The woman, unbothered by Nana''s blunt deration, smiled gently, her eyes alight with understanding and a hint of amusement.


    "My visit isn''t about nobility or titles," she began, her tone warm yet underlined with seriousness. Dressed in a dark ck coat, her blue hair cascading down her back, she reached into her pocket somewhat clumsily and handed Nana a picture.


    "What is this supposed to be?" Nana asked bluntly, her expression turning to astonishment upon seeing an image of herself as a child, a spitting image, yet altered by the curse.


    "I-I," Nana stuttered, struggling for words. "I''m sorry if this looks like me for whatever reason... but it can''t be me. I''m from somewhere far away that could never be here."


    Thedy took the picture back and stared at it nkly for a short moment. She had a short sigh of breath before stating, "My daughter was killed just over 20 years ago now.


    And truthfully, I had moved on and epted what had happened to her during the war. She was deemed a victim of events.


    And when I heard General Mattison state that there was a lost girl, I thought nothing of it until I got a second report from our hidden division.


    Truth be told, he told me to even just lie and go with it. That you would either help us find the attacker or, at the very least, reveal yourself to be a threat."


    "But your o—my child''s old retainer, Armond Zaraki, noticed your resemnce, and that''s what forced my hand toe and see you all the sooner."


    "Ohhh," Nana stated, "That exins the look he had; it was almost like he had seen a ghost."


    "But I have to reassure you, and I''m sorry, I can''t be your daughter. This is harder than I thought, but I don''t want to lie and be your dead daughter just so we can finish our task here."


    Removing the side of her shirt to reveal her neck, a circle with small burning red circles in the center courses and moves on its own as the woman states, "What in the world is that?"


    Nana hesitated to respond, giving both Todd and Ty a slight look.


    "I don''t like delving too much into my past, but my family was murdered where I was from, and I was put into very. For some reason, I had this curse put on me that stunted my growth and caused other pains I won''t divulge right now."


    "But simply put, I''m not the age of the girl in this picture. I''ve been alive for just about 22 years or so. To be honest, I don''t even know my own birthday."


    Thedy gave her a cracked smile as a tear fell down her face, stating, "You must just see me as some crazy woman, so I do apologize."


    "There are an order of people that believe in reincarnation after death, and I truly believe you may be the daughter I lost so long ago."


    "So, regardless of the happenstance, I will do what I can to help you with whatever you have going on, as long as you aren''t putting the lives of those I care about in danger."


    Nana, putting a hand over her head in a slight blush, stated, "Well, it''s only right I introduce myself. Hello, I am Nanako Kagarib, though I''m not too sure about thest name. It''s just what I was told since I could remember anything."


    The woman bent down and gave her a handshake, stating, "I am Lady Amaris, and as I''m sure you know or may have heard a bit, I am the head daughter of House Three."


    "I don''t do much these days, but I knew my way around water fighting better than anyone, so I do hope you get a good weapon that gives you water abilities so I can show you a few things."


    Nana, a bit slow to respond, stated, "Yeah, about that. I''m not sure I will be able to get a weapon."


    Lady Amaris looked perplexed and confused as she stated, "Well, we have had orphanse from different countries for an array of reasons, and they all were able to be blessed with a weapon from the goddess. Though from time to time, a kid will not be granted one, but usually, if they return the next day, one is waiting for them."


    Ty coughed at this, a bit ufortable as it slightly recalled a conversation he had with thedy before apologizing, stating it must have been something he ate.


    Lady Amaris gave Ty a slight nod before focusing back on Nana, stating, "So you shouldn''t have anything to worry about, dear. I don''t really need one as where I''m from, we are born with an innate ability, so I doubt we would have any room for a magical weapon."


    Nana continued by pointing toward a vase sitting on the table on the other end of the room, raising her hand up before snapping her fingers in the same direction.


    A moment passed before the vase popped, sending a shock down Lady Amaris, who eximed, "So the reports are true; you all have your own abilities."


    Ty rubbed his head in frustration and stated, "Nana, I told you to keep your power a secret."


    Nana noticed her mistake and just stated "Oh, yea" as she turned to Lady Amaris.


    Lady Amaris looked a bit confused, asking, "Why would you want to hide this ability?"


    Ty, putting a hand over his face, exined, "It''s because it''s a really strong ability and can catch people off guard. But it''s something strong enough that she could be a target for people who are afraid of such power. So please, keep this between us so she isn''t targeted."


    He continued, "Also, since Nana has decided to almost go full-on reveal everything, our whole reason for going to the ceremony was to gather more information on the weapons that are blessed and possibly find clues on where the Cross-Link de is."