Chapter Text
Myshkin’s death is covered up as a furnace accident. The false notice is sent to her relatives, along with a large sum of Mora for financial aid.
It is the least the Regrator could do for a desolate family.
His darling moves back to their bedroom. She spends the majority of the first night crying in his arms and seeking out his comfort. The next morning, she meekly accepts the Nilotpala lotus pendant and Sango pearls he had bought back from the pawnshop. The subsequent days are filled with silent apologies and thank you’s.
A week after the incident, she leaves their room to visit his private office.
“Are you still working?”
Pantalone looks up from his report. “This can wait. Do you need anything, my darling?”
“Not at the moment.” She stands in front of his desk, tail tucked between her legs. She is wearing only her nightdress and collar today. “Take this.”
She places her Vision on his desk.
Pantalone reacts with a carefully crafted frown. “______, why are you giving this to me? I believe you know the risks of losing a Vision.”
“I am better off without it,” she mutters. She pushes it into his hands. “It has always been wasted on me. You deserve to have it.”
In the end, fire is just another illusion. Despite the light it offers, it can only consume.
Pantalone lifts it up to the window. The Pyro Vision is brighter than any false star in the sky. He can feel its powerful warmth through his gloves.
The gifts of the gods, now in his grasp. But there is a far greater treasure standing before him.
He sets it aside. “I will take good care of it, then.”
“Is there anything else I can do?” His darling moves closer to him, tail raised. “You’ve done so much for me. I will do whatever it takes to repay the favor.”
Pantalone smiles at her and leaves his desk. “You only need to stay by my side. Though, I would not be opposed to other modes of payment.”
She nods and walks into his embrace.
⬩◈⬩
“I have a new gift for you.”
“Another one?”
His darling frowns at the package. “You know how I feel about your gifts. Just being with you is already enough.”
“Think of it as a gift for myself, then.” Pantalone pats her head, ruffling her ears. “I do enjoy spoiling my beloved pet.”
She purrs and hugs him again. “Fine, all right. That just means more cuddles for you.”
His precious jewel has shattered. She is much more affectionate nowadays.
The servants finish unpacking the phonograph. They pull back the curtains and leave the room.
______ regards it with curious eyes. “A Witch’s Chorus. What sort of music does it play?”
“Why don’t we find out?”
Pantalone places the record on the turntable and flips the power switch. The instrument begins to play a slow, festive orchestral arrangement.
Her ears prick forward. “This…it sounds familiar. Where did I last hear it?”
“Quite nostalgic, isn’t it? It is the musical score from our first dance.”
“That explains it.” She turns to face him, eyes shining brightly. “It was a waltz. How could I forget?”
The fire in her eyes has been completely extinguished. Though her gaze never fails to light up at any mention of their lost memories together.
Pantalone holds out his hand. “May I have this dance?”
Her hand feels soft in his grip. “It would be my pleasure.”
No red threads this time. His darling follows his lead, a peaceful smile on her face. During the final spin, she is quick to return to his grasp.
“Pantalone?”
“Yes, my darling?”
She meets his gaze.
“I love you.”
Pantalone almost stumbles. He stops in the middle of the dance floor.
It is difficult to hide his surprise. “Please repeat that.”
“I love you.” She says it clearly, still holding his gaze. Her expression becomes anxious. “Is there…something wrong with how I said it?”
He never imagined that those words could be said to him with such utmost sincerity.
Pantalone only laughs and resumes the waltz. At this point, they are dancing off-beat to the music but there is no crowd to judge them. Only the stars visible through the windows, twinkling across the sky like unfathomable jewels.
“No, it was perfect. You just caught me off-guard,” he admits. He smiles, pulling her closer. “I love you too.”