"You're welcome. We are family now, so we have to stick together."
Family. A concept as mundane as eating. Yet one I never understood.
As Bianca watched the two in front of her, a soft pain throbbed in her heart. Along with it, a vile voice that haunted her in silence. A shadow appeared in her vision and began to scream.
"No one will ever love you. You are a monster born from an experiment! You are a murderer!"
Bianca knew what she was. And that was what terrified her. Opening your heart to someone meant exposing yourself. And although she longed for someone to be with her. She was betrayed too many times.
"Yep. What else do you call us?"
But, when she saw the 10-meter wolf drenched in blood carry the toddler-sized black knight, she felt conflicted. Bianca already knew the wolf intimately, Possession allowed the ghost and the target to meld in both mind, body, and soul.
That simply meant, Bianca and Fluffy saw each other's memories and lived through them. In an instant they knew each other's hurts, sorrows, and hopes.
"I see. Family. It's been so long, I might no longer be experienced with it." Fluffy replied.
Bianca understood the weight of the wolf's words. Fluffy, her new family member, originally bore the name "Whisper of Hope." A name her parents gave her in their wish for salvation.
She understood the weight of Whisper's resolution, pride, and—pain. Someone like her would never betray Bianca, especially now that Fluffy knew everything. They were broken people who saw each other's pain.
Yet despite the gravity of Bianca and Fluffy's situation, the tiny knight wanted to be with them.
"That is fine—no one is born a master. But everyone can learn. Right, Bianca?" he said affectionately.
Family. Someone wanted to become her family. Hers. The murderer of thousands. The villainess the entire world wanted to burn. Yet the tiny knight wanted to become her family.
If he asked prior to the Possession, Bianca would have said no. Why wouldn't she? The woman never knew what having one meant. The books she read all spoke of the biological instinct to create the next generation. She was dead, she had no such purpose.
But "Whisper of Hope's" memories changed everything.
Through her, Bianca learned of how devoted family was supposed to be. And how pitiful her own life was in comparison. Fluffy's memories showed how much her pack loved her. They all fought to protect her and guarded her when she was sick. They stayed together.
I never knew such bonds of loyalty could exist. And it came without cost.
Celebrating through victories, mourning together in defeat, families supported one another in their lives, pushing each other forward. Suddenly all of Elian's actions she couldn't understand started making sense.
He saw me as family from the very beginning. I was just too ignorant to notice.
A warm feeling spread through her heart. One that made her entire being shake. It made Bianca feel weird, but it made her joyful. Bianca found herself smiling in reflex, however, she encountered a problem.
How do I reply to Elian? I am not prepared for this! What do I say?
She then remembered the wealth of knowledge she just received. In Fluffy's memories, there was one similar event. When members of their pack welcomed new members as mates, they always said the same thing.
"Yes! Please be patient with me, Elian, Fluffy," she blurted out.
Fluffy's eyes widened. Bianca couldn't help but look away awkwardly. It was a blessing the tiny knight knew nothing about their memories.
The ground rumbled. A loud rhythmic beat followed. Bianca knew it well. It was Elian's main body. Despite his mana increases the onyx compression he performed had made him even denser. It was a miracle he could even run with that weight.
The toddler Elian slumped down like a toy that ran out of batteries. And the real Elian moved to pick him up from Fluffy's mouth. Bianca found herself unable to look at him. While toddler Elian played on her protective instincts, the knight Elian was different.
This is all Fluffy's fault!
She began to remember what the two of them discussed in private.
"Fluffy, we really need to have a serious discussion about etiquette."
"Master, I am from Fralhame. Our courtship is short and passionate. You like him, do you not?"
"AHHH!! KEEP SILENT!"
"Hahaha! You appear to be innocent in matters of the heart!" Fluffy laughed.
"Be quiet! You are single too! It's not like you have any experience! Besides, Elian and I are only master and weapon. Nothing more."
Fluffy then frowned and gazed at Bianca with what could only be described as disappointment.
"It is not good to lie, master."
"Do you know the pain that hurts the most, master?"
"Hmph! Of course it's betrayal! I should know that best," Bianca answered smugly.
The wolf shook her head as she answered, "No master. It is regret."
"Betrayal hurts, I agree. But you can move past it once you accept what happened or complete your vengeance. However, regret doesn't work like that. There is no way to move on from regret. It haunts you till the day you close your eyes."
Regret. Bianca understood. But the only way one can have regrets is by having expectations. If there were no expectations to begin with then there could never be any regret.
"Master, life is short."
"The reason Fralhame's courtship is short and passionate. Is because our lives are constantly in danger. Once your world joins the crucible it will be the same. Do not mistake your current peace to last forever. It won't."
"Let them come. I am powerful. I do not need anyone," Bianca answered defensively.
Fluffy, then gazed in the direction Elian went.
"Master. I have seen many like Sir Elian. They are a blessing to any pack. Loyal, loving, reliable. But do you know what they all share in common?"
The beast raised her body and stared deep into Bianca's eyes.
"They always die to protect those they love. Sir Elian will die for you. I guarantee it. If he does before you act on your own feelings, you will hate yourself forever."
Elian is going to die?
The mere thought made Bianca's body tremble. In the weeks since she met him, her life became dazzling. She felt happy, silly, and excited. All because of him. Before she prided herself in being so strong that she didn't need anyone. Now?
I can't. I can't go back to before. It hurts. It's cold and lonely.
"Regret is painful, do not let that happen. Fall in love, build a family with him, and when the time comes die with honor in each other's arms. A life of your own choosing from birth to death. That is the way of Fralhame."
"I won't allow it,"Bianca declared.
"Hmm?" Confused Fluffy tilted her head.
"I won't allow him to die. Nor you, Fluffy. Both of you belong to me."
Fluffy chuckled, "I thank you, Master, but reality is..."
"Enough. Speak of it no longer. Thank you for your counsel. Let us rejoin Elian."
"I understand, please forgive me for overstepping."
"That is fine. Thank you... for trying to help me, Fluffy."
Bianca then watched Fluffy figure out the conspiracy with the Dungeon. As a former noble, she long knew of the practices of selling live or parts of Snow Wolves as pets and livestock.
She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms. Fluffy was hurting and despite her power Bianca felt powerless. However, she began to understand the way of Fralhame. Her parents and her pack had all lived and died by their choices.
Which was why when Whisper of Hope begged for her power, she obliged.
If power demands a price, then I'll pay it in your stead. So go—rampage as much as you want, Whisper of Hope. My kindred spirit.
And now three broken souls all were together by chance. None of them were related, they weren't even the same species, yet Elian's claim was true. There was nothing else to call them—but family.
Fluffy grinned lecherously as she smiled at Bianca. Her eyes narrowed into daggers of delight. The Witch paled in response.
THIS LITTLE IMP! WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING?!
Another thing Bianca learned from Fluffy's memories was that she was a troublemaker who loved to mess with those she adored. Her childhood nickname was "Whisper of mischief." She considered Fluffy worse than Elian when it came to being naughty.
"Master likes it when you are dominating."
"She likes it when you take charge."
"AAAHHHH!! SHUT UP!!! FLUFFY, YOU IDIOT!!!"