CHAPTER 122: FRACTURED BONDS

Dila’s fingers fidgeted nervously in her lap, her gaze dropping to the sand beneath her feet. She drew a shaky breath, then spoke in a weak, hesitant voice. "Umm... old fart... I mean... father..."

Albedo’s sharp blue eyes narrowed for an instant, his expression twitching at the slip. The corner of his mouth tightened, as though he might scold her.... but then he exhaled slowly, his face smoothing into a calm, steady composure when she corrected herself.

Fran, sitting at Dila’s side, pressed her lips together hard, her cheeks puffing slightly. She was about to burst out laughing but forced herself to hold it in, her face turning a little red from the effort. Her tail flicked wildly behind her, betraying her struggle.

Albedo tilted his head slightly, his voice calm and steady now. "Yes... what is it?" he asked, as if the slip of the tongue had never happened. His tone carried both patience and curiosity, the faintest edge of amusement lingering beneath it.

Dila swallowed softly, her hands still twisting in her lap, her eyes flickering uncertainly before she dared to speak again.

Dila’s voice trembled, her words slipping out softly as she kept her eyes down. "Umm... is there a way... to get Nari back... or maybe my magical power..."

Her hands tightened against her lingering pajama, her fingers curling restlessly. The concern in her voice was clear, a quiet desperation that startled even Fran, who tilted her head and glanced at her sister with wide eyes.

Albedo’s brows furrowed. He leaned slightly forward, studying Dila with a puzzled expression. The name Nari meant nothing to him for now because he thought recently that it was her new girl friend.... yet the way his daughter spoke it carried weight, as though it wasn’t just a name but something deeply tied to her.

Inwardly, Albedo’s mind turned. Nari... she speaks of it like a companion... but she never had one.

(Could it be the name she gave to her own power? Something unique... something only she clung to?)

He let out a quiet breath, his gaze steady as he observed her. "Nari..." he repeated softly, testing the name on his tongue. His eyes narrowed faintly, searching her face. "My little daughter Tell me..., Dila... who... or what... is Nari really to you?"

Fran’s ears twitched at the question. She leaned a little closer to Dila, her expression caught between curiosity and worry, waiting for her sister’s answer.

Dila’s lips pressed tight as her face twitched, the faintest crack in her composure showing. She turned her head slightly, as if avoiding their eyes, and muttered with an edge in her tone, "As I said... she’s nothing..."

But the words came out nervous, uneven, and her fingers betrayed her, fidgeting restlessly against her lap. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, irritation mixing with her unease. Finally, she clenched her fists and snapped, "Fine... she is my power... got it?"

Her voice carried more force than she intended, but it trembled at the edges, the weight of confession slipping free.

Albedo’s expression remained unreadable, though his eyes softened just a fraction. He gave a slow nod, acknowledging her words. Beside them, Fran’s ears perked. She tried to keep up, nodding as well, though her brows furrowed in confusion. Neither she nor Albedo truly understood what Dila had meant, but neither of them pressed... not yet.

"Ohhh..." Albedo finally spoke, his tone calm and thoughtful. "Or perhaps what you mean is this... you wish for your power to be restored. Because right now... it is dormant... or perhaps exhausted entirely." His gaze lingered on her pale face, searching for answers she was not willing to give.

At his words, Dila’s throat tightened. Her blue eyes glossed over as if pricked by invisible needles, and the first shimmer of tears welled at their corners. She looked down sharply, her breath catching. "It’s... it’s... she’s totally gone..." Her voice broke as she stumbled over the words, each one heavier than the last. "I... I... I just... don’t know anymore..."

Her shoulders trembled as she pressed her hand against her chest, struggling to hold herself together. Fran leaned closer, her tail curling nervously, her face etched with worry. Albedo only sat still, his gaze deepening as he watched the fragile storm inside his daughter unravel.

Fran suddenly leaned even closer, her arms trembling a little before she wrapped them around Dila in a slow, gentle hug. The warmth of it pressed softly against Dila’s fragile body. Dila’s eyes widened in surprise.... her breath caught in her throat.

Fran’s voice came low, shaky, almost whispering against her shoulder.

"Whether your power is gone or not.... I will be here for you."

For a moment, silence lingered between them. Dila’s lips quivered, her face tightening with conflict. Then, with a faint edge in her voice, she pulled back just enough to look at Fran.

"Fran.... you don’t understand...." Dila’s words sharpened, trembling with anger mixed with pain. "My power.... it’s more than just power to me. She’s my friend.... she understands me more than you ever could!"

Fran froze. The hug loosened, her arms slipping away slowly. Her hands curled tight against her chest, fingers trembling. Her face darkened as her blue eyes glistened under the weight of hurt.

"All this time, sister.... I was.... just nothing to you, wasn’t I?" Her voice cracked. She turned her head away, swinging her arm to the side as if brushing off everything that had been between them. When she faced Dila again, tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

"I was just...." she paused, choking on her own voice, then shouted with grief, "A useless baggage to you! I thought.... I thought I finally found a true sister.... but in the end.... your power is more precious than me!"

Her words cut through the air like a blade. Fran’s body shook up then she stumbled back, wiping her face with trembling hands. Then, with eyes filled with grief and sadness, she stood straight, her voice breaking as she declared,

"Fine.... from now on.... I’m not your sister anymore!"

The weight of her words struck Dila’s chest. Fran’s eyes lingered for one last painful look.... then she turned and ran, her footsteps echoing in the garden.

"Fran! Wait.... I didn’t mean to.... I’m sorry!" Dila cried out, her hand reaching forward desperately. Her voice cracked into the cold air, but Fran didn’t stop. She just kept running, her figure growing smaller and smaller as the distance swallowed her.

Dila’s voice trembled, breaking into silence as her outstretched hand fell weakly back to her side. Her heart clenched painfully, torn between regret and despair.

Dila forced herself to stand from the bench, her frail legs trembling beneath her weight. Her breath came out shaky, and her fingers dug into the wood for support.

"Dila, no...." Albedo’s voice reached her, deep and heavy. He moved closer, placing his hand gently on her shoulder as if to stop her.

But Dila snapped her head toward him, her blue eyes flashing with pain and anger. "What do you mean no?.... You mean no, that you don’t want me to help her?... No, that you’ll just sit there while she runs away?.... Thank you, old fart!" Her voice cracked, loud enough to bite, yet weak enough that it almost broke apart into sobs.

Albedo’s hand slowly retracted, the warmth fading from her shoulder. His long fingers curled into a fist against his chest, and his head bowed slightly, shadows darkening across his face.

"Fine then...." His voice trembled, each word dragged through sorrow. He lowered his tone, quiet but shaking as though it carried the weight of centuries. "Even if you lost respect for me.... even if you neglect me.... I will still love you. Even if your vision of me has changed so drastically.... I will still love you, my daughter."

Dila’s breath hitched. Her lips quivered as she stared at his face, and then tears slipped down her cheeks. She couldn’t bear the sadness in his voice.... couldn’t bear the hollow look in his eyes.

Her body, weak as it was, pushed itself forward. Her steps staggered, but she forced herself to run. Albedo reached out his hand instinctively, the long white sleeve of his robe fluttering as if to catch her.

But she was already breaking away.

"Fran!" Dila cried out, her voice strained, echoing in the garden air. Her tears blurred her vision as she stumbled onward. "I’m sorry! I’ll fix this!"

Her words wavered, desperate, as she chased after the only person she could not afford to lose.

The once-clear sky slowly darkened, the heavy clouds gathering above as if they too were carrying the weight of sorrow. A cold drizzle fell first, soft and thin, before the rain poured in full, drenching everything below.

Dila’s frail steps splashed against the wet stone path, her silver hair plastered against her face as she ran. Each breath rattled weakly in her chest, but still, she called out desperately.

"Fran.... Fran, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to.... I was caught in my emotions! I love you.... I really do!"

Her voice cracked and wavered through the curtain of rain, but no answer came. The only reply was the storm itself.... the rumble of thunder rolling across the heavens as though it swallowed her pleas whole. Her words disappeared into the distance, leaving her more alone with every step.

Meanwhile, back at the bench, Albedo remained seated. His long white hair hung heavy with rain, his robes clinging to his body. His once-proud figure now seemed broken beneath the weight of despair.

"My daughter...." he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling as the water traced down his cheeks like endless tears. "I’m sorry.... if no matter what I do, I fail you."

He bowed forward, his strong body folding as his hand pressed tightly against his chest. His eyes blurred with tears, his breath ragged, his teeth clenched hard enough to grind against each other.

"I should never have resorted to brute force.... never tried to chain you to my side," he muttered, his voice cracking. "Dila.... forgive me.... forgive me."

Rainwater streamed from his face as he flung forward, bowing lower as though the very earth had taken his strength. His shoulders shook, his voice breaking into the storm as his teeth gritted again.

"I don’t understand.... I don’t...."

His words were swallowed by thunder, leaving him trembling on the bench, drenched and lost, as his grief echoed silently against the endless rain.