Yumiella and Luna arrived at their home, a towering piece of elegant architecture that screamed nobility. The estate was massive, with sprawling gardens and intricate designs, befitting its owner—Cygnus Eldrion. Though only a marquis, Cygnus was one of the most influential nobles in the capital. His charisma and keen political mind had earned him a loyal following, though some of his renown also stemmed from his daughter, Yumiella.
What most didn't know was the truth behind Yumiella's heritage. Her mother had been a spirit, a being of pure magical essence. However, she had disappeared shortly after Yumiella's birth, leaving Cygnus shattered. His grief consumed him for nearly a year before he found love again—this time, in the unlikeliest of places: with a Shade who had been one of his slaves.
This union brought Luna into their lives, and for a time, they were happy. Cygnus had a family again, and the household was filled with laughter. But as word spread, whispers started among the other nobles. They gossiped about Luna's origins and speculated endlessly. No one outside the estate knew that her father was Cygnus Eldrion, and he ensured it stayed that way. If the truth ever came to light, his noble title would undoubtedly be stripped away.
To protect his status and his family, Cygnus made a difficult decision. He instructed Luna's mother and the household staff to keep her true parentage a secret. To the outside world, Luna would be raised as a mere servant, acting as Yumiella's maid.
Though the arrangement was painful, Luna accepted it without complaint. Yumiella, however, protested fiercely. She hated the charade and begged her father to let Luna live as her equal. Yet Luna remained steadfast, insisting it was necessary. Despite the charade, the bond between the two girls only grew stronger over time. They were sisters in every way that mattered, regardless of appearances.
As the years passed, their exceptional magical abilities began to show. Both Yumiella and Luna displayed a magical capacity far beyond that of ordinary humans. However, Luna's potential was even greater—and to make matters worse for the family, she was revealed to be a Silver Mage. Her existence as one of the rarest and most powerful types of mages only fueled the rumors spreading among the nobles.
Each passing day, the whispers grew louder, threatening the precarious balance Cygnus had worked so hard to maintain.
"What were you thinking sneaking out to a dungeon all by yourselves?!" Cygnus's voice thundered through the grand hall as he glared at Yumiella and Luna. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? What if something had happened to you?"
Yumiella crossed her arms, looking away defiantly. "The capital is suffocating, Father. We needed some space. We couldn't breathe with everyone watching our every move."
"That is no excuse!" Cygnus shot back, pacing the room in frustration. "You're not common adventurers; you're daughters of the Eldrion family. You can't just run off like that without so much as a word! What if you hadn't come back?"
Luna lowered her gaze. "We're sorry, Father," she said softly. "We didn't mean to worry you."
"You didn't mean to—!?" Cygnus pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a slow, frustrated sigh. "Luna, you know better than this. And Yumiella—how could you drag her into this? As the elder sibling, you should act more responsibly."
"Luna insisted on coming," Yumiella said defensively. "And for the record, we handled ourselves just fine."
"Handled yourselves—! That's not the point!" Cygnus snapped. "What if you encountered something beyond your abilities? Or worse, someone who recognized you?"
Yumiella frowned. "You're acting like we don't know how to defend ourselves. We're not children anymore."
"That doesn't mean you should throw yourselves into danger recklessly!" Cygnus retorted. He took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly. "Do you have any idea what I went through when I heard you'd disappeared? The thought of losing you two—" His voice caught, and he cleared his throat, forcing himself to regain composure. "You should have at least told me."
The room fell silent for a moment before Cygnus let out a long sigh. His anger was giving way to concern, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Did you at least do something useful while you were out there?"
Yumiella, sensing his anger had waned, smirked and reached into her bag. "As a matter of fact, yes." She pulled out the sword Lancer had reforged for her and presented it to him.
Cygnus's eyes widened as he carefully took the blade from her. His expression shifted from shock to fascination as he examined it. "This… this craftsmanship…" He ran his fingers along the blade, noting its flawless balance and intricate design.
"What were you thinking sneaking out to a dungeon all by yourselves?!" Cygnus's voice thundered through the grand hall as he glared at Yumiella and Luna. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? What if something had happened to you?"
Yumiella crossed her arms, looking away defiantly. "The capital is suffocating, Father. We needed some space. We couldn't breathe with everyone watching our every move."
"That is no excuse!" Cygnus shot back, pacing the room in frustration. "You're not common adventurers; you're daughters of the Eldrion family. You can't just run off like that without so much as a word! What if you hadn't come back?"
Luna lowered her gaze. "We're sorry, Father," she said softly. "We didn't mean to worry you."
"You didn't mean to—!?" Cygnus pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a slow, frustrated sigh. "Luna, you know better than this. And Yumiella—how could you drag her into this? As the elder sibling, you should act more responsibly."
"Luna insisted on coming," Yumiella said defensively. "And for the record, we handled ourselves just fine."
"Handled yourselves—! That's not the point!" Cygnus snapped. "What if you encountered something beyond your abilities? Or worse, someone who recognized you?"
Yumiella frowned. "You're acting like we don't know how to defend ourselves. We're not children anymore."
"That doesn't mean you should throw yourselves into danger recklessly!" Cygnus retorted. He took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly. "Do you have any idea what I went through when I heard you'd disappeared? The thought of losing you two—" His voice caught, and he cleared his throat, forcing himself to regain composure. "You should have at least told me."
The room fell silent for a moment before Cygnus let out a long sigh. His anger was giving way to concern, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Did you at least do something useful while you were out there?"
Yumiella, sensing his anger had waned, smirked and reached into her bag. "As a matter of fact, yes." She pulled out the sword Lancer had reforged for her and presented it to him.
Cygnus's eyes widened as he carefully took the blade from her. His expression shifted from shock to fascination as he examined it. "This… this craftsmanship…" He ran his fingers along the blade, noting its flawless balance and intricate design. "Lightweight, yet remarkably durable. Where did you get this?"
"We met the person who made it in the dungeon," Yumiella replied. "He lives in a small village out in the eastern region. His name is Lancer."
"Lancer, you say?" Cygnus murmured, his gaze never leaving the blade. He gestured for a maid, who promptly brought in another sword—the one he had acquired from a merchant a few weeks prior. Placing them side by side, Cygnus examined both weapons closely. "There's no doubt about it. Both are from the same craftsman. But this one…" He lifted Yumiella's sword. "This one is even better."
"He's a genius," Yumiella said matter-of-factly. "You should meet him someday."
"Perhaps I will," Cygnus said, still marveling at the blade. "If he can produce work of this caliber, he could revolutionize the entire industry."
Before more could be said, a servant entered the room and bowed deeply. "My lord, you've received a message. You're needed at the council."
Cygnus sighed, handing the sword back to Yumiella. "Duty calls, it seems. We'll discuss this later." He glanced at the girls one last time, his stern expression softening. "Please, no more reckless adventures."
"Yes, Father," Luna said, bowing her head.
"Fine," Yumiella muttered, though her tone was less defiant this time.
As Cygnus left, another figure entered the room. "Mother!" both girls exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace Carina. She smiled warmly, wrapping them in a tight hug.
"Oh, my sweet girls," Carina said, stroking their hair. "I heard you'd returned. You had me so worried!"
"We're fine, Mother," Luna assured her. "Father just overreacted a little."
Carina raised an eyebrow. "You went to a dungeon without telling anyone. If that isn't grounds for overreaction, I don't know what is."
Yumiella laughed sheepishly. "We handled it."
"Hmm, I'm sure you did," Carina said, her tone half-amused, half-chiding. "But try not to make a habit of giving us all heart attacks."
"Oh!" Yumiella suddenly remembered and reached into her bag again. "Look what I got for you, Mother." She pulled out a shimmering bar of Galvan. "This is for you."
Carina gasped softly, taking the bar with wide eyes. "Galvan? This is… incredible. But, Yumiella, you didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," Yumiella interrupted with a smile. "I thought I could make something special for you with it."
Carina's eyes softened, and she pulled her daughters into another hug. "You're too sweet."