Ignavus slept a lot.

It was a sad fact that he had finally came to terms with not too long ago. In a single day, he spent the vast majority of it simply sleeping. He would wake up, reluctantly eat breakfast, begin suffering—training until lunchtime, begrudgingly have lunch, then take a sweet nap until dinner, anguish over dinner, and finally retire for the night. Sometimes, Ignavus took extra naps mid-morning if training had been especially hard or forwent a little of his nap time after lunch to get more training in, but his days were generally like this with few variations.

Each nap Ignavus normally took left him feeling energized. It was a state not too dissimilar to the feeling of floating high up in the clouds. After every nap, Ignavus felt himself unstoppable. Grant, it wasn't true. Ignavus knew that better than anyone else, but he couldn't stop the feeling. Today should've been like that. Like any other day. Ignavus should be feeling that familiar high of waking up, but... he wasn't. Instead, he felt down, like a defeated warrior.

Well... that wasn't entirely true. Almost. The energy normally provided by the nap was there, but Ignavus' mind still felt slow and lethargic. His body was rearing to go, yet his mind desired stillness.

Cuddling closer to the person carrying him, Ignavus tried to will his mind awake. He hadn't asked Marie to carry him over to dinner, but she did anyway. She probably sensed his poor mood. No, she definitely did. Ignavus needed to give Marie the credit she deserved. She was one of the most observant people he'd met.

Marie suddenly stopped gazing forward, turned, and offered Ignavus a light smile. He had been staring. Turning his head sharply to avoid her gaze, Ignavus felt slight bits of shame eat at him. Despite all she had done for him, Ignavus had been so quick to abandon her.

What was he doing? Wasn't he supposed to be her hero?

The walk towards the dining hall continued in silence.

It would seem that despite all the promises made, realisations reached, and actions taken, Ignavus was still making no progress.

He just couldn't accept his new reality.

"So, where has my little niece been hiding?" (C)

The moment Ignavus heard that voice, he immediately got to work. Currently, he was sitting on the lap of his mother, having just been placed by Marie. Ignavus laid forward and swiftly started to try and wrap his limbs around his mother. His legs, hands, and, yes, even his tail, as unruly as it is, all made an effort to hold him down. Unfortunately, it was all for naught because, before he was halfway through, he was already airborne.

"Did you miss me, my little niece? Did you feel lonely?" (C)

Ignavus struggled in the grasp of his aunt as she proceeded to do what he had come to dread.

Kiss him.

"N-No way! I did not miss you for a single second! A-And stop kissing me!!" (I)

To Ignavus' surprise, she did actually stop... only to then proceed to pinch and play with his cheeks. The torment carried on for a couple seconds, but those were a couple of seconds too long for Ignavus. It was only after his aunt had her fill did she set him back down on his mother.

Ignavus restrained the barrage of insults threatening to escape his lips. Instead, he opted to merely glare at his aunt, a gesture she met with a smile. This interaction had turned into a daily occurrence. Every day, Ignavus tried, perhaps in vain, to escape his aunt. She only ever joined them for one meal a day. He just had to avoid her once every day but had never managed to. Several times he had come close yet never really succeeding.... Though, honestly, out of all those times, this got to be the saddest attempt. Ordinarily, Ignavus came up with a new plan each day to combat this challenge. Today, he hadn't. Today, he just took it.

'Whatever, I can't be fighting every day... Today is just, just a rest day... Yeah, I'll think of something new tomorrow'

Ignavus wasn't a fighter anyway, at least, not anymore. He should relax a bit.

"How did you find the hero?" (G.Q)

The question was sudden but expected. Ignavus was already prepared. He had crafted a long and half-true explanation of events. After all, he had no intention of revealing that he had spent all that time simply listening to stories of his glory days. It would come off as immature, and that was the last thing they needed to think about him.

"Good..." (I)

A moment passed, then two.

The expectant gazes of his mother and now-seated aunt lingered on him.

"Very good..." (I)

An atmosphere of silence descended. It stubbornly persisted, with Ignavus occasionally opening and closing his mouth. His mind still trying to find the right words. Eventually, he gave up and stared at the ground. He continued to stare at the ground until the sound of a plate rang. Marie had brought the food.

"Sounds like a story for tomorrow, huh?" (C)

"I can do this by myself..." (I)

Ignavus grimaced as soon as the words left his mouth. They had become almost a reflex. He's lost count of how many times he's said them. Through every day, through every meal, through every bite. The words were yet to lose their meaning, but the vigour behind them seemed dim today. It sounded weak. It sounded like a person who couldn't do as spoken.

'Today's a rest day; I don't need to shout those words all the time...'

Anyway, there wasn't much sense in doing so now. One spoon full remained; it wasn't going to change anything. Plus, him not shouting about his ability to feed himself had effectively reduced his cuddle time.

'One, just one more...!'

Staring at the bowl in front of him, Ignavus readied himself for it.

"Very well, show me." (G.Q)

'Huh?'

Ignavus stared at his mother for a brief second until he realised what she said.

His heart pounded harder in his chest.

'It-It's finally happening!!!'

Shaking his head side by side, Ignavus tried to rid himself of his slow mind. He would need everything he has for this. There would be no telling what success here would get him. Maybe... maybe he would finally get his own proper chair or no longer have to wear a dumb beep or, or even get to eat real food like the rest!!

'I need to calm down! Calm down!'

It was hard, but Ignavus needed to control himself. This was too good of an opportunity to go to waste. He really could prove himself here.

"First, hold this." (G.Q)

A spoon with a golden handle drew near to Ignavus. Its head was made up of a material Ignavus couldn't discern but one he didn't care to. What mattered most was that it was coming to him. Coming to his hand. Stretching out his right, Ignavus prepared to receive the promised item. As soon as it reached his grip, a truth was revealed. His hand was too small.

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'No, this spoon handle is too large!'

His hand couldn't even fully wrap around it.

'I need a smaller spoon! Should I ask-'

Ignavus gaze quickly travelled to his mother's eyes. Resolve built in his heart. He needed to show them he could do this. He needed to prove himself. If he asked for assistance, wasn't that the same as admitting he couldn't do this on his own?

Taking a deep breath, Ignavus stretched his left hand.

He would show them.

With his hand reaching the spoon, Ignavus prepared to take its weight. He could eat using both hands. It was simply a matter of finding a way. Ignavus' mother fixed her gaze on him. He could feel it. She then finally let go of the tip she was supporting.

The spoon fell.

Almost.

Ignavus barely managed to pull it up from its headfirst fall.

'What is happening!?'

The head of the spoon was heavy. So heavy. Ignavus' strained his arms just to keep it up. How, how was he supposed to feed himself like this?!

'I can do this! I can do this! I can do this!!'

A rapid chant reverberated in Ignavus' mind. It was a chant to chase away the doubts swiftly breeding in his heart.

Was he really going to be able to do this?

The spoon abruptly lowered a level.

'No, no, no, no, no, no!!!'

It did it again, and again, and again. Ignavus watched it lower in horror, his struggles growing more desperate by the second.

He was supposed to be proving himself.

Why was he struggling? Why was he the only one ever struggling?

Time slowed as Ignavus poured all his effort into this one task. Seconds seemed to stretch into minutes, and those minutes into hours. Time was flying by, but Ignavus heeded it no mind. He had one task to accomplish. All he needed to do was keep this spoon up. Keep it from ever touching the ground.

The struggle carried on and on until... something finally gave.

Ignavus watched in mute horror as the spoon spun out of his control and fell to the ground. It bounced once; it bounced twice until it came to a stop.

Ignavus stared at it.

'This, this doesn't count!! Today is my rest day! If I really tried, I wouldn't have... have...'

Marie walked to its fallen location. She casually lowered herself, picked it up, walked back, and placed it on the table.

"Nice work, my little niece! You nearly had it!" (C)

"Excellent try, my lady." (M)

Ignavus gazed at their smiling faces.

Why were they smiling? "Nearly had it", "Excellent try", Did they really think he couldn't do it? It was just lifting a spoon. He could do it. Someone had to tell them! Anyone, please! Someone just had to tell them!

Ignavus quickly shifted his gaze to the person he was sitting on. She knew. Out of everyone, she alone knew. She'd done this to him after all. She should tell them.

'Tell them, please!'

"Mmm-mmm-mmm..." (I)

Despite trying to speak, only a short whine escaped his lips.

'No!'

He tried again.

"Hmmmmm!" (I)

It was hopeless.

"Heh-heh-heh... mooommmyyyy!" (I)

It was a gentle back and forth. A slow, rocking motion.

Ignavus clutched on to the fabric of the person holding him.

"Shall we go to bed?" (G.Q)

With a weak nob, Ignavus agreed. He had no right to say no after crying for so long.

His mother unhurriedly stood up and gradually made way to the open doors. Marie trailed behind shortly after they left the room.

Ignavus felt his grip tighten.

He just had a meltdown. An embarrassing one over a spoon of all things.

'Some rest day...'

Feeling his grip weaken, Ignavus let his body relax. He would have to deal with this tomorrow; he was too tired.

The walk to his room shouldn't be too long since he was being carried. He would get to rest soon. Counting the number of turns taken, Ignavus knew they should be coming up soon.

'Wait, wasn't it a right turn after that?'

Seeing that they seemed to be heading in the wrong direction, Ignavus tugged on the fabric and spoke up.

"My... my room..." (I)

A really hoarse voice passed through his lips.

His mother smiled.

"Don't you remember your punishment for lying to me earlier? Today you sleep with me." (G.Q)

Upon hearing that, Ignavus grimaced; her words often bore a sense of finality.

'Damn it'

Curled in a bed not of his own, Ignavus felt the wicked monster of sleep attack his exhausted mind. He didn't want to fall asleep in the embrace of his mother, but pulling away merely resulted in being pulled back.

He was trapped in a dark room.

A room devoid of light, yet its faint shimmering allowed him to see. It was one of the small perks of being made into a Yalery.

Ignavus resisted the urge to look up.

The being responsible for turning him into one laid beside him. Her warmth providing a cosy atmosphere. Despite being made into a Yalery, Ignavus never questioned the being responsible. He never felt he could've, but now, having grown somewhat used to his fear, his curiosity was slowly getting the better of him.

Many questions burdened him.... but, out of all of them, one burned particularly hard.

One simple one.

Why him?

Out of everyone she could've chosen, why did it have to be him? Did it even have to be him? Was he merely unlucky? The unlucky winner of an unfortunate fate?

Ignavus desired answers more than anything else, and today he would get them. It may have taken him awhile to realise this, but right now he had nothing to lose by asking. Only gain.

"Why me?" (I)

Ignavus voice was still a little sore from earlier, but he knew she heard him.

"Hm?" (G.Q)

"Why did you make me your daughter?" (I)

Ignavus' voice cracked a little as he applied more strain to it. It didn't matter, though; he needed to know.

A short silence passed.

"Isn't it obvious?" (G.Q)

Another short silence passed.

"Because you are my daughter." (G.Q)

A soft sigh left Ignavus' mouth. He should've known he wouldn't get a straight answer.

"Now sleep, my little one. You have had a long day, have you not?" (G.Q)

An arm tucked around him, and before he could process it, he was already asleep.

Tucked in the arms of a mother.

----------------------------------------

"Let go of me you-!"

A white cloth, appearing as if from nowhere, wrapped itself around the boy's mouth, who was bound to a chair.

Upon seeing this, Cura broke into a wide grin.

She stepped back and allowed herself to fall, only to be caught by the embrace of a couch.

Her trap had finally sprung.

"Mistress Cura, I have arrived." (M)

Hearing the way Marie referred to her, Cura couldn't help but reminisce. It was just the other day that little girl was calling her my Mistress.

"Are things sorted?" (C)

"Yes, she should be asleep by now." (M)

Cura let out a sigh.

Something was troubling her little niece. A fact she should've been aware of the moment she caught her niece during dinner. It had been, for all intents and purposes, too easy. Her little niece was anything but easy. The little girl had a very fiery and determined spirit. For her to lose out on their game without much of a fuss was very alarming.

"Might you know the cause?" (C)

"I... I do not Mistress Cura." (M)

'Ah, she must be feeling guilty'

Marie was one of the most compassionate demons Cura had ever met. It was, quite frankly, one of her best qualities. It was what made her suited to work within the palace.

"Don't worry. She'll be alright." (C)

Cura knew her niece. The little girl wouldn't stay timid for long.

"Now, what should I do with you?" (C)

Strapped to a chair was a dark-skinned boy. He bore charcoal-coloured shorts, a long-sleeved shirt matching, and a stupidly pointed black hat. His eyes were a deep, abyssal black. One familiar with the underworld.

'Did that tiny greedy girl really have kids?'

Cura opened up her hand, then suddenly gripped it. A small flask appeared.

"Drink this." (C)

Handing the flask to Marie, Cura waited until she drank it. After Marie let out a gasp, Cura stifled the small laugh that threatened to leave her mouth. Cura couldn't help but wonder what Marie saw when she first entered the room. Did she see ropes binding nothing, or did she just see nothing entirely? The curiosity was almost enough to make Cura ask, but she held herself. It was always more fun to discover it herself.

"Get his name." (C)

The boy seemed to pale as Marie got closer. This is likely the first time a mortal had ever gazed at him. His reaction was fun.

Marie walked over to the child before kneeling down to his level. She removed his mouth restraint.

"You never take me villains!! I won't surrender! I'll never tell you a thing. You can't-"

This went on for a little while until the boy tired himself. When silence finally returned to the room, Marie spoke up,

"Please don't misunderstand; we have no plans to harm you." (M)

With her kind, disarming smile, she began to talk to the child.

"I would just like to get to know you." (M)

'Nyxeris, huh? Not bad'

Cura couldn't help but feel satisfied with Marie's work. She really had a way of connecting with people. In only a span of a few minutes, they had learned considerable information about the boy. His name, siblings, abilities, and even his home. Most of this information didn't surprise Cura, but it was still interesting to hear.

Cura studied the child, a plan rapidly formulating in her mind.

"Boy, I have an offer for you." (C)

"O-Offer?" (NX)

"Yes, you see, my daughter is in desperate need of a bodyguard, but she refuses anyone who is not a true hero." (C)

Cura fell silent, giving the boy time to think and arrive at the conclusions she desired.

"I see markable potential in you, boy. Potential to be a true hero." (C)

Cura took another pause for dramatic effect.

"How about you become that hero?" (C)

When Cura had spoken with her ever-charming sister, they had come to an agreement. Cura agreed not to interfere with her throughout the guests' stay, granted that her sister refrained from harming them. It was an agreement that left Cura bored but, at the same time, free enough to catch the little boy. Cura intended to blackmail her niece for a little while, but seeing her condition today inspired a change of heart.

"Sure! Yes!" (NX)

She should be kind to her niece and give her a small present. She'd no doubt love.

"Perfect!" (C)

Cura could feel Marie's gaze linger on her and simply smiled.

All she had to do was figure out how best to hide this child, but that was in the details.

'Ah, this sounds like so much fun'