"Luna, you can't become 'King'," Arlecchino declared.
Luna, still retaining traces of her youthful innocence, merely blinked. Arlecchino occasionally used words like "King" or "throne."
"Oh," Luna replied, showing no interest.
The afterglow of the sunset painted Arlecchino's face. She wasn't surprised by Luna's response.
"Aren't you going to ask why?"
"Hmm... rather than 'why,' I'm more curious about what you mean by 'King' in the first place."
Arlecchino crossed her legs and rested her hands on her lap. Meeting Luna's curious gaze, she calmly explained, "'King,' whether in the past or present, has always meant the same thing to the House of the Hearth: the supreme authority."
"You can think of the current 'King' as... the Head of the House."
Now Luna understood.
The Head of the House! Luna swung her feet. "Why call the Head of the House 'King'?"
Why not just call them the Head of the House?
"That tradition dates back to ancient times. If you're curious, you can research it yourself. But that's not what we need to discuss now."
"Alright," Luna nodded, still uninterested.
She was far more interested in doing something else.
Luna lowered her gaze, her hand hovering hesitantly before finally settling on Arlecchino's lap. She cautiously raised her eyes.
"May I lie on 'Father's' lap?"
Arlecchino watched her in silence.
Whenever Luna made such a request, Arlecchino would fix her with that unchanging expression, making it impossible to decipher her thoughts. This silent scrutiny always made the children nervous and uneasy. After all, Arlecchino often gazed at them wordlessly when punishing misbehaving children. In those moments, the children usually understood their mistakes instantly.
But Luna's nervousness stemmed solely from her fear of rejection.
Finally, Arlecchino lowered her crossed leg and gave a slight nod. Luna's eyes lit up, and she immediately rested her head on Arlecchino's lap. Through the fabric of Arlecchino's pants, Luna could only feel the softness of her thigh, but even that was enough to bring a smile to her face.
"Doesn't 'Father' like wearing skirts? I always see you in pants."
"You always ask such tricky questions, don't you? Yes, I'm not particularly fond of them."
Luna looked up at Arlecchino's face. "That's a shame. You're very beautiful... I think you'd look lovely in a skirt."
"...."
"What's wrong?"
Arlecchino murmured, "Nothing. Someone once said the same thing to me."
"Who?" Luna asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"A child who only exists in the past. You're about the same age she was back then."
Only exists in the past... Does that mean she's dead? Luna fell silent, regretting her question. Perhaps she shouldn't have asked.
"I'm sorr—"
Arlecchino pressed a finger to Luna's lips. "There's no need to apologize. Curiosity is a child's natural instinct."
Luna's face flushed crimson, the sensation of Arlecchino's finger against her lips both unique and gentle. Yet she averted her gaze, thinking, It seems no matter what, she'll always see me as a child...
Even though I've grown so much since we first met.
"Um, 'Father' is the 'King,' right?"
Arlecchino withdrew her hand. "That's correct. And I have high hopes for Lyney as the next 'King.'"
Lyney was indeed well-suited for the role. Capable and a natural leader, he possessed the ability to guide the other children. Luna nodded in agreement.
If "Father" was the current "King," could she become his "Queen"? The thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. She couldn't possibly ask that aloud.
Instead, she posed a different question.
"Does that make me a 'princess'?" Luna asked. After all, she was the King's child.
Arlecchino replied with genuine curiosity, "In all this time, you're the first child to ask me that question. You can think of yourself that way, but don't forget one thing." She pressed her fingertip against Luna's neck.
Thump-thump... Arlecchino could feel Luna's heart racing through the pulse of her blood. It was beating fast.
"Are you scared?" she asked.
Luna shook her head. "I just feel... happy."
"Happy?" The answer caught Arlecchino off guard.
Luna blushed crimson. "I like the way 'Father' touches me. That's why my heart is racing..."
"Hmm..." Arlecchino hummed thoughtfully.
Does she think this is strange? Luna stole glances at Arlecchino's reaction.
Arlecchino seemed lost in thought. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna noticed Arlecchino's hand on her neck had stopped moving. She pursed her lips slightly, afraid Arlecchino might withdraw it.
"It's true," Arlecchino said finally. "From the moment you first met me, you've never shown any fear."
"There's been nervousness, unease, testing the waters, hesitation..."
"But never fear."
Arlecchino curled her finger, gently twirling a strand of Luna's golden hair as she let it cascade downward.
"Luna, what do you believe is the true meaning of 'home'?"
A true home? Luna pondered.
"A home with 'Father'," she replied.
"...Is that so? I don't share that view. You've grown up now, Luna, and you understand what truly binds the House of the Hearth together."
Those with nowhere else to belong.
Not just the children, but Arlecchino herself as well.
"Eliminating the unreasonable, establishing new rules, ascending the throne, and becoming your 'Father'—that is what I have done."
"Luna, if your eyes were sharp enough, keen enough, you could see through me and recognize both our similarities and our differences."
"Then you would realize that the 'home' you envision still falls short of being a true home."
Luna whispered, "That may be your perspective, but to me, home is wherever you are, Father."
Arlecchino fell silent for a moment, then gently brushed Luna's bangs aside.
"Is that your answer, then?"
"Yes. That's why I can't become 'King,' isn't it?"
Arlecchino's tone softened. "A 'King' requires two things: an 'ideal' and 'power.' You possess your own unique understanding of home."
"And you have the potential to grow stronger, to wield power. You are our most exceptional child, Luna—even Lyney and Lynette pale in comparison."
The best, without a doubt.
"You have the potential to become a King, there's no question about that."
"But what truly prevents you from ascending the throne is something hidden deep within your heart."
Luna touched her chest. "Hidden within my heart?"
"Yes. It's what keeps you unbound by anything. To you, the throne itself would be a cage. You will only follow that inner voice, tracing its path as you make your own choices."
"...I don't quite understand," Luna admitted candidly.
It seemed as if "Father" understood her better than she understood herself.
Arlecchino smiled faintly.
"'Father,' do you disapprove of this?"
"No. I respect anyone who acknowledges their destiny yet still chooses to confront its true nature. I hope you, Luna, can become such a person."
Arlecchino fell silent for a moment before adding, "Of course, every action carries a price—sometimes equal to the reward, sometimes disproportionate."
"Never forget the rules of the House of the Hearth, Luna."
Luna nodded slowly.
"Excellent. Speaking of which, were you planning to ambush me?"
Ambush?! Luna quickly protested, "No! I just wanted to touch your hair."
"That still counts as an ambush. Unfortunately, your stealth skills are lacking. Do you know where you went wrong?" Arlecchino asked.
"My presence leaked," Luna whispered.
"Why?"
"I... I don't know."
She had done everything possible to conceal her aura and hide her presence.
"The reason is simple: you drew your blade too soon."
"Drew my blade?"
Arlecchino's hand gently stroked Luna's neck, her lips parting slightly. "True concealment isn't about technique; it's about awareness."
"Before approaching your prey, you shouldn't focus on it or even acknowledge it. An animal's instincts will alert it to every gaze, every disturbance in the air."
"Erase the prey's image from your mind. Treat it as if it doesn't exist."
Her fingertip glided across Luna's skin.
Then her fingers curled, her nail pressing into Luna's neck.
"Strike the moment you're within range."
Luna pondered this. "So, I need to erase not only my own presence but also the prey's existence from my perception...?"
"You grasp the concept quickly."
Luna blushed. "I don't think I can do that..."
She kept glancing at Arlecchino. How could she possibly erase Arlecchino's image from her mind? It seemed impossibly difficult.
Arlecchino simply replied, "Like this."
"Mmm."
Luna gently took Arlecchino's hand.
"Father's nails are so long," she remarked curiously, lightly scraping her own neat, rounded nails against Arlecchino's fingers.
Arlecchino remained still, silently watching Luna play with her hand.
"Luna."
"Hmm?"
"You mentioned wanting to see the auroras in Snezhnaya."
"Yes! Father, you said they were beautiful... Will you take me?"
Before Arlecchino could answer, Luna quickly added, "But never mind. You don't need to take me."
Arlecchino: "..."
"I'd rather go with you, Father, not just be taken there... you know... side by side, together."
Not just being led, but walking alongside.
Being led is for children.
Arlecchino didn't reply. Instead, she placed her hand on Luna's head and gently stroked her hair.
"I look forward to seeing you grow."
-
"Luna, wake up. Breakfast is ready."
A gentle shake roused Luna from her sleep.
Through the lingering haze of drowsiness, she recognized a familiar face.
Chiori, dressed as usual, stood beside the bed, leaning over and gripping Luna's shoulders.
"Chiori..." Luna murmured sleepily.
"You're awake? Get up already."
Before Chiori could finish speaking, Luna reached out, wrapped her arms around Chiori's neck, and gently pulled her closer.
In an instant, Chiori found herself enveloped in a soft fragrance and comforting warmth as Luna hugged her tightly against the bed.
"I had a dream about her," Luna mumbled.
"And then?" Chiori frowned.
"And then, for some reason, I had a dream about you too."
Chiori's frown softened into a faint smile. "Now that you're awake, are you disappointed?"
"Mmm-hmm."
Noticing Luna's breathing had grown slow and even, Chiori turned to look.
Luna had fallen back asleep.
Exasperated, Chiori pinched Luna's cheek and tugged it. "I told you to get up! It's almost noon!"
"Waaah—Nana! Chiori's bullying me!"
"Huh? Are you a child or something?!"
Navia burst through the door. "Lulu, what's wrong?! Wait, Chiori, what are you doing? Why are you lying on top of Lulu?"
Chiori groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, good grief..."