Every gift from heaven comes with its price, though it's hidden when received.
…
"All set," Lucien said. "The oath is drafted. Please review it, Lord Tohsaka. If there are no objections, we can sign immediately."
Having prepared beforehand, he worked swiftly and completed the contract within ten minutes after Tokiomi handed him the parchment.
Now, the sheet was full of tightly written Latin text inscribed in mercury ink. Lucien slid it across the table.
Tokiomi examined it carefully, astonished by the young man's efficiency, but reminding himself that forethought was only expected from one who had made this journey deliberately.
His eyes scanned the cramped Latin characters. Among magi, formal contracts were always drafted in Latin or French - languages strict enough to prevent ambiguities or loopholes. English or Japanese simply wouldn't do; too many definitions varied by context.
For historical and symbolic reasons, Latin was the norm among the noble houses; it conveyed prestige, culture, and control.
Lucien had even prepared for this detail. Before coming here, he had a family retainer fluent in Latin teach him how to compose a proper contract from a template.
As for whether Tokiomi could read it, Lucien felt no concern at all. A man so proudly aristocratic would certainly be fluent.
And indeed, things unfolded just as Lucien had foreseen. After carefully scrutinising the magical covenant several times over, weighing every phrase and clause but finding no flaws within it, Tohsaka Tokiomi's once rigid expression gradually softened.
Just as Lucien promised, everything about the contract was perfectly clear. No matter how he examined it, there were no hidden traps or ambiguities.
The content of the covenant stated:
"As the adopter, Lucien Crowley, representing the Crowley family, shall take in Tohsaka Sakura as an adopted daughter. Sakura will inherit the family's magical Crest and be guided along the path of magecraft. From this moment onward, the Tohsaka family shall no longer have any authority or right to interfere, nor shall they, under the guise of kinship, attempt to influence or act in a manner that could harm the interests of the Crowley family. Furthermore, the covenant emphasises that as long as Lucien does not appoint another successor midway, Tokiomi Tohsaka shall have no right to reclaim custody of Sakura."
From every angle, the covenant was impeccably worded. It not only provided assurance but also allowed an escape clause. If Lucien ever broke the pact or appointed another heir, Tokiomi could legally reclaim his daughter's custody. It was a fair and clean arrangement.
Once he confirmed every detail, Tokiomi no longer hesitated. He pricked his finger and pressed his blood onto the designated spot, signing his name before returning the parchment to Lucien.
"No issues, Lord Crowley. Let us seal it."
"I understand," Lucien replied calmly.
He retrieved a small blade from his pocket, cut his finger, and pressed his bloody fingerprint alongside his signature on the parchment.
When both signatures were complete, a surge of invisible power wove through the air, touching their bodies like a silent brand. The contract had become absolute - it was now in force.
Feeling the mystical pull binding them, realization struck them both. It was done.
Tokiomi's expression softened into genuine relief.
It's settled... all of it's finally settled!
Now his younger daughter could grow in a proper environment, develop her gifts freely, and pursue the mysteries of magecraft without restraint.
For a father, there could be no greater comfort than this knowledge.
His gaze toward Lucien grew warmer. Every detail... Lucien's demeanour, his patience, even the advantageous terms of the covenant spoke of genuine sincerity. To Tokiomi, he was a man of rare honour; truly befitting a noble of the Clock Tower.
Lucien, however, saw none of this as virtue.
Sincerity? he mused silently. No gift from heaven comes without a price. Sometimes, the bait that tastes sweetest is the poison that dulls your guard.
Tokiomi, you fool… your daughter I shall take under my wing... but as for you, you'd best worry about surviving the war that is yet to come.
With vastly different intentions masked by identical smiles, the two men clasped hands.
"So, the covenant is officially sealed," Lucien said lightly. "Now, shall we discuss the formal process of adoption?"
"Of course," Tokiomi answered with energy. "From this moment forth, Sakura is under your guardianship. Under your guidance, Lord Crowley, I believe she will bloom to her fullest potential... and walk happily upon the path to truth."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Certainly. But before that, could you accompany me to meet Sakura? I fear she might be uneasy with a stranger claiming to adopt her."
"Naturally," Tokiomi replied without hesitation. "A child's petty resistance is irrelevant compared to the pursuit of truth. In time, she will understand."
To him, emotions were secondary to purpose. Not once did he ask what Sakura's mother thought of this.
Magi, Lucien thought quietly, are truly monsters wearing human skin - walking aberrations with values that disgust the sane.
…
Not long after, before the Tohsaka estate's front gate.
Aoi Tohsaka looked at her daughter with eyes full of sorrow. She knelt, brushing Sakura's cheek with trembling fingers, every motion steeped in maternal love and reluctance.
Yet beside her stood Tokiomi, whose demeanor was the complete opposite. Smiling and proud, he spoke fervently with Lucien about ideals and magecraft, his tone brimming with satisfaction. His wife's grief barely registered to him. To Tokiomi, such sentimentality was trivial. He truly believed that by doing this, he was securing his daughter's rightful future.
Even if, as a father, handing her away carved something hollow inside him—he saw it as necessary, even noble.
"Father, are you really giving my sister to someone else?!"
Rin's voice cried out from behind them. She had dashed barefoot into the snow, hair dishevelled, eyes wide with disbelief.
Tokiomi did not respond. Nor did he scold her insolence. He merely gestured for Aoi to bring her back inside.
Meanwhile, little Sakura tilted her head, confusion shadowing her innocent face. Her voice was soft and thin.
"So… if I'm going to be adopted… does that mean Papa and Mama don't want Sakura anymore?"
"Sakura!"
The words stunned everyone. Rin froze mid-step. Even Tokiomi's carefully controlled expression wavered for the first time.
"Sakura," Aoi said quickly, before her husband could react. "Don't say that. Your father isn't abandoning you. He's sending you somewhere better, where you can learn and live freely."
Her tone trembled with affection and grief alike. She knew the truth, though, this day was inevitable. Even if Lucien hadn't appeared, Tokiomi would have eventually sent Sakura away: perhaps to the Matou family of Fuyuki, or to the distant Edelfelt magi in Finland. Either way, goodbye was bound to come.
"Sakura~!"
Taking advantage of her mother's distraction, Rin pulled free from Aoi's grasp and rushed forward, planting herself in front of her trembling sister.
Though she didn't fully understand, she knew at least this much: she couldn't let her sister be taken by a stranger.
She clutched Sakura's small wrist tightly, shielding her with her own tiny frame. Her glare toward Lucien was sharp and spiteful beyond her years.
Lucien could only sigh at the sight.
Her reaction was perfectly natural. She couldn't possibly know that his intervention was, in truth, the only reason she and Sakura would both survive in this world.
"Rin! Stop this nonsense and step aside!"
Tokiomi's voice barked across the yard... but before he could drag them apart, Lucien spoke gently.
"I understand, Lord Tohsaka. They are sisters, after all. It's only natural they'd be upset. Still... there's no need for despair."
He looked at Aoi and the two girls, softening his tone. "As it happens, I'll be staying in Fuyuki for some time. If Mrs Tohsaka or young Miss Rin wish to visit Sakura during that period, you're welcome to. I would never deny family their moments of reunion."
Tokiomi blinked in surprise, while Aoi's tear-filled eyes brightened a little.
"Truly?" she asked softly.
"Of course," Lucien said with an easy nod, turning toward Rin and Sakura with a reassuring smile. "What do you two think?"
The hostility in Rin's eyes wavered. Her disbelief softened into confusion... and faint hope.
She's only a child, Lucien thought quietly.
Then Sakura lifted her gaze timidly.
"Then… um… will I still be able to play with my sister sometimes?"
"Naturally," Lucien said kindly. "You will."
"Really? Thank you, big brother."
Her face lit up with fragile warmth. Tears glimmered in both sisters' eyes as they hugged tightly, whispering silent goodbyes.
Lucien looked on and exhaled thoughtfully. Then, turning toward Tokiomi once more, he said, "Then, Lord Tohsaka, I will trouble you for your hospitality while I remain in Fuyuki."
"Of course," Tokiomi replied courteously. "May I ask, though, what business keeps you in Japan?"
"Well, aside from adopting Sakura, I have a few acquaintances I plan to visit. It may take a little while."
"I see."
Tokiomi nodded, subtly glancing at Lucien's right hand. Upon confirming there were no glowing Command Spells carved into it, he let out a silent breath of relief.
"I understand. Then I wish you success in your endeavours, Lord Crowley. As long as you're in Fuyuki, you are welcome at the Tohsaka house anytime."
"I'm grateful for your generosity," Lucien said politely. "But it's growing late, I'll be taking Sakura with me now."
"Of course."
Tokiomi smiled with composed grace.
Before leaving, Lucien produced two business cards and handed them to Tokiomi and Aoi. The address written upon them read: Hyatt Hotel, Fuyuki City – Temporary Workshop of the Crowley Family.
"This is where I'll be staying for the time being," he said.
"I'll be sure to call upon you," Tokiomi replied with his usual elegant smile.
Aoi knelt before her daughter once more. "Sakura… be good. Don't cause trouble for your big brother. Even without Mama by your side, promise to stay healthy and happy, alright?"
"I will, Mama," Sakura whispered, nodding. Rin clung to her tightly from behind.
Their final embrace was wordless yet full of warmth - a fragile bond defying the winter chill.
And as the snow began to clear, Lucien clasped Sakura's small hand and led her toward the waiting car.
Under the watchful gazes of the Tohsaka family, the vehicle's taillights faded into the distance, growing smaller against the pale horizon until nothing remained.
Standing in the snow, Tokiomi closed his eyes, breathing out a long sigh.
"May our ancestors bless her," he murmured. "I believe the descendants of House Tohsaka will find their true happiness…"
(Chapter End)