Before dawn, Eris woke and turned to look at Cain, who was holding her hand beside her. The corners of her mouth lifted.
"Master Cain is Eris's prey, meow."
Scenes from the previous night surged through her mind, and she couldn't help smiling.
"So Master's hands aren't even as big as mine... But he's protected me with them for so many years..."
"Eris loves Cain~"
Eris dressed quickly and tied up her hair, holding the Red Cord between her teeth. Then a thought stopped her. She drew the ice-blue Tachi from the bedside table and held its blade against her long red hair.
Her hand paused, but the hesitation in her eyes soon gave way to resolve.
"Cain said he really likes my red hair..."
She swung the Tachi, and thick locks of red hair fell to the floor.
Now short-haired, Eris left the letter she had written on the table. She looked back longingly at Cain in bed, smiled faintly, and gently closed the door behind her.
"Wait for me, Cain."
But no sooner had Eris left than a pair of eyes slowly opened on the bed.
Cain sat up, picked up the letter, pressed his lips together, and sighed.
It's just like Nanahoshi said...
The letter bore a single line.
I'm not worthy of Cain as I am now. I'm going to get stronger.
"Idiot... Anyone would get the wrong idea from a letter like this... But it's so like you, Eris..."
Outside the villa, Ghislaine stood ready with her arms folded. She froze at the sight of Eris's short hair, then understood and nodded with a smile.
"Don't you want to say anything else?"
"No. Cain will understand!"
"Besides... if we take too long, Cain might wake up. That would be trouble..."
Ghislaine sighed.
"All right.