Celina walked through the quiet halls of Vlad's castle, her boots echoing against the floors. The adoption papers were still warm in her hands, freshly signed and sealed with Aetherius's crest.
Five months. That's how long she'd waited.
Not because she was bound by anything— but because of the new dungeon that spawned. It got everyone in the dungeon preparing for a fight or war. They were all secretly praying to a god, hoping that the new dungeon wouldn't connect to Lost City.
Celina pushed open the door to the office and found Vlad seated in his usual chair, sipping blood wine with a book lazily opened in one hand.
"You're back," he said without looking up.
Celina held up the scroll. "Signed. Stamped. Filed. You're officially my father, old man."
Vlad finally looked at her, his crimson eyes unreadable—but a hint of pride glinted in them.
"It's about time. I've been itching to spoil a daughter."
"I'm not the spoiling type, Daddy", she muttered, crossing the room.
