A sheer endless wall led Mira's slow steps towards the sole entrance it left for people to enter and leave. The men constructing it had used white stones that were so precious that she herself couldn't even dream of ever being able to afford them. Months if not years of work would probably earn her just enough to pay for her own body's weight in stone, but that, too, was only possible when she lived on bread and water instead.

Although the stones were used as symbols of power and wealth, for the neighboring houses and especially those who just passed by, they were curses instead. Polished as the wall was, it almost acted like a giant mirror to the afternoon sun, directly reflecting it into the eyes of anybody who dared to come close. Still nobody would ever complain.

Lord Parron wasn't as rich as Mira's former Master, but he still was powerful enough for anyone to think twice of offending him. So they just lived with the white walls blinding them, forever unknowing that the inner part of the walls had been painted over by now, as the owner of the mansion had faced the same issue.

He certainly was a little eccentric sometimes, at least that was what Mira thought after working here for a week, but he would pay her generously none-the-less. She was lucky for getting the chance to work for him, especially now that she would not only get a good salary but also save money by living in a smaller house connected to the mansion starting today.

Ever since Sera had stepped into her life, Mira had lived on the bare minimum, eating only cheap food while staying at even cheaper inns. Of course she had shared her everything with the girl. It was only due to this that she had managed to save enough money for her to be able to buy new sealing artifacts whenever they were required.

It had been a hard time, even for Mira, who had lived on even less food any money before, back when she still had been an inexperienced adventurer.

Now they would get as many meals as they wanted and could even sleep in comfortable beds as long as they did their work. But those beds meant separate rooms, which is why Mira couldn't stop worrying about it.

The girl who walked by her side didn't seem to feel the slightest bit of fear or anxiety. She just stared at the greenish metal gate that would lead her into her new home, without ever realizing what trouble we would face.

 

"Sera?"

"Yes," her short answer came immediately.

 

Hearing the girl's monotonous voice, Mira couldn't help but stop her. She went down on one of her knees and placed a hand on Sera's shoulder to make sure she had her attention.

 

"You will share the room with Aron."

"I know."

"He will teach you everything you need to know, so be sure to listen to him, ok?"

"I will."

"But whatever happens, you must never show him your body, you understand? Don't undress in front of him. Make sure he is already asleep or working when you change."

"I won't show him," Sera answered, her voice not changing the slightest.

"Promise me."

Sera lightly placed her hand on her chest, right above her heart. "Promise."

 

Mira couldn't help but sigh. Now that Sera was wearing her hair as short as most boys that were around her age, she could easily be mistaken for one of them, that was as long as you didn't look at her face.

Sera was cute, especially now that the last traces of malnutrition and exhaustion were gone for good, and the boyish clothing Mira had chosen for her didn't exactly help to make her manlier. She could only hope for the long weeks of neverending repetitions and training to pay off, otherwise there would only be dark clouds casting shadows onto their future.

Even though Mira didn't like the idea at all, there was no other way but to risk it. Sera's mana was growing stronger by the day and with it the demonic aura that had to be hidden away using more and more expensive sealing artifacts.

Of course Sera living in the Lord's mansion meant a huge risk, but it too meant that they would save enough money to hide her a few months more, hopefully enough time for them to find a better solution.

Using powerful concealment magic like the one her current amulet had been imbued with came at a huge cost. The deep black disc alone wouldn't do anything to hurt or benefit her in any way, the white runes carved into its surface however forcefully sealed away the bigger part of Sera's demonic powers, turning her into a hollow copy of what she should be.

Sera could live just fine like this. She could speak, think and learn like any other girl her age, but together with her demonic powers, a large portion of her real self was sealed away. For demons, their magic was a part of them, half of what they were meant to be, which was especially true for girls like Sera who carried the blood of a succubus mother in her.

With the larger part of her soul sealed away, Sera had grown silent and distant, enough to make Mira shed the tears her daughter was unable to bring forth.

 

«Will she ever be able to fall in love,» Mira couldn't help but ask herself. «Will she ever be happy?»

 

Mira didn't regret taking the girl in, but there were times when it was hard to continue to do what she knew was right. The most painful of them were easily the days when the sealing artifacts grew too weak to conceal Sera any longer. She would just start crying for no reasons, she would smile and laugh and even talk a lot.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

In those few days, Sera would turn into a normal happy girl, that was until Mira placed a new, stronger amulet, bracelet or necklace on her skin.

For the young princess, this time of freedom and glee was also the most dangerous. Nobody could say if there was any magician nearby that was strong or experienced enough to be able to perceive her demonic aura. They could just visite the inn they stayed at or plainly walk down the streets, not thinking of anything at all.

There were officials searching for her, too, which examined the magic auras of any girl that was close to Sera's age. It was these regular searches that ended up turning Seraphinia into Sera, a girl into a boy. Not even once did they think of using their device on the 'boy' Sera, nor had there been a single magician demanding to see her. She had been save – until now.

Mira couldn't help but embrace the girl. She just accepted it as if it was nothing special, but didn't reply at all. Sure, she placed her arms around her mother, but that wasn't because she wanted it or felt like doing it, it was because she knew Mira wished for this skinship.

 

"I love you," Mira whispered into her daughter's ear. "Don't forget that."

"I won't."

"Whatever happens, I will be there for you. When things go bad, just come running for me. I will figure something out."

"Mhh."

 

After savoring the moment for a few more seconds, Mira slowly raised up. She took Sera's hand and walked to the gates, which by now where opened just enough for them to be able to pass through.

 

"Good morning Arto," Mira greeted the guard who was standing in the entrance, waiting for them to step in.

"Good morning, Mira! I thought you would come later today? Is that your son?"

"Y- yes, he is," Mira somehow managed to answer, before turning to her 'son'. "Say hello to him."

"Good morning," Sera answered, without really looking at the man.

 

Her attention was already focused on the giant mansion she would work and live in starting today. While her new home was only the adjacent two-storied house built for servants to live in, she would still be able to savor the vast garden and run about almost everywhere as long as she didn't disturb Lord Parron or his family. It was a good and safe place for a child to grow up in.

 

"He is rather shy to strangers, isn't he," Arto couldn't help but comment.

"Give him a few days to warm up to you."

 

Before Mira could even think about talking him out of it, Arto had already placed his hand on Sera's head. He ruffled up her hair with a big smile on his face.

 

"Don't worry, we will be best pals soon enough."

 

It was obvious what Sera though about it. She immediately shied away, searching for safety behind Mira's back. There was no anger to be found in her expression, she was only displeased about being touched by him.

 

"No touching," she confirmed what the two of them already had guessed from her reaction.

"Ok, ok!" Arto just laughed it off, clearly not reflecting on his mistake.

 

After saying goodbye to him, Mira led her daughter towards the mansion, passing by flowers and trees in all shapes, colors and sizes, an as beautiful as large pond and two white pavilions which probably were used for drinking tea or hosting garden parties.

The mansion itself was older than the two by a few generations, but it was well-kept and had been renovated quite a few times, especially thanks to its newest owner, Lord Parron, whose tastes seemed to change with the seasons.

The whole building was made out of sand-colored stone, giving it a both noble and old feeling, especially in combination with the roof covered by sheets of aged copper. There were dozens of large windows to be found, each of them carefully decorated with flowerpots. With its three stories and the castle-like tower housing the library, the whole mansion toppled even the trees surrounding it.

Just as Sera started losing her interest, Mira led her onto a path that separated from the driveway leading to the entrance and the stable that stood at the far end of the property.

They now faced the servants' quarters, which were built using the same stone as the mansion, but looked far less noble. Out of all the servants employed by Lord Parron, only the servants required to be available on a moments notice had the luxury of living here. Right now, those consisted of only two guards, two cooks, and four maids plus the sixteen-year-old kitchen-helper Aron who would share his room with Sera.

 

«I wish she would be in my room instead.»

 

Naturally, that was impossible. Mira sharing the room with her 'son' meant that they would need an additional room for Sally, the maid she currently lived with, and such a room simply didn't exist. There were no free rooms in this building, and even if there was, it was still unacceptable for a growing boy to live with his mother.

 

«It will be alright,» Sera tried to encourage herself, «Aron is a nice guy. He won't do anything unnecessary.»