Kuoh Town Mansion
Merlin glanced at the clock on the wall of Riser's mansion and realized it was already late. With a sigh, he decided to interrupt the lively conversation between Kuroka and Koneko.
"Koneko, we need to talk," said Merlin, catching the attention of the two girls.
Koneko turned to Merlin, her curious eyes reflecting confusion. "What's wrong, Merlin-senpai?"
Merlin sighed, preparing for a difficult conversation. "Koneko, it's time for you to return to the underworld."
Kuroka let out a frustrated sigh, her tail swishing impatiently. "No, Nya! Koneko, you've barely spent any time with me, your sister."
Merlin explained calmly, "It's Riser's orders, Kuroka. He's decided it's time for Koneko to come back."
Koneko looked at Merlin with a resigned expression. "Merlin-senpai, can you talk to Riser and ask him to let me stay with Kuroka?"
"I can't do that," Merlin calmly explained. "Sona will want to know your whereabouts."
"Alright, Merlin-senpai. I'll go," Koneko said with determination, accepting her fate.
Kuroka frowned, frustrated with the situation but also understanding that there was no alternative. She looked at her sister with sadness, knowing she would have to say goodbye once again.
Koneko turned to Kuroka, feeling the weight of separation heavy on her heart. Kuroka, seeing the melancholic expression on her younger sister's face, reached out her arms in a comforting gesture. The embrace that followed was lingering, as if both wished to prolong the moment as much as possible, knowing they would soon be parted again.
"One day, Koneko, one day we won't have to part anymore, Nya," murmured Kuroka, her voice filled with determination.
Koneko clung to Kuroka tightly, her sister's words filling her with hope. "That will be the best day of my life, Kuroka-nee."
As the two sisters hugged, Merlin watched the scene from a distance, maintaining a neutral expression. She knew she couldn't interfere with Riser's decision, even if it meant separating the two sisters again.
When Koneko finally pulled away from Kuroka, Merlin approached, her voice calm and rational. "No need for drama, girls. You can talk on the phone or even arrange to see each other again."
Koneko nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. "Sorry, Merlin-senpai. I understand."
Kuroka looked at Merlin disapprovingly, her tail swishing impatiently. "Merlin, why are you making my sister so sad, Nya?"
"Kuroka, do you want to go back to the cube?" Merlin asked, her voice tinged with impatience. She was tired of the drama and constant goodbyes between Kuroka and Koneko.
Kuroka shuddered, her tail stopping its swaying for a moment. She looked at Merlin with determination, her voice echoing with firmness. "No, Nya. I don't want to go back there."
Koneko looked between the two with evident confusion in her eyes. She didn't understand what was happening between her sister and Merlin, but she could feel the tension in the air.
"Koneko, it's time for you to return to the underworld," Merlin said, cutting through the tense silence that hung over them.
Koneko nodded, accepting her fate resignedly. She knew she had no choice but to obey Riser's orders.
With one last sigh, Koneko turned to Kuroka, her heart weighing heavily with the prospect of being separated from her sister once again.
"Kuroka-nee, it's time for me to go," Koneko said, her voice choked with sadness.
Kuroka looked at Koneko with sadness in her eyes, her tail wrapping around her in a gesture of affection and comfort.
"I know, Koneko. Take care, Nya," replied Kuroka, struggling to keep her voice steady.
Koneko teleported away to the underworld, leaving Merlin and Kuroka alone in Riser's mansion.
Two Days Later
Phenex Family Mansion
In the living room of the Phenex family mansion, Victorius looked at his son Riser with a stern expression. He was intrigued by the incident involving Riser and Diodora.
"Riser, why did you slap Diodora?" Victorius asked, his voice cold and authoritative echoing in the room.
Riser crossed his arms, maintaining a defensive posture. "He was messing with Ravel, father. I couldn't let him get away with it."
Romina looked at Riser with understanding in her eyes. "I knew you had a good reason, Riser. You always protect your sister."
Victorius frowned, unsatisfied with Riser's response. "That doesn't justify acting with violence, Riser. Besides, you know Ajuka, Diodora's brother, they have influence."
"I don't care what you think, father. You've always been too cowardly to act." Riser said.
Victorius felt a flame of anger burn within him. "Be careful what you say, Riser. I am still the head of this family."
Romina tried to calm the situation, intervening in the conversation. "Please, stop this. We won't solve anything by fighting."
Riser took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "It's time for you to step down as head of the family, father. You don't have what it takes anymore."
Victorius clenched his fists with anger but remained steadfast in his position. "Even if I step down, the position will be passed to Riser's brother. He is next in line of succession."
Riser shook his head, irritated by his father's stubbornness. "My brothers are more concerned with their businesses and women than leading our family."
Victorius was not swayed by Riser's rebellion. "That changes nothing. Ruval will be the next head of the family, end of story."
"You have the power to choose whoever you want as the head of the family." Said Riser.
Victorius nodded in agreement, his cold and authoritative expression leaving no room for arguments. To him, it was obvious that he, as the head of the family, had the right to decide who would be his successor.
Riser stood up from the sofa, bored with the conversation.
Victorius watched with a sharp look as Riser stood up abruptly, the tension in the air reaching a critical point. He hoped Riser would give him an explanation for the fight with Diodora, but he was more interested in asserting his authority as head of the family.
"Where do you think you're going, Riser?"
Romina intervened softly, her gentle voice contrasting with the tension in the air. "Darling, are you leaving already?"
Riser nodded, his determined expression unwavering. "Yes, mother."
Victorius insisted, his patience reaching its limit. "Riser, you still owe me an explanation."
Riser shook his head disdainfully, his voice firm and determined. "I owe nothing to anyone."
Victorius felt his patience wearing thin in the face of Riser's rebellion. He rose slowly, his imposing posture as he approached his son. Using his magic to exert pressure on Riser, trying to prevent him from leaving.
"Riser, you can't just leave without explaining your actions," said Victorius.
But Riser only laughed at his father's attempt, his own magic responding to the challenge.
Victorius fell to his knees, his breathing heavy as he tried to catch his breath.
"This is true strength, father," Riser said with a cold calmness in his voice.
"Please, stop this! We won't solve anything by fighting," pleaded Romina, her words echoing with despair.
With a heavy sigh, Riser released the pressure from Victorius, allowing him to slowly recover. Victorius, in turn, looked at his son with a mixture of admiration and fear, wondering how that boy had become so strong.
Romina, relieved to see her husband and son unharmed, rushed to Victorius's side, helping him to stand. She looked at Riser with a worried expression, knowing that the relationship between father and son would never be the same after that incident.
Riser, with a heavy sigh, decided to end the conversation. "Enough. I've said what I had to say. I'm going home. Mother, you know where to find me if you need anything."
Without waiting for a response, Riser teleported away, leaving Victorius and Romina alone in the room.
"Romina, let go of my arm," said Victorius brusquely, pushing her away with a sharp movement.
Romina recoiled, her eyes filled with sadness at Victorius's rejection.
"I'm going to the office. I don't want to be disturbed," said Victorius, his voice harsh and authoritative.
"Understood, dear," murmured Romina, watching Victorius walk away towards the office.
As Victorius disappeared through the door of the office, Romina let out a heavy sigh, feeling alone and helpless. She knew she needed to be strong for her children, but sometimes it was difficult to bear the weight of her worries.
Romina decided it was time to talk to her daughter, trying to find some comfort in her presence. She made her way to Ravel's room, her mind filled with worries and uncertainties about the future of the Phenex family.
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