Night fell quietly over the manor.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
"Mr. Uchiha, are you asleep?"
Aria's voice came from outside, soft and carefully composed.
Seated on the sofa with his eyes closed, Tobirama allowed the faintest curve to touch his lips.
So you've come at last.
"The door isn't locked," he replied calmly. "Come in."
The door creaked open.
Aria entered carrying a silver tray with a teapot and two cups. She had deliberately changed into lighter nightwear, her posture shy, her expression carefully restrained—every movement crafted to look harmless and sincere.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so late," she said quietly. "I couldn't fall asleep. I thought… maybe we could talk for a bit."
Tobirama gestured toward the chair opposite him. "Sit."
She obeyed, setting the tray down and pouring tea with practiced elegance. A faint fragrance filled the room.
"I made this myself," Aria said gently, sliding one cup toward him.
"It should help you rest."
Tobirama glanced at the tea, then picked up the cup without hesitation.
"Thank you for your consideration."
He drank it in one motion.
Aria's fingers tightened beneath the table.
A few seconds passed.
Tobirama pressed a hand to his forehead, his brows knitting slightly.
"…Strange," he murmured. "I feel dizzy."
His body leaned back against the sofa, eyes closing as if he had lost consciousness.
Silence.
Then—
A low laugh escaped Aria's lips.
It grew louder.
Soon, she was laughing openly, her earlier gentleness vanishing completely.
"So that's it," she said coldly, staring at the unmoving figure on the sofa.
"All that pride, and you still fell for it."
She turned sharply toward the door.
"Bring them."
Several servants entered without hesitation, their expressions practiced and emotionless.
"Take him," Aria ordered. "And the girl in the next room. Carefully."
They complied, lifting Tobirama and Sayo and carrying them through a concealed passage beneath the manor.
---
Deep underground, the heavy iron door shut with a dull echo.
The air was cold, the space dimly lit by flickering lamps.
Sayo was the first to wake.
She gasped, sitting up abruptly, her eyes darting around in confusion.
"W–Where are we…?"
Her voice trembled as she took in the surroundings—stone walls, locked doors, and unfamiliar figures standing nearby.
"Aria?" she called out desperately. "What's happening? Did something go wrong?"
She saw Aria step forward, no longer hiding behind smiles.
For a moment, Sayo's face brightened with relief.
"Thank goodness you're here! Are we being held somewhere by criminals?"
Aria stopped in front of her.
Then she laughed.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't kind.
It was sharp and hollow.
"Criminals?" Aria said. "You really don't understand anything, do you?"
She looked down at Sayo without warmth.
"This is my home."
Sayo froze.
Aria leaned closer, her voice steady and cruel.
"And no one here came to save you."
——————Author——————
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