Rias – Crimson Eyes Beneath the Twin Moons [Part - 2]
She bowed her head, shaking. "I-I'm sorry, sir, please don't hurt me, I didn't mean to get your clothes dirty."
Then the sound of feet. Getting closer.
Instead... a gentle warm hand rested on her head.
"Are you okay, kid?" was spoken in a voice—deep, soft, noble.
She glanced up. Her crimson eyes met golden ones.
He was Handsome. Like a god from the stories. She couldn't believe it. Nobles didn't touch children like her. They didn't ask if they were okay.
Still trembling, she pulled back. "I-I'm fine, sir." she stammered. "I'm sorry Your clothes—I ruined them."
He knelt, and gently said. "Clothes can be cleaned. But you're bleeding. Tell me what happened."
She raised her arm, the blood still wet. Her voice shook as she told how the men had attempted to hurt her.
The man—this miracle, this stranger—soothed her head with gentle fingers. "It's okay, Kid. You're safe now."
She gazed up, her heart racing.
"Where are your parents? I'll take you to them."
Her throat tightened. She whispered, "I don't have anyone. I'm... I'm an orphan."
His face softened. "What's your name, little one?"
He smiled softly. "That's a beautiful name."
Then came the question that altered her world.
"If I invited you to my house..., would you come?"
Her eyes went wide. Her heart shouted yes—but her stomach whispered louder.
"C-Can... may I have some food?" she whispered, embarrassed.
He chuckled, gentle and kind. "Of course, Rias."
That Evening she took his hand for the very first time. It was warm. Strong. Safe.
When they came to his house—its gates towering high like a fairy-tale palace—Rias gasped and her eyes grew wide with wonder. She'd never seen anything so lovely.
"Do... do you live here?" she stammered.
He nodded, grinning. "Yes. And from now on, so will you."
And both enter then guards saluted Leon, and when their eyes landed on her, she hugged him tighter. He just said, "Don't worry. They won't hurt you."
Inside, a lovely woman with purple eyes and loose purple hair in a maid's uniform welcomed them.
"Good evening, Lord Leon," she said.
"Evening, Aria," he smiled back. "This is Rias. From now on, she'll live with us."
Aria's eyes jumped to the girl, surprised but serene. "As you wish, my Lord."
He spoke to her. "Aria, dressed her wounds. Clean her. And bring her to the dining hall afterwards."
Aria nodded softly with a smile. But Rias held his sleeve tight, afraid he would disappear.
He knelt again, stroking her hair out of her face. "Hey. I'm not leaving you ... I'll be at the dining table, okay?"
She didn't but on seeing his smiling face she nodded and trailed Aria.
She was hesitant, caught between her fear and fascination—but then her gaze met his face once again. Those gold eyes did not judge, they were warm. That gentle smile, patient and unshifting, soothed the hurricane within her.
With a discreet nod, Rias took hold of Aria's hand and trailed behind her through the resplendent hall.
Aria touched her wounds lightly. The water in the bathtub was warm. The aromas of lavender and mint soothed her. For the first time since the flames, Rias was clean. Human.
When she entered the grand dining hall, Rias had clean clothes on and she knew the name of the man who rescued her—Duke Leon Moonwalker — the same man she herd by travelers. bore the burden of awe in her chest. She seemed tiny under the sparkling chandelier, her movements silent as she walked towards the long table.
As she was bathed, bandaged, and taken to a warm meal, Rias discovered the name of the man who had rescued her—Duke Leon Moonwalker.
Leon rose, a smile playing at his lips. "There you are," he said. "You look beautiful, Rias."
She gazed down, cheeks flushed. "Thank you... sir."
he said softly. "Sit, come."
She sat, fidgety and nervous, not wanting to touch anything. But her stomach rumbled loudly, betraying her hunger. Leon smiled softly.
"Don't be shy, Rias," he said. "This is all for you."
She blinked, unsure. For her?
She took a bite. Then another. The flavor was so rich, so real, it made her eyes sting.
As she munched, Leon stood there in silence. Then he spoke, his voice low and firm, "Rias... would you like to be my daughter?"
She paused in the act of chewing. Her hands shook.
Had he actually said that? A duke—the Duke—was asking her to become a part of his family?
His tone was soft. "I do mean it. I want you to remain. I want you to be safe. You don't have to be alone anymore."
Tears filled her eyes. She shook her head initially—not in denial, but disbelief. This could not be real. It had to be a dream.
But if it was... she did not want to wake up.
"Y-Yes," she whispered, her voice cracking.
And from that moment, everything changed.
At first, she was frightened to sleep alone. She curled beside him; afraid the dream would be gone with morning. But he never shoved her away. Slowly, over the years, she grew. Grew into her name. Grew into someone who smiled.
But feelings grew too.
What had started as love for a savior gradually turned into something more profound. Illicit. Baffling. But undeniable. Her pulse soared when he smiled at her. Her fingertips zinged when her fingers touched his. And occasionally, in her dreams, she dreamed of more than being a daughter.
In Galvia, love did not necessarily obey rules. Blood told little when hearts loudly spoke.
Whenever she attempted to tell him how she felt, he would gently smile and refused her.
But things had shifted.
Recently, he had started reacting differently. As if Something had shifted. He regarded her differently now. As if he finally noticed the woman she'd become.
She smiled, reclining on his bed, clutching his robe to her and inhaling his smell.
"I sent you to Aria tonight," she whispered with a teasing pout. "I know she loves you too... but that's okay."
Her smile grew, a twinkle in her eye.
"As long as you're content, Daddy... I'll share. Perhaps she and I can take turns tending to you, hmm?"
She laughed softly, tightening the robe.
Outside, the moons guarded her. Inside, her heart hurt with affection, full of recollections, heat, and yearning.
"Good night, Daddy," she said, her eyes closing.
And with a soft breath, she fell asleep, wrapped in memories, love, and the scent of the only man she had ever deeply belonged to.