Night had fallen over Amestris City.

In a crumbling courtyard tucked deep within the old district, moonlight leaked through a gaping hole in the roof. There, perched on a wooden beam like a restless bird, sat Carmilla.

The young blonde's golden hair shimmered faintly beneath the stars. Her golden eyes, however, were clouded with worry. She tugged impatiently at one of her twin ponytails and puffed her cheeks, muttering under her breath.

"Why hasn't that catwoman sent any word?"

She had been waiting since last night — a full day and night of silence since Mia had left. Not a single message. Not even a whisper carried by the wind.

Her slender fingers clenched around the beam, the old wood creaking under her grip.

"Don't tell me she fell into a trap…"

Her lips parted slightly, as if to deny her own thought. Then her brows furrowed again.

"No way. Maybe she's dead?"

The words hung heavy in the night air. She quickly shook her head, swatting the thought away like an insect.

"nah! Nah, nah! What nonsense are you thinking, Carmilla? That catwoman wouldn't die so easily. Even if Little Sister's in danger, she's not weak enough to just—die."

She clenched her jaw and forced a confident look, though her heart fluttered with unease.

"Fine, I'll wait. Just two more chopstick's time. If she doesn't come back, I'm gone."

But time, as she quickly learned, crawled slower than a snail when you were waiting for bad news. The minutes stretched, heavy and endless. Her heartbeat quickened, and the longer she waited, the more her imagination spiraled out of control.

"What if she really was caught? Maybe they've chained her up… or—"

Her golden eyes widened as an absurd thought struck her.

"No way. She couldn't have been made into some noble's… bedmaid, could she?"

She froze, the image playing vividly in her mind — Mia, helpless and blushing, trapped in some perfumed bedchamber.

Her cheeks flushed crimson.

"No, no, no—what am I thinking?! That catwoman's barely even pretty!"

The more she thought about it, the more her irritation boiled over. Finally, she threw her head back and screamed at the night sky.

"Ahhhhhhh! This is driving me crazy!"

Her eyes glowed red, the faint pulse of her vampiric nature flashing through them. Her black wings burst open from her back, scattering dust from the rafters. In one furious motion, she shot through the hole in the roof and soared into the cool night air, wings slicing through the wind.

The city shrank beneath her as she rose, heart pounding, mind spinning.

"Since I managed to escape last night, I can sneak in again tonight. Simple."

But the moment she cleared the city walls, a chill pricked the back of her neck.

"Wait. The night's even more dangerous now…"

She hovered in the air, flapping her wings gently, eyes scanning the dark horizon. The thought of Mia in danger warred against her sense of reason.

"If I waste more time, she might really be in trouble."

Carmilla's wings twitched restlessly. She spun in midair, trying to think.

"Maybe I should go to Asuka City first, contact the Oasis people—play it safe."

She hesitated only a moment before shaking her head fiercely.

"No. If Catwoman's dead, then what's the point?!"

Her face hardened.

"Fine then. If I can save her, I will. If I can't…" — she exhaled, steadying her heart — "then I'll fly straight to Asuka City and find help from the Oasis."

With that, she flapped her wings and glided silently through the night, toward Black Tortoise City.

Soon, the towering walls of the fortress came into view. She hovered above them, eyes narrowing as she surveyed the landscape below — searching, thinking.

"Where would they lock her up…"

Her gaze fell on a familiar spot — the giant tree she'd used to escape from the city the previous night.

"There."

A chill crept through her spine as she imagined the worst.

"Maybe they've imprisoned her under it. Or maybe…"

Her face flushed again, and she mumbled in horror,

"Maybe they've turned her into some noble's bed servant."

She shook her head violently, golden hair whipping in the wind.

"Ugh! Focus, Carmilla! You're losing it!"

A cool breeze swept past, calming her slightly. The scent of roasted meat drifted up from the city below.

"Huh… smells like everyone's having dinner."

Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Perfect time to sneak in."

She perched atop the tree, wings tucked close, then dove down swiftly and silently.

"Good, no one saw me—"

"Why visit from the air," a teasing voice suddenly murmured from behind her, "when the front door works just as well?"

Carmilla froze. Her blood turned cold.

"An ambush?!"

She flapped her wings, trying to shoot skyward, but a flash of silver streaked toward her.

"Come in and sit down for a meeting," came the calm, amused voice of Luciel.

From the roof of the palace, he flicked his fingers. Thin threads of spider silk shot through the air, wrapping around her body before she could even scream.

"Wha—mmph!"

The silk sealed her mouth and pinned her wings tight to her sides. She squirmed furiously, but every joint the silk touched tightened twice over. She was caught.

"Damn it, let me go!" she tried to cry, her voice muffled and useless.

A moment later, two figures materialized beside Luciel — Alina and Yanlu, their faces grave.

"Lord Luciel," Alina said sharply.

Yanlu's red eyes glowed coldly. "She's the one who escaped last night."

Luciel arched a brow, faintly smiling. "Oh? So we meet again."

The two subordinates bowed low. "Please punish us, my lord."

Luciel waved dismissively. "Two days of contribution docked. Three days of free duty."

The two glanced at each other, startled — that was lenient.

He sighed. "You can't be blamed entirely. The mansion's large, the guard's thin. And who expects someone to sneak in from the sky?"

"Yes, my lord." They bowed deeply.

Luciel flicked his wrist again, and the cocooned blonde floated gracefully beside him, bound in shimmering silk. He guided her back to the city lord's mansion, descending into the warm glow of the restaurant below.

Inside, laughter and the clatter of dishes filled the hall. When Luciel reentered, the room fell quiet.

Mino looked up first. "Luciel, what happened?"

He smiled faintly. "A guest dropped by. I decided to invite her in."

"Guest?" everyone echoed in confusion.

Luciel released the silk, and the bound figure tumbled gently onto the floor.

Mia, halfway through a mouthful of barbecue, froze. Her crimson eyes widened.

The meat slipped from her fingers and hit the plate with a dull thud.

"...Carmilla?" she blurted.

The blonde vampire glared up at her, golden eyes burning with disbelief and rage.

"Luciel," Mia stammered, cheeks flushing. "She's—she's my friend. Could you… let her go?"

Luciel chuckled, twirling a finger. The silken bindings shimmered, then dissolved into nothing.

Carmilla sprang up immediately, her face red with fury.

"You catwoman! I've been worrying myself sick outside thinking you were captured—meanwhile you're here eating dinner?!"

Mia's tail twitched guiltily. She scratched her cheek, murmuring, "I—I forgot to send word…"

Luciel motioned toward the table. "Sit. Let's not waste good soup over misunderstandings."

Sophia stepped forward with quiet grace, setting down another bowl of steaming tomato soup.

Carmilla puffed her cheeks, glaring daggers. "I'm not hungry."

A loud growl came from her stomach.

The table went silent.

Luciel's lips twitched. "Eat first. Talk after."

Mia handed her a bowl, smiling awkwardly. "It's delicious. Try it."

Carmilla wanted to refuse—but the smell of meat and herbs broke her will. She downed the soup in a single gulp.

"Mmm…" She quickly stuffed her mouth with roasted meat, chewing furiously while still shooting glares at Mia.

In truth, as she ate, her sharp eyes scanned the room.

"That girl with the rabbit ears—that must be Mino. And that man…"

Her gaze landed on Luciel, and her expression softened slightly.

"Wow. So handsome. Like a prince. Wait—why are the others wearing masks?"

Slowly, her annoyance ebbed away, replaced by curiosity.

At the other end of the table, Mino whispered nervously, "Sister… is she the one you said—your blood ghost friend?"

Mia nodded with a small smile. "Yes. This is Carmilla."

She squeezed Mino's hand gently. "Go on, say hello. Don't be scared."

Mino bit her lip, fidgeting. "I… I…"

Luciel, seated beside her, rested a reassuring hand on her trembling fingers. "Don't force yourself."

Mino shook her head softly. "No, it's okay." She inhaled and said in a small voice, "H-hello, I'm Mino… Mia's little sister."

The room stilled.

Mia sighed inwardly. Still the same timid girl, even after all these years.

Mino lowered her gaze, her long blue rabbit ears drooping pitifully.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Carmilla reached out with her sauce-smeared hand and grasped Mino's.

"Hello," she said, cheeks puffed, mouth still half-full of meat. "I'm Carmilla."

Mino froze, staring at the greasy hand gripping hers.

The awkward silence lasted a beat too long—then Mia couldn't help but laugh softly, tension melting into the warm air of the dining hall.

The night outside was silent and silver, but inside, under the lamplight, the chaos of misunderstanding slowly gave way to the warmth of reunion.

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