"How did you eat so much?" I asked, my eyes drifting across the sea of empty dishes piled high on the table. Twenty plates. Twenty. These plates were not small; they were full entrées. My voice came out part disbelief, part awe, as I leaned slightly across the table, arms folded, tail swishing lazily behind me.
Across from me, Nekro sat with a self-satisfied smirk plastered on her face. Her petite frame looked even smaller surrounded by so many ceramic remains of defeated meals.
"What, never seen someone eat twenty plates before?" she asked, chin tilted proudly as she leaned back, arms draped casually over the chair.
"I have," I admitted, narrowing my eyes. "I've seen someone put away over a hundred before. But you—" I squinted at her, eyes roaming up and down her body like I was scanning her for hidden storage compartments. "You're so small. How?"
Then it hit me, and my expression dropped into quiet realization.
"...Wait. Did Mother think about me this way three years ago?
Kayda, seated beside me, snorted into her drink. "Probably. You were around Stacy's size back then, weren't you?"
I leaned back, eyes wide. "Huh… yeah. Guess you're right. Never mind then." My tail flicked thoughtfully. "Are you sure you're full, though? Money's not a problem," I added, giving Nekro a generous smile.
She wiped her mouth with a napkin before placing it neatly on her lap. "Yeah, I'm full. But first—how do you know my name?" Her cheerful tone shifted slightly, a hint of wariness seeping in. "And can you please introduce yourself, too?"
She straightened up, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. Her posture had stiffened ever so slightly, and her tail—thin, nearly serpentine—had curled closer to her body. Guarded.
"Nekro, isn't it a bit late to be guarded?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "We just fed you enough to kill a normal man."
Ignoring her tightening expression, I added, "Whatever. I used my skill—analysis—on you. I also know your bloodline."
The moment those words left my mouth, her face drained of color.
Pale. So pale, it was almost amusing.
"Kitsuna," Kayda warned, her voice low. "I thought you wanted to keep her. Why are you scaring her like that?"
"I didn't mean to," I muttered with a shrug. "Anyway—my name is Kitsuna Draig. Adopted daughter of the Draig family. And this is Kayda." I gestured to the crimson-robed woman beside me, who nodded once, arms still crossed.
"You're not going to… experiment on me, are you?" Nekro asked hesitantly, shifting in her seat like she was ready to bolt.
"Hm." I tapped my chin with a grin. "I dunno. A devil bloodline is really rare…"
Before I could finish the joke, she moved.
"Come forth!"
The chant was sharp. Commanding. Instant.
The wooden floor beneath us cracked violently, splitting in spiderweb lines that radiated out from under her chair. Gasps echoed across the restaurant. Then, one after another, bony fingers punched through the gaps—followed by full skeletons clawing their way up like nightmare puppets.
Screams.
Chairs scraped. Plates shattered. Patrons scrambled back from their meals in horror.
Kayda and I remained seated, blinking in shared disbelief.
"… You really didn't like that joke, huh?" I said after a pause, slowly rising to my feet. "Well, I guess I didn't tickle your funny bone."
Dead silence.
Kayda's gaze was flat. "Really?" she asked, expression deadpan.
Even Nekro, still standing amidst her summoned army, looked at me like I was an idiot.
"What?" I shrugged. "They're skeletons. I had to."
Kayda sighed. "Just freeze them already. You're scaring everyone."
"Fiiine." I rolled my shoulders, then raised one hand casually.
A soft hum of mana filled the air, and within a second, every skeleton turned solid blue as frost overtook them. They shattered in unison with a soft crack-crack-crack, turning to dust and vanishing without a trace.
"I thought you said you wanted me to train you," I said, brushing my hands together. "And didn't you say you'd do anything for that?"
"How did you do that so fast?" Nekro asked, her voice trembling with awe and disbelief.
I glanced back with a shrug. "They were just bones. Nothing special."
"Actually…" Kayda interjected, her tone suddenly serious. "Necromancy is exceptional, Kitsuna."
My ears perked. "It is?"
Kayda nodded. "They're as rare as a god's eye."
I choked on my breath. "Wait—what?!"
Kayda smirked slightly. "Yup."
"Well, shit. Sorry, Nekro. Didn't mean to freak you out. Just didn't expect something that rare to jump out of the floor at me."
"I'm not going to lie," Nekro said with exasperation. "But what the actual fuck is going on? Are you planning to dissect me or not!?"
"No!" I threw my hands up. "That was a joke! I'm not actually going to experiment on you."
She turned to Kayda with wide eyes. "Is she always like this?"
Before Kayda could respond, a stern voice cut through the tension.
"Excuse me—but did you three cause this disturbance?"
We all turned as a group of armored knights began encircling the table. Their polished breastplates caught the flickering restaurant lantern light, creating an ominous shine.
"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, rising to my feet.
The lead knight stepped forward. "We received a report of someone raising the dead. As per royal law, any individual in possession of the necromancy skill must be brought before the king."
"Since when?" Kayda snapped, eyes narrowing. "I've never heard of any law like that."
"Dragonoid or not," the knight growled, "you are not permitted to question royal authority."
"You're not royal guards. You're Duke Boei's soldiers," Kayda said coldly, voice dropping an octave. "Don't you dare use the King's name like that."
While the two continued to argue, I slipped behind Nekro and placed a hand on her shoulder.
'That was fast. Too fast… It's like they were waiting for a trigger. This is how it works for rare bloodlines or skills.
I leaned in and whispered, "Nekro, they're not going to let you walk away. But don't worry. I won't leave you behind. Get on my back. Now."
She didn't hesitate.
The moment she jumped on, one of the knights shouted, "Hey! Don't move!"
I gave him a flat stare. "Calm your tits. She's just getting on my back."
The lead knight narrowed his eyes. "Is she the necromancer?"
"Yeah," I said simply. "But relax. She's already been recruited into the Black Ops."
The knight hesitated.
"…I've never heard of the Draig family having a necromancer."
A new voice entered the fray. Deep. Arrogant. I didn't need to look.
Duke Boei.
I slowly turned my head, biting the inside of my cheek. 'Of course it's him.'
"Duke Boei," I said, voice dripping with mock cheer. "Lovely to finally meet you in person."
His eyes landed on me coldly. "As stated, all necromancers must be taken into custody."
"Yeah? And like I said—she's with us. In the Black Ops. Nothing to see here."
"She's too young. And as an adopted daughter, you have no right to recruit anyone."
My tail stiffened.
"Oh? So you do know who I am. How touching."
"Hand over the child."
"You sound like a literal kidnapper, you know that?" I said. "Hand over the child, or else…" I mimicked his deep tone mockingly.
"You damn fox—" one of the knights started.
"Oi!" I barked. "You don't get to say that. That's Kayda's thing."
'Since when is that mine!?' Kayda thought, deadpan from the side.
"Listen, Furry," I growled, glancing over my shoulder. "I have a personal squad. I added Nekro to it. I can do that, can't I?"
"You will hand her over. Or face the consequences."
I tilted my head. "Or else what? Are you going to attack me? A marquis's daughter?" I laughed darkly. "Stacy will love to hear that."
"You only know how to hide behind others."
"Duh," I said, rolling my eyes. "I'm thirteen. I'm allowed to hide behind my family's power."
"You won't always have them."
"Nope. But if you try anything today, you won't even live to regret it."
"Enough! Men, att—"
"Duke Boei," Kayda said coldly, cutting him off. "Do anything to Kitsuna Draig, and your mansion will be reduced to ashes."
He froze.
Finally realizing she was there.
"See?" I laughed again. "You didn't even notice that someone was standing two feet from you." Man, you're just as dumb as your son."
Kayda moved to the door, flames gathering above her open palm. Five floating scorchballs crackled ominously in the air.
The knights got the message.
They parted like the sea.
The Duke scowled. "I'll speak to the King about this."
"Oh please do," I called back. "Make sure you use my name."
"Kitsuna," Kayda warned through clenched teeth.
"Yes, ma'am," I muttered sheepishly, flipping the Duke off behind her back.
Smack!
"OW!?" I shouted, rubbing my head.
Kayda glared at me, fury radiating from her every pore. "Do you think you're invincible!? Talking back to a Duke like that?! What were you thinking!?"
"I just—ugh. I hate Dukes, okay? Especially that one."
"Why?" Nekro asked from behind, her arms wrapped tight around my neck.
"…Personal."
Kayda crossed her arms. "And what would you have done if I wasn't there?"
"Run. With Nekro. First sign of trouble."
Kayda stared at me long. Hard. "And when you're alone? What then?"
"I won't be. Not for a while. Not until the banquet at the end of the month." I turned slightly, grinning. "And by then, the Duke's house? Totally under our thumb."
Kayda groaned, exasperated. "For fuck's sake, Kitsuna…"
"You could ask Mom. Oh! I also need to tell her I probably pissed off the Church too today." I giggled. "So many goals checked off in one day. I'm a genius."
"I'm still confused about what the hell just happened," Nekro muttered, her chin resting on my shoulder.
"Welcome to the family," I said with a wink.