But it also means… that dark forces will take notice. Demons may rise once more, and they will attempt to challenge you and the world."
Yuki made a small sound of frustration and tapped his elbow lightly against my arm.
[Do not be afraid, Lia. I am here.]
I exhaled slowly, feeling some of my fear dissipate because of him. "I… I understand," I said, though my voice wavered. "So the spirits… they only appear to the daughters, and I… I'm the one this generation has been chosen for?"
"Yes," my father confirmed. "And this is why I watched Yuki's arrival closely. He is one of your spirits, loyal and attuned to your presence. He is not dangerous to you, but he will be your first companion in what is to come."
Yuki stepped closer and nudged me again, the motion almost playful.
[I'll show you everything, Lia. Trust me.]
I nodded, feeling the warmth of his reassurance. Yet the mysterious nature of the spirits and their sudden appearance still weighed on me. I looked around the Duke's room, familiar yet somehow infused with a new energy, and I realized that nothing would ever be the same again.
"You must remember," my father continued, his voice lowering slightly, "this power is ancient and sacred. The Emerald family has always had one spirit beloved per generation. Rarely, more than one spirit is bound to the beloved, but the power they provide is immense. The spirits will always follow the daughter—they do not come for the sons. And though there is no harm to our family itself, the awakening of the spirit beloved signals a potential threat to the world. You must prepare yourself, Shellia. Learn control, learn restraint, and learn to command your spirits wisely."
I felt Yuki shift beside me, a subtle nudge of his elbow against my side.
[Lia… we will face it together.]
I exhaled slowly, feeling a strange mixture of fear and excitement. "Together," I echoed softly. I could feel the small presence of Yuki's spirit energy mingling with mine, like an invisible tether linking us. It was reassuring, but also a stark reminder of the responsibilities now pressing on my shoulders.
My father's eyes softened a little, and he took a step back. "I will have Mira assist you in understanding your powers for now. Yuki… remain by her side. Protect her, but do not interfere unless she calls upon you."
Yuki made a small noise, nudged me once more, and then gave a subtle bow in my direction.
[I understand, Lia. Don't worry.]
I smiled faintly at him, feeling a strange warmth. "Thank you, Yuki. I'll… I'll do my best."
My father watched us for a long moment, his gaze lingering on the pair of us. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Good. You have much to learn, Shellia. But I trust you. And… Yuki… I can see why you are chosen. Protect her, as she is our family's hope."
Yuki gave a small nod of acknowledgment, elbowing me lightly.
[Hope… I like that word, Lia.]
A small laugh escaped me despite the seriousness of the moment. "Then let's live up to it," I said softly.
The afternoon light shifted through the windows of the Duke's room, casting long, warm shadows across the floor. The sense of mystery that filled the space made my heartbeat quicken, not from fear, but from the strange thrill of knowing that something extraordinary was unfolding. I glanced down at Yuki, whose eyes gleamed faintly as if he already knew what was coming—and in a way, I felt that I did too.
The spirits of the Emerald family were real. Yuki was real. And I… I was the spirit beloved.
The path ahead was unknown, and perhaps dangerous, but I felt a spark of courage, fueled by Yuki's presence and my father's quiet trust. Together, we would face what was coming. I knew that the world might tremble, but I would not falter.
[Yuki… let's see what we are capable of.]
[Yes, Lia. We are ready.]
The words were silent, exchanged only through nudges and glances, but they carried more meaning than anything I had ever heard. And in that moment, the mysterious journey of the spirit beloved truly began.
---