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

- - -

My mood improved at the thought that Zoe and Luca will move in with me and start with their assistant training. Probably within the next few days.

I already started working on a plan where they will shadow me and slowly pick up the tasks.

Notte Pharmaceuticals itself doesn't require a lot of work, because there are directors who are managing things, and as long as they believe that Aldus might show up, they will do their job properly. Also, Aldus told me that his familiars are keeping their eyes on the company, so unless I plan to expand Notte Pharmaceuticals, my role there can be reduced to attending selected functions to remind them that the Mezzanotte family exists.

My hands-on involvement was required for alchemy services and dealing with other creatures. Lazarus included.

I knew that Zoe and Luca will accept.

As much as Luca was not very vocal about it, it was obvious that he would follow Zoe, and Zoe wanted to stick to me. I didn't want them as servants or bodyguards, but assistants are acceptable. It's a job and they will have a set of duties each, work hours, and a paycheck, it will be similar to what Ash is doing now, so this will work out great.

On top of that, Luca and Zoe are werewolves, so they can double as security. It's not that I expect them to fight for me, but I hope that they will keep themselves safe if we are ever attacked.

I want to give them this time to absorb what taking an oath means because I don't want them to have regrets later. If in a few days, their resolve still stands, I will introduce them to Sergio who will talk them through the process, and that will be another chance for them to change their mind before we do anything that can't be reversed.

"Your appetite improved.", Bert commented, and I realized that I was working on my third serving.

There was nothing wrong with the food, but it didn't satisfy my hunger. That was strange, considering that I don't even need to eat.

Zoe and Luca left the dining room in a good mood after saying that they will seriously think about my offer.

I was not sure if they were so cheery due to their full stomachs, or me telling them not to pay attention to gossips, or because they had a prospect of leaving this place in a few days. Probably all of it.

I can imagine that after the gossips Bia started, the two of them would like to leave as soon as possible, and I don't blame them.

"What offer did you make them?", Fynn asked me curiously.

I realized that I didn't mention this to Fynn and the guys, and at that moment, all of them stared at me.

I made eye contact with everyone at the table while explaining, "I told Fynn earlier that Aldus is away on business. Due to that, I have increased responsibilities and I am considering hiring assistants. I asked Zoe and Luca if they are willing to take jobs as my assistants."

Fynn frowned and looked at the door through which Zoe and Luca exited a minute ago. "It seems they accepted your offer."

I shook my head. "We didn't finalize anything. It's understandable that they are excited. Give them a few days to understand that it's not just traveling around in expensive suits, but it's more of a sitting in front of a computer and answering emails."

"How soon will they leave?", Otto asked, and I remembered that he is in charge of allocating people to tasks. He will probably need to reassign duties that Luca and Zoe currently have.

"I'm not sure.", I said honestly, even though I hoped that it's as soon as possible. "We agreed to talk again in two days and will take it from there."

I saw that Fynn was not happy about it, and I had a need to address it.

"I apologize if this came abruptly. You are all aware that Zoe, Luca, and Ash were here temporarily, and I didn't plan for them to stay after their eighteenth birthday which is only a few months away. As things are now, Ash will not return here. He is happy with his internship in London, and they are praising his performance so the likelihood of him getting a full-time job is extremely high. Zoe and Luca always wanted to stay by my side, and if they accept to work as my assistants, that will work for all of us."

"For all of YOU.", Fynn grumbled.

I looked at him in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"Will you come here after they leave?", Fynn asked with a pitiful expression on his warrior-like face.

I felt my eyebrow twitching in annoyance. Just what the heck was that?

'BAM!'

Vito slammed the table with his palm, making everyone jolt.

"What are you saying, Fynn!?", Vito spoke loudly for everyone to hear. "Of course, Serina will come and visit us. She is not just Aldus's daughter, she is our friend also. Right?"

I realized that this was Vito's way of defusing the situation. He reminded me that Fynn is one of the werewolves who is acting strangely clingy around me.

I put my best smile on. "Absolutely. I'm sure that kids will love to stop by and join you for a run occasionally, and your full moon parties around the bonfire are the best. I hope you will invite us, and we will accept whenever our schedule allows it."

Fynn nodded in agreement, but I could see that he was not fully pacified.

Well, it was not my task to pacify him. He is a big boy.

I felt the urgency to leave. "I will not stay long today, so I will check on Luca and Zoe before heading out."

I scurried toward the door before anyone could stop me.

I wondered if today things are stranger than usually, or if it's just me.

It was probably me. I was exhausted and stressed and irritable, and no matter how much I ate, my stomach felt empty, just like my heart.

I would think that I'm PMS-ing, but periods are not my thing, so that was not the cause.

Aldus was in a stupid cylinder, stuck in eternal sleep, while Duke was in some type of coma. Both people I truly cherish were unavailable and it made me restless because I felt responsible, and I had no idea how to fix it.

I needed a cure for an incurable condition, and I needed Duke to wake up from whatever state he found himself in. I was tempted to call someone for help, but no one could help me because everything is supposed to be a secret and I can't risk people finding out that Aldus is in eternal sleep or that Duke has a wolf with the power of the Supreme Alpha inside him.

Damn it!

I wanted to run and scream or maybe go into a long-term sleep myself, but I knew that none of those will fix anything. I was stuck without any visible path in front of me.

Incompetent.

No. I refused to accept failure and give up.

This is not why Aldus gave me all the opportunities.

I can do this.

I have to... because there is no one else.

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