Sleep would not come.
Lyra lay on her back, staring into the darkness above her.
Again and again, the scene replayed in her mind.
Bodies shattering.
Blood suspended.
Kael's glowing eyes.
Her chest tightened.
She sat up quietly.
The dormitory was still. The other children slept, their breathing soft and uneven in the night.
Carefully, she slipped out of bed and opened the door.
The hallway was dim.
She padded toward the kitchen to get water—
And froze.
Kael was already there.
Leaning casually against the counter as if he had been expecting her.
She said nothing.
She walked past him, grabbed a glass, and poured herself water.
"So," she said coldly before taking a sip, "you're not only a look-alike… but a stalker too."
"You came to meet me," Kael replied lightly. "Are you sure you're not the one stalking?"
She turned to face him.
"Are you accusing a girl of stalking?"
"Maybe."
She stepped closer.
"Oh… great. Do you think they'll believe your voice over mine? A girl's voice?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "You know… I can pose as a girl."
Lyra froze.
Her eyes widened.
"…So it's you."
Her voice rose.
"You're the one pretending to be me! Doing things behind my back!"
Kael lifted a hand quickly.
"We're sneaking around," he whispered. "Keep your voice down."
"No," she snapped. "I'll tell everyone—"
"Tell them what?"
The voice behind them was cold.
They turned.
The head of the orphanage stood in the doorway.
Kael's thoughts went still.
Oh… great.
Lyra instinctively moved behind him.
"I don't like his presence," she whispered.
"What did she say?" the head asked, his tone flat.
Kael didn't hesitate.
"She said men are disgusting."
Silence.
"And why," the head asked slowly, "would she say that?"
Kael tilted his head slightly.
"Lyra… turn on the light."
She obeyed.
The room illuminated—
Revealing one of the older boys crouched behind a storage cabinet, hurriedly trying to hide something he had been doing in secret.
The head's gaze darkened.
"Go back to bed," he ordered.
He dragged the boy away without another word.
Lyra and Kael walked back down the corridor.
Before entering her dorm, she stopped.
"That was the only time I'll listen to you," she said sharply.
The door slammed shut.
Kael exhaled deeply before heading to his own room.
The Next Morning
They were summoned.
When Kael and Lyra entered the office, Elara was already standing inside.
The head spoke without looking at them.
"As punishment, you will accompany Elara to buy groceries today."
Lyra frowned.
"How is drinking water a crime?"
"You dare talk back to me?" he replied coldly.
Kael stepped forward.
"Yes. How dare you," he added calmly. "Can't you see the robe is just covering how dry he really is?"
"Leave."
The word exploded from the head.
They obeyed instantly.
Elara bowed before following them out.
As she walked, unease settled in her chest.
Normally… he would order execution.
Why are these two different?
The Town of Vistali
The market was lively.
For Kael and Lyra, it felt foreign.
They followed Elara closely — the orphanage was the only world they had ever known.
Then—
They ran into them.
The Daincrests.
Seris stood beside her maid, radiant even in stillness.
Elara immediately bowed.
Kael and Lyra didn't.
They simply walked past.
Elara turned quickly.
"Do you know who she is?"
"A little girl with an overprotective father," they answered in unison.
Lyra smirked.
"Copycat."
"Why are you so reactive?" Kael asked.
"Because I don't like the fact that you look like me."
She walked ahead.
Elara followed.
Kael lingered behind.
Seris watched them leave.
Silently.
The Daincrest Mansion
Later, the maid reported everything.
Vaelor listened.
Then laughed.
"It's fine, Father," Seris said with a soft smile. "I don't mind their attitude."
He dismissed everyone.
When they were alone, he studied her.
"You're not usually this tolerant."
She hesitated.
"I… don't know."
Vaelor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I didn't know you would grow interested in girls."
Seris blinked.
"…Am I?"
She left without waiting for an answer.
Vaelor's smirk slowly returned.
"If that is the case…"
His voice dropped.
"…then you may become very useful."
He leaned back in his chair.
"If she can draw them in…"
His laughter echoed quietly through the room.