NABC Chapter 671: Heavenly Demon (8)
Chapter 671: Heavenly Demon (8)
Chapter 671: Heavenly Demon (8)
I watched Master walk away from Luna’s containment chamber, noting the careful way he carried the drawing she’d given him. Even from behind, I could see the change in his posture—the protective set of his shoulders, the gentleness in his movements that hadn’t been there a week ago.
‘He’s falling in love with her,’ I realized, and the thought made my chest warm in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
“Bishop Cordelia,” Dr. Vance approached with his ever-present tablet, “I was hoping to discuss the subject’s recent behavioral modifications with you. Your psychological evaluation reports have been… interesting.”
If only you knew how carefully crafted those reports were. “Of course, Doctor. What specific aspects would you like to discuss?”
“The emotional development patterns. We’ve never seen such rapid socialization in any previous iteration. Your assessment methodology appears to be yielding exceptional results.”
I maintained my professional expression while internally cringing at his clinical language. ‘Previous iteration. As if Luna’s predecessors weren’t children who died in agony.’
“The subject responds well to structured interaction,” I said carefully. “Consistent positive reinforcement appears to accelerate cognitive and emotional development.”
Consistent positive reinforcement. Such cold words for what was actually love, kindness, and basic human decency.
“Fascinating. And the attachment behaviors toward Cardinal Matthias?”
“Natural development given the frequency and quality of their interactions,” I replied. “The subject has formed a positive association with Cardinal Matthias due to his patient evaluation approach.”
“Would you recommend expanding this approach? Perhaps having you conduct similar attachment-building sessions?”
Yes, my heart said immediately. ‘Yes, let me spend time with her too. Let me be part of whatever family Master is building.’
“That could provide valuable comparative data,” I said aloud. “I’d be willing to conduct supplementary behavioral assessments.”
Dr. Vance nodded approvingly. “Excellent. I’ll have your sessions scheduled immediately. The subject seems to benefit from… humanized interaction protocols.”
Humanized interaction protocols. He meant treating Luna like a person instead of a weapon, though he’d never phrase it that way.
An hour later, I found myself standing outside Luna’s chamber for my first solo visit. Through the observation window, I could see her sitting at her small table, carefully working on another drawing with the colored pencils Master Arthur had brought her.
I activated the door controls and stepped inside. “Hello, Luna.”
She looked up from her artwork, and I saw recognition flash in her dark eyes. “You’re Bishop Cordelia. You’re always with Arthur when he visits.”
Arthur. Not Cardinal Matthias. She felt safe enough to use his real name even with me present.
“That’s right. I was hoping to spend some time with you today, if that’s alright.”
Luna tilted her head, studying me with the direct gaze of a child unused to deception. “Are you going to ask me questions like the doctors do? About how I feel and what I think?”
The doctors. More people who saw her as a subject to be analyzed rather than a child to be cared for.
“No questions like that,” I assured her, moving to sit in the chair Master Arthur usually occupied. “I was actually hoping you might show me your drawings.”
Her face lit up immediately. “Really? You want to see them?”
“Very much.”
For the next few minutes, Luna showed me her artwork with the enthusiasm of any child sharing something they’d created. Stick figure gardens, wobbly animals, houses that defied architectural physics but radiated warmth and imagination.
“This one is my favorite,” she said, pointing to a drawing of what appeared to be three stick figures standing together. “It’s Arthur, and me, and you.”
My breath caught. “Me?”
“You’re always taking care of Arthur, and Arthur takes care of me, so that makes us…” She paused,
“Cordelia?” Luna’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do you think… when people leave places like this… do they really get to stay with the people who care about them?”
The question was asked with such innocent hope that it nearly broke my heart. She was asking if we would really save her, if we would really be her family, without quite daring to say the words directly.
“Yes, Luna,” I said aloud. “When people find their real family, they get to stay together.”
She smiled and returned to her drawing, humming softly to herself as she worked. And sitting there, watching Master Arthur’s… our… this precious child create art with colored pencils, I realized that my mission priorities had fundamentally shifted.
It was about saving this little girl who was already becoming so important to both Master and me.