A Doll's New House

"Want me to stay here tonight?" She asked.

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"You think this mage killed her mother?" Tix asked, raising a brow.

"No, even with his reputation, I have faith my lady would be able to overcome him," she respond. "Besides... Orianna has been hoping all this time that she's alive, and after what happened just now. I couldn't possibly have the heart to even imply she's dead too."

"Are you okay with that?" The princess clung to Ix, unwilling to let go unless she says no.

"And if she's alive?" Tix asked.

---

"Of course." Ix kept comforting Orianna. "I'll keep you company." She added smiling.

"Then she's somewhere out there. I'm not quite sure where, but if that man had something to do with it, then finding some remnants of his work could lead to her," sbe replied.

"Thank you..." Orianna buried her face again and remained silent, stewing in the mixed feelings of the night's turnout.

"Then I wish you luck." Once they conversation was over, Tix headed back in to Orianna's room. "You staying for the night?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'll keep Ms.Orianna company, I just don't feel good leaving her alone right now."

"Thank you, Lady Ix, I'm sorry for all the trouble." Theresa gave Ix a bow and looked to Orianna, unsure of what to do. In a moment, she realized she was stepping forward, bending down and resting both hands on her shoulders. "I-I'm sorry, princess... I wish I could have prevented this somehow. I don't even know the words..."

"Call me by my name..." Orianna looked up from Ix's shoulder, eyes red and her cheeks wet. "No more "Princess". Our kingdom is gone and the family is near dead. My title is empty and besides...you're family."

"But you still have a lot of family, Ms.Orianna." Xana finally entered the room. "Not only Theresa but the rest of the people who lives in the castle and that adorable alraune, don't you think? You care about them and they care about you."

"She's right." Ix agreed, still hugging Orianna. "And friends too! I would love to be your friend if you want it, Ms.Orianna." She added smiling.

They were right, everyone in the castle was family, even Maybelle and especially Theresa. "We're already friends, Ix." She wiped her face and looked to Xana and Tix and said, "Thank you so much for coming for us. If there's anything you need, I'll do my best."

Ix smile grew when Orianna said that, she felt really bad for her loss but she was going to try and cheer her up. Tix smiled briefly before turning around. "Our work here is done then. I'll see you tomorrow morning, Ix." With a wave she vanished into the shadows amd left the place.

"I should get going too. Work calls." Xana said. "I'm glad things ended somewhat well. Until next time, Ms.Orianna, Theresa." With a bow, the lancer left the room.

Theresa bowed and watched them leave, looking back as Orianna nodded off against Ix's shoulder. Putting her to bed properly, Theresa watched her godchild slip into her dreams, hoping they wouldn't be plagued by nightmares.

As Orianna was put to bed, Ix went to bed as well, bidding farewell to Theresa, the light girl started to slip into her dreams after a long and convoluted day.

In spite of tbe horror the day had turned out as, the princess had no night terrors, nor good dreams. She dreamt of nothing, just a dark emptiness as she clung to Ix in her slumber, with Theresa bidding them good night and giving her godchild a kiss on the forehead

Unlike Orianna, Ix did had bad dreams. The images and memories of what happened haunted her in her dreams: how Alice took advantage of her and how she almost allowed her to steal Orianna's body. It was something that was slowly consuming her.

Theresa noticed Ix stirring in her sleep and realized this was probably affecting her just as much as Orianna. If she wasn't having nightmares, Ix probably was. Theresa quietly called upon Ori's hand maid, requesting her to do something about this.

The maid looks upon Ix and bows over her, pressing her soft lips against her forehead. Inside Ix's dreams, she would feel a warm sensation in that very spot on her head and what she could only assume was a pair of arms giving her a comforting embrace. "Do not let it weigh so much on you..."

Inside Ix's dream, she was struggling with the nightmare of being controlled by the brand once again, unable to resist while Alice enthralls everyone in front of her eyes... Suddenly it started to feel different, she felt... Warm, safe, she felt like she was pulled into an embrace and she heard a voice, soon, her dream changed completely and she was being hugged by her mother. The sleeping girl was now smiling and one word could be heard. "Mom.."

Theresa smiled a little, happy that the maid's work was successful. "Thank you very much, I think she'll be okay for now."

"Of course, Lady Theresa. Remember to call me again if I am needed." The maid took her leave, with Theresa being left to the near silence of the night.