Chapter 144: Rozaliya's Odd Behavior
Tick, tick, tick.
The starfish alarm clock's second hand swept across its face, the ticking echoing in the quiet room.
A large poster adorned the wall, featuring two girls in vibrant stage costumes, beaming at the camera.
A dolphin crystal hung beside the poster, its eyes closed. An old picture book lay open on the desk, filled with childish scribbles.
Sleeping Beauty, the pink, thorn-covered greatsword, leaned against Swan Lake, the blade that resembled a still lake. On the bed, two girls, Rozaliya and Liliya, slept soundly, their tails intertwined.
A picture frame on the nightstand held a photo of the orphanage children. Rozaliya and Liliya, always the most photogenic, stood at the front, flanking Bronya and Seele.
Bronya had returned from the Sea of Quanta two days ago, but the Herrscher of Reason core's corruption kept her confined to the medical bay. Their escape had been harrowing, blocked by a swarm of Quantum Shadows. If Seele hadn't sacrificed the pseudo-core, unleashing the power of her other self, they would have been trapped.
But returning was a blessing. The twins had visited them yesterday, relieved to find them safe. They'd slept soundly ever since.
Beep, beep…
The starfish-shaped alarm clock went off loudly. Rozaliya rubbed her eyes and looked at Liliya, who was still fast asleep next to her. She flicked her tail, turning off the alarm.
She poked Liliya's face. Nothing. Her sister's tendency to fall asleep suddenly seemed to be getting worse.
Yawning, Rozaliya got out of bed and pulled the blanket, which they'd kicked onto the floor, back over Liliya.
Back at the orphanage, they always woke up together. If one woke up first, they'd always wake the other.
She went to the dressing room, changing out of her pajamas. Looking at herself in the mirror – the pointed horns, the tail – she paused, then smiled.
Silly me. Why am I thinking about this?
Wasn't it enough that she and Liliya were alive?
Instead of her usual matching outfit with Liliya, she chose a loose tracksuit.
Returning to the bedroom, she tiptoed to the bed, reaching under their pillows for her wristband. But she pulled out a seashell instead.
The milky white seashell shimmered faintly. Her expression darkened. She almost threw it out the window, but with a sigh, she tucked it into her pocket.
She left the room, heading to the Anti-Entropy cafeteria for breakfast.
"Rozaliya! It's rare to see you alone." Theresa, also just awake, sat beside her with a tray.
Rozaliya wrinkled her nose at the smell. "Bitter melon juice and bitter melon bread? Your tastes are so weird, Theresa."
"Hey, that's rude! And call me Principal Theresa! I'm much older than you." They'd grown closer during their time in Eye of the Deep, especially after fighting alongside each other against Gray Serpent.
Afterward, Theresa, ever the caretaker, had often played games with the twins, earning their affection. She'd worried Rozaliya would resent her because of Cocolia, but it seemed her concerns were unfounded.
Usually, Theresa would be no match for the twins' teasing, but with only one present, Rozaliya was unusually quiet.
It's because of Cocolia… Theresa knew that once the dust settled, Cocolia's actions would be investigated. A military tribunal awaited her.
The twins knew what their mother had done, but she was still their family. They wouldn't be able to see her for a long time.
"Rozaliya… I'm sorry." Theresa looked at her apologetically. She'd contacted Anti-Entropy HQ. They would provide the twins with the best education and training, and they'd even granted them visitation rights to see Cocolia.
"..." Rozaliya looked confused. "What are you talking about? Are you apologizing for the bitter melon juice?"
Theresa's apology turned into exasperation. This brat…
"Well, I'm done. You enjoy your… healthy breakfast, Theresa. You should eat a balanced diet like me and Liliya, or you'll never grow tall."
"So mean!" Theresa huffed, downing half her bitter melon juice in one gulp, much to the astonishment of the other diners.
…
Rozaliya's behavior was odd. Anyone who knew the twins could tell. But seeing her alone, they understood.
It wasn't the complete chaos duo.
Rozaliya returned to the bedroom with a takeaway breakfast. Liliya was awake, sitting on the bed, staring into space.
After their gene fusion, they rarely dreamed. But Liliya had woken up from a nightmare.
Seeing Rozaliya, she relaxed.
Just a bad dream. Silly Rozaliya would never leave me alone. She'd get lost or tricked into being sold off.
Instead of calling her "silly," she addressed Rozaliya with unusual seriousness. "Sister."
Once both were awake, they fell back into their usual playful dynamic. They went to visit Bronya and Seele, who were expected to be discharged today. The Cocolia Orphanage quartet would finally be reunited.
But as they arrived at the medical bay, they overheard Bronya talking to Cocolia.
The incident where Bronya had been controlled by Cocolia had created a deep rift between them. Due to Ren's intervention, Bronya hadn't heard the twins' stories about the orphanage, hadn't seen the graves of their friends.
And with Cocolia's crimes exposed, their relationship was strained to the breaking point.
But this time, there was no arguing. Faced with Bronya's accusations and anger, Cocolia accepted responsibility without protest.
Seele and Bronya were safe, the twins were safe. She had no regrets.
In her final moments of freedom, she wanted to be a true mother, offering Bronya all her love and repentance.