The newborn was carried into a quiet chamber, his breathing soft and steady. One by one, the maids gathered, their whispers filling the room.

“What a peculiar baby…”
“I’ve never seen him before.”
“Does he even have a name?”

Among them, Aria stood near the wall. The Dark Elf’s ruby eyes wavered with hesitation, her voice trembling as she blurted out:

“...Riki. Why not… Riki Daimaru?”

The words slipped from her lips before she could stop herself.

Gasps filled the room.

The eldest maid, Ella, turned sharply, her voice sharp and cruel.

“Who gave you the right, Dark Elf!? You are not in charge here. Know your place, filthy creature!”

The other maids whispered behind their hands, their gazes darting between Aria and Ella.

But before the tension could break, a heavy voice cut through the noise.

“Enough.”

The master himself had entered. Zell Val Fire Rat II.
His imposing figure silenced the room as he stepped forward, his cold gaze landing on the crib.

“I allow it,” he said simply.
“Riki. From this day forth, that will be his name. And you, Aria—” His eyes narrowed. “You will be his caretaker.”

Aria’s breath caught. Her trembling hands curled into fists.

Ella’s face twisted with outrage. “Master! Why would you entrust this child to a filthy Dark Elf!? She is evil!”

Zell’s gaze shifted to her, sharp and unyielding.

“You dare question my decision?”

The air froze.
Ella faltered, her bravado shattering under his glare. She lowered her head, retreating with clenched teeth.

Zell turned and walked away, his voice trailing like thunder.

“Do not forget… my word is law.”

The baby’s soft cry filled the silence left behind. And from that moment, the bond between Aria and Riki was sealed.

Eight Years Later

“...Young master. It’s time to get up.”

Aria’s voice echoed in the small room.

“...Young master!”

On the bed, an eight-year-old boy snored loudly, drool staining his pillow. His white hair stuck up in every direction, his small chest rising and falling in the rhythm of deep, careless sleep.

Aria’s ruby eyes narrowed. She stepped forward.

Chop.

“OWW!”

The boy shot up, holding his forehead. “Aria! Why’d you do that!?”

“You were ignoring me,” Aria said flatly, her arms crossing. “I called you several times, Master Riki.”

Riki Daimaru—now eight years old—scratched his head, yawning. “I was having the best sleep…”

Aria’s sharp tone cut him off. “If I didn’t wake you, you’d sleep the entire day. You would miss your training, your studies, and—”

“—Food?” Riki perked up instantly, eyes sparkling.

“Yes. Lunch.”

Riki jumped out of bed, drooling at the thought. “Aria! You should have led with food! Let’s go, let’s go!”

Aria shook her head, muttering with the faintest smile. “Idiot… as always.”

The two walked down the Fire Rat estate’s long hallways. As always, whispers followed them.

“She probably bewitched him with Dark Elf magic…”
“Poor boy doesn’t even realize.”
“Dark Elves only bring ruin.”

Aria’s fist clenched at her side, nails biting into her palm.

But suddenly—warmth.
Riki’s small hand slipped into hers.

She looked down. He was smiling, bright and unbothered.

“Don’t listen to them. Let’s just eat.”

He tugged her forward, running toward the kitchen.

Inside, the Fire Rat heirs were already waiting.

Zeke, the eldest son, stood with his arms crossed. At fourteen, he carried himself with arrogance that fit his age all too well. Beside him, his younger brother Marcus, eleven, grinned wickedly.

“Well, well,” Zeke sneered. “Look what we have here. The bastard child… and his Dark Elf pet.”

Marcus laughed. “Father really does keep strange toys around, doesn’t he? Right, Ella?”

The elder maid bowed her head toward them. “Yes, my lords.”

Aria’s lips parted. “…Ella.”

The name was barely a whisper, but Ella snapped around, her eyes burning with hatred.

“Don’t you dare call me by name, filth! You Dark Elves are all the same. You act innocent until you’re close enough to strike. Just like the one my village took in—” Her voice cracked with venom.
“—a wounded Dark Elf, who repaid us by slaughtering every man, woman, and child in Veldall. My family. My home.”

Her voice shook with rage. “That day, I vowed never to trust your kind again!”

Aria’s lips trembled. She tried to speak. “I… I would never harm—”

But Zeke’s laughter cut her off.

“Save your excuses. You’re not welcome here. Neither of you are.”

Riki yawned loudly, rubbing his eyes.

“Why judge someone for what another person did? That war was ages ago.”

The room went silent.

Zeke’s face twisted with fury. Mana sparked at his fingertips as he began to cast a spell—

“Am I interrupting something?”

The heavy voice of Zell Val Fire Rat II filled the hall.

The brothers froze, stiffening as their father entered. His eyes flicked across the room, unreadable, commanding silence.

“If not,” Zell said coldly, “then let us get on with business.”