The sun was dipping towards the afternoon as Riveria and Aki returned to Twilight Manor. Riveria, intent on advancing Aki’s Dungeon training, guiding her with ease. After hours of navigating the labyrinthine depths, they finally made their way back to the manor.

  As they rested, Riveria’s mind wandered to the approaching conversation with Ais. The task of addressing Ais’s involvement with Bell and the Astraea familia weighed on her. She needed to understand the full extent of Ais’s interest and intentions.

  By late afternoon, as shadows lengthened and the day edged into evening, Ais arrived at the manor and made her way to Riveria's room. The two women settled into their chairs, a silence enveloping them as they faced each other. Riveria broke the quiet with a gentle, yet probing question.

  "Tell me, Ais. How long have you been venturing into the Dungeon with Bell and the Astraea girls?"

  Ais curled up, hugging her knees to her chest. “About two months,” she replied, her voice soft but steady.

  "I see. How did you come to know about them? And what prompted you to join them?" Riveria asked, her curiosity evident as she pondered Ais's response

  Ais's voice wavered slightly. "I overheard the others discussing Zald and Alfia’s encounter with a dragon. You know my wish; I felt I had to meet them."

  Riveria furrowed her brow, her expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. "I understand. But why did you feel the need to keep it a secret?"

  Ais’s gaze shifted, her fingers fidgeting in her lap, as she explained quietly. “Alfia warned me that you and the others might try to intervene if you found out,”

  Riveria sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I see. And what do you think of them?”

  Ais hesitated, her eyes searching for the right words. “Alfia is… scary sometimes, especially during training. Zald is stern but fair.”

  Riveria nodded, encouraging her to continue. “And Bell?”

  Stolen story; please report.

  Ais took a deep breath, her voice softening as she spoke. “Bell is….” A slight smile touched her lips as she spoke, this did not go unnoticed by Riveria, as Ais paused to think about Bell.

  The room fell into silence as Riveria waited for Ais to continue. The nature of her sentiment was clear, and Riveria understood that Bell's influence on had become significant for Ais. The two women sat in silence as Ais wrestled with her thoughts, trying to find the right words. At last, she met Riveria's gaze as she spoke

  “Bell is kind,” Ais began, her voice steady, “He always puts others before himself and never hesitates to help those in need. He’s incredibly brave and determined, even in the face of danger. On one of our first Dungeon dives, I was about to be struck by a frog shooter. Bell threw his sword to take it down, but another monster got him in the process.”

  Her voice grew softer as she recounted the memory while Riveria nodded thoughtfully, processing Ais' words, “I see and what about the other girls? The Astraea familia girls you both were with today.”

  Ais' expression turns thoughtful once again as she considers the question. “Alise is kind and caring, always looking out for both of us. Ryuu is quiet but she is also always looking out us.”

  As Ais speaks about each member of the Astraea familia, a small smile tugs at the corners of Riveria's lips as she speaks. Her voice is calm and gentle, giving Ais a sense of comfort and reassurance.

  "I believe it's safe to say that you have found yourself a good set friends," she says, her eyes meeting Ais's with understanding.

  Ais nods in agreement, grateful that Riveria didn’t not appear angry or disapproving of her friendship with Bell and his familia. She had worried that they might try to stop her from being involved with him.

  "Now, there are a few more things I would like to discuss with you," Riveria continues, causing Ais to start sweating nervously. Even Mini-Ais seems to freeze in place from Riveria's intense look.

  As Ais turned her attention fully towards Riveria, the elf's expression softened. "I believe it would be best to keep this from Loki and Finn for the time being," she began. Her voice was laced with a hint of caution and concern.

  Ais furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why? Alfia said the same thing. Why won't they take it well? And why did Bell react like that when he saw you?"

  Riveria let out a weary sigh before answering. "You don't need to know everything, but just understand that our familia never really got along with Zeus and Hera's familias." She hesitated before adding, "Bell has every right to hate us for what happened, but that has nothing to do with you. So, you don't have to worry about it."

  As Riveria finished her sentence, her mind suddenly flashed back to a time in the past

  Flashback Starts

  A chorus of screams and shouts echoing across the city.

  .

  The sounds of battle.

  .

  The stench of smoke and burning flesh.

  .

  “What is going on? “

  .

  “Lord Ganesha, What happened? “

  .

  A church engulfed in flames.

  .

  “Damn it, why would you possibly do this?” an enraged voice screams at the person across from her

  .

  I am so sorry…

  My friend….

  I never thought…

  Hicc…

  Hic..

  I am sorry…

  I am sorry…

  I am sorry Me…..

  Flashback Ends

  Riviera finally managed to pull herself out of the dark, haunting memories and return to the present, only to find Ais gazing at her with genuine concern etched on her delicate features.

  With a shuddering breath, Riviera slows her racing heart and places a comforting hand on Ais's head, gently stroking the girl's soft hair. Her touch was tender and reassuring, as if trying to mend any hidden wounds.

  "Sorry for worrying you, dear Ais. It's nothing for you to fret over, just some of my lingering regrets," she explains, her voice filled with regret and longing.

  Ais couldn't help pouting in annoyance, when Riviera petted her as if she were a child, but at the same time, she couldn't deny the warmth and comfort that came with the touch. They remain in this position for several minutes until a bell signals dinner is ready for their family.