Startled, Luna called out, "Niva? help?"
Niva materialized on the table, lounging comfortably "What's wrong? Confused? I'd be happy to offer you my help."
Pointing a paw at Luna, he added proudly, "And you! You should be honored to receive my boundless knowledge, stored over thousands of years!"
Puffing his chest, Niva stood on his hind legs with his back turned to Luna, paws crossed proudly, he declared, "Ha! You are grateful indeed. What else could you be, when you have me?"
"Yes, yes, what was that note about?" Brushing off Niva's antics, Luna asked straightforwardly.
"Oh yes, you are grateful and you don't even know it yet."
Turning back to face her, he sat down in front of her and began explaining, "That note... it's exactly as it stated. What was hers, now is yours. A gift, rather, not a gift."
Pondering his words, Niva scratched his mandible before adding, "It's more like an eternal heirloom, something forever yours, and always was, I think."
He paused. "I dunno. I didn't pay that much attention back then."
"Back then?" Luna asked, taken aback.
"No, no, now's not the time for that. You'll learn it yourself, it's better this way." Niva brushed off her question with a casual flick.
"What's the fun in that if I just say it straight to you, hah? If I just tell you, what's the fun in the adventure that is to come!" he exclaimed with pride.
Luna, baffled by Niva's explanation, was at a loss for words. Shaking her head, she let the situation go.
"If that's what you want," she sighed, slamming her head on the table with her arms stretched out in front of her.
Yawning, Luna stood up straight, scooped Niva under her arm, and walked toward the bed.
"If you had all that time to speak like that, you have time to be my plushie tonight."
Niva slowly looked up at Luna's face, her eyes already drooping closed with sleep. Then he glanced at the bed, resigned.
"Alright..." he murmured, accepting his fate.
"But not for free, You'll do what I want. Oh, and you will do it."" Niva grumbled under his breath.
"Yes, yes, I get it." Agreeing to it, Luna covered her mouth as another yawn crept out.
Crawling onto the bed and hugging Niva tightly, she pulled the white duvet over them, her head sinking into a red fluffy pillow.
Closing her eyes, she gave Niva one last squeeze before drifting into sleep.
…
In the morning of the next day, barging through the door, Aria swung them open, eyes locking onto the bed in the middle of the room. A wide smile stretched from ear to ear as she walked slowly up to Luna, gently uncovering her from under the white duvet.
Lifting her into her arms, she embraced her. Luna clung to a white wolf plushie in her sleep.
Aria chuckled at the sight of it.
"Who gave this to you?" she whispered softly, brushing Luna's hair away from her cheek.
She stepped over to the table, picked up a blanket, and carefully wrapped Luna in it. Something caught her attention.
A crooked drawing, of a white wolf standing proudly, protecting a girl who resembled Luna. Aria chuckled again, folding the paper in half and slipping it into the pocket of her black academy uniform.
With Luna in her arms, she left the room. In silence, she walked down the corridor. Minutes passed until she reached the front exit doors, where a carriage waited for them outside.
Gently opening the door, she stepped out. By the carriage, Nyx and Theo, clad in his armor, were deep in conversation. The carriage itself was simple: white, with red rose patterns delicately painted along the top.
Theo noticed Aria first. She held Luna, sound asleep, her only movement the soft rise and fall of her breath. She remained bundled in the white blanket, nestled against Aria's chest in peaceful bliss.
Each step Aria took down the stairs made her long, strawberry-blond hair sway with the breeze.
With her left arm free, she motioned to Nyx, Theo, and the nearby servants and knights to be careful, and quiet. Especially toward Nyx.
For some reason, that single gesture got under Nyx's skin. He sighed, murmuring,
"What did I do now…"
Theo turned back toward the carriage, fully opening its white wooden door.
Aria stepped in first with Luna. Then came Nyx, and finally Theo, who gave the departing signal to the knight before entering himself.
The carriage set off, riding onto the Silver Spine Road. Its polished surface glimmered under the bright sky.
…
The sounds of the carriage gliding over the smooth road were soothing. The rhythmic gallop of the horses surrounded them like a lullaby.
Across from Aria, who had Luna asleep on her lap, sat Theo and Nyx, talking among themselves. Aria ignored them. She focused only on Luna, caressing her hair as she silently cherished this time with her.
"Is it that hard to stay like this? Peacefully…" she murmured with a gentle smile.
Looking out the window across the plains, the silhouette of the Academy loomed on the horizon. It grew smaller and smaller as time passed.
Father won't be happy about Luna.
Aria chuckled as the thought crossed her mind, a sigh escaping her lips as guilt gnawed at her. She had done nothing to protect her.
With a blank smile, her expression dulled as she continued to caress Luna's head.
"I'm sorry."
Volume 1 – End