Amara – Reunion

Author's note: this is from Calista's point of view

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I soaked in every Killian's word about Aldus's daughter.

My brother didn't seem like the one to commit to a relationship with a woman, and I guess that is why he didn't marry the mother of his child. But still… I never saw him as the fatherly type either. At most, he would send alimony and stay away.

Aldus was always devoted to his research and alchemy and didn't care much about relationships, romantic or otherwise.

I had to investigate. As a bonus, this was a great opportunity for some sightseeing.

My parents let me attend certain functions in the name of our family, which is maybe once in a decade. During those rare outings, I travel on official business with bodyguards and other dignitaries, and there is a tight schedule that I must follow.

Everyone here sees me as a baby who can't take care of herself.

The castle and the land we own are huge, but it all feels like a fancy prison.

But now Aldus has a daughter, and as a good Aunt, I have a reason to get out without a throng of people surrounding me. I can even do some shopping!

Killian said that the girl is already more than two decades old. How come Aldi didn't mention her before? Actually, it's just like him to ignore others, and that is why I was surprised to hear that the girl is living with him and he even ordered an artifact with the family's crest on it. That means a lot.

As soon as Killian left to deliver the artifact, I started convincing my parents how we need to investigate this sudden appearance of another family member.

It took some work, but eventually, my parents gave in. They were curious about their granddaughter as well and they agreed for me to check out the situation. I assume that if my feedback is positive, they will invite her to Lemuria, but that is not my problem.

"Go straight to your brother's place. He is in Genoa now…", my father said with a dose of warning in his voice, and I wondered if he can see through my plan to use this opportunity to travel.

I smiled innocently. "Yes, daddy."

"Make sure to stay in touch…", my mom added.

"Yes, mommy."

"And when you are done, come straight back home…", my father continued.

"Yes, daddy."

I didn't lie. I will go to my brother's place first, and I will return straight home when I'm done. There were no conditions to what I will do in-between other than to stay in touch.

Surely, my brother and niece have things to do other than to entertain me. I will visit them and then travel the human realm.

My next destination will be Spain. I believe it's the most interesting place where humans live. I really-really want to learn the dance called flamenco and I read that there is a thing called siesta where everyone sleeps during the afternoon. Fascinating. Another thing is the event where Spaniards gather to throw tomatoes at each other, it's called La Tomatina. They also have bullfighting and football and flavorful food and legendary nightlife… Spain sounds like a boatload of fun and I'm eager to board that ship.

My expectations are high, but if Spain is a bore, I will go to France and stay in Paris, the city of love.

The trip to Genoa was a bore. I had to go through one portal, one dimensional gate, and three other portals before emerging in the Vatican. One and a half hour later, my plane landed in Genoa. My brother arranged a car to wait for me.

I entered the villa and was greeted by familiar staff members.

I was here last time about twenty years ago, yet they didn't change. My brother's concoctions are effective in preventing these humans from aging, at least from the outside.

"Master is in the living room…", Maria told me as two other staff members carried my suitcases in the guest bedroom.

"Thank you. I know the way."

I walked into the living room and my eyes landed on the young lady who was sitting on the sofa and reading a book. She was beautiful.

"Calista, you are here…", Aldus said, pulling my attention toward him.

I frowned at his aged appearance. I will never understand why he likes to make himself look older.

"I'm here, brother." I gave him a stiff smile and turned toward the girl who now observed me.

"This is Seraphina, my daughter.", Aldus said while gesturing toward her. "Serina, this is my sister, Calista."

She stood up and gave me a smile. I walked toward her, and my eyebrows shoot up when I was two steps away from her.

"A human? I thought you said she is your daughter."

"Serina is not exactly human.", Aldus said dryly, obviously displeased with my lack of manners, but I didn't care about that.

I made a step closer, and leaned toward the girl as I took in her scent. And there it was… human scent mixed in with something else. But she was not a vampire.

"She is not your biological daughter, is she?", I asked Aldus.

"Does it matter?"

I found it entertaining to see Aldus being so protective of this girl.

"Of course, it matters, brother. This explains the lack of wife and how come we didn't know that you started a family."

I looked at the girl who was visibly uncomfortable. "If you call me Aunt, I will hit you." She blinked and I burst into giggles. "I am two hundred years younger than Aldi, and if you call me Aunt, it will make me feel old. Call me Calista. Can I call you Serina?"

"Yes. Serina is fine."

It seems I scared her. Did I come on too strong? I heard that humans like to hug, so I hugged her.

"I can see we are going to get along well.", I said, ignoring her stiffness. Maybe she is not a hugger.

A maid entered the room and said softly, "Breakfast is served…"

I turned to my brother. "I can't eat when you are looking like that."

Aldus snorted. "What's wrong with my look?"

"I want to have a meal with my brother and not this… old guy."

Aldus closed his eyes and within a few seconds, he returned to his normal appearance.

"Better?", he asked dryly.

I grinned. "Perfect."

I noticed that Serina was staring at Aldus.

"Is this your first time seeing his true appearance?", I asked the obvious to what Serina nodded.

I laughed. Her expression was comical. Her eyes were open wide, forming nearly perfect circles.

"It seems that my brother is keeping secrets. That is not how family works."

Aldus grimaced. "Really? You have no secrets?"

I spread my arms, showing that I have nothing. "I am an open book. It's not my problem that some people are illiterate."

Before we started bickering, I reminded my brother of breakfast. "I had a long trip and I'm hungry."

Aldus didn't object. "Sure, we can talk while eating…"

Without taking my seat, I observed items on the table. It was human food. As much as I knew that drinking blood is frowned upon here, and I was fine with that… now I'm hungry and I didn't feel that toast and jam with matcha tea will fill me up.

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See Calista's photo in the comments.

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