“One moment.” Friya closed the door and made sure that the Hush enchantment of the Ernas’ apartments was at full power. “It’s not a personal matter, but it’s very sensitive, and I’m afraid of how you might react.

“Please, don’t be mad at me. I never meant to deceive you or keep this a secret from you for so long.” She gave her parents a deep bow, her voice cracking. “After what happened to Phloria and the Gernoff coming after you, you already had too much on your plate.

“I didn’t want you to-”

“It’s okay, child.” Jirni stopped Friya before she burst into tears. “I’m not angry with you, and I promise I won’t hurt you as long as you tell me who you are and where my real daughter is.”

The person who looked like Friya froze at those words, while Orion’s eyes flared up with mana to activate Life Vision.

He needed but a glance to notice that even though the life force of the person in front of him was a perfect replica of his daughter’s, down to the Hydra’s blood running through her veins, their energy signatures were different.

“How did you know?” The Friya-thing’s voice became cold, and its eyes reabsorbed the tears. “I have copied your daughter’s appearance down to the smallest details. There should be no way of telling us apart without using mystical means of detection.”