Manipulation or kindness

---

The silence between them stretched—thick with pain, thick with healing.

Valeria sniffled, wiping her nose on her arm. Adrian gently pulled out another clean handkerchief and offered it with a small smile. She hesitated before taking it, shyly dabbing at her tear-swollen face.

"Are you… a prince or something?" she mumbled, peeking at his glowing robe and the glint of the divine bow slung on his back.

Adrian giggled. "I guess? I'm a lot of things."

He puffed up proudly, mimicking his mother's regal pose. "I'm the Dragon Prince and the Elven Prince and the Asura Prince and the Human Prince as well from what my uncle said. And my mom says I'm also the cutest little devil when I want to be."

Valeria blinked. For a moment, her lip curled up slightly—not quite a smile, but almost.

He noticed and gently poked her cheek. "That's better! Your face looks nicer when you do that."

Valeria's eyes dropped to her lap, her voice small. "You're weird."

Adrian tilted his head. "So? You're weird too. That means we are bith weird."

She looked up at him, expression unreadable.

"You're really not scared of me?" she whispered. "Everyone says I'm cursed. That I'm broken."

Adrian frowned, his little fingers reaching out to gently poke her forehead. "That's dumb. You're not cursed. You're just really, really sad."

Her bottom lip trembled again. "But I—"

"Hey," he interrupted gently, scooting even closer. "It's okay. You don't have to explain. I don't care about what people say. I care about you. You're my friend now, okay?"

Valeria's breath caught.

"F… friend?" she echoed, like it was a foreign word.

He nodded, beaming. "Yup! Official now. No take-backs!"

She stared at him for a long time. His smile didn't fade. Not once.

And then… she nodded.

"Okay," she whispered. "Friend."

Adrian grinned, victorious. "Yay!"

He leaned back, arms crossed behind his head as he looked up at the stars visible through a hole in the roof. "My mom and dad are probably talking to the nobles. So I've got time."

Valeria hesitated. "Won't they be mad?"

Adrian shrugged. "Not if they know I made a friend."

She giggled—a real giggle this time.

Adrian's heart swelled with pride.

"You have a pretty laugh," he said suddenly.

She blushed and looked down. "Stop saying nice things. It's weird."

"But it's true!" he laughed.

They sat in silence again, but this time it was… calm. Easy. Safe.

After a few minutes, Valeria leaned her head gently on his shoulder, as if testing if he'd pull away.

He didn't.

Instead, he leaned his head lightly against hers.

"I like your hair," she mumbled.

Adrian blinked. "Thanks. I like your eyes."

Her cheeks turned pink.

"…I like your smile."

"…I like your voice."

"…I like you."

A pause.

"…I like you too."

---

And so, in a broken room tucked away from the celebration, two children sat side by side. One forgotten by the world, and one born to dazzle it—sharing warmth neither had known they needed.

For her… this moment would become the first memory she ever held onto with both hands.

And for him…

The plan had just begun.

---

As the minutes passed, Adrian and Valeria spoke softly, sharing stories and comforting each other in their own little world. Adrian kept wiping her tears away, his touch gentle, his words warm. He was a child of innocence, but his heart carried a wisdom far beyond his years.

"I know how you feel," he said quietly, his voice soothing like a lullaby. "When I was younger, people expected a lot from me. Sometimes, I didn't know how to make them happy."

Valeria blinked up at him. "You… you've been sad too?"

He nodded, his expression serious, as though the weight of the world rested on his small shoulders. "Yeah. But my mom always tells me that when you're sad, it's okay to let someone help you. And right now, you don't have to carry it alone, okay?"

She nodded slowly, feeling a warmth in her chest, a feeling she hadn't known in so long. For the first time, she wasn't alone. She wasn't the broken girl who couldn't find a way out. There was someone beside her.

Adrian smiled brightly, a little mischievous glint in his eye. "So… what's your name? I forgot to ask."

Valeria hesitated before speaking in a whisper, as if sharing something secret. "Valeria Ignis."

Adrian's eyes widened dramatically, as if it were the most shocking revelation. He even gasped, putting his hand to his chest. "What?! You're an Ignis too?! No way!"

She stared at him, a bit confused by his over-the-top reaction.

Valeria blinked, confusion spreading across her features as she stared at him. "You are?"

"Yup!" Adrian nodded enthusiastically, puffing out his chest. "I'm Adrian Ignis. Same last name! We're family!"

Her eyes widened in shock. "Adrian… Ignis?" She repeated his name slowly, as if trying to confirm what she'd heard.

"Yep, yep! So, we're like cousins or something, right?" Adrian said, grinning with pride. He gently patted her head, his childish face lighting up with a sincere smile. "So, how old are you, Valeria?"

Valeria stared at him for a moment, still a little dazed. "I'm… seven," she replied softly.

Adrian's mouth formed an exaggerated pout. "Aww, so you're older than me?" He crossed his arms over his chest, pretending to sulk. "Guess I'll still be the younger brother then."

Valeria's face softened. She watched him for a second before she chuckled, a small but genuine laugh escaping her. "Of course I am the big sis, baby brother," she teased, patting his head gently.

Adrian's eyes sparkled with delight. "Hey! I'm not a baby!" He whined playfully, making her laugh again.

That sound, her laugh, it warmed Adrian's heart. It wasn't just any laugh—it was the first time he had seen Valeria smile, genuinely. His plan was working. He was getting closer, inching ever so slowly to making her a true ally.

Plan half-successful, Adrian thought to himself, a satisfied smile forming on his face. She's already starting to trust me.

But just as Adrian began to feel the sweet victory of his success, a sound shattered the peaceful moment—CRASH!

The door to the small, hidden room was flung open with such force that it smashed against the stone wall, rattling the room and sending a sharp echo through the air.

Valeria jumped in surprise, her eyes widening in panic. Adrian immediately stood, his hand protectively reaching for her, pulling her behind him.

The heavy footsteps followed—loud, hurried, and furious.

Adrian's smile vanished as his crimson and gold eyes narrowed, instinctively preparing for whatever was making this loud sound.