"...ca...orica..."

The voice seemed muffled, yet crystal clear.

"CLORICA!"

Startled, the drowsy girl snapped her head up. Blinking furiously, she stuttered and stumbled over her words. "I-I'm awa... I wasn't sleeping. I wasn't." Forcing back a yawn, she stared, wide-eyed, at Volkanon intently, though it stung her tired eyes.

"Hmm." The older man grunted knowingly in response, furrowing his eyebrows and staring back at her. A few seconds passed until he spoke again. "Have you been getting enough sleep, Clorica?" his voice boomed in the small room. Clorica stretched her arms up, suppressing another yawn as she felt her eyelids become heavy again.

"Of course..." she replied lazily. Her soft voice fizzled out into a soft yawn. Volkanon continued to stare as she continued to fight the urge to sleep. Her purple hair fell into her face as she began to nod off once more. But Clorica was aware she was being watched very closely by her mentor. She squeezed her eyes shut, scrunching up her face as she tried to keep herself awake.

"Then why must you always be so tired." Volkanon rumbled, his voice loud enough to startle Clorica again. "I fear you have been cursed."

Clorica shot up in her seat. "A-a curse? Wha-"

Volkanon interrupted her.

"Much like the tale of Sleeping Beauty. I worry that you might follow the same fate." and with that, his shoulders shook and his tears flowed as his emotions took brief control. He bawled and bawled as Clorica looked on, bewildered.

"What?" she was confused to say the least. "Mr. Volkanon, why would you think I'm cursed? That's rather silly of you." She started to giggle childishly.

Immediately, Volkanon's tears stopped and he composed himself.

"Maybe so, young Clorica. But I am a man of unreasonable worry," he began to chuckle himself as he thought more about it. "I just can't think of any explanation why you would be sleeping so much all of the time."

Clorica yawned. "Me neither."

Then she cocked her head, her mind ticking as the conversation caught up to her. "Sleeping Beauty, huh? Do you think I'm beautiful, Volkanon?" She beamed at him, laughter welling up in her stomach. Volkanon brushed off his shoulder thoughtfully.

"Well, of course. I think you are many things, Clorica. But," he fixed his gaze on her again, giving her a stern look, "you need to stop falling asleep so easily. A reliable butler is an alert one."

Clorica nodded sleepily in understanding. "I'll try my best..."

"I can't help worrying about you. You're like a daughter to me... and Vishnal like a son." Volkanon began to sniffle again as his face softened. "I just want you to both be successful... WAAAAAH!" His tears began pouring again as he let his emotions get the best of him. Clorica smiled affectionately, her brow furrowed.

"I understand. I'll try to not sleep as much."

Volkanon quickly composed himself again, patting his eyes dry with a white handkerchief. "I'm very glad to hear it, Miss Clorica. Now," he moved swiftly to the doorway and held the door open, turning back to face the young woman. "There is work we need to do. After all, there's a festival tomorrow!"

Clorica laughed and bounced up from her chair, feeling a little more energised now. She passed by Volkanon at the door, and he followed after locking the door to the office behind them. They walked out into the town square to begin the preparations, and hopefully... Clorica wouldn't fall asleep this time.

A/N: Hi to anyone who remembers me from my other stories. It's been a while. I kinda don't write stories anymore, but I have a bunch of headcanons for this game that I might write stories for. In terms of my other stories, they won't be finished. It's just been so long since I even looked at them that I don't think I could now. Sorry about that. I'll update this whenever I have new stories done. Another will be added soon.

Apart from this, there won't be any other uploads from me, sorry if this disappoints anyone. I have just found new passions in life that I enjoy so much more.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this and look forward to the next one lol