Random Spin Off (Part 2)

 Spin off 2:

The opulent room, once filled with the echoes of strategic discussions, now buzzed with heated arguments. Cillian sat at one end of the long table, his fingers interlaced before him, chin resting on his hands. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room as his uncles, brothers, father, and even the Emperor himself debated the recent crime.

Suddenly, the heavy doors burst open, and a chorus of childish cries pierced the air. "DADDY!" Two little girls with white hair - Mika with red eyes and Myra with purple - rushed in, tears streaming down their faces. Behind them, Aria entered silently, her expression unreadable.

Mika and Myra ran to their fathers, Cyan and Cecil respectively, sobbing uncontrollably. "Cousin Aria killed our puppy!" Mika wailed, her tiny fists clenching her father's shirt.

A hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to Aria, who stood motionless by the door, her gaze fixed on the floor. There was no blood on her, no sign of the alleged crime.

Cyan leapt to his feet, his face contorted with anger. "How dare you, Aria! What kind of monster are you?"

Cecil joined in, his voice thunderous. "Explain yourself, child! How could you do such a thing?"

Aria remained silent, her small frame rigid with tension. Cillian rose quietly from his seat and approached her. Kneeling before his daughter, he spoke softly, his voice a stark contrast to the chaos around them.

"Aria, sweetheart, did you do this? You can tell Daddy the truth."

Aria's eyes met his for a brief moment before she turned and fled from the room.

Later that evening, in the lush palace gardens, Luxana sat with Aria, sharing a quiet moment over tea. The setting sun cast a warm glow over them as Luxana smiled fondly at her granddaughter.

"You know, Aria," Luxana said, her voice gentle, "I love you more than all the stars in the sky."

As if summoned by their words, Cillian appeared, his gaze fixed on Aria. "You know, princess," he said, his tone carrying a hint of challenge, "are you going to let those little brats win? If not, it's time to show them who you really are."

Luxana's brow furrowed in confusion, but Aria's eyes lit up with understanding. A small, mischievous smile played on her lips as she nodded.

"I'll do it, Daddy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Later that night, as Mika and Myra played in their shared room, the door creaked open. Aria slipped in, her presence immediately commanding attention.

"Hello, cousins," Aria said, her voice eerily calm. "I heard you've been telling stories about me."

Mika and Myra huddled together, their eyes wide with fear.

Aria stepped closer, her smile growing wider. "Let me tell you a real story. A story about what happens to little girls who lie..."

The cousins' screams echoed through the palace halls, a chilling reminder that in this family, appearances could be deceiving, and the truth was often more terrifying than any lie

As Mika and Myra's screams echoed through the palace, servants and family members alike rushed towards the source of the commotion. Cyan and Cecil were the first to burst into the room, their faces pale with worry.

"What's happening? Are you alright?" Cyan demanded, his eyes scanning the room frantically.

The sight that greeted them was unexpected. Mika and Myra were huddled in a corner, trembling and whimpering, while Aria stood calmly in the center of the room, a serene smile on her face.

"What did you do to them?" Cecil growled, moving to comfort his daughter.

Aria's smile never wavered as she replied, "I just told them a story, Uncle Cecil. A true story."

Cillian appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Aria, come here," he said softly.

As Aria obediently walked to her father, Mika found her voice. "She... she showed us..." The little girl's voice broke into sobs.

"Showed you what?" Cyan pressed, his arm protectively around Mika.

Myra, still shaking, whispered, "The puppy. She showed us what really happened to the puppy."

A hush fell over the room. Cillian knelt down to Aria's level, his eyes searching hers. "Did you tell them the truth, princess?"

Aria nodded, her voice clear and unwavering. "I showed them how their 'little puppy' was actually trying to attack me. And how I defended myself."

Cyan and Cecil exchanged shocked glances. The implications of Aria's words slowly sank in.