Father wasn’t with us for lunch. He… well, he was rarely home, and when he was, it was always late at night. We only ever saw him on weekends, when his schedule aligned with ours and we hadn’t yet succumbed to sleep.

His job was… interesting, to put it mildly. Not many can boast being the personal guard of the monarch of the entire Millford Kingdom.

And since we’re on the subject, I should probably talk about Millford itself.

It’s where I was born. Compared to other kingdoms on the continent, it’s massive—almost absurdly so. Its architecture matches the Victorian era we live in, with markets and parks (the only places I’ve visited so far) adopting a Gothic style that gives the city an air of solemnity some might mistake for majesty.

But there’s something about this world I need to highlight.

The sun and moon are one and the same.

Yes, I know. It sounds ridiculous. The moon regulates tides and stabilizes the planet’s axis, so its absence should wreak havoc. Yet, according to the Paradox Scriptures, that role falls to the Kraken King, the absolute ruler of the seas.

A colossal creature with endless tentacles.

Fortunately, it’s peaceful… most of the time. But if someone threatens its waters, it won’t hesitate to sink ships, cities, or entire civilizations that dare defy it. It’s the guardian of balance, the reason this world still functions despite its alarming lack of a moon.

Which leads to the obvious question: What does night look like?

Simple. The sun turns red and dims its light, behaving like a moon. Efficient, yet unsettling.

"Issy, Lucy, why don’t you two go out and explore for a bit?" Mother said as she washed dishes.

I took a sip of soup to avoid answering.

But—

"Yes! That’s a great idea!" Isolde cheered, raising her spoon and splattering me with droplets of broth.

…Seriously? I just bathed.

I sighed and wiped myself with a cloth. Isolde gave me a sheepish grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back. Her energy was oddly endearing.

I didn’t want to go out.

But then again, this might be an opportunity. The last time Mother took us shopping, I’d spotted something intriguing—a towering structure, almost cathedral-like. I’d wanted to examine it closer but kept putting it off.

Seems that moment has come, courtesy of Isolde.

"Thanks for the meal," I said, setting my spoon down. I slid off my chair and walked over to my sister.

"Thanks for the food, Mama!" Isolde echoed brightly.

I helped her down, and we stood before Mother. She knelt, took our hands, and closed her eyes as she murmured an incantation. A faint glow traced over the backs of our hands before fading.

Watcher’s Mark.

A spell from the Paradox Scriptures. Mid-tier guards use it to track prisoners and prevent escapes. In our case, Mother employed it as a precaution—if anyone tried to kidnap us, the spell would activate, alerting her to the danger.

And if that happened?

She’d come for us.

Alone.

She doesn't need father's help. She was a high-tier guardian herself.

"Be careful." She kissed our foreheads.

We stepped outside.

Out there, maybe adventure awaited.

Or maybe just boredom.