Tassa found herself alone in her room, lying on her bed with a heavy heart. She couldn't help but reflect on the situation, muttering to herself, "Family... how dreadful. To think he sees me only as a member of his family. How foolish I was to believe his love for me was genuine. I feel so foolish, and he appears so cruel." Tassa's words carried a deep sense of sadness and disappointment.
In the sprawling halls of Calguas' new mansion, tensions continued to rise between Vilyn and Nia'le. "Will you please cease treating me like a mere child, Vilyn!" Nia'le's voice rang out with frustration. Vilyn responded, her tone filled with a mix of affection and amusement, "I am not treating you as a baby, Nia'le. It's because you will always be my baby." Unfazed, Nia'le grabbed his towel and headed towards the bathroom, asserting, "I am taking a shower, so kindly leave me be." Vilyn's smile remained intact as she playfully encouraged him, "Go ahead, my dear. Just remember to thoroughly cleanse every inch of your body, including behind your ears, my love." Nia'le forcefully shut the bathroom door, muttering, "What is her problem? She can be such a nuisance."
As Nia'le undressed and turned on the water, preparing to immerse himself in the soothing embrace of the tub, he was startled by Vilyn's sudden teleportation into the bathroom. With a mischievous grin, she remarked, "You seem to have forgotten your clothes, dear." Vilyn's gaze traveled up and down Nia'le's form, and she teasingly commented, "Oh, my, you and that thing of yours are growing. It feels like just yesterday when you were so small." Irritated by her presence, Nia'le forcefully pushed her out of the bathroom, his voice laced with annoyance, "You mean just this Monday, because today is Tuesday. Now leave, you lunatic woman." Unfazed by his anger, Vilyn enveloped him in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face as she cried, "I am your mother, and you dare to call me a lunatic? How could you, my dear Nia'le? Is this what they call rebellion? I can hardly believe my own son has turned into a delinquent." Nia'le simply rolled his eyes at her and retorted, "Firstly, I am not your son. And secondly, why on earth are you hugging me while I am completely naked?" Vilyn's gaze drifted towards his private area, and she nonchalantly remarked, "Oh, come now, our bodies are nothing to be ashamed of. I believe I've heard that sentiment from someone before. Anyway, cheer up, my baby Nia'le." Pushing her out of the bathroom, Nia'le firmly closed the door, his voice filled with frustration, "Leave and don't use any magic to get in. Learn the concept of privacy, woman." Vilyn's smile remained unwavering as she cheerfully replied, "Alright then!"
As Ixartxist lay on his bed, his expression filled with frustration and despair, Calguas entered the room, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor. Concern etched on his face, Calguas approached his troubled friend. "What troubles you, Ixartxist?" he inquired, his voice gentle yet laden with genuine concern. Ixartxist's voice trembled as he mustered the strength to speak, his words tinged with a sense of resignation. "I... I almost confessed my love to Quart," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I fear she misunderstood me. She ran away, and I can't bear to live like this any longer. She's tearing me apart, Calguas."
Calguas took a seat beside Ixartxist, his gaze filled with empathy. He reached out a comforting hand, placing it gently on his friend's shoulder. "You must remember what I've told you, Ixartxist," he advised, his voice a soothing balm. "You cannot reveal your feelings to her. Your connection with Quart stretches back to her childhood, and any expression of love could be misconstrued as an abuse of that bond. To prevent her from distancing herself, you must keep your emotions hidden. Otherwise, she may never trust you again."
Ixartxist looked into Calguas' eyes, seeking solace and guidance. "What do you suggest I do, Calguas?" he asked, his voice laden with a mix of hope and desperation. Calguas leaned back, his gaze drifting towards the window as he pondered his response. "For now, I believe it would be best to give her some space," he advised, his voice filled with wisdom. "Quart, or rather Tassa, will be the one to return to you when the time is right. Trust in the power of time and patience."
As Ixartxist clutched Tassa's clothes tightly, a mixture of longing and uncertainty filled his heart. "I have waited for her for so long," he murmured, his voice filled with a deep longing. "I cannot bear the thought of losing her again. I have made countless sacrifices to be with her. What has Quart done to me? Has she tamed me? It's like magic, a mysterious force that compels me to follow my heart, no matter the consequences."
Suddenly, as if materializing out of thin air, Suman appeared before Ixartxist. His sudden presence startled both Ixartxist and Calguas, their eyes widening in surprise. Suman's voice carried a hint of impatience as he questioned Ixartxist's murmurs. "What on earth are you mumbling about, Ixartxist?" he demanded, his tone laced with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Every magic is a mystery, but your ramblings are a jumble of words. Ah, but I digress. Look-look, I've brought some clothes for our dear-dear Quart. Or should I say, a remarkable woman named Quart? Wait, what was I supposed to say? Ah, it slips my mind. But I swear-swear there was something important I needed to tell you."
Calguas, perplexed by Suman's actions, his brows furrowing, questioned his sudden interest in Tassa. "Why have you bought clothes for Tassa?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Since when do you care about Quart, Suman?" Suman's response was swift, his words filled with a deep affection for Quart. "Of course, I care for Quart," he answered, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Quart, Ixartxist, and I have been together for what feels like an eternity. But my love for Quart is different from Ixartxist's, you see."
Calguas struggled to comprehend the complexity of their relationships, his confusion evident on his face. "I still cannot see what is happening here," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. Suman's eyes widened as if a forgotten memory had resurfaced, and he exclaimed, "Ah, yes! I remember now. I saw Quart while I was outside. We bumped into each other, and she could see me. She could truly see me, Ixartxist!" Calguas, his confusion deepening, sought clarification. "Well, of course she can see you," he responded, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "In the Infinite Night, she can perceive all of us demons."
Suman's eyes met Calguas', a glimmer of understanding shining within them. "I comprehend your point, Calguas," he replied, his voice filled with a newfound clarity. "But what I meant to say was that Quart has been freed from the Infinite Night. And, Ixartxist, did you..." Suman's words trailed off as Ixartxist calmly interrupted, his voice steady and resolute. "I freed her, Suman," he confessed, his words heavy with a mix of guilt and determination. Suman and Calguas were left speechless, their eyes widening in astonishment at the revelation. Sensing their shock, Suman grabbed Ixartxist's arm, his grip firm yet filled with frustration. "Why would you do such a thing?" he exclaimed, his voice a mix of anger and concern. "You took away her sight for a reason, for her own safety. Are you willing to wait another century, Ixartxist? What has come over you?"
Ixartxist turned his back to Suman, his gaze fixed on a distant point. He spoke softly, his voice filled with a heavy burden. "I freed her from the Infinite Night because she had the ability to see the shadow demons," he explained, his words laced with a deep sense of regret. "I couldn't bear the thought of her discovering the truth about me, that I am the one who trapped her in that realm. She believes that Ixartxist and Xart are two different people. The demon who put a spell in her mind to hate Ixartxist remains unbroken. I cannot afford to lose her trust, Suman. I simply cannot bear the thought of losing her." Suman's anger flared at Ixartxist's decision, made without consulting him, his voice filled with frustration as he exclaimed, "You choose to preserve her trust, even at the risk of her life. You know it's for her own good!" The room fell silent, the weight of their emotions hanging in the air like a heavy fog.