Dream stood up. After nearly six or seven months, she finally walked into the kitchen.
She wanted to cook breakfast for Ron.
The moment she took a step, Ron caught her hand.
"Don't," he said firmly. "I'll cook."
There was no room for argument.
Dream nodded and returned to her seat.
"I'll look after Ines," she said.
Ron gave her a thumbs-up and started walking—still looking at her—when he walked straight into the wall.
"Ouch."
Dream smiled. Then a soft giggle filled the room.
It was Ines.
Ron and Dream looked at each other, surprised.
"My little Ines just laughed at her father," Ron said.
Dream only smiled.
"Just stay here. I'll be back," Ron said, heading to the kitchen.
During breakfast, Dream spoke softly.
"Ron, Lia will be coming here."
"Why?" Ron asked, startled.
"She wants to see Ines. And she has a parcel with your name on it."
Ron stiffened.
Parcel? For me?, Ron thought.
"Don't tell her I'm here. Just take the parcel from her."
Dream smiled. "Fine."
Later, the doorbell rang.
Ron activated his Invisibility skill.
Lia stepped inside and handed the parcel to Dream. Then she walked toward the sofa where Ines sat.
"Oh hi, Ines. Auntie's here," Lia said warmly, lifting her into her arms.
"Wow," Lia smiled. "White hair and red eyes… you look more like your mother."
"The white hair comes from my mother," Dream said, "and the red eyes from Ron's."
Lia gently kissed Ines on the cheek and began playing with her.
Dream watched, smiling.
They sat together, Lia holding Ines carefully in her arms.
"Carter wanted to come too," Lia said, "but something came up at the last minute."
Dream nodded.
They talked for over an hour.
Then Lia left.
Ron deactivated his skill and immediately picked up the parcel.
Inside were two envelopes.
One
Two
Ron opened the first.
His eyes widened.
"What is it?" Dream asked.
"It's nothing," Ron replied quickly.
Dream's expression turned serious.
"Oh… okay," she said.
Ron put the envelope away, as if nothing had happened.
He played with Ines, laughing and smiling—acting normal.
Too normal.
How suspicious, Dream thought.
Alright—this one has a strong villain aura already. I'll polish it for clarity, menace, smoother flow, and sharper dialogue, while keeping Rio cold and terrifying. Here's a refined version:
Elsewhere,
In a dark room.
Nine chairs surrounded a long table, all empty.
Only one man stood there—facing a floor-to-ceiling window.
The city lights reflected in his glowing emerald eyes. He heard sound of footsteps, coming.
"Rio, I heard they delivered it," a woman's voice said.
Rio turned head slightly. The woman's face came in his green eye.
Eirene stood behind him.
What is Rio planning? she wondered. He's always been mysterious. And yet… he himself told me to inform him when it was delivered.
"Rio, th—" She was cut off.
"Eirene," Rio said calmly. "You're wondering what I'm planning."
Her eyes narrowed.
He knows? Is he using some kind of ability? she thought.
"No," Rio continued. "I'm not using my abilities. If I were… your brain wouldn't even process your own death and the lowly humans, of this world, wouldn't know what killed them."
Eirene froze.
Fear flashed across her face, but she forced herself to compose it. She tried to speak—tried to say something—
"Don't bother," Rio said. "Don't bother creating my clones. And don't bother trying to gather knowledge about my abilities."
He turned and began walking toward her.
Eirene felt it then—pure fear, what? he said clones? does he knows my abilities?
She tried to step back.
Tried to run.
Her body refused to move.
Rio stopped in front of her and gently lifted her chin.
"A beauty with no brain," he said softly. "How sad."
He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She was trembling.
"You should know when to speak. When to act. And when to do nothing," he whispered.
"Because one wrong move can cost you your life."
Then—he let her go.
Eirene staggered back, breathing hard.
He's scary, She thought.
"You want to know my plans," Rio said, turning away. "I have many. But right now… FOSTER's goal is to find that envelope. Am I right?"
Eirene nodded slowly.
"That envelope isn't my goal," Rio continued. "I'm after something far greater than a simple guide to immortality… and a few additional tricks and information."
"How did you know what's inside the envelope?" Eirene asked, her voice shaking.
Rio smiled.
He leaned close and whispered into her ear,
"You didn't hear anything."
Eirene's eyes widened, she swallowed.
"What… what are you talking about?" she said weakly. "I heard nothing."
"Good girl," Rio replied.
He returned to the window, the city lights glowing beneath him. A pale green light fell across his back.
"But can I ask you something?" Eirene said hesitantly.
Rio nodded without turning.
She hesitated, then shook her head.
"No. It's nothing. I have something to do."
She left. The second the door closed, a light indigo light came on Rio's back.
"You scared her," a voice said.
Rio didn't turn.
"You told her all that," the voice continued. "Does that mean you trust her?"
"No," Rio said without hesitation. "She's just a tool."
"That's the Rio I know," the voice chuckled. "Cold-blooded. Ruthless."
Rio finally turned.
A portal had shimmered open behind him, when Eirene left , the voice coming from within.
A cold, deadly, murderous smile spread across Rio's face.
"What do you want?" Rio said.
"I can tell you something." The voice said.
Rio gestured him to continue.
"Astra." The voice said.
Rio's eyes widened in shock.
"What can you tell me about Astra?" Rio asked.
"Not to fast. In return, I want you to free me." The voice said.