I cleared my throat, feeling a bit awkward as I turned to Matterinna. "I have a question, if you don't mind me asking."
Her eyes twinkled with a knowing smile. "Of course, Max. Feel free to ask anything."
"Well," I began, stumbling over my words, "I overheard my parents saying something about Lucianna being an Aasimar. I don't know what that means."
Matterinna's expression turned thoughtful, and she started to explain, "An Aasimar is a mortal who has been touched by the Divine. Sometimes, they may have just a fragment of divine power, but in more extreme cases, an entire Divine being might be locked inside them, or even work alongside them. They're powerful, especially when it comes to magic."
Her tone became more somber, her eyes reflecting a sadness. "But Max, Lucianna's face tells the story of someone who's running away from her responsibilities. She's caught in a dilemma, perhaps with her family. She's adventurous, not one to be burdened with duty."
I nodded, feeling a connection to what Matterinna was saying. "I noticed that too. She seemed uncomfortable when anything about family was mentioned."
Matterinna looked deep into my eyes, her voice gentle. "It's not just discomfort, Max. It's a longing. She's looking for something more, just like you."
I felt a surge of empathy. "How can we help her?"
"Just be there for her, be her friend," Matterinna said with a soft smile. "She wants to escape her harsh reality, find happiness, just like you."
Her smile then turned into a playful smirk. "And perhaps, Max, you could charm her a bit along the way?"
I blushed, stammering, "Well, she is really pretty, and kind, and sometimes playful."
Matterinna threw her arm around me, laughter in her eyes. "Ah, Max, you have good taste!"
We both burst into laughter, our shared understanding growing deeper. In that moment, I knew we were on the same page, ready to help Lucianna and each other in this dreamlike world.
The creaking of Lucianna's door cut through the silence, and she stepped out, clad in a white shirt and black pants. Matterinna and I turned towards her, our eyes meeting her sleepless gaze.
"Having trouble sleeping, Lucianna?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice.
She nodded, her eyes shadowed, and came to join us, sitting close by the crackling fireplace Matterinna had prepared earlier. Her eyes, though, seemed far away, filled with a sadness that pulled at my heart.
Matterinna nudged me subtly and gave me a knowing look, her eyes urging me to reach out to Lucianna. She then stood, excusing herself to make tea, leaving Lucianna and me alone.
I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach but moved to sit next to Lucianna, our shoulders nearly touching. "Lucianna, where do you come from?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I...I don't even know," she replied, her voice breaking.
"What do you mean?" I pressed, feeling a connection to her confusion and loss.
"I don't know where my home is," she admitted, tears welling in her eyes.
I reached out to touch her hand, feeling a kinship with her pain. "I know how it feels," I told her, my voice filled with empathy.
"You do?" she asked, looking at me with wide, searching eyes.
I nodded and began to weave a story that reflected both my dream world and real-life experiences, careful not to reveal the whole truth. I told her about my distant birthplace in Betong, how I was born with a propensity to lose and regain memories, and how I was treated differently for it.
I shared my love for literature and my passion for crafting novels that could inspire and bring joy. I spoke of my family's disappointment and my own sadness, leading me to run away from a path I didn't wish to follow.
"But," I said, my voice growing warm, "I found the Fiora estate, and they accepted me as their own. They were kind and caring, and I finally found a place I could call home." My hand tightened around hers, and I looked into her eyes, sincere and open. "I'm happy now, Lucianna. Truly happy."
Her eyes widened, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she realized our hands were still joined. But she didn't pull away.
"I'll help you, Lucianna," I promised, my voice firm. "I'll help you find a place you can call home, like I did."
Her eyes filled with tears, and she began to cry, her body shaking. "You...you have one hell of a high Speech level," she choked out before collapsing into sobs.
I pulled her into a hug, our bodies fitting together in a familial embrace. Her tears soaked through my shirt, but I didn't care. I held her close, whispering promises of happiness and support.
And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the fire and the bond growing between us, I knew that we were on a path to something beautiful and true. Together, we would face the unknown, and I would do everything in my power to make Lucianna happy.
The first rays of morning crept into the room, pulling me from my slumber. I opened my eyes slowly, a groggy confusion settling over me. My memories from the night before were blurry, ending with Lucianna's tears. What happened after that?
I glanced around, surprised to find myself still on the couch, a soft white blanket covering me. I murmured a grateful "Thank you, Matterinna," even though she wasn't there, assuming she must have been the one to tuck me in.
Then I felt it—a warm presence beside me, the soft and petite snores of someone sleeping. My heart leaped into my throat, a nervous excitement tingling through me. Illyanna, I thought, smiling at the idea of how cute and clingy she could be.
But as I pulled back the blanket to confirm my suspicions, my heart stopped. It wasn't Illyanna at all.
It was Lucianna.
My body froze, shock washing over me, and I nearly screamed. My mind raced, a flurry of emotions and thoughts battling for control. But I pushed the panic down, realizing that this might be a part of Lucianna's healing process, a way for her to find comfort from her grief.
"Everyone needs a hug sometimes," I whispered to myself, covering her back up with the blanket. "Even me."
But then a new dilemma presented itself, and my cheeks burned with a sudden flush. Should I wrap my arms around her? Would it be wrong to provide that emotional support, or would it be unethical not to?
My eyes were drawn to her face, and I found myself lost in her beauty. She was like a fairytale princess, a Snow White or Rapunzel brought to life. I felt a pang in my chest, a longing I couldn't quite name.
My heart screamed for help, torn between wanting to do what was right and the uncertainty of not knowing what that was. I sat there, the soft morning light spilling into the room, my mind a whirlwind of confusion and desire, all the while Lucianna slept peacefully beside me, unaware of the storm raging within me.