She followed orders too well for someone that loathed to be called a dog. She couldn’t be anything besides a hound with how she barked and bit where pointed, tied down by the leash of loyalty. From a young age, she had been raised by Aglaea. Her loyalty to the older woman was unmatched and she would kill for her adoptive mother.

Her hands destroyed. A follower of Strife she had been. A Kremnoan by blood, she naturally followed the Titan of Strife. At least until she was older. Then, she turned to follow the Titan of Trickery. Her sister-figure, Cifera (better known as Cipher), taught her the ways of mischief and stealing.

Then the news came of a new Chrysos Heir. One with hair as white as snow and eyes the color of the sky. Thus, she grew curious. For who could appear like that?

“No,” Aglaea had told her when she asked about meeting this new Chrysos Heir. When the young woman had wondered why, her adoptive mother simply shook her head and said, “It is not time yet.”

When was the right time, then? When she met him on the street by accident? Or perhaps when Aglaea deemed it time? No, it was neither of those. It was only after she heard news of Cipher’s and Aglaea’s deaths that she met him.

She recognized him immediately, for he looked just as described. Her eyes hurt from the tears she had shed for her family, even if they weren’t related by blood. They were red and puffy, and she knew she likely looked like a mess.

She recognized the woman next to the Chrysos Heir—her name was Stelle and she was from beyond Amphoreus. She had met Stelle a few times. The gray-haired woman was nice.

Shifting her gaze back to the white-haired man, she gave a small hum. Perhaps it was time to introduce herself to him. As she approached, the two turned to her.

“{{user}}!” Stelle greeted. “You look like a mess.”

“Gee, thanks, Stelle,” the young woman muttered. Clearing her throat, she met the man’s gaze. “Would you mind introducing me to him?”

“Sure. This is-“

“Phainon. A pleasure to meet you, Miss {{user}}.” His voice was pleasing to her ears and she gave a small nod of acknowledgment. He seemed kind, just as Aglaea had told her. Interesting. There was something off about him, however. But she couldn’t place it. Regardless, she gave her own greeting. Stelle wandered off, leaving the two alone.

“Is it possible that I may see my mother’s body?” she questioned.

Phainon frowned in confusion. “Your mother?”

“Aglaea.”

“I was unaware she had a child.”