After about two hours of conversation, I suddenly remembered—Ignis and Astrel were still at the headquarters.
"Morceguinha, I have to go," I said, rising slowly.
"Go where?" she asked, confused.
"To the headquarters," I replied, as if it were obvious.
Flávia gave me a look, the kind children make when they're holding back tears.
"I'm going to get Ignis and Astrel. Want to come with me?"
She shook her head gently.
"No. I still have a few things to finish… and I'm waiting for Selena.
Just be back before dinner," she added.
I nodded and made my way to the exit. The castle was big, and my room was on the second floor, so it took a bit to get outside.
About ten minutes later, I was walking the streets again, heading toward the headquarters.
As expected, it was already night. But there was no more cold.
That damn snow...
I frowned, remembering something unpleasant, but kept walking.
The headquarters wasn't far—it was in a strategic location, right across from the second city gate.
I entered the housing wing quietly, unnoticed.
Inside my room, Ignis and Astrel were still asleep.
"Let's go!" I shouted.
"Haha! Still sleeping? Time to go home."
Ignis flapped his wings and let out an adorably soft roar in my direction.
Astrel neighed proudly, lifting his head with majestic confidence.
I grabbed my things—just a few clothes, my spear, and that was it.
Speaking of the spear, I still wondered when Many would finish my armor.
I had given him the corpse of the level 2 Harudrak. He said he'd come find me once it was done.
I was looking forward to seeing what he would create.
Leaving the room, I walked calmly down the hall.
As expected, a shout came from behind me.
"Captain! Where are you going?"
It was Tyler, approaching me and slapping me on the back.
"I'm going home," I replied casually.
He looked at me, confused.
"Are you leaving the army?"
"No," I said simply.
"Something happen?" he asked, with mild concern.
"Let's just say I talked with my woman. We're back together, so I'm going back."
"Your woman? Who would've thought you were married, you little brat!" he laughed, recalling his old jokes about Flávia and Selena.
I squeezed his shoulder, calmly replying:
"You'll understand soon enough."
"See you tomorrow."
I mounted Astrel and rode back to the castle.
With Astrel, the journey didn't take long.
Once there, I led him to the small stable, where he could stay with others of his kind.
Meanwhile, Ignis flew beside me, clearly thrilled to return home.
As soon as I opened the door, I was met with a tight embrace.
Selena had returned.
In my arms, she wore a wide smile, her eyes just slightly glassy.
"I'm back," I told her.
"Good. Come on," she said, gently pulling me inside.
Ignis fluttered joyfully around us.
He truly saw this place as home.
Inside the castle, Selena, Ignis, and I headed toward the dining hall.
Selena was dressed like a spy—or at least, that's what it looked like to me.
A completely black dress, matching shoes, and her hair tucked beneath something like a satin bonnet.
"Selena," I said, stopping her gently.
"Yes?" she replied, calm as always.
"Why are you hiding your hair? I think it's beautiful."
I reached up to touch the bonnet.
"It's not for any special reason... Want to take it off?" she asked.
"It would be an honor," I said, lifting the cloth.
Her intense white hair fell freely.
I ran my hand through it, admiring the softness.
There was something stunning about it—how it contrasted with her fair skin and quiet personality.
She was beautiful.
With her hair loose, we kept walking until we reached the hall.
Flávia was already there.
"Shall we eat?" she asked with a smile.
I nodded and moved toward the table, intending to sit beside the head seat, but—
"That seat's mine," Flávia said.
"No, your place is the main one," I replied, confused.
"Bruno, I might be the leader of the barony…
But here, you're the head of this family," she said seriously.
"What? What are you saying, Flávia?"
"Remember when I brought you into this world?
I said I'd be an ideal wife.
Even if we're not officially married, in my eyes… that position belongs to you."
Selena sat beside the main seat and joined in:
"I have to agree with Flávia. That spot belongs to you.
And besides, I don't accept Flávia being above me in this family."
She stuck her tongue out, teasing.
Laughing, I took the central seat.
"Well, if I've been chosen for this role… I better live up to it, right?"
"Ahh, you two are impossible," I murmured, warmed by the moment.
Seated at the table, we chatted about all kinds of things.
On the floor, Ignis devoured his food like a wild beast—the castle's meals were far superior to the barracks, so he was stuffing himself.
"I love you two," I said.
"I love you too," Flávia replied.
"Me too," said Selena.
"Grrr..." Ignis growled softly, as if he understood.
—
Time passed gently.
Flávia, Selena, and I fell asleep in my room.
It was still the same as always—simple, with a shelf beside the bed and a few little ornaments.
On the shelf, right where I had left it, was the phone Flávia had given me.
Picking it up, I pulled Flávia, Selena, and Ignis close—and snapped a photo.
We showed up in the picture. All of us.
I stared, surprised.
"Vampires show up in photos?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah, why wouldn't we?" Flávia responded, as if it were obvious.
"Of course," Selena added, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"But... isn't that supposed to be impossible?"
"You're overthinking it," Flávia said.
"Movie vampires don't appear, but we have souls.
We're just a different race, not monsters.
As long as we want to appear… we will."
That thought echoed in my mind. "As long as we want to…"
Curious, I opened the gallery—and found more photos.
Dozens of them, actually.
Selena and Flávia, sleeping… side by side.
I showed them.
"Bruno!" Flávia shouted, clearly embarrassed.
"Give me that phone!"
"You've got no shame, taking pictures of us without asking," Selena muttered, a little ominous.
But I easily dodged them—they weren't even trying seriously.
I set a password on the phone and handed it over.
Of course… they forgot who they were dealing with.
The second they had the phone, I struck back—tickling them both.
"Bru... hahaha!"
"Stop... aaah! Ahahaha!"
"Okay, Bruno! I give up!" Flávia finally cried, defeated.
Selena, breathless from laughter, gave up with her.
"Let me take a photo of you two," I said suddenly.
"For what?"
"What are you going to do with it?"
"I'm going to use it as my phone wallpaper."
"Idiot," Flávia muttered, fixing her hair as she stood.
"A sentimental idiot," Selena added, joining her side.
With a few instructions from me, they posed in an adorable way.
Click.
The photo was taken.
"It actually turned out great," I said, genuinely surprised.
They came over to see.
"Not bad..." Flávia murmured.
"It'll do," said Selena, pretending not to care—but clearly pleased.
Flávia jumped onto the bed and hugged a pillow.
"Alright… time to sleep. I worked all day."
I joined her, along with Selena.
Ignis curled up on the floor beneath the bed, his soft snores rising like peaceful whispers.
Under that calm…
We finally slept. Together.
.