Selena's visit

"Oh, hey Emilie! When did you get back? I've been visiting you guys for so many days!" Selena exclaimed with a friendly tone, clearly delighted to see her.

Selena didn't wait for Emilie to respond; she immediately enveloped her in a warm bear hug. Emilie's typically emotionless eyes showed a hint of realization, and for the first time in a long while, she felt that she wasn't alone anymore.

While the urge to cry welled up within her, she restrained her tears, choosing instead to relish the much-needed moment of peace and connection with Selena.

After a few moments, Selena released Emilie and gazed at her with a radiant expression brimming with smiles.

"Is that jerk back too? He has no idea how much our department missed him. Alan practically made me visit your place every other day."

Selena made the statement with an expression that conveyed pain and sadness, which Emilie recognized as an act. In response, Emilie offered a rare smile that was so radiant that it momentarily made Selena feel inadequate, despite her young age.

"He's back too. Our vacation was unexpectedly extended, which wasn't in our plans. I'm genuinely happy to be back here,"

Emilie remarked as she gestured for Selena to enter, a gesture that Selena readily accepted.

Upon entering, Selena couldn't help but notice the dust that had gathered in various places. Emilie, sensing Selena's observation, quickly dismissed it, saying,

"We've only just returned, so please don't mind the details."

Selena couldn't help but offer silent praise to Emilie for her keen observation of the finer details.

"You're really just like your brother. You're just as sharp as him when it comes to noticing people and things. Don't tell me he's training you to be a detective as well?"

Selena inquired, accompanied by a light chuckle.

Upon reaching the living room, Selena spotted Adrian sprawled out in his usual chair, appearing almost lifeless in his stillness. His presence seemed almost non-existent.

Seeing him like this, Selena couldn't help but curse how many times she had visited their home and grown weary of it, yet she couldn't help but feel content that they were back.

"If stares could bore holes in someone, I'd be riddled with them right now," Adrian suddenly remarked, his eyes still closed, which snapped Selena back from her reverie.

"Please forgive this lowly law enforcer for stealing a glance at your handsome face,"

Selena quipped, finishing her sentence before playfully grabbing a cushion from the couch and tossing it at Adrian. As the cushion squarely landed on his face, Selena wore a triumphant smile and placed her hands on her waist in a playful pose.

Adrian slowly lifted the cushion from his face and opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on Selena, who appeared as charming as ever.

The presence of another human, apart from Emilie, wasn't such a bad change, considering they had been stuck in the dream realm for an unknown duration.

"We weren't gone for that long, and don't complain so much. If you had to work for once, remember, you get paid for it," Adrian retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Selena couldn't help but purse her lips. "I totally didn't miss this sarcastic jerk. I only missed my little angel, Emilie, and I only brought these donuts just for her," she said, venting her frustration on Adrian.

Emilie, upon hearing about something to eat, appeared out of nowhere and swiftly snatched the box from Selena's hand.

She had grown tired of eating fruits every day in the dream realm, so having something different to eat was a welcome change that brought out a different side of her.

"Your donuts have been received, and I'm quite certain your department is missing you." 

Adrian said as he got up and brazenly swiped the donut from Emilie's grasp, just as she was about to take a bite.

Ignoring the lethal stares from the two girls, he indulged in his playful mischief, knowing that mere glares couldn't harm him.

Selena sighed and let go of her playfulness, realizing that it was just how Adrian was. Observing Adrian devouring the donut as if he had never tasted one before, she gave a soft cough and continued, 

"Alan missed you a lot, you know. It would be nice if you could visit him. He's been under a lot of stress due to his cases, but the choice is yours, of course. Considering your friendship of a few years, it would mean a lot."

As she spoke, Selena turned her gaze to Emilie and couldn't resist pinching her cheeks, finding her adorable while she eagerly enjoyed the donuts.

Selena smiled warmly and added, "You both take your time and rest. I'll take my leave now. It's good to have you back. I'll visit you again soon, Emilie."

She gave Emilie another hug and then shot a disapproving glance at Adrian, who was entirely unapologetic and even let out a belch, clearly not concerned about displaying good manners.

After seeing Selena off, Emilie returned to the living room and found Adrian peacefully sleeping in his chair.

"You should freshen up at least. You stink so bad," Emilie remarked, noticing her own odor, and hurriedly dashed to the bathroom, discarding her clothes along the way.

Hearing the sound of the shower running, Adrian couldn't help but smile faintly, realizing how much he had missed these little everyday things. He was back in the safe haven he had created for himself.

The atmosphere would have been cozy and warm if not for the feeling of that ominous gaze piercing into his head.

'Same old mother gaze. Keeping an eye out for me.'

Adrian thought to himself, 'Maybe she just wants to kill me herself.'

Adrian couldn't help but entertain this thought, as it seemed highly plausible. He recollected how that enigmatic lantern had addressed her as "Her," a term typically reserved for 9-core core bearers with unimaginable powers.

This special treatment wasn't extended to every 9-core core bearer. Only the ancient ones possessed a level of power that commanded fear and respect, leading people to address them involuntarily with such reverence. The last time he checked the records, it was believed that the ancient ones were no longer in existence.

'For someone as weak as me, this is too much.'