Chapter 4: The Monster of The Berhi Castle (4)

　　Meanwhile, Brillin carried Astina to her room and gently set her down on the bed. The short trip had cooled her temper somewhat, but Astina was still seething over Hafen.

　　“Why did we just come up here? We should have killed them or thrown them out.”

　　“Ruff. Grrr.”

　　“What do you mean, you’ll handle it? You always say that and come back covered in wounds.”

　　“Grrr! Grraah!” Brillin’s expression hardened as she chided her sister. Physical wounds heal. It was not just a saying; her monstrous body healed with astonishing speed. But the wounds to her sister’s heart were different. They lingered. Brillin would rather be torn apart than see Astina cry again. But knowing her sister would weep if she knew that, Brillin hid her emotions and pressed on.

　　At her sister’s stern tone, Astina flinched. She knew why Brillin had stopped her. She lowered her head, terrified of losing control and hurting her sister again. Don’t get angry. Don’t get angry, she chanted.

　　As Astina clasped her hands, trying to calm herself, Brillin bent her large frame and squatted down before her. “Ruff, grrr. Hah… hooo…” she rumbled, her voice a low vibration. Follow me, Tina. Inhale… exhale…

　　Astina understood and took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “Inhale… exhale.”

　　“Hah… hooo…”

　　“Inhale… exhale.”

　　Pleased that she was following, Brillin gently stroked her sister’s small head. She was used to this monstrous body, but the fact that she could not properly caress her precious sister persisted as a dull, enduring ache.

　　Astina’s eyes returned to their brilliant gold. She took Brillin’s massive hand and pressed her cheek against the rough palm, closing her eyes. “Thank you, my sweet Sister.”

　　“Grrr. Grrr?”

　　“Yes, I’m okay now.”

　　“Grraah.”

　　“No. I’m going with you. I’m really okay now.” Back to her usual calm self, Astina rose from the bed. Brillin was still uneasy, but she did not want to leave her sister alone, either. Together, they went back downstairs. Their second uninvited guest was also quite handsome, she noted, but if he caused any more trouble, she would throw him out herself.

　　When they entered the reception room, Hafen, who had been sitting quietly, scurried over to them, his attitude completely changed. He approached with a beaming smile and extended a hand to Brillin.

　　“Excuse my curtness earlier, Countess Berhi. It was a misunderstanding. I hope you can forgive me.”

　　“Grrr?” Brillin only stared at his outstretched hand, tilting her head.

　　Hafen awkwardly withdrew his hand and cleared his throat before launching into an unprompted introduction. “I am Hafen Gardt, the second prince of the Dresden Empire. I have come to meet you on the order of my father, the emperor.”

　　“Grrr?”

　　“A prince?” Astina echoed.

　　As the sisters exchanged a wide-eyed look, Hafen dropped to one knee before Brillin.

　　That impulsive prince is making a scene again, Mikhail thought, pressing a hand to his forehead in despair.

　　“Countess Berhi,” Hafen declared, “will you marry me?”

　　Brillin snorted, bewildered.

　　“What?” Astina gasped.

　　His identity was shocking enough, but this new brand of nonsense was far from endearing.

　　“I imagine you are surprised by my sudden proposal,” Hafen rushed on. “The marriage would be on paper only, so please, do not feel burde—aah!”

　　He never finished his sentence. He was suddenly toppling sideways.

　　“Don’t you dare try any funny business with my sister!” Astina shouted, panting, having just shoved him.

　　Worried she might lose her temper again, Brillin watched her sister anxiously, but thankfully, Astina’s golden eyes were still sparkling beautifully.

　　Hafen scrambled up from the floor, his face flushed with indignation as he loomed over Astina. “Didn’t your parents ever teach you not to lay a hand on a prince—Ugh!”

　　This time, it was Brillin who pushed him. Unlike Astina’s shove, her sister’s sent him flying. He tumbled across the room, rolling ungracefully three times before landing in a heap.

　　Mikhail and Dorius stared, mouths agape, first at their fallen lord, then at the sisters who had attacked him. They froze.

　　The monster stood before them, its maw stretched wide to flash enormous teeth. Its red eyes gleamed with malice, and a threatening growl rumbled deep in its throat, a clear promise that one wrong move would mean being torn to shreds.

　　In front of Astina, speaking of her parents was the ultimate taboo.

　　The late Count and Countess Berhi had certainly taught their daughters manners, but this was no time for a lesson on loyalty to the crown. It was a mercy Brillin had only shoved Hafen, her claws mercifully sheathed. After tumbling across the floor, Hafen had finally scrambled to sit up, only to flinch at the sight of his enraged hostess.

　　“Grraaaaaah.”

　　“N-No, Countess Berhi,” he stammered. “What is the matter?”

　　“Grraaaaaaaaaah.” Brillin’s growl deepened, vibrating with menace.

　　“Scram,” Astina translated with a dismissive pout. It was her own, rather blunt, interpretation of Your Highness, we would be grateful if you would take your leave.

　　“Grrr?” Brillin questioned with a tilt of her massive head.

　　“It means the same thing,” Astina retorted.

　　As her sister turned away in a fit of pique, Mikhail and Dorius hauled Hafen to his feet. Before their prince could utter another word, they dragged him toward the exit, determined to save their master’s life.

　　“Wait! Let go of me! I need to speak with Countess Berhi!”

　　Hafen’s protest was cut short as the heavy castle gates slammed shut. The sisters’ gazes then fell upon Theo, who had been watching the scene unfold from the doorway of the reception room with a placid expression. He managed an awkward smile, but Astina, her patience worn thin by the morning’s chaos, had no intention of entertaining another guest.

　　“You get out, too.”

　　“Please, Lady Astina…”

　　“I’m tired of all of this. Get out if you value your life.”

　　As Astina waved him away, Theo’s voice rang out with desperation.

　　“I can break the curse on you both!”

　　“Grrr?”

　　Brillin, who had been about to return to her interrupted meal, was the first to react, thinking, If that’s what my sister truly wants, then I suppose there’s nothing for it. Astina also spun around, her eyes a storm of suspicion and hope.

　　“You can break our curse?” she demanded. “Is that true?”

　　“I came here to undo the Seal of Varius, an artifact passed down through the House of Berhi.”

　　“It’s the curse that needs breaking, not a seal!” Astina pressed, her voice sharp. “Tell me, can you really do it? How?”

　　Theo’s confidence faltered. His master had taught him how to undo the seal and absorb Varius’s magic while avoiding the curse, but he knew nothing of breaking one that had already taken root. He wasn’t even sure it was possible. Yet these two sisters were his only hope.

　　He forced an affable smile.

　　“I cannot say for certain at this moment, but if I were to continue my research by your side…”

　　“Get out.”

　　“Ah, Lady Astina.”

　　“Come back when you’ve found a way. We’ll welcome you as a guest then.”

　　“But…”

　　“Get. Out.”

　　Seeing Astina’s resolve, Theo turned his pleading gaze to Brillin, thinking she might be the more reasonable of the two.

　　“Grrr.”

　　But Brillin’s short, sharp growl was just as dismissive. Even without a translation, Theo understood. Get lost. His shoulders slumped as he trudged toward the door.

　　Brillin and Astina had broken Varius’s seal when they were twelve and ten. Playing hide-and-seek in the castle’s forgotten underground chambers, they had stumbled upon a small, ancient box. It was a disastrous coincidence, their curiosity a fatal flaw. In an instant, Brillin was covered in fur, and Astina collapsed. When the monstrous beast appeared carrying their younger daughter, the entire castle was thrown into chaos. The devastation deepened when a revived Astina revealed that the creature was, in fact, Brillin.

　　The Count and Countess had spared no expense, summoning countless scholars and mages, all desperate to return their daughter to her true form. But every study, every experiment, failed. Two years passed. One day, Brillin, still small and fragile, finally broke down, her sobs echoing through the halls. That was the day Astina first went berserk. The guilt of having suggested they open the box, compounded by the sight of her sister’s solitary suffering, had finally shattered something inside her. When she came to her senses, everyone in the castle was gone. Everyone except Brillin.

　　Research. To the sisters, the word was more venomous than any declaration of war.

　　Theo gave their cold, hard faces one last, pleading look before closing the door behind him. Though he was no longer freezing, his stomach was painfully empty, and the air outside the castle was piercingly sharp. Beyond the gates, Hafen and his knights shivered in dismay.

　　Hafen snorted when he saw Theo emerge.

　　“I was thrown out because of you.”

　　“Do you wish to be summarily executed for blasphemy against the imperial family?” Hafen shot back, his voice dripping with bitter sarcasm.

　　Theo’s retort was swift.

　　“Are you not aware that the mages of the Magic Tower recognize no authority but the Emperor himself?”

　　“That won’t stop my sword,” Hafen growled, his hand falling to the hilt of his weapon.

　　Not to be outdone, Theo grasped the pendant at his neck. As a brilliant light flared from the massive magic stone, Mikhail, who had been watching them, finally lost his patience.

　　“Enough, both of you!” he barked. “Is this really the time for fighting?”

　　At Mikhail’s command, both men froze. Their mutual dislike was palpable, but he was right. This was not the time. Staring at the sealed castle gates, the four men began their sullen descent down the mountain.