What if—just what if—
If Elias ever got seriously hurt protecting her...
No, even a scratch—just one drop of blood would be enough for Seele to regret it for the rest of her life.
She had been terrified of that possibility for days.
Every night, it kept her awake.
But Seele Vollerei wasn't afraid of the people who wanted to hurt her or experiment on her Stigmata.
She was afraid something would happen to the people she loved. If they got hurt because of her, what would she do?
"Ugh... You crybaby. You're so soft and weak but somehow still this stubborn? So annoying. Always worrying about pointless things all day long. Hmph~"
In Seele's mental space—
Dark Seele looked helplessly at the sniffling White Seele.
As always, she unceremoniously pinched the latter's cheeks. It was a devil bullying an angel—but weirdly affectionate.
This endlessly kind personality left Dark Seele speechless sometimes.
Even though she was just a consciousness born from a Stigmata—nurtured on negative emotions, a textbook "blackened" villain type—
White Seele still treated her with warmth and friendliness.
Especially now, when Dark Seele asked for control of the body, that defenseless fool just handed it over every time.
She never even thought about what would happen if her darker half used her body for something terrible.
Dark Seele always ended up being the one worrying instead. Honestly, what kind of angel makes the demon worry for her?
Dark Seele pinched White Seele's cheeks harder.
"Ow ow! Don't be so rough!"
"Hmph~ That's your punishment for being a worrywart, you dummy. Oh right—give me the body, now."
Suddenly remembering something, Dark Seele requested control.
A sly, wickedly charming smile curved her lips—something dangerous and seductive.
White Seele blinked, thinking she was imagining things. For a second, she thought she saw horns and a devil tail appear on her other self.
But she was the trusting type. So without question, she handed over control of the body.
At that moment, she had no idea how serious the consequences would be.
"Here you go... but what are you going to do? Is someone after me again?"
"Papa already dealt with them. As for me—hmhm~ since you're always stressing over pointless stuff, I'm taking you out to do something exciting. Something spicy. Something that'll make you stop worrying forever."
As soon as she took over, Dark Seele kicked off the covers, jumped out of bed, and—without even putting on slippers—walked barefoot out of the room.
White Seele, left behind in the mental space, froze.
"S-something spicy?! No! Absolutely not! I don't know what you're planning, but it's not allowed! Wait—where are you going?!"
She panicked.
Even though you're not supposed to see your own face, she'd caught a glimpse of it in the moonlit mirror as Dark Seele walked out.
Excitement. Blushing excitement.
Like a little devil going to commit some terrible mischief—or a succubus!!
White Seele immediately tried to override the control using her main personality privileges...
But it was already too late.
Dark Seele moved fast. She was already standing in front of Elias' room—
And knocked three times on the door.
"Hm? Seele, what are you doing up so late?"
Elias had already gone to bed when he heard the knock at the door. He got up and opened it—only to find his little angel standing there.
But he noticed right away—something was off. This was Dark Seele.
Without hesitation, Elias draped a coat over her shoulders and placed his slippers in front of her feet.
"Hehe~ Thank you, Father."
Even Dark Seele couldn't help but feel warm inside at such a gentle gesture. Thinking back on it, Elias was the first person to truly accept her—more so than even White Seele.
She squinted and leaned into the coat, subtly taking in Elias' scent, like someone appreciating a delicate flower.
"Yep, definitely Dark Seele."
Elias raised an eyebrow. Only Dark Seele and Sin Mal used that particular way of addressing him at the House of the Hearth.
Not to mention—
Compared to White Seele's pure and innocent demeanor, Dark Seele carried a dangerous allure. Even with identical faces, he could always tell them apart instantly.
"Mmm~ So warm. Father, I'm coming in~"
Unlike White Seele, who would ask first, Dark Seele boldly waltzed into his room and plopped onto his bed—hugging Elias' pillow without a care.
She knew he wouldn't mind.
In fact, with her brazen, mischievous personality, she often got away with things the other girls only dreamed of—
Sitting on Elias' lap, drinking from his cup, and even kissing him... on the cheek.
"There you go again, being naughty."
"Fufu~ Father doesn't like it?"
"I do. As long as it's you girls, I think I'd like anything you do. So, Dark Seele—what brings you here so late?"
Elias smiled and playfully tapped her nose.
Meanwhile, in the mental space—
White Seele was already too late to take back control.
Dark Seele had warned her: if she interrupted now, she wouldn't talk to her for a whole day. Not three days—just one.
But a whole day!
White Seele: "Uuu... o(╥﹏╥)o"
Dark Seele: "It's nothing serious. You know how that crybaby's always stressing over those bad people after her. I'm not bothered, but she keeps worrying about it."
Elias: "I see... Tell her for me: it won't be long now. The attacks should stop soon. Hm, though maybe that's not enough... I'll think of something to help her feel truly safe."
Dark Seele: "Ahem~ Father, I have a suggestion. How about letting Seele sleep with you tonight?"
As she spoke, she was already lying sideways on his bed, cheeks slightly flushed with a dangerously enchanting smile.
Elias couldn't help but chuckle.
He had a pretty good idea what was going on.
The two Seeles must've argued in the mental space, and somehow it ended with this.
Right now, White Seele was steaming with embarrassment, curled up in her blue chair, mumbling little "waaah~" noises in distress.
"Well, that's an idea."
"Huh? You agree?"
"Why not? Alright, enough playing around. You let all the warmth out of the blanket. Come on, lie down—I'll get you a softer pillow."
Elias turned toward his dresser to find a pillow—
Only to be stopped as Dark Seele hugged his arm tightly.
"No need, Father. I already found the softest pillow—right here~"
"You... alright, alright. But no more mischief, okay? Or else someone's getting a spanking."
"Guh! Hmph~!"
That got Dark Seele to behave, at least a little.
The two of them lay down, her head resting on Elias' arm, snuggled against him.
Somehow, it didn't go quite as she'd planned. Wasn't she supposed to do something more daring with him tonight?
But now it was just... cuddling?
Not that she minded. This was nice too.
With sense synchronization enabled, White Seele in the mental space could also feel the warmth, comfort, and happiness. Just as Dark Seele promised, she had no energy left to worry.
(Originally, I was going to give her the body back after this worked out... but this is kinda nice. I'll stay a bit longer. Consider it warming the bed for her.)
Thinking that, Dark Seele delayed switching back. She closed her eyes in contentment.
Feeling Elias' body heat and presence beside her, she instinctively craved more.
Perhaps because she was born from darkness and negative emotions, she yearned for warmth and light more than anyone.
(I want more... just a little more...)
"Papa... Elias, can you hold Seele tighter? She's still a little scared."
"Mm. Don't worry, I'm here. No one will hurt you. I'll protect all of you."
Elias was half-asleep already. He hadn't even gotten his usual nap in today—he'd spent the entire afternoon dealing with intruders targeting his girls.
His reply was drowsy, unaware that the girl in his arms was still Dark Seele, mimicking White Seele's soft tone.
Instinctively, he responded by holding her close—just as she asked.
In his arms, he could faintly smell the sweet, gentle fragrance from her hair.
(This... this is perfect...)
Dark Seele's eyes fluttered shut in bliss, like a satisfied black cat being stroked.
Unlike her gentle counterpart, she liked intense things—spicy food, adrenaline-pumping activity, and... deeper forms of affection.
Head pats, cheek kisses, and hugs were fine, but Dark Seele preferred things that made her heart race—even if they hurt a little.
And right now, the embrace that felt like it could melt her into Elias' very being was exactly her flavor.
(Though maybe this is too much for that crybaby... oh well. I'll take responsibility. Hehe~)
But old habits die hard.
Once she heard Elias' breathing even out into the rhythm of sleep, her first thought was—
Now I can move. Time to do whatever I want.
After all, Elias never guarded himself against them. As long as she was careful, he'd never notice.
She looked at his sleeping face, heart thudding.
(Wait—wait, what are you trying to do?!)
"What do you think? Strike before the others get a chance, of course."
(No! If Papa finds out, I'll be too embarrassed to stay here anymore!)
"Not my problem."
Dark Seele shrugged off her counterpart's panic. If she got caught, then whatever—she'd just take over as the dominant personality. Crybaby could hide in the mental space forever.
Damn it, this girl is just too shy. Last time I only kissed Father on the cheek, and she acted like she couldn't live on Earth anymore from embarrassment.
And this time, she's not aiming for the cheek.
Black Seele licked her lips in excitement.
But just as she was about to make her move—
"Seele..."
"!!!"
Both personalities were startled, freezing as they looked up at Elias, only to realize he hadn't woken up. That was just sleep talking.
"Jeez, scared me. Father, seriously... Was he dreaming about us? Now I'm curious. Should I take a little peek?"
(Seele: No, you mustn't!)
"Guh... fine, fine, I won't look."
Dark Seele gave up her plan, silently grumbling about how that timid crybaby always let herself get pushed around, but in moments like these she suddenly became impossible to resist.
If she had really tried something just now, that girl would have definitely taken back control.
(But when I was about to do something to Father, she didn't really resist… I bet even though she was shy, she was secretly looking forward to it.)
"Still… I could look at him forever."
Dark Seele returned her gaze to Elias, eyes locked on his sleeping face.
The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a glow across his white hair, making each strand shimmer like silver.
Their faces were mere inches apart. Seele could see every detail of his features, each one sculpted like a divine work of art.
She was confident—she could stare at this face all night and never grow tired of it.
"Seele..."
"Hm? What kind of dream are you having?"
"I'll protect Seele... even if it costs my life... so don't be afraid..."
"..."
Seele's eyes widened. Both personas stared dumbfounded at the close-up of Elias' face. The mischievous plans in Dark Seele's heart vanished instantly.
Her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her chest, warmth and emotion surging through her body and soul.
"Idiot… Father, you're such an idiot. You told Bronya to cherish life, and now you go and say something like that about yourself."
Dark Seele clenched her fists and lightly thumped Elias' chest.
White Seele was too moved to say anything.
Of course they knew why he said that. Life is priceless, but in Elias' eyes, they were even more important than his own life.
(Seele, we must protect Papa Elias.)
"...You don't have to tell me. I will."
Dark Seele said without hesitation.
She wasn't like the gentle side of herself. In this world, there were only two people she truly cared about—White Seele, and Elias.
...
The next morning.
"Good morning, Papa Elias. By the way, have you seen Seele? It's breakfast time and she hasn't shown up… Don't tell me something happened?"
Bronya asked while carrying breakfast, concern etched on her face. Even though she knew it was unlikely anything happened with Elias around, that was precisely why she worried—for her precious family.
Elias shook his head.
"Don't worry, Seele's just still sleeping. As long as she's up by lunchtime, it's fine."
"Understood, Bronya knows."
"Oh right, when you go wake her, check my bedroom. She slept there last night."
"Got i—Eh?!"
Bronya, still half-asleep a moment ago, was instantly wide awake. Her mouth opened slightly, eyes wide in disbelief, and she dropped into the chair behind her in shock.
(Seele… you actually snuck out!)
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