Evolution of the Ruined Heir

"I want you to feel heard, and apparently I’m supposed to make you laugh too, so... tell me about yourself."

In his mind, Malakai heard the unmistakable sound of Valentine smacking his forehead. Realizing he’d somehow made a terrible mistake and completely ruined his chances, Malakai was already on the verge of grimacing.

However, to both his and Valentine’s shock, Donna’s eyes slowly widened as a deep flush spread across her face. She quickly turned away from him, raising a hand to fan at her burning cheeks.

"N-ninth vein... that was so sudden..." Clearing her throat, she stole a glance at him, only for the color on her face to deepen even further. "W-what do you want to know...?"

Malakai stared at her, slightly speechless that it had actually worked. But his surprise didn’t even come close to Valentine’s. In the ghost’s mind, every rule he’d learned from the countless romance dramas of his past life had just been shattered beyond recognition.

’...t-there’s something wrong with her.’ Valentine sounded genuinely disturbed.

’Or maybe I’m just that charming,’ Malakai thought, feeling a little smug. Somehow, getting one over Valentine left him far more satisfied than it probably should have.

’No. Absolutely not. Don’t start getting ideas,’ Valentine said immediately. ’Something is wrong with her. You’ve seen her father, right? Maybe it’s hereditary. Yes. That makes sense. It runs in the family. Because otherwise this... this makes no sense.’

Malakai held himself back from rolling his eyes. Ignoring the ghost’s rapidly worsening existential crisis, he tried his very best to smile. The corners of his lips twitched awkwardly instead, and Malakai had no doubt the expression currently on his face was strange enough to belong in a horror movie, yet somehow, it only made Donna blush even harder.

’...maybe something really is wrong with her.’

’See!? I told yo—’

"Anything. I’m sure whatever you want to tell me will be interesting." Malakai didn’t miss the way Donna stiffened slightly at the praise. "But since we don’t have all day, why don’t you start with what you like?"

"O-okay." She shyly tucked a strand of crimson hair behind her ear. "I really like training. Especially..."

Malakai gradually tuned her out as Nyx’s voice echoed in his mind.

’Malakai.’

’I know.’

He cast a subtle glance back at the numerous guards trailing behind them. He’d felt it even before Nyx spoke, the unmistakable stir of vita in the air. Yet each of the guards continued staring ahead, their expressions composed, as though none of them were paying the slightest attention to the two of them.

’They’re listening in.’

Malakai’s sensitivity towards vita had skyrocketed, especially after the incident at Sylvastein. Even the slightest movement of vita by a Bloom could hardly escape his notice anymore, and with a bit of focus, he quickly narrowed down the culprits.

’Three of them.’

Finally coming out of his earlier ramblings, Valentine also took a moment to consider the situation.

’Could be Mamush. Protective father secretly listening in on his daughter’s date? I can see it.’

’Maybe.’

Still, having three different people spying on the same conversation seemed a little excessive. There was every chance there was more to it, and if he played things right, one of them might shed some light on what was actually happening.

’Your orders?’ Nyx asked after a moment.

Malakai considered everything briefly before coming to a decision.

’Leave them. I can use this.’

With that, he turned his attention back to Donna, just as she was reaching the end of whatever she’d been saying.

"...but besides training... I really like watching live plays in the marketplace. My father took me to one when I was younger, and I loved it. I haven’t been able to see one in a while, though."

She’d gotten noticeably more comfortable compared to when she first started speaking. Her words came much more easily now, and there was even a small smile on her face.

"That sounds nice," Malakai said, putting on a thoughtful expression as though he’d heard every single word. "So why haven’t you gone in a while, if you enjoy them that much?"

"Well..." Donna glanced over her shoulder. "Because of them."

"...the guards?"

"Yes." Donna sighed. "They’ve been following me everywhere for months now. Apparently, someone’s been kidnapping people, so Father insists I have protection wherever I go."

Malakai gave her a look.

"...and you hate it."

"I really do." Donna huffed, shaking her head. "I know Father means well, but it feels like I’m living in a prison. There are so many things I can’t do anymore because they’re ’too dangerous.’ You have no idea how exhausting it gets."

"Hmm... I can imagine," Malakai said. Then, after a brief moment, he added, "I wish there was something I could do about it." He stared at her, hoping she took the bait.

Donna gave a helpless shake of her head.

"Unless you plan on breaking me out of this prison, I don’t think there is."

’Good.’

"Hmm... what if I do?"

"...what?"

"What if I take you to see a play? Just the two of us."

"J-just the two of us? Like... a date?"

"Like a date."

Donna’s fingers immediately began fidgeting with each other, a shy smile slowly creeping onto her face. She clearly liked the idea, but then, as though suddenly remembering something, her expression faltered.

"I-I can’t. Father would never allow it. He’ll say it’s too dangerous."

"You’ll be with a Vein of the Sanguine clan. Who would dare touch you?"

’Oh, gods. That was awful.’ Valentine could barely contain his laughter.

’Shut up.’

Malakai knew it sounded painfully cringe too. However, judging by Donna’s reaction, she clearly didn’t share their opinion. Her eyes had gone slightly dazed, and she stared at him as though he’d just uttered the most romantic words she’d ever heard.

Apparently, to a girl who spent her time reading novels about Prince Charmings, his words had struck exactly the right spot.

Then Donna seemed to realize she’d been staring. Her eyes widened, and she hurriedly looked away.

"O-okay. I’ll go. I’ll convince Father." A determined light entered her eyes, as though she’d already decided that this date was happening whether her father liked it or not.

"Good. Then I look forward to it."

Donna’s smile returned at that, and after a brief hesitation, she added softly, "Thank you, Ninth Vein."

"You can call me Malakai."

Donna’s eyes widened slightly. Then, slowly, her expression softened along with her smile.

"Okay... M-Malakai."

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