The corridor of the castle echoed with irregular footsteps.
Tap… tap—Ouch… tap…
Léana moved forward as best she could, one hand on her hip, the other clinging to the wall.
"Damn it…" she grumbled, limping. This idiot really exaggerated...
She gritted her teeth, straightening up as much as possible but her body protested violently.
— Should we really… really go there at this point?! He could at least think that I was going to NEED my legs the next day! No but really...
She stopped
— I hope I don't have to be in his bed again or maybe I would like to go back there...
She paused, feeling her cheeks heat up.
— No, but what am I thinking about?!
She shook her head vigorously and continued walking. At the end of the corridor, she came to a large door covered in ancient symbols. The clairvoyant's door.
She knocked. A soft, almost ethereal voice replied:
— Come in, child.
Léana pushed the door and entered. The room was bathed in a strange light. Incense burned, and a basin filled with sparkling water occupied the center.
The clairvoyant slowly raised her eyes.
—I knew you would come.
"Great, that saves me having to explain to you why I'm here," Léana sighed, sitting down – or rather, falling into the chair with a little groan of pain.
The clairvoyant gave a smile.
"I suppose you come looking for answers," she said calmly.
Léana cleared her throat.
— Yes... well... I would like to know what is behind... someone's change.
The clairvoyant stared at her for a long time... then gave a crooked smile.
— Or rather... you want to know the woman who occupies the heart of the man you love.
Léana stiffened.
- Eh ? No ! I mean… not at all! I just want to know… well… it's not—
"Leana," the clairvoyant interrupted gently. Don't lie to someone who reads hearts like an open book.
Silence.
Léana opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
The clairvoyant nodded, satisfied.
Leana frowned.
— Well… okay. Let's get this over with.
The clairvoyant licked her lips.
—Are you sure you want to know this truth? Sentimental truths… often hurt more than lies.
Léana looked away.
For a moment, she seemed to hesitate... then nodded wordlessly.
— Okay... as you wish.
The clairvoyant placed herself in front of the basin, murmuring ancient incantations. The water stirred and began to spin, sparkling like a liquid mirror. Little by little, a silhouette began to appear, a face to take shape...
Léana, despite herself, leaned over.
And when the image finally came into focus, it remained frozen.
—…Is this a JOKE?! she almost screamed.
This woman... this... really?!
The clairvoyant raised an eyebrow.
—Why does this trouble you so much?
— She's Miria's MOTHER! cried Léana, shocked.
—I mean… she's the mother of a girl our age! How is that possible?!
The clairvoyant sighed deeply.
— Leana. You too just spent the night with someone who could be a hundred times your age.
Léana swallowed, looking away before straightening up, annoyed.
—It's not the same! For me it was just... a sex hookup, nothing more! But he LOVES HER! For what ?! What does he see in him?!
The clairvoyant smiles sadly.
— This is the mystery of love… we never choose the person who makes our heart beat.
This simple sentence transfixed Léana.
She stood up abruptly — limping — and left the room, slamming the door.
She walked down the hall, her eyes burning.
And that's when she met Fishlegs.
He came from the other direction, looking delighted, obviously ready to tease her about the night before.
— Oh, my tigress, you notice—
But Léana passed in front of him without even a glance.
Fishlegs stood still, his eyes blinking, truly troubled.
Léana continued to the gardens, collapsed on a bench.
The tears finally flowed.
- For what… ? she whispered.
Why doesn't he love me...? she sobbed.
What does she have that I don't have…?
She buried her face in her hands and cried silently.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere, the sun gently lit a familiar room.
Kira slowly opened her eyes...and saw Eiden sleeping against her.
She noticed the way he was breathing, peaceful.
A small involuntary smile appeared on his lips.
She slipped out of bed, put on her bathrobe and then left the room.
As she entered the living room, she saw a small body sleeping on the sofa.
—Ikan…?
She approached, but her phone rang. She picked up.
"Let me guess," Kira said before she even heard the voice. You lost Ikan.
"Let me guess," Asher said, "he ran away to go back to your house.
— Correct answer.
— When he wakes up, he is entitled to: meditation lesson and good behavior. Intensive.
At that precise moment, Ikan opened his eyes suddenly, horrified.
— No… not that…!
"Yes, yes," Asher confirmed. And this will be your punishment.
Then he hung up.
Kira crossed her arms as she looked at her son.
Ikan stared at his mother with a pleading look.
— No, no, big guy. Your cute eyes won't work today. You probably worried them a lot.
— But I just wanted to be with you...
— Yes, but that's not a reason. Don't do that again, okay?
- All right…