At night, in Shion Lan's room, Solan Neumann came to perform the soul nourishment ritual. The atmosphere was cold beneath the darkness of the night, illuminated only by the moonlight that slipped through the window and cast its glow upon them both.
Solan placed her hand on Shion's chest, and magical energy flowed into his body. As she did so, she smiled warmly while gazing affectionately at the sleeping Shion and said,
"I wanted to tell you so many things before we went to that test, but I couldn't say anything because of your rejection… and because I hesitated. But let me say it now."
She took a deep breath and made sure through her spirits that no one was nearby before continuing,
"I am Solan Neumann. After the tragedy that befell my family, I was the last survivor. Then Aunt Lindy appeared, embraced me, and gave me her daughter's name. But because our appearances were different, she introduced me as her niece instead. And so, Sol Hart was born. I used that name to hide from the royal family, and I didn't want anyone to recognize me… well, except for you. Do you want to know why?"
She poured more magic into Shion's body and kissed his forehead again before whispering,
"Because I love you, Shion Lan."
Just as she was about to leave, a hand suddenly grabbed hers.
She panicked, turned quickly and found a pair of silver eyes staring at her calmly and quietly.
"What did you just say?" Shion asked warmly.
Solan immediately stuttered under his gaze and tried to flee, realizing she couldn't face him directly. But her hand would not move. Shion stood and approached her.
"So… you're Solan Neumann?" he asked, pretending to be surprised.
Solan could not utter a single word, but Shion continued comfortably,
"I had a feeling about it. The way you looked at me… the sincerity I felt from you in the Spirit World… I saw it every time I was with you. But I was afraid."
Shion sat on the bed and released her hand, while Solan's mind spiraled in confusion.
:Should I run or stay?! Should I run or stay?!'
But Bloom's voice pierced through her thoughts.
"Milady, this is your chance! Sit beside him!"
Even though Solan resisted internally, it was as though her body moved on its own. She approached him and sat beside him before asking softly,
"Why were you afraid?"
Shion looked at the girl clinging close to him and smiled.
"I was afraid that Sol Hart was a real person… and that you had taken her place. But I investigated everything and discovered the truth. And now you've confirmed it yourself, so what should I say…?"
He looked directly into her eyes.
"I love you too, Solan Neumann."
The moment Shion said those words, Solan's heart pounded violently with nervousness and joy, as though she had gained the entire world. Without realizing it, she leaned her head against his broad shoulder. Her face turned red, and she tried to apologize, but Shion moved first and pulled her gently closer by the waist.
Their eyes met beneath the moonlight.
"To be honest," Shion said quietly, "after I was expelled from the family, I only thought about improving myself, graduating from the academy, and living a peaceful life. But then… I inherited an art, reclaimed my noble status, and everything changed. Yet the thing that affected me the most was meeting you."
He smiled faintly.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall in love with you. But I was afraid. I couldn't confess my feelings. Now, after learning everything… I'm finally certain."
With his starry eyes he told her,
"I love you."
Then he kissed her forehead just as she had kissed his.
Solan trembled slightly in his arms, making Shion worry. But when he looked at her closely, he saw the mask separating them begin to disappear. The beautiful features of the Pure Spirit emerged—soft white strands of hair falling over blue-green eyes, pale smooth skin, and even her body gradually changing to fit more naturally within Shion's embrace.
Shion's heart pounded fiercely at the sight of her transformation.
Without another word—and without listening to the spirits that seemed to be warning her—
"Milady!"
"Wait!"
Solan ignored everything and wrapped her arms around Shion's neck. He immediately embraced her in return.
At first, Shion thought the Stellar Summet Art had numbed him to such emotions. He believed he had become distant from them. But now he realized it had merely been the influence of Shi Yun Lan's deadly aura—and that he had stopped feeling because he considered himself already dead.
But now…
He placed his hand behind her head while Solan lifted her gaze to meet his eyes.
'Turns out I was an idiot for never noticing her at all.'
In that emotionally charged atmosphere, Shion pressed his forehead gently against hers, moonlight framing them both. Their noses nearly touched, and their warm breaths intertwined. The spirits kept screaming at Solan, but she no longer paid attention. Shion didn't care anymore either.
Both of them closed their eyes and moved toward the next step—
But before they could, the door burst open.
"My dear Sol! How is—?!!!"
It was Shion's mother.
Time froze for a moment… or perhaps it felt like an eternity.
Solan's expression shifted from love-struck bliss to utter horror before her face exploded red with embarrassment. Shion himself was stunned by his mother's sudden entrance, but she quickly recovered and approached them with a smile that promised nothing good.
"Shion," she asked sweetly, "aren't you going to introduce me to the girl visiting your room at night?"
The implication behind the question was crystal clear.
Solan couldn't endure it any longer and fainted on the spot.
Shion quickly supported her and laid her gently on the bed before saying,
"I'll explain everything, Mother. But first… where's Mary?"
"I sent her to handle a few things, but that's not important right now. Who is this girl, and where is Sol?!" his mother demanded sternly.
Thinking quickly, Shion replied,
"You're looking for Sol?"
"Does it look like I'm joking?!" she snapped.
Shion pointed at the bed.
"There she is."
"..."
His mother stared silently for a moment before saying,
"I know this girl is unbelievably beautiful, and I may never see another girl like her… but Sol is still my favorite! You can't calm me down by showing me this girl!"
Shion sighed.
"Mother, it's a transformation spell based on spirits. Sol only used it to hide her identity."
She looked at him skeptically.
"And you expect me to believe that?!"
"Then wait until she wakes up and ask her yourself," Shion answered helplessly.
His mother crossed her arms.
"Fine. But assuming this girl really is Sol, why didn't you tell me you were awake?! Do you know how worried I've been?!"
Shion lowered his head apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I don't have an excuse. I simply forgot to tell you."
She continued angrily,
"And do you know how worried Marie has been too?! She's been running around nonstop trying to find a cure for you!"
Shion wisely decided not to mention that Marie already knew the truth.
Then his mother narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You little brat… are you absolutely sure this is Sol and not some innocent girl you seduced?"
Without answering, Shion silently escaped the room to wash away the sweat and tension covering him.
Meanwhile, his mother looked down at the unconscious Solan lying on Shion's bed. She couldn't help pinching her cheeks playfully. The girl was simply too beautiful and adorable.
Eventually, Solan woke up from all the cheek-pinching and immediately remembered the disastrous situation she was in upon seeing Shion's mother.
"A-A-Auntie!! H-how are you?! I haven't seen you since… a few minutes ago?!"
"So," his mother said with amusement, "are you going to tell me who you are, pretty girl?"
Only then did Solan realize she had not changed her appearance back. She sighed inwardly.
'I suppose it's fine if she knows…'
She activated her magic.
"Spirit Magic: Soul Transformation."
As the spell completed, her appearance shifted into the familiar form of Sol Hart—average beauty, red eyes, and without the comforting aura she previously carried.
Shion's mother stared in shock.
"So Shion was telling the truth! But why hide such beauty, little girl?!"
"It was to change my identity, Auntie," Solan answered softly.
"Is someone chasing you?" the mother asked suspiciously.
Solan smiled faintly.
"My family collapsed, Auntie. Aunt Lindy took me in when it happened and completely changed my identity."
"And who exactly are you?" she asked curiously.
"I'm sorry," Solan said apologetically, "but I don't want to tell anyone. I didn't even tell Shion—he discovered it on his own. So please forgive me, Auntie."
"That's fine," she replied kindly. "I understand. Even Shion's father's second wife came from a fallen family, and now she's treated terribly in the Ranus Family."
Then she suddenly narrowed her eyes again.
"Did Shion do anything to you? Tell me if he inherited some terrible habit from his father or something!"
Solan laughed warmly.
"Shion… he's the best thing that ever happened in my life. He even hesitated to accept my love because of his doubts about my identity as Sol. But the moment he realized I was the same person he already knew… he accepted me."
His mother immediately asked,
"Did he touch you or anything like that?"
The moment Solan heard the question, her face turned scarlet.
"No!!"
"You're telling me he saw your beauty and didn't try to attack you, threaten you, or anything of that sort?"
Solan shook her head quickly.
Finally reassured, his mother sighed.
"It's late, so you'll stay here tonight."
"Thank you, Aunt Rita," Solan replied gratefully.
"Oh, and by the way," his mother added casually, "you will not be sleeping in Shion's arms tonight. You'll stay in the guest rooms."
Solan blushed so intensely she felt dizzy.
Before she fainted again, Shion's mother added smugly,
"Just remember—you were already on his bed before losing your mind."
"..."
...
Later, in the palace hall, Shion waited until Marie arrived.
"Come here for a moment."
Marie didn't understand why Shion was standing there instead of resting, but she obeyed.
"First," Shion said seriously, "whatever my mother tells you about Sol or Solan—you know nothing. Understood?"
"Yes, Young Lord."
"Second, what happened with the Night Family? Did they receive my letter?"
Marie answered,
"I delivered the letters, but because they came from a newly risen third-rate noble family like ours, the Night Family may ignore them before they even reach the family head's office. Though it's possible their daughter, Violet Night, might see them."
Shion exhaled.
"And His Majesty?"
Marie smirked slightly.
"His Majesty assigned me personally to look after your affairs, so he pays attention to even the smallest details. He's definitely reading the letter right now."
Then Shion asked the important question.
"Did His Majesty learn about Sol Hart and Solan Neumann?"
Mary shook her head.
"His Majesty is interested in your achievements, not your personal life. There's no need to tell him."
Shion then revealed plainly,
"Sol is Solan."
Marie froze completely as she processed the information. Her eyes widened in shock, and Shion realized she truly had not known during the investigation—meaning she never informed King Jord Joul either.
At that moment, Shion's mother descended the stairs after spending time with Solan.
"Shion! Why didn't you tell me you had such a lovely girl in your heart?! Don't you consider me your mother anymore?!"
Shion answered awkwardly,
"I only just confessed to her today, Mother. There really wasn't anything between us before."
She smacked his shoulder immediately.
"First day together and you already bring her into your bedroom?!"
Shion, "..."
Marie, "..."