Chapter 2: The Monster of The Berhi Castle (2)

　　The sisters stared at each other, blinking.

　　“Don’t tell me this man is the Tower Master,” Astina whispered.

　　“Grrr. Grrr.” Brillin contemplated and replied that the current Tower Master was an old man, well over ninety.

　　Astina studied the man’s face again and sighed. Mages were known to use their copious magic to alter their appearance; it was impossible to know if this man was young or old. If he was the Tower Master, it might be better to kill him before he woke up.

　　As Astina’s expression turned to ice, Brillin began to fret, circling her anxiously.

　　“Why else would the Tower Master come here, Brillin?” Astina’s voice was frigid. “The Magic Tower has seemed to have finally decided to kill us. If we let him live, you’ll only get hurt again.”

　　It was the first time anyone from the Magic Tower had come, but the sisters had dealt with their share of intruders over the past decade. Most had attacked Brillin on sight, spouting arrogant nonsense about rescuing Astina from the “monster.”

　　The Berhi Territory, with its vast lands, was a strategic stronghold in the southern Dresden Empire. It had once rivaled the imperial family in wealth, and its two daughters had been praised as ethereal beauties.

　　Many had been tempted by the thought of claiming it all, if only they could dispose of the monster. The sisters had fought a long, lonely battle against them.

　　Years of failure had taught others to stay away, but the memories of her youth had curdled Astina’s heart with distrust. As she raised the ladle, its metal darkening to a sinister black, Brillin reached out and blocked her arm.

　　“Grrr, Hmph,” she groaned.

　　“You still trust people after everything you’ve been through?” Astina challenged.

　　Brillin did not trust intruders either. She knew better than anyone the scars left on her young sister’s heart. She shook her head.

　　“Hmph! Grrr!” her growl implied that, The Tower Master wouldn’t be freezing to death at the foot of the mountain if he’d come to kill us.

　　“Grrr?” she added. And weren’t you the one who said you’d have a change of heart for a handsome face?

　　At Brillin’s words, Astina lowered the blackened ladle, her gaze falling on the man’s peaceful face. He was certainly too beautiful to destroy. In truth, his looks did not matter, but she could not bring herself to spoil her sister’s rare excitement.

　　Her kind, gentle sister still found it in her heart to like people, even after all the hostility they had shown her. This man would probably just wake up and scream at her, too.

　　Astina sighed again, and the ladle in her hand returned to its normal color. I can always kill him later, she thought.

　　“Fine,” she conceded. “We’ll let him live for now. Just put him by the fireplace.”

　　“Grrr!” Brillin beamed, her mouth stretching wide in a terrifying grin. She carefully carried the man to the hearth. Seeing Astina change her mind confirmed it—a handsome face really did make all the difference. Perhaps this time, her sister would finally find a companion. If the poor man had woken to see that smile, his heart might have stopped from sheer terror, but Brillin was happier than she had been in ages.

　　Even if he were not a potential husband, a friend would be enough. Her heart ached for her precious sister, who had no one to talk to but a monster who could only growl.

　　She saved him once; maybe she’ll save him again. And if twice becomes three times, and three becomes four, Astina will finally have a human friend!

　　Humming a tune, Brillin headed for the kitchen to help Astina with dinner. Her large hands often did more harm than good, breaking dishes and getting in the way, but Astina always welcomed her help. The sisters worked together for a long time, their laughter and the warmth of the fire finally stirring the handsome man who had nearly frozen to death—Theo.

* * *

　　When he regained consciousness, he was in a strange place. He remembered collapsing on the cold snow, exhausted. Now, a fire crackled warmly beside him.

　　Theo shot up, his hand flying to the pendant at his neck. It was still there. A profound relief washed over him; his master’s keepsake was safe. A kind soul had saved his life.

　　As he looked around, he heard the distant sound of voices and laughter. He did not know where he was, but he knew he had to thank his benefactor. He pushed himself to his feet and followed the sound into a kitchen.

　　There, he saw them: the two sisters of Berhi, Brillin and Astina, sitting across from each other at a table, sharing a meal. One was a stunning woman with dark brown hair and captivating golden eyes. The other was a colossal beast of some unknown species.

　　The impossible sight made Theo’s legs give out, and he crumpled to the floor.

　　The sound made both sisters turn. Seeing his ashen face, they both sighed in unison. His pale, blue-green eyes darted about, lost and terrified.

　　Annoyed, Astina set down her fork. Here we go. He would either start screaming or run for his life, calling her precious Brillin a monster.

　　Brillin watched him, too, her own heart sinking. She tried to make herself smaller, curling her massive frame inward so as not to frighten him further. The sight only fueled Astina’s anger.

　　If he was going to run, he should just get it over with. But he just sat there, staring at Brillin with that pale, shocked face.

　　Just as Astina’s patience wore thin, a voice finally emerged from Theo’s lips. It was not the scream she expected, but a clear, melodic tone.

　　“Did you release Varius’s seal?”

　　Though his voice trembled, his words were clear. Stunned by the unexpected question, Astina and Brillin glanced at each other before turning back to Theo. He staggered to his feet and, to their astonishment, took a step closer, meeting Brillin’s gaze directly.

　　“You’ve taken on Varius’s curse and yet you’ve retained your sanity?” he asked, his eyes wide with disbelief. “How is this possible? How long have you been like this?”

　　“Grrr?” Brillin blinked, offering only an incomprehensible rumble in response.

　　Theo’s gaze shifted to Astina. He studied her for a long moment, taking in her wide, matching golden eyes, before saying something that floored them both.

　　“She must be your older sister.” He had looked directly at Brillin and regarded her as a person. It was the first time a stranger had done so in eight years.

　　Astina’s voice was softer, her guard lowered. “Do you know us?”

　　“You don’t remember me, I suppose,” Theo said. “It’s not surprising. We only met briefly, over a decade ago.”

　　Astina and Brillin exchanged another look, tilting their heads in confusion. They could not place him. In truth, neither of them remembered much of their childhood. The memories since that day were so painful that perhaps they had subconsciously buried them.

　　Theo sifted through his memories, picturing Astina’s innocent childhood smile, and then gasped. “Oh, my goodness. Then the monster of Berhi Castle people speak of… that was you, Young Lady?”

　　Hearing that he knew Brillin before her transformation, Astina’s eyes, which had been softening, flashed with renewed fire. She shot around the table to stand protectively in front of her sister. “Don’t you call her that.”

　　At her sharp reaction, Theo had the grace to look apologetic. “My apologies,” he said, scratching the back of his head. He then bowed formally, in the manner of a nobleman. “I am Theovlin Jesuph, of the Magic Tower. I visited here once with my master, ten years ago, and had the pleasure of meeting you both.”

　　“I don’t remember,” Astina said flatly.

　　“That’s quite all right, Young Lady,” Theo replied smoothly. “More importantly, thank you for saving my life.”

　　Astina glanced back at Brillin, her expression conflicted. The word ‘monster’ had enraged her, but this was also the first time in a decade anyone had offered them a polite introduction or a word of thanks. Theo watched her, thinking she looked like a kitten with its fur on end, and waited.

　　Before Astina could decide, Brillin acted. She rose from her seat and, recalling the etiquette she had learned so long ago, gave a slight curtsy. Lifting the hem of her skirt with the tips of her claws, she welcomed him.

　　“Grraah.”

　　Theo could not understand her, of course, but he did not flinch at the heart-stopping rumble. He simply smiled in return. Astina still did not fully trust him, but with Brillin, the head of the house, having offered a welcome, Theo was officially a guest.

　　“We are Brillin Berhi and Astina Berhi,” Astina said, offering a formal introduction of her own.

　　A knot of conflicting emotions tightened in Theo’s chest. He had been completely unaware of what had transpired in the Berhi territory during his time at the Tower. He had heard grim rumors on his journey, but he had never imagined this.

　　He had rushed here, ill-prepared, never thinking there would be no villages at all near the castle. He had simply run out of energy while climbing the mountain on an empty stomach.

　　The sisters’ plight and the matter of Varius’s magic were both urgent, but as Theo’s eyes drifted to the dining table, his stomach betrayed him with an embarrassingly loud growl. He blushed, pressing a hand to his belly.

　　“Grrr. Grrr,” Brillin rumbled, suggesting they feed him first.

　　Astina, still watching him with suspicion, gave a prim nod. “You should eat first.”

　　But just as she offered Theo a seat, a loud banging echoed through the castle.

　　BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG!

　　A second guest had arrived at the desolate, forgotten castle of Berhi.