--
"Anny, darling, you're awake. Master Zedrack is back."
Abby's calm voice carried through the house just as Anny stepped down the staircase, her footsteps light but steady. The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting a warm glow across the polished floor, but none of that mattered to her.
For a split second, Anny froze.
Then—
Her eyes widened.
"Daddy…?"
Without waiting for another word, she turned sharply and ran back upstairs, her heart pounding loudly in her chest. Her excitement was impossible to hide. It had been months—months since she had last seen him, months of quiet dinners, empty conversations, and waiting.
Now he was back.
She stopped in front of his door, slightly out of breath, her hand hovering in the air for a moment before she knocked.
"Knock, knock…"
"Come in."
His voice came from behind the door—familiar, deep, and comforting.
Anny didn't hesitate.
She pushed the door open.
"Daddy!"
Her voice rang out, filled with pure excitement, as she rushed inside. The moment her eyes landed on him, everything else faded away.
Zedrack stood near the window, dressed neatly, his presence as composed as ever. He turned just in time to catch her as she threw herself into his arms.
"Oh, my darling," he said warmly, holding her close. "How have you been?"
"I missed you!" she replied quickly, her voice slightly muffled as she hugged him tightly. "You've been gone for so long…"
Zedrack sighed softly, a faint trace of guilt crossing his face.
"I'm sorry," he said, gently pulling back to look at her. "I've been really busy."
His hand moved to her head, patting it lightly before he leaned forward and placed a soft peck on her forehead.
"But now," he continued, his tone lighter, "I'm back."
Anny smiled brightly, her eyes shining.
"Really?"
"Really."
He straightened slightly, adjusting his sleeve before glancing at the clock.
"Now go get ready," he said. "I'm dropping you off at school today."
Anny blinked in surprise.
"You are?"
Zedrack smirked faintly. "Of course."
That was all she needed.
"I'll be quick!"
She rushed out of the room, her earlier calm completely replaced by excitement.
---
Not long after, Anny came downstairs, fully dressed and ready. Her hair was neatly tied in her usual high ponytail, and her pendant rested quietly against her chest.
Zedrack was already waiting.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes!"
The drive to school was filled with small conversations—nothing too serious, just simple things that made the time feel lighter. For Anny, it felt like everything had returned to normal.
At the school gate, Kiara was already waiting.
She stood with her usual relaxed posture, though her eyes immediately lit up when she saw Anny.
"Finally!" Kiara said as Anny stepped out of the car. "You're late."
Anny rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not late."
Kiara crossed her arms but smiled anyway. "Whatever you say."
Zedrack stepped out of the car as well, his presence immediately drawing attention. His aura carried a quiet authority, the kind that didn't need to be announced.
"Good morning," he said.
Kiara straightened slightly. "Good morning, sir."
Zedrack nodded, his gaze calm.
"How is your brother, Kyle?" he asked.
Kiara blinked, slightly surprised he remembered. "He's fine, sir. Still studying in France."
"That's good," Zedrack replied.
There was a brief pause before he turned to Anny.
"Have a good day."
"I will," she said, smiling.
With that, Zedrack got back into the car and drove off, leaving the two girls at the gate.
Kiara leaned closer slightly.
"You seem extra happy today."
Anny grinned. "He's back."
Kiara smirked. "I can tell."
The two of them walked into school together, their laughter fading into the background as the day began.
---
Back at home, the atmosphere was entirely different.
Abby moved quietly through the house, clearing the table with her usual precision. Every movement was controlled, every action deliberate.
The house was silent.
Too silent.
Then—
It changed.
The air shifted.
At first, it was subtle. Almost unnoticeable. But within seconds, the entire atmosphere grew heavier. The brightness of the room seemed to dim, shadows stretching unnaturally along the walls.
The air became colder.
Thicker.
Suffocating.
Abby stopped.
Her hand froze mid-motion, her senses immediately sharpening.
She didn't need to look.
She already knew.
Without hesitation, she placed the item in her hand down carefully and lowered her head, bowing deeply.
"Master…"
Her voice was soft, respectful.
Then—
A voice echoed through the house.
"You're really lacking behind, Abigail."
It was deep.
Powerful.
And carried an authority that made the entire house vibrate slightly.
"How could you not know Ezerus was here?"
The pressure in the air intensified.
At the mention of that name, Abby's face twitched ever so slightly—just for a second—before returning to its usual calm expression.
Her head remained bowed.
"I…" she began softly, but stopped herself.
Silence followed.
The presence lingered, watching, judging.
Then the voice spoke again.
"Should I replace you with Deshmuck?"
This time, the words carried a sharper edge.
The room seemed to grow even colder.
Abby's grip tightened slightly, but she remained in position.
"Forgive me, my lord," she said, her voice steady despite the pressure surrounding her.
There was no hesitation.
No excuse.
Only submission.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
The pressure disappeared.
Just like that.
The air returned to normal.
The suffocating presence vanished as though it had never been there.
Abby slowly straightened, her expression unreadable.
At that exact moment—
The front door opened.
Zedrack stepped inside.
His movements were calm, his expression unchanged, as though he had noticed nothing unusual.
"I'm back," he said casually.
Abby turned slightly.
"Yes, Master Zedrack," she replied smoothly.
Everything was normal again.
Too normal.
But deep within the quiet walls of the house, something had already shifted.
And this time—
It wouldn't go unnoticed for long.
---