Morning sunlight filtered gently through the curtains, spilling pale gold across Kael's room. His eyes opened slowly, breath steady — no nightmares clawed him awake this time.
Robert was already there, standing straight like a soldier in prayer, a tray in his hands.
"Good morning, Young Master. It seems you woke up rather late today..."
His voice was light — relieved, even. He placed a steaming cup in front of Kael.
"Did you sleep well? I… feared yesterday's revelation would trouble your rest."
Kael stared at the rising steam for a while before getting up and settling at the table. Robert watched him closely — anxious, hopeful.
Kael said nothing, only sipped the coffee. That alone was enough to answer enough.
Robert, sensing the quiet mood, smiled faintly and served breakfast.
"Will you train today, Young Master? The sun's already high — unusual for you."
Kael's gaze drifted to the terrace. He remembered last night — the soft light in Elric's room, the way her eyes flickered with something raw when she'd seen Iris holding him. Something he didn't understand then… something that lingered now.
His chest tightened strangely.
"Is Elric still in the courtyard?"
Robert blinked, startled. Kael rarely asked for anyone first thing in the morning — especially not with such quiet urgency.
"At this hour, she is most likely in her office. But she may be training with His Majesty today. Shall we go check?"
Kael rose without answering, moving toward his wardrobe.
Robert sighed softly — but his expression warmed.
The first time he asked for Lady Elric…
She must have settled into his heart before Kael realized it.
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Elric stood amidst circling guards, the crisp air lifting strands of silver hair from her face. She watched the soldiers spar, yet her eyes were distant — sharp gaze softened, shadowed.
Her thoughts betrayed her.
That moment last night — Kael clinging to Iris in weakness, accepting comfort…
It shouldn't have cut so deeply.
But it had.
Because a part of her feared — what if he remembers Iris more than her?
She clenched her jaw, steadying her breath.
Ridiculous. It doesn't matter. He's safe — that is enough.
Or so she told herself.
"Thinking too hard this early in the morning, Elric?"
Reinhardt's voice drifted in. She stiffened, nearly flinching.
He approached lazily, donning a teasing half-smile and carrying his sword like it weighed nothing.
"Kael's sleeping in, I presume. I thought I'd steal a morning spar."
Elric kept her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"He fainted yesterday. Let him rest."
Her tone — clipped, colder than usual.
Reinhardt raised a brow, interest piqued.
"You look… tense. Something wrong? You rarely glare at me unless it's serious."
Elric's eyes flashed, then she turned away sharply.
"It's nothing. Just one of those days."
Reinhardt snorted, unconvinced.
"Mm. Or perhaps… someone feeling possessive?"
Her shoulders jolted.
He leaned closer with a sly grin.
"Iris holds him like a little brother. Nothing more. Jealousy doesn't suit you, Elric."
Elric's heart thudded. She scowled, cheeks heating despite her iron discipline.
"Do not assume anything. I have no time for foolish emotions."
Reinhardt only smirked — having read her as easily as turning a page.
He shifted the conversation, retrieving his pride.
"How is his progress? I expect you'll have him ready soon — the court won't wait."
Elric's composure returned slowly.
"He is learning. His body is slow to recover, but his will hasn't broken. Yesterday, he jogged alone."
Reinhardt's eyes softened at that, though he disguised it with a cough.
They discussed strategy — Demon Cult movement, border defense. The air drew tight as battle crept back into their words.
"They're hunting power. And Kael's survival changed their plans," Reinhardt warned. "North Gate may be next."
Elric's sword hand twitched.
"I'll fortify defenses. They won't touch my territory."
Their voices fell quiet then — until footsteps echoed against stone.
Elric's head snapped toward the entrance instinctively — heart rising in her chest before she could control it.
Her expression brightened—then froze.
Kael walked toward them.
Beside him… Iris.
They walked side by side, quietly, like something unspoken had settled between them during the morning.
Kael's pale hair caught the sun, Iris' red ribbon trailing behind her. They looked… peaceful. Familiar.
A sharp ache bloomed beneath Elric's breastbone — quiet, ugly, raw.
She masked it instantly, jaw tightening, hands curling at her sides.
Reinhardt chuckled low under his breath.
"And here comes the storm," he murmured.
Elric didn't respond. Her smile rose — perfectly composed.
But her eyes burned like frost.
He came looking for me… but walked beside her.
Her heart whispered the thought she refused to voice.
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The day passed slower than usual. The sunlight felt dimmer, the air heavier.
Kael noticed it immediately — Elric's coldness.
She no longer stood close to him. She no longer brushed his hair aside when he struggled to focus, nor reached for his hand as she used to. She smiled when he looked her way, but it was a faint, empty smile that never touched her eyes.
Something between them had shifted.
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That morning, Iris and Reinhardt began his new lesson — magic.
"Let's try something different today," Iris said, her tone bright and patient. "A simple shield spell. It's less about strength, and more about balance."
Kael nodded slightly, sitting across from her as Robert and Elric stood at a distance. His hands trembled faintly as he concentrated. The air shimmered between his palms, a faint layer of light forming — weak, unstable, flickering like candle flame.
"Good," Iris smiled, moving closer. "Focus on your breathing. Don't rush it. Mana isn't power — it's rhythm."
Robert, standing nearby, added gently, "Unlike swordplay, mana needs calmness, not strength. Try to let it flow rather than force it."
Kael tried again. The glow brightened for a moment, then shattered like glass. His breath hitched. Sweat rolled down his temples.
Robert chuckled softly, handing him a towel. "You're doing fine, young master. It's better than my first attempt."
Kael lowered his eyes and nodded, expression unreadable.
Elric stood farther away, arms crossed, silent. Her eyes lingered on Kael — watching, yet distant. She didn't move closer. She didn't offer a word.
Her silence was colder than reprimand.
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By evening, the lesson was over. The courtyard dimmed beneath the orange sky.
Reinhardt and Iris prepared to leave, their departure marked by the faint hum of Iris's teleportation magic.
Iris smiled kindly, stepping toward Kael. She reached for his hand, squeezing it softly.
"Take care of yourself, Kael. I hope to see you again — soon, at the court."
Her touch was light, gentle. Kael simply nodded. Reinhardt gave one last look — a half-smile mixed with pride and quiet worry — before stepping into the portal with Iris.
The light faded, leaving silence behind.
Elric was the first to turn back toward the mansion. Her face was unreadable.
Robert glanced at Kael, then spoke softly. "Let's go in, young master. You need rest."
Kael followed without a word, though his eyes lingered on the place where Elric had stood.
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Night fell quietly.
Robert had long left the room after making sure Kael had eaten and rested. Yet Kael lay awake, eyes fixed on the ceiling, thoughts stirring.
Elric's coldness that day haunted him more than any nightmare. The way her eyes avoided his… the distance in her smile…
He turned to his side, restless. After a few more minutes of silence, he sat up and quietly left the bed.
The hallway was dark, only moonlight slipping through tall windows. His steps were light, careful — he didn't want to wake anyone.
He wanted to find her.
But after walking halfway through the corridor, he stopped.
He realized he didn't know where her room was.
A faint sigh escaped his lips. For all this time living under the same roof, he still didn't know the little things about her — her habits, her favorite place to stand, the sound of her laughter.
He felt… foolish.
Still, something in him wanted to see her tonight — to ask if he had done something wrong.
He turned to head back to his room when the view outside the window caught his eyes.
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The garden glowed under the moonlight, silvery dew glistening on the petals of the lilies. A figure stood among them — graceful, still, familiar.
Elric.
Without thinking, Kael made his way downstairs. The soft chill of the night greeted him as he stepped into the garden.
Elric stood by the fountain, her silver hair catching the moonlight like threads of light. She wore a simple white blouse and dark trousers, her sword absent — for once, she looked… human. Tired. Vulnerable.
She didn't hear him approach. Her eyes were fixed on the flowers before her, their faint fragrance drifting with the night wind.
Her thoughts were far away.
She hated herself for losing composure earlier — for letting envy, of all things, take root in her chest. She was a soldier, a commander — not a woman easily shaken. And yet… every time Kael's gaze lingered elsewhere, her heart faltered.
Her jaw tightened. She let out a slow breath, staring at the moon's reflection on the fountain water.
You're pathetic, Elric.
He needs comfort, not your jealousy.
A soft tug on her sleeve made her flinch.
She turned sharply—
"Kael?"
He stood behind her, barefoot on the cold stones, his eyes unreadable beneath the pale light.
"You should be resting," she said softly, worrying slipping into her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Her heart pounded as she took a step closer, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. His skin was cool against her fingertips.
He looked at her — no words, just a quiet gaze that pierced through her walls.
She noticed the faint tremor in his hand still gripping her sleeve. He wanted to ask her something — she could see it in his eyes — but the words refused to come.
She sighed quietly, the corner of her lips softening.
"Are you still tired?" she whispered. "Let's go back to your room. You need sleep."
He shook his head — small, deliberate.
Elric blinked, caught off guard. The refusal was gentle but firm.
For the first time that day, her smile became real.
Her shoulders relaxed, eyes softening under the moonlight.
"…Then," she said after a quiet pause, "would you like to take a walk with me?"
Kael didn't move, but after a second, he nodded slightly.
The night breeze stirred the garden as they began to walk side by side — two quiet figures beneath the pale light, their shadows brushing against one another, neither daring to speak first.
The moon watched silently as the distance between them slowly — painfully — began to fade.