CHAPTER ELEVEN — THE FRACTURE SEED

The south wing of the Evergrace estate drifted serenely in its orbital loop, suspended high above the glistening curve of the Indian Ocean. The glass pavilion bloomed open like a crystalline lotus, sunlight fracturing through its facets, casting celestial patterns on the immaculate white floor below.

Seven girls stood in silence.

Their dresses were made of silk-woven nanothreads, adjusting softly with breath and temperature. Each had been selected for genetic symmetry, obedience potential, and psychological polish. They were neither slaves nor servants in the traditional sense.

They were ornaments—living ones. Trained to decorate perfection.

Ren lounged on a marble couch beside his sister, watching them with mild interest. Yui leaned gently into him, a thin book of poetry resting forgotten on her lap. Their hands remained joined, fingers threaded as naturally as breath.

"Rhea still moves like she's being observed," Yui noted softly, her voice honey-sweet. "Even when she thinks she's alone."

Ren nodded. "Because she always is."

Section I: Living Decorations

The seven girls had names.Rhea, Miren, Sova, Lian, Isolde, Noelle, and Kira.

Each had memorized the Evergrace estate's 12,408 behavioral protocols. Each had passed the neural submission scan with 100%. Each could recite ancient myths, prepare molecular tea, perform orbital ballet, and compose symphonies in any known key.

But none of them could matter.

Ren watched as Sova adjusted a flower arrangement for the sixth time—still imperfect.

Yui's expression remained warm, gentle. "They're doing their best."

Ren tilted his head. "Is that the sad part, or the funny part?"

Yui didn't answer. Her smile said everything.

Section II: The Gentle Test

Yui descended from the observation platform in a single weightless step. The girls turned as one, heads bowed—not in fear, but reverence.

She walked between them, her movements liquid and effortless.

"Lian," Yui said kindly, stopping in front of the shortest girl. "When you pour for my brother, your eyes shouldn't lower. That implies unworthiness."

"I apologize, Lady Yui," Lian whispered, flushing.

Yui touched her chin, lifting it. "You're not unworthy. Just not him."

The girl trembled under the compliment.

Yui turned, her hair gleaming in the refracted sun. "Continue."

As the girls resumed their ritual tasks, Yui floated back up to Ren's side.

"She's trying so hard to be liked," Ren said.

Yui giggled, slipping her arm around his. "They all are."

Section III: The Clone Suggestion

They sat in silence for a while, watching the girls move with perfectly choreographed intent—like wind chimes pretending to be stars.

Then, lazily, Ren spoke.

"Do you think we should make a clone?"

Yui blinked once, her head still on his shoulder. "Of what?"

"Of us," he replied. "Just one. Same memory structure, same appearance. Not to replace us—just for fun. Let it try to be either of us."

A beat.

Her fingers curled slightly on his forearm.

She spoke with a soft hum in her voice. "That sounds... cute."

Ren smiled. "It would never match us."

"No," Yui said gently. "But it might try."

She lifted her eyes, full of perfect innocence. "Wouldn't that get tiring?"

Ren tilted his head. "Tiring?"

Yui nodded. "You'd have to guide it. Correct it. Watch it try to copy you. Poorly. Constantly."

Ren frowned slightly, thinking.

"And it might... say things wrong," Yui continued, tracing a circle on his wrist. "Feel things it doesn't understand. And still call itself 'you.' Even though it isn't."

Ren watched one of the girls fumble a tray and quickly catch it. He sighed.

"It would be frustrating."

Yui smiled, proud of him. "But I'd still help if you wanted to try."

"No, you're right," Ren said finally. "It wouldn't be worth it."

Yui leaned her head back onto his shoulder. "You always know best."

Section IV: No Memory, No Doubt

The thought vanished before it settled. Ren never questioned why the idea felt dull now. He simply forgot its edge.

Down below, Noelle practiced a bow so slow it resembled a falling feather.

Ren didn't look at her.

He had already returned to watching Yui's fingers trace idle patterns across his hand.

Section V: The Quiet Triumph

Later that evening, as the artificial sun dipped behind the curvature of the Evergrace estate's quantum barrier, Yui curled into her brother's side within the observatory dome.

The seven girls sat motionless on the garden floor below, awaiting the next command like petals untouched by wind.

Ren exhaled slowly.

Yui whispered, "Still want your clone?"

Ren smiled faintly, eyes half-closed. "No. I already have everything."

She closed her eyes too.

Behind her soft expression, behind her delicate warmth, behind her every movement…she was smiling for another reason entirely.

The bond had remained untouched.

As always.

[TO BE CONTINUED]