the Emperor complained.
"I agree,"
Nephthys replied.
"IT WOULDN'T HAVE HURT IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU WOULD JUST LET GO, YOU MORONS!"
"What did you just call me?"
Nephthys asked calmly.
"What did you just call us?"
the Emperor emphasized.
"Morons."
The secretary answered far too seriously.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. I'm not getting involved in this."
The secretary let go of their hands and turned to walk away—far too late.
Both Nephthys and the Emperor immediately grabbed one of his ears while still holding onto each other.
"AH—AH—AH—WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
Dragged back by his ears, the secretary retaliated and pinched theirs as well.
"AH! This hurts, you fish head! Let go this instant!"
the Emperor ordered.
"No shit, rock head. Thank you for informing me it hurts. DO YOU THINK I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU A MASSAGE? THIS IS SUPPOSED TO HURT!"
the secretary snapped.
The three of them were locked together, but Nephthys' expression darkened.
"If you do not let go right now, I will make sure you don't have fingers in the future."
She said it with complete seriousness.
Both the Emperor and the secretary froze, swallowed hard, and immediately let go.
Nephthys left the room.
The remaining two finally breathed again.
"Wow… I really thought that was my last moment on earth."
"Yeah. Me too."
They stared at the door for a few seconds longer before slowly turning toward each other.
"Let go of my ear now,"
the Emperor said calmly.
"Alright,"
the secretary replied in the same tone.
***
"Mira, Mira, look—I found a four-leaf clover!"
"Oh? Really?"
"Yes, look!"
The little girl proudly held it up.
"They say it brings luck."
"Really? Then does that mean I'll live a lucky life?"
she asked excitedly.
"Yes. You'll be the luckiest woman when you grow up."
"Wow! Then I'll find another one and give it to you, so you can live a happy life too!"
Mira woke up from her dream.
"Dear, are you alright?"
her husband asked softly.
"Yes… I'm fine. It was just a dream."
"Then go back to sleep. Like you said, it was nothing. Dreams aren't real."
He thought he was reassuring her.
But it was the opposite.
"Yes… you're right. It was just a dream…"
And that was exactly why it hurt—
because she could only see her sister there.
***
"Good morning."
I didn't know how to feel, seeing his face right after dreaming of my sister the night before.
"…Are you alright?"
The more he grows, the more he looks like her.
I'm glad.
It's like she's still around.
"…Are you okay?"
And yet, at the same time, I feel so sad.
His face is a reminder that I couldn't protect her.
I'm sorry, Avner.
I couldn't protect your mom.
***
"In other words, your powers have no limits as long as you form a bond with nature. Nature will show you everything you desire. But there will always be consequences. Balance is absolute—the stronger you become, the more fragile you are. That's why you need a strong mind."
Nephthys stopped mid-explanation.
Avner wasn't paying attention.
Why did he seem strange today… something is definitely wrong…
He was lost in thought after seeing the conflicted expression on her face earlier.
BANG.
All thoughts vanished as Nephthys hurled the largest book she could find straight at his head, knocking him unconscious.
"I believe I've been far too kind lately,"
she said coldly, staring at his collapsed body.
***
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"I said Avner is going to work very hard to make Nephthys fall for him."
Everything clicked.
"So that's why…"
Miyeon sighed.
"Did he start this plan at the ball?"
"Wow, you really are a great detective. How did you figure that out?"
Amabilis asked, impressed.
"Amabilis."
"Yes?"
"Were you the one who came up with this idea?"
"…HUH?! How did you know?!"
Miyeon finally pieced it all together.
Avner admitted his feelings.
Asked for advice.
Got absolute nonsense in return.
Believed it.
Put the plan into action.
Nephthys left her post for fifteen minutes.
Spent them with Avner.
The Emperor saw it.
Lost his mind.
And now Miyeon was paying the price for being related.
Miyeon stared at Amabilis coldly.
"Cousin… what's wrong?"
Amabilis asked nervously.
Miyeon lunged and grabbed his neck.
"Cough—cough—are you trying to kill me?!"
"Oh, absolutely,"
Miyeon replied calmly.
"And after you, Avner is next."
"Let go!"
Amabilis struggled as Miyeon dragged him back and forth like a rag doll.
***
"Auntie!"
He had finished his lessons and rushed toward her.
"Oh, Avner."
She noticed him running from afar.
"Why is your head bleeding?"
Once he was close enough, she could clearly see the wound.
"Oh, this?"
Avner touched his forehead, realizing it had started bleeding again.
"These are the consequences of making me worry about you"
he said casually.
"Oh, you…"
She pushed him lightly—
or at least, that's how it felt to her.
From Avner's perspective, it was anything but light.