NOVPUBThe gates of Luxoria Castle opened with a soft hum.
White light bathed the landing platform as Fiona, Liora, and Fifi went down together.
Fifi's feet barely touched the ground before she scurried behind Fiona again.
Her small paws clinged to Fiona's coat.
She peeked out for a second, ears twitching, then quickly hid again.
Liora glanced back, hands behind her back.
"She's still scared," Liora said flatly.
Fiona nodded, patting Fifi's head gently.
"Yeah. She's been through a lot."
"She doesn't need more pressure."
Liora looked at Fiona, then at Fifi again.
"…She's stronger than she looks."
"I know," Fiona replied with a soft smile. "But let her stay with me first."
"I'll bring her to Lucius tomorrow. After she rests."
Fifi looked up slightly at the name.
"L-Lucius?"
Fiona gave her a reassuring grin.
"He's the boss. The one who made all this. But don't worry."
"He's actually nicer than he looks. Sometimes."
Fifi gave a small nod, still clinging to Fiona's sleeve.
Liora turned, stepping down the white hallway that led deeper into the castle.
"Okay then."
"I'll go meet him first."
Fiona tilted her head.
"You gonna tell him everything?"
Liora looked over her shoulder.
"I always do."
Then she walked away.
Fiona and Fifi stood there for a moment.
Fifi tugged Fiona's sleeve gently.
"Um… can I really stay with you…?"
Fiona ruffled her hair.
"Of course you can, fluffball."
"We'll get you a soft bed, warm food, and a place to breathe."
Fifi smiled a little.
"T-Thank you…"
Fiona nodded, smiling gently.
"Come on, let's get inside."
"You're safe now."
Fiona gently opened the door to her room.
It slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a cozy space.
Warm lights, soft orange walls, a wide couch, and a big bed off to the side.
Fifi peeked in carefully, still clinging to Fiona's arm.
She looked around, eyes wide.
"This is… your room?"
Fiona nodded and smiled.
"Yep. Home sweet castle-room."
She led Fifi inside and closed the door behind them.
Then she tapped the panel on her wall.
"Liline?"
A shimmer appeared in the corner of the room.
Suddenly, Liline phased out from the wall, glowing softly.
"Fiona, welcome ba—"
She paused, noticing the small bunny-eared girl hiding behind Fiona.
Fifi jumped with a soft squeak and hid again.
Liline tilted her head slightly, then smiled.
"Is this our new guest?" she asked gently.
Fiona looked back at Fifi.
"You could say that."
"She's shy. And a bit overwhelmed."
Liline nodded warmly.
"Well, she's safe here."
Fiona gave a thumbs up.
"Anyway, I need food brought here."
"She hasn't eaten since… probably forever."
Liline raised her hand and tapped her fingers in the air.
"Of course I can. I'll prepare something soft, warm, and light for her."
"Just go take a shower. By the time you're back, it'll be ready."
Fiona stretched.
"Perfect."
"Thanks, Liline."
Liline smiled again, then softly faded back into the wall like smoke.
Fifi stared at where she vanished.
"…She came from the wall…"
Fiona chuckled.
"Yeah. That's Liline. She's kinda the ghost-queen of the castle."
"But nice."
"She's part of the castle itself."
Fifi blinked.
"…That's scary and cool…"
Fiona smiled and reached for Fifi's hand.
"Now come on. Let's take a shower."
She gave her a playful look.
"We stink."
Fifi looked down and sniffed herself.
"…Oh. I do…"
Fiona laughed.
"Yeah, bunny girl. You really do."
Fifi giggled quietly.
Fiona pushed the bathroom door open.
Warm mist floated in the air.
A big glass shower sat in the corner, already preheated by Liline's system.
"There," Fiona said, pointing to the big shower panel.
"We can use that one together. It's comfy."
Fifi nodded slowly, still hugging herself a little.
She looked around the room.
"It's really clean…"
Fiona smiled. "Yeah. Liline keeps everything sparkling."
She handed Fifi a soft towel and a small robe from the wall.
"Here. You can wear this after. I'll help if you need anything."
Fifi looked at the towel, then at Fiona.
"...Can I ask something?"
"Sure," Fiona said, pulling off her boots with a wince.
Fifi hesitated, then whispered, "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Fiona looked at her for a second.
Then she smiled softly.
"Because someone should have been nice to you a long time ago."
"You didn't ask to be made like that."
"You didn't ask to be locked up."
Fifi's eyes watered a little.
She wiped them quickly with her sleeve.
"…Thank you."
Fiona turned on the water and steam hissed gently into the air.
"Alright, no more tears. Let's get this grime off."
They stepped into the warm shower.
The water ran down their tired bodies, washing away dirt, dried blood, and dust from the fight.
Fifi let out a soft squeak when the heat hit her back, but then she relaxed.
Fiona reached out and helped gently rinse her fluffy bunny ears.
"You're tougher than you think, Fifi."
"You faced Vernyx. That wasn't nothing."
Fifi blushed and smiled a little.
"I… I just didn't want you to die…"
Fiona chuckled. "And I didn't want you to die either."
"See? We're a good team."
After the shower, the two sat on soft mats in Fiona's room, wrapped in warm towels.
Liline had already returned, with two plates of hot food on a floating tray. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
A bowl of veggie noodles, soft meat rolls, and warm fruit slices.
Fifi's eyes sparkled.
"This is all for us?"
"All for you, bunny girl."
Fiona grinned.
Fifi took a bite—and let out a soft hum of joy.
"It's so good…"
Fiona watched her for a moment before eating herself.
They ate slowly, quietly. No cameras. No pressure. No enemies.
Just a warm room and peace.
Later, Fiona patted the bed beside her.
"Come on."
"It's huge. You're sleeping here."
Fifi hesitated again.
"But… are you sure?"
Fiona nodded. "Yep. You're with me now."
Fifi crawled onto the bed and lay beside her, hugging a small pillow.
Fiona pulled the blanket over both of them.
The lights dimmed on their own.
The room fell into calm silence.
"…Fiona?"
"Yeah?"
Fifi whispered, "Good night."
Fiona smiled.
"Good night, Fifi."
"You're safe."
And finally, Fifi closed her eyes…
…and slept without fear.
