"Really?" Alaric shot back, smiling at Roselle as if ready to whip out a lifetime labor contract if he nodded.
"Uh…" Roselle gave an awkward chuckle, lowering his voice. "You don't take everything so literally, right? It's just a figure of speech…"
"Hmph!" Alaric let out a knowing scoff, unfazed. He'd long known Roselle wasn't the type to work for anyone forever.
No matter. Alaric was confident he could keep Roselle in line while he needed him. Once he didn't, Roselle could retire for all he cared.
He wasn't some demon, after all.
Alaric turned to Bornova, extending a hand with a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lucifer, or you can call me Helel."
"…I know who you are." Bornova said, his blue eyes meeting Alaric's without much surprise. Calmly, he asked, "Are you with the Church of the Evernight?"
"Strictly speaking, I'm a collaborator with the Evernight Goddess." Alaric said, smiling. "But that's not important now. Before we get to business, let's talk about you."
"Bornova…" Alaric paused, then continued, "You're happy because you're reunited with your father, aren't you?"
Bornova didn't react immediately, but Roselle's eyes widened, scanning his son up and down. He muttered, "How can you tell he's happy?"
Alaric glanced at him. "Want to take over?"
"Uh, sorry, I'll shut up!" Roselle laughed sheepishly, mimicking zipping his lips.
Alaric ignored him, focusing back on Bornova.
Unfazed by the interruption, Bornova paused, seeming to ponder. After a few seconds, he nodded. "I am somewhat happy. I'm not sure why, but it's likely related to my father."
Roselle's eyes lit up, his mood visibly lifting.
Alaric smiled, pressing on. "You say you don't have love, so why does reuniting with your father make you happy?"
Bornova froze, his expression flickering with confusion before settling into thought. "Though the Lord parted ways with my father, I know He always hoped for his return. That may be why I'm happy."
Roselle's cheerful expression stiffened, and it was clear only Alaric's presence kept him from snapping.
"Fair point." Alaric said, nodding as if agreeing. Then, he suddenly pointed at Bornova's sleeve. "Then why did you embroider the word 'Home' in variant script on your clothes?"
Bornova looked down at his sleeve, where two golden, stylized words were stitched. He touched the embroidery, then looked at Alaric. "I don't know. I just did it instinctively."
Bornova didn't know the word's meaning, only that it was significant to his father. Sometimes, he'd place it where he could see it, unaware of why it mattered.
"How pitiful." Alaric sighed, his gaze softening with a trace of compassion. "Your heart weeps for all he's lost, yet you're oblivious to it."
Bornova's calm facade wavered. He pursed his lips, instinctively retorting, "I'm not."
"Not?" Alaric didn't mind his denial. He shifted gears. "Your father hasn't truly resurrected. He hasn't even fully escaped the Mother Goddess of Depravity's corruption. He came to see you because this might be his last chance."
"You're about to lose him for good, Bornova."
Roselle froze, then caught on to Alaric's ploy. He played along, giving Bornova a look of regret and sorrow.
Bornova stiffened, his brow furrowing without him realizing. He turned to Roselle, seeking confirmation. Meeting his father's mournful gaze, a wave of confusion hit him.
Was he… losing his father again?
"Look, your heart's crying again." Alaric said, watching him. "You could claim it's for your Lord, but we both know that's a lie."
Bornova pressed his lips together, wanting to argue but finding no words.
"Bornova, do you want to hear your heart's voice?" Alaric asked suddenly.
"What?" Bornova looked at him, puzzled.
"I have an ability to amplify emotions…" Alaric briefly explained the Persona Mask, smiling. "Would you like to try it?"
Bornova listened quietly, then said, "I don't need to amplify my emotions. I'm fine as I am, and I don't trust you."
Alaric chuckled, unhurried. "What if I said that if you wear it, I could save your father?"
Bornova hesitated, clearly wavering, then seemed to realize something. "You're lying. I don't know how, but my father's working for you. You even want him to work for you forever. If he's about to die, that makes no sense."
"Very clever." Alaric said, unfazed by the exposed lie, his smile widening. He pointed at Bornova's mouth. "See? You're smiling. You're happy it's a lie."
Bornova touched his lips, feeling the slight upward curve.
He was smiling.
Why was he smiling?
He felt a surge of confusion.
Alaric continued softly, "Admit it, Bornova. You love your father, just as he loves you."
Bornova opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.
"I know you think there's no need to change." Alaric went on. "Your case is trickier than Azik's. At least he had a drive to save himself. You don't even have that."
***
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