Funinna, please let me steal your heart!

"I'm sorry..."

Arecino pressed her finger to her lips: "No need to apologize, curiosity is a child's natural instinct."

Luna's face was flushed, and the touch of her lips against her lips was unique and soft.

But then she looked away, thinking: It seems that no matter what, she will only ever see me as a child...

I've clearly grown quite a bit since I started.

"Um, 'father' is 'king,' right?"

Arecino moved her hand away: "Yes. And I have high hopes for Linni as the next 'King'."

Linnie is indeed very suitable.

He has the ability and can also lead other children.

He's a natural leader. Luna nodded in agreement.

If her "father" is the current "king," then could she become a "queen"? — This thought flashed through her mind, but obviously she couldn't ask it aloud.

Instead, another problem arose.

"So, would I be considered a 'princess'?"

After all, he is the king's child.

Arecino said with interest, "You're the first child in all this time to ask this kind of question. You can think that way, but don't forget one thing."

“If you’re not careful, even a ‘princess’ can lose her life.” She pressed her fingertips against Luna’s neck.

Thump thump... Arecino could feel her heart pounding through the flow of blood.

Jump very fast.

"Are you scared?" she asked.

Luna shook her head.

"I just feel very happy..."

"Happy?"

This answer was beyond Arecino's expectations.

Luna blushed and said, "I like the feeling of being touched by 'Father,' so my heart beats fast..."

“Hmm…” Arecino murmured.

Would she find this a little strange? Luna observed Arecino's reaction.

Arecino seemed to be deep in thought. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her hand, which had been resting on my neck, paused. Luna pursed her lips slightly, as if afraid Arecino would withdraw her hand.

“Indeed, from the first time you met me, you have never been afraid of me.”

"There will be tension, unease, testing, and hesitation..."

There was no fear.

Arecino hooked her fingertip and gently stroked Luna's golden hair downwards.

"Luna, what do you think is the true meaning of 'home'?"

A real home? Luna thought for a moment.

"A home where the 'father' is."

"...Is that so? But I don't think so. You're all grown up now, and you know very well what makes up our fireplace house."

They are people with nowhere to go.

Not only the children, but also herself.

"I eliminated the unreasonable, established new rules, sat on the throne, and became your 'father.' This is what I did."

“Luna, if your eyes were sharp enough and perceptive enough, you would be able to see through me and realize the similarities and differences between me and you.”

"You will then realize that what you consider home is not actually a true 'home'."

Luna said softly, "That's what you think, but for me, home is wherever 'Father' is."

Arecino paused for a moment, then brushed Luna's bangs aside with her fingers.

"Is this your answer?"

"Yes, that's why I can't become 'king,' right?"

Arecino said softly, "A 'king' needs two things: 'ideas' and 'power.' You have your own thoughts on the concept of home."

“You also have enough potential to become stronger and gain power. You are the best child, Luna, even Linnie and Lynette cannot compare to you.”

The best, without a doubt.

"You have the qualities to be a 'king,' there's no doubt about that."

"But what truly prevents you from sitting on the throne is something hidden within your heart."

Luna touched her chest.

"Hidden in my heart?"

"Yes. It frees you from all constraints. The throne is a shackle for you; you will only follow this inner force, making your own choices along its path..."

“...I don’t quite understand,” Luna said frankly.

On the contrary, it seemed that her "father" understood her better than she understood herself.

Arecino gave a very faint smile.

"Father, don't you think this is wrong?"

"No, I admire everyone who knows their destiny yet still makes choices and confronts its true nature. I hope you can become that kind of person, Luna."

After a long silence, Arecino said, "Of course, everything comes with a price that is equal to, or may not be equal to, what you do."

"Don't forget the rules of the House of Hearths, Luna."

Luna nodded slowly.

"Very well. Speaking of which, it seems you were planning to ambush me?"

A sneak attack!? Luna hurriedly said, "No, I just wanted to touch your hair."

“This could also be considered a sneak attack, but unfortunately your stealth skills are still lacking. Do you know where you're lacking?” Arecino asked.

"The aura has been leaked," Luna whispered.

Why was it leaked?

"I have no idea."

She had clearly done her best to conceal her presence and hide her aura.

"The reason is actually very simple—you 'drew' your weapon too early."

"Unsheathed?"

Arecino gently stroked Luna's neck, her lips parting slightly: "To truly achieve the concealment of one's aura, the most important thing is not technique, but awareness."

"You shouldn't pay attention to your prey or care about it when you're not close to it. A creature's instinct will make it wary of every gaze and every breath that disturbs the air."

"Erase the image of your prey from your mind, treat it as if it doesn't exist."

Her fingertips glided across her skin.

He then curled his fingertips and pressed his nails against Luna's neck.

"Then strike at the moment of approach."

Luna pondered, "Does that mean I should erase my own existence, and also erase the other person's existence in my eyes...?"

"You understand very quickly."

Luna blushed and said, "I'm afraid I can't do that..."

She kept glancing at Arecino, trying to erase her image from her mind. Luna found this extremely difficult.

Arecino responded calmly, "I see."

"Ah."

Luna gently took Arecino's fingers in hers.

“Father’s fingernails are so long,” she said curiously, gently stroking Arecino’s fingers with her own round and beautiful nails.

Arecino did nothing but watch her quietly, letting her play with her fingers.

"Luna."

"Ok?"

"You said you wanted to see the aurora borealis in winter."

"Hmm! After all, 'Father,' you said it's beautiful... Will you take me there?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Luna immediately added another sentence.

"Never mind, Father, you don't need to take me."

Arecino: "..............."

“I would rather go with you, Father, not be taken along... but rather... side by side.”

We are not being led along, but rather taking steps together.

Only children will be led astray.

Arecino didn't respond to her, but simply placed her hand on her head and gently patted it.

"I look forward to your growth."

........................

"Luna, wake up, breakfast is ready."

Luna's shoulders were shaken, and she regained consciousness.

Through the hazy light, she saw a familiar face.