CHAPTER 121: FRAGILE BONDS

Fran cautiously stepped closer, her small feet crunching softly on the garden gravel. Her blue eyes were wide, filled with worry, and her head tilted slightly to the side as she studied Dila’s pale, fragile form. "Umm... sister, are really! really! okay?" she asked gently, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should reach out or give her space, her tail flicking nervously behind her.

Dila’s lips curved into a soft, natural smile as she looked at Fran. "I’m fine, Fran," she said, her voice steady yet faintly warm. "No one has to worry about me." There was a gentle firmness in her tone, almost reassuring, but inside, a storm of conflicting emotions churned. No... I’m not fine. Not at all... she thought, the confession trapped deep within her mind, unspoken yet heavy as stone.

Albedo, still holding her gently in his lap, observed the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and genuine concern. His eyes, glowing faintly blue in the sunlight, scanned her face closely. "Oh... my daughter," he said softly, tilting his head slightly. "You look... happy. Has your mind... cleared? Or something?" His voice was calm but laced with a subtle curiosity, puzzled by the faint smile and the composure she tried to project.

Dila’s gaze flickered toward her father for a brief moment, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but she held her smile for him, masking the lingering pain and fear she felt deep inside. The garden around them seemed to hum quietly, the breeze rustling leaves, the sunlight scattering over flowers, as if the world itself was watching this fragile, delicate moment of tentative calm between father, daughter, and loyal companion.

Dila’s eyes suddenly shift and lingered on the garden flowers swaying gently in the breeze, her lips pressed in a faint line as a swirl of thoughts spun in her mind. Oh... maybe the real Dila is about to waking up?... she thought, her fingers tightening slightly around Albedo’s hand. Or... I don’t understand. There’s no other me... when my soul was in Heaven, talking to Goddess Luminous... why there is.... no other Dila just me? I’m starting not to understand the situations now but my feeling is lighter?

Suddenly her chest rose and fell unevenly, a mixture of lingering weakness and tension pressing down on her. The sunlight glinted but a bit dull of confusion now, ordinary, yet it seemed to mock her uncertainty. The soft chirp of birds—felt strangely distant, as if her mind was somewhere far beyond the calm, serene world outside, caught in the echo of doubts she barely understood.

Dila’s lips trembled ever so slightly as she whispered under her breath, almost to herself, Nari... if you’re still out there... help me understand. Help me wake up fully... Her eyes glistened, reflecting both the lingering pain of loss and a fragile flicker of hope she could not yet name.

Without warning Albedo’s eyes practically popped out of his head as he heard Dila’s whispered, the sunlight catching the faint glow in them, making his expression even more dramatic. "Nari?!" he blurted, his voice cracking like a thunderclap over the garden. His hands flailed a little as if he was trying to grasp an invisible idea—and failing spectacularly.

Fran’s ears twitched violently, nearly folding over themselves, and her tail lashed side to side as she glanced at Dila with a mix of worry and disbelief. "Sister... who’s Nari? Is that... your new power, or perhaps... your best friend?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying both curiosity and a twinge of jealousy.

Albedo, meanwhile, took a step back, cupping his face with one hand in mock horror and the other pointing toward Dila like a man spotting a wild mythical creature. "Wait... wait a second... Is that... your boyfriend?!" he shouted, exaggerating every syllable. His voice rose in pitch and volume, bouncing across the garden walls.

Fran’s tail stiffened, her eyes narrowing as she muttered under her breath, Boyfriend? Sister has no boyfriend... right... right? She clasps her head with hands rattled.

Dila, for once, could only blink at both of them, utterly unprepared for the combination of overreaction and absurd conclusions. Her shoulders slumped slightly, lips twitching as she muttered, almost to herself, "No... it’s just... a.... a.... a power, not a boyfriend..."

Albedo, ignoring her correction entirely, flailed his hands dramatically and took a hard look in Dila’s face, voice booming like he was announcing the discovery of a dragon in the garden. "Is that A!.... A girl named Nari? A girl? My daughter... you have a girl best friend that I wasn’t aware of?!" "I thought this cat girl Fran is your only adopted girl kitten?"

Fran’s ears twitched so hard they practically spun on her head, and her tail gave a sharp flick. "Ahhh... this is ridiculous... my sister..." she muttered, trying to hide a mix of exasperation and amusement.

Dila, meanwhile, pressed her palms to her face, muttering, "Oh gods... why am I cursed with these two...." Her blush had already begun, creeping up her neck, while Albedo continued gesticulating wildly, utterly convinced he had stumbled onto some scandalous news.

The garden, serene just moments ago, now buzzed with tension, confusion, and a very comedic sort of chaos.

She then tried to get up....

Dila’s body felt like it weighed a ton, her legs trembling violently as she forced herself to rise from Albedo’s lap. Each movement made her muscles ache, but she willed herself forward, letting Albedo steady her gently with one hand under her back. She carefully shifted to sit beside him on the bench, the polished wood cold beneath her pajamas, her breath still shallow from the effort.

"Come here, Fran... sit on my right side," Dila murmured softly, her voice weak but laced with a gentle command. Her head tilted slightly, blue-white hair brushing against her shoulder, and her tired eyes glanced toward Fran.

Fran’s ears twitched sharply, her tail giving a nervous flick. Her face was a mixture of excitement and drama, and she practically flopped herself toward Dila, exaggerating each step as if she were performing on stage. "O–oky, sister!" she exclaimed, hopping into place on Dila’s right, her petite frame leaning slightly against Dila’s arm for support.

Albedo’s eye, still half-lifted from the bench, glanced at the two of them with a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation, his glowing blue eye softening as he watched the scene. He tilted his head slightly, trying to keep his balance as Dila rested lightly beside him, fragile yet stubborn as ever.

The morning sunlight spilled across the garden, warming their shoulders and highlighting the overgrown greenery around them. Birds chirped softly, but the bench scene held a quiet intimacy: Dila fragile yet determined, Fran dramatic yet devoted, and Albedo quietly observing, his heart tugged by the gentle chaos of his daughter and her cat-like companion.

Dila let out a shaky sigh, leaning back slightly, while Fran’s tail twitched in delight as she nestled closer, and Albedo adjusted his position so they all could sit together, a strange little trio of strength, worry, and affection in the quiet garden.

"So... how was Zeon?" Dila asked, her voice quiet but tinged with curiosity. "I thought he’d bring confetti for me, whether I win or lose... or maybe my memory’s just slipping."

Albedo’s fingers instinctively gripped his neck, the blue glow of his eyes flickering slightly as he exhaled. "Bad news," he said, his tone calm but carrying a hint of exasperation. "Looks like Zeon almost got killed by your golems skewered alive." But Albedo face has suddenly twitched about to laugh but he hold ie composing with seriousness.

Dila’s face sank slightly, but then, almost impulsively, she leaned closer to Albedo, pressing her tiny fists to her cheeks while her eyes sparkled with those small stars, like an ember of mischief. Fran, sitting at Dila’s side, tilted her head, her ears twitching in surprise, unsure how to read this sudden movement.

Albedo, meanwhile, couldn’t help but chuckle. "So... you’re not sad that he was almost killed?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his deep voice.

Dila shot him a sharp glance, shaking her head emphatically. "Why would I grieve or be sad? I hate that psychopath. Even when he’s nice to me sometimes... I really, really hate him."

Albedo threw back his head and let out a booming laugh that echoed through the garden, the sound warm yet filled with amusement. "Hahahahaha! Ohhh... your hatred is so vivid, my daughter! Truly... priceless."

Fran, still leaning slightly toward Dila, let out a soft giggle, her tail swishing in quiet amusement as she watched the odd, heartfelt scene unfold between Dila and Albedo, the garden basking in their laughter and sunlight.

Fran’s ears twitched slightly, her voice soft as she spoke, almost in a whisper. "Sister... Zeon... he saved me from your... uncontrolled power. I should be grateful."

Dila paused for a moment, her eyebrows knitting slightly as she considered Fran’s words. Then, a small, hesitant smile curved her lips. "It’s okay," she said gently. "If he saved you... there’s no harm in that. And I’m really sorry i was out of controlled."

Then Fran smile. " Sister it’s oky you didn’t mean too."

With that, Dila leaned forward just enough to wrap her arms weakly around Fran in a soft, comforting hug. Fran stiffened at first, surprised by the gesture, but quickly relaxed, hugging Dila back, feeling the warmth despite Dila’s fragile state.

Albedo, sitting nearby, let out a small, amused sigh. "Hey... what about my hug?" he said, his deep voice carrying mock indignation.

Dila slowly turned her head toward him, her eyes closing, and with a soft, teasing "mehhh," she stuck out her tongue playfully.

Albedo, instead of getting angry as one might expect, burst into a hearty laugh, the sound rumbling warmly through the garden. His glowing blue eyes crinkled with amusement as he shook his head. "Hah... always full of mischief, aren’t you?"

Fran giggled quietly at the exchange, her tail flicking side to side as she leaned slightly into Dila, feeling both relieved and entertained by the playful moment between the princess and her father.