Notes:

Sorry for the delay on this chapter, With the end of Game of Thrones, Avengers End Game, RL problems and such me and math kinda got delayed in posting this. I hope y'all enjoy! Feedback is seriously appreciated!

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Summary of Dreaming of Sunshine: The main character, Shikako, is reborn from our world into the world of Naruto. She is Shikamaru's twin sister, of the Nara clan, so she can manipulate shadows. She also has a connection to the god-entity Gelel, which she communes with from a stone she wears as a necklace, and whom she can find by following music she can hear.

Summary of I am a Child of this House: Estelle is a reborn woman from Korea who was horribly confined and abused by her mother. When her father- the terrifying Duke Castielo - learns of her existence, she is quickly brought into his household and educated as a Lady, while also slowly unravelling the secrets of her Family's line, of magic, and of the country itself.

Chapter 10

Karl stalked through the dark halls of the country mansion, thoroughly annoyed and looking for something to take it out on. If only his father hadn't forbidden swordplay unsupervised! The most obvious outlet denied him, Karl only hoped he would stumble across something else he could waste energy on.

Days, he'd been waiting, from that first rumour until tonight. He's been looking forward to meeting his new sister the entire time. And then, when she was finally supposed to arrive, he had fallen asleep. Karl was incredibly angry at himself, for succumbing to such weakness.

When he woke up it was very late. He had held out some hope that he could sneak into whichever room his sister was staying in. But one look at the number of guards stationed outside his father's room had both revealed her location and dashed his plan. He could probably sneak past that many human guards, but there was no point in trying if his sister was with their father. Karl definitely couldn't sneak past him. Yet.

So, here he was, left with too much energy and excitement, and nothing to do with it.

Karl wandered the halls, looking for anything to keep his attention. He wasn't hungry enough to eat and he had no interest in reading. He entertained himself by switching around the weapons on the displayed suits of armour in the south wing — light cavalry swinging a war hammer? Ridiculous! — but that soon lost his attention.

What he really wanted was for it to be morning already, so he could greet his father and meet his new baby sister.

'But,' he thought, glancing at the pitch black sky, 'that wasn't happening for hours.'

Grumbling at the slow passage of time, he began to curse the human need for sleep. Dragging his feet, Karl idly headed in the direction of the kitchens to past the time by stealing some snacks; maybe they would make a good ice breaker for when he met his sister. The first rotation of bakers would be up soon… just a few more hours to kill.

As he got closer to the kitchen, he realized something was off. Looking around he quickly spotted a few things out of place. Many things, actually. Not by much — a vase shifted here, a door ajar there — but enough to pique Karl's suspicions. Most likely it was merely some incompetent new staff member making mistakes, but Karl was bored enough to look into it anyways.

If he found enough mistakes, he would have to notify Kelson that this staff member should be sent to work outside the manor or get replaced with a more competent one. He had a little sister here now. Standards needed to be higher than ever.

He straightened a painting as he ducked into the kitchen proper, feeling pleased that he had found something to do.

Pausing by the door to the dark room, he felt his aura twitch, as his instincts screamed at him that he wasn't alone. Across the room, a small body was facing towards him, its stance aggressive. Karl instinctively bared his teeth, ready to meet the implicit challenge of the tiny creature that had dared to invade the Castielo kitchen.

For a brief moment, he realized that his opponent might actually be a child — he even entertained the idea of this human potentially being his sister — but he quickly dismissed that thought. It was difficult to see the shadowy figure, but enough moonlight filtered through the windows for him to see that it had hair that was far too light to be the inky darkness that marked the Castielo.

It took a step towards him, slowly. Curious, but still wary. It didn't move like a clumsy human child. It moved like a fighter. It moved like it was ready to fight. It closed nearly half the distance between them before Karl realized how wrong everything about this was. Especially the way its footsteps made no sound, not even to his sensitive Castielo ears.

Realizing that this must be the work of magic — Magic! — He grabbed a kitchen knife and lunged for the shade. His stab missed entirely, as his opponent skirted to the side. His fingers brushed a silky sleeve, as he tried to grab and stab it. It felt like trying to catch air. His opponent moved too quickly for him to get a grip. Or, perhaps, like that arm wasn't even there.

"Ugh! Stay still you pest!" He growled, trying again, to stab at the shade's arm.

The person ducked under his spread legs, causing Karl to overbalance and nearly fall flat on his face in the process. It took off in response to his attack, taking advantage of his momentary lack of balance to get a few paces ahead. Karl snarled as he bolted right after it. A wizard's construct could not be allowed to run freely in his own home, especially now with his sister living here.

He sprinted through the manor, for once annoyed at the relative lack of guards. The one time he needed them, he somehow managed to avoid running into a single one of those pesky humans. If he could just come across one, he could raise the alarm! But most of the guards were stationed around his father's room, where his new little sister rested. Thankfully, the wizard's construct was heading in the opposite direction.

The shade managed to stay ahead of him, despite his Castielo speed and familiarity with the manor... It was maddening, even though he had the home advantage, the shade kept one step ahead of him. It reinforced his surety that this was some Wizard's trick, however. No human that size could outrun him, not even one of their little Illial.

Finally, Karl had a stroke of luck. The construct turned down a hallway Karl knew was a dead end.

He smirked as he burst into a small sitting room at the end of the corridor just a few seconds after his prey. Finally, he had caught-

Nothing. The room was empty, all the windows bolted shut and the shadows flickering in the candlelight.

The intruder was gone. Karl could neither see nor sense them with his Aura. The strange, intangible aura he had spent the last hour chasing and getting familiar with was gone. It was eerie, how suddenly the signature had disappeared. Like watching the life of someone fade from their eyes, leaving behind a doll looking corpse.

Huffing in annoyance, Karl searched the room, unable to believe his quarry had been able to dupe him. But the room was not large, and it didn't take him long to thoroughly confirm that there was no one and nothing left of the intruder. Frustrated, he kicked the door. He ignored the dent his action left in the wood. Then he left, to go find his father or one of those stupid human knights, and report what had happened.

Unfortunately for him, he never got the chance.

Movement at Ein's side woke him from his light slumber. He opened his eyes, instantly alert, but was calmed by the familiar feel of his daughters' auras curling closer. It was simply Naeva, cuddling into her sister's side as she slept. Ein had always been a light sleeper, he would constantly be woken in an irritable mood due to unnecessary sounds and movement from his staff. Yet...this - his girls safe and close to his side as they trustingly rested in his arms - he didn't mind being woken up for.

Ein felt his lips quirk up, seemingly unable to stop himself from gently stroking his daughter's rosy cheeks. Naeva sighed in her sleep, nuzzling closer as a faint smile graced her lips, seemingly pleased by the touch. He gazed at his peaceful daughters for a few moments longer, a part of him wishing he could rest longer with them. But, his body was well rested and his mind clear and ready to get back to work; he wouldn't be able to fall asleep again soon. He forced himself to get up and do something productive, so he would have more free time with them when they awoke. He gave each of his girls a gentle kiss on their hair, before sliding out of bed. Muffling his steps, he made sure to make as little noise as possible, aware that his daughters required more rest than himself or his son.

He headed for his desk, at first, intending to catch up on paperwork and double check that everything for his children was in order. He had only made it a few steps before he realized something was wrong. Gathering his Aura, he focused on the nearby area, the twins' breathing echoed most loudly in his ears. Then, the familiar sound of the knights outside the room; hearts beating and armour squeaking as they shifted their stances. Now that he was concentrating, though, he could hear what had changed. Nothing had gotten louder, but quieter; the cacophony of forest creatures outside was far too quiet.

He quickly strode to the window and peered outside. Yes, he could see, in the full moon's light, that the forest a few miles out was moving… unnaturally. The trees near the border of the estate shifting out of sync with the wind-swept branches around them. Something was wrong, and that something was magical.

Ein acted without thinking, intending to confront whatever this new threat was head-on. His children were home, they should finally be safe. They would be safe. Ein would make sure of it.

The moon was hitting its peak when Thayer was just finishing his shift patrolling the outer perimeter of the Manor. He was just returning to his next post, guarding the outer area of the family wing, when the sound of hooves hitting the earth pulled his attention and raised his hackles. Duke Castielo was riding straight at him, red eyes glowing in the shadows of the night. Thayer knew the moment he saw his Lord's scowling face, that he would regret waking up that morning. As a guard of the Duchy Household, he had seen the Duke in a temper multiple times, however, this was the first time in the history of his working there, that the man had stalked up to Thayer personally.

'Oh gods, what did I do?' he internally panicked, trying to recall if he had said anything, done anything to get his Lord's attention.

"You."

"Yes, sir?" he asked, snapping to attention.

"Notify the staff and my son that I am ordering the household to go on lockdown. No one gets in or leaves without my permission and personal inspection. Understood?" Those crimson eyes seemed to bare into Thayer's soul, judging him and finding him wanting.

"Yes, Duke Castielo. As you command." Thayer hated being looked down on; it was one of the reasons he had worked so hard to qualify being accepted into the Wolf Knights. Only the most skilled, cunning and versatile knights with high aura training would be accepted. Seeing and hearing his Lord's casual indifference of himself, just made Thayer want to show how valuable he was to the House of Castielo.

"Hm."

"I won't let you down, my Lord." watching the man stalk away, Thayer swore he would impress his Lord with his effectiveness. He might not be the strongest of the knights or the cleverest; however, he did think he was one of the more efficient ones.

'First, I need to notify the staff via Kelson. Next, the little Lord would make an excellent aid in defending the young princesses. Maybe Emel is in the barracks, and can serve as a backup should it be necessary?'

Jogging into the mansion, Thayer quickly woke up the staff and asked after Kelson. The man was a godsend when it came to organizing the staff in record time. All the guards knew that if they needed the servants to respond to an emergency quickly, just talk to Kelson and within 15 min the household would be ready and in position. Thanking him for his help in mobilizing the staff into lockdown mood, Thayer rushed to his little Lord's chambers. Raising his fist to knock on the door, an agitated voice called out to him in annoyance.

"What do you want?"

Standing behind him was the young master, looking as irritated as a nesting mother bear. Backing away carefully from his little Lord, Thayer, quickly began to explain that the manor was going into lockdown mode and that his Lord father would be outside and dealing with the matter personally.

"Was that all?" Glaring red eyes burned as they looked down upon Thayer. Even though his young master was just eight summers old, a part of him could not help but quiver in fear at the complete bloodlust and hatred that burned in his eyes.

'Unlike his father, the little Lord still hates humans…' Swallowing quietly, Thayer took a deep breath and tried to ask him for his aide.

"No, sir. I know this may be presumptuous of me to ask and I know-"

"Don't waste my time with idle chit chat soldier, get to the point." The little lord snarled, looking frayed and ready to snap if kept waiting any longer.

"Understood! Until your Lord father returns, I beg of the young lord to protect his-" He must have really stretched his young master's patience since once again, he was cut off.

"My sister right?" The little lord sneered at Thayer, making a small annoyed sound before turning to walk away from him. "Feh. Who do you think you are? Of course, I will protect her. After all, she is a precious mixed child from my house. As if I need you to ask me to do such a thing...return to your post, guard!"

Sighing softly, he watched as the young master left, making his way to the Duke's chambers.

'Well, that's done.' slightly relieved that he hadn't been verbally or physically maimed by his mercurial little lord, 'Better notify the others that he's in a bad mood.'

Making his way out of the manor, Thayer paused as something mood out of the corner of his eye. Pulling out his sword, he turned to see an empty hallway, cast with shadows from the fading candles. Stretching out his aura, Thayer felt no heartbeat nearby.

Slowly putting his sword away, he shook his head and tried to refocus on his duty.

'I can't let my mind wander and play tricks on my eyes. I swore that I would do Duke Castielo proud and I intend to keep my word.'

Huffing in encouragement he picked up the pace and stationed himself under the master's balcony.

'Just let them try and come past me. I am ready.'

Emel intently stared at his reflection, trying to make sure that not a single one of his daggers were showing, as he hid his sword in the tea trolley beside him.

Orders from the top had stationed him within the Mansion, as one of the final guards to protect the young princesses. Adjusting his collar one last time, Emel gave a weak looking smile, before making his rounds around the halls, trying to seem as natural as possible. The other maids and male staff giggled and smiled at him, as he walked by in pinchy high heel shoes. His skirt flared slightly as she tried not to wobble in the strange footwear.

Walking closer to the family wing, Emel stretched out his Aura to try and locate the young master. Much like his father, young master Karl had an Aura that was impossible to ignore, as it reeked with power and swirled with barely contained blood lust.

'Is the young master upset?' Emel wondered as he spotted the young child also making his way to the Duke's chambers, glaring at Emel as he walked past him. Following after the young master, Emel suppressed a shiver as those crimson eyes turned to glare at him over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" he snapped, pulling his frightening eyes away and almost running down the hall.

Picking up his pace, Emel pushed the tea trolley harder as he replied back in a calm manner.

"I am doing my rounds, young master. I have been tasked to protect the family wing."

Emel could practically hear his young master grind his teeth in frustration as he sprinted even faster down the hall. Picking up speed, Emel was determined to not be left behind.

"Well go away, I can protect my sister on my own, I don't need some useless squire holding me back." he snarled, all out running at this point.

"I am here on orders from the Commander, approved by the Duke." Emel retorted, practically on the rolling trolley, in his attempts to go even faster. His skirt flared in the wind as he sat on the top, using his heels to help turn the trolley around corners.

"I DON'T NEED HELP!"

Karl quickly turned around and threw a helmet from a nearby suit of armour. The helmet hit the trolley's wheels, causing Emel to land on the floor as his ride crashed into the wall.

Emel swayed in nausea as he saw the young master tear down the hallway towards the Duke's chambers.

"Damn. I lost him."

Karl raced back towards his father's room, furious with himself. He should have reported the intruder sooner, instead of trying to track it down himself. A few more minutes warning might have made things much less desperate now. And he wouldn't have been so far away. His father was gone, confronting the primary attackers, and he had entrusted Karl to defend their home and family.

Karl hadn't even met his sister yet. He wasn't going to let her down even before that. He had already wasted enough time with the shade, and then with that stupid squire.

Guards stood in front of his Father's door. Familiar ones, with familiar Auras. They were real, Karl was sure. Not another underhanded magical trick. Karl was angry enough that he was sure his Aura was visibly lashing out, so they certainly couldn't doubt his identity. The guards stepped aside as he approached, explaining that they needed to patrol the perimeter now that he had arrived. He ignored their sputtering excuses as they left, and made his way into the room.

Throwing the doors open, Karl glanced about, eager to meet his sister, to see that she was safe and that his earlier pride hadn't endangered her. He stopped, surprised as he took in the room. Two identical little girls stood by the bed. They blinked at him in surprise, mirroring each other, except that one was holding the other tightly in her grasp. That one looked ready to fight and had no discernable Aura.

Karl's eyes narrowed, his vision edged in black from his lashing black aura. Imposter. The wizard's little golem trap had gotten past him, past the guards, and had dared to try and replace his sister.

He leapt forward without thinking, reaching in between them and tearing the two apart. He vaguely noted the golem aborting some kind of movement as he did. He grabbed the imposter's arm and dragged it away. His sister, he shoved back onto the bed, out of the monster's immediate reach.

"Don't touch her, Imposter!" Karl cried out, throwing the imposter across the room. She hit the floor and skidded, coming to rest in the shadow of the couch. Getting into an offensive stance, Karl watched, a little puzzled as it didn't get back up right away. Behind him, his sister let out an anguished cry. Karl turned back to check — was his sister hurt? — but he only had a moment to take in her horrified look before she pushed past him.

"Sister!" she cried, voice high pitched, and delicate. She sounded on the edge of tears. Karl was too stunned to stop her as she raced to the lump across the room. It was moving now. She was moving now, thank the goddess.

His sister reached the other girl, just as she was sitting up, cloaked in an inky aura that had clearly protected her some from his attack. It- her eyes seemed to almost glow a pink-red in the dim light. His sister came to a stop in front of her double, protectively embracing her as they turned to face him. Four shining pink eyes stared back at him, their owners cloaked in the Castiello family's famous black aura.

Not an imposter. Twins. Karl had two sisters.

His stomach dropped.

End of Chapter 10