High in the sky, the massive dragon descended toward Horobi's house. Soldiers outside spotted it immediately.
"ABYSS..."
"My lady! Young Master has returned!" the soldier called to Mio through the door.
Abyss landed gracefully. Mio and Liora rushed out just as Horobi dismounted.
Mio's eyes lit up at Horobi.
"Finally, you're back."
Then her gaze shifted behind him—to Mahi.
"What?! Horobi... that's Mahi, right? What's she doing here with you?!"
"It's a long story, Mio. I'll explain later."
Liora stepped forward, arms crossed. "No. Explain now. What's going on? Why did you bring her home?"
Mahi quietly stepped behind Horobi, gripping his sleeve nervously.
"Please... don't blame Horobi because of me. It's all my fault."
"No, Mahi—it's not. Mio, Liora, just hear me out."
"You stay quiet, Horobi," Mio snapped.
"You brought her today—tomorrow another girl? I didn't expect this from you."
"Mio, listen—"
"Enough. Both of you shut up. Let's go inside first. It's late. We'll talk tomorrow."
Mio finally relented. Horobi felt awful seeing her so upset.
Inside, Horobi stopped them immediately. "Wait. Hear the whole story first. What happened?"
Mio crossed her arms. "Fine. I know Geri was marrying Mahi. You should've punished him, protected her from afar—not brought her home."
Horobi knelt in front of Mio, looking up earnestly. "Sorry, Mio. I never wanted to hurt you. But the situation was dire."
He explained everything—the forced wedding, the slap, Mahi's lie about pregnancy, Geri's threats. How no one would protect her after he left. Every eye in the village leered at her. How could he abandon her?
"Please... let her stay. I'm begging you."
Mio fell silent. I made him beg—the person I love most, who'd die for me. And now I'm rejecting this for what?
Liora spoke softly. "Horobi, I didn't mean... sorry. I didn't know Mahi felt this way about you too."
Mahi tried to speak. "He saved... he saved me. Forgive me for coming between you. But I can't forget Horobi. I'll prove I can be his wife too."
Mio finally broke the silence. "If you really love Horobi… prove it with time."
"Yes! I'll show you, Mio."
Horobi sighed. "Why take this so seriously, you three?"
Mio glared. "Quiet, Horobi."
My life keeps getting more complicated.
"Fine… if Horobi wants it, you can stay."
A pause.
"But that doesn't mean I like you."
Mahi nodded quietly. "That's okay."
Liora stepped in calmly. "Let's cool down for tonight. Figure it out later."
Horobi thought, That was... easier than expected.
Mio eyed Mahi. "Just remember one thing."
"Horobi is mine."
Mahi met her gaze steadily. "We'll see."
After dinner, Liora showed Mahi to the guest room.
"Here, Mahi. Stay in the guest room
tonight. You'll get your own tomorrow—
your arrival was unexpected."
"No problem. Thanks for the room."
Liora hugged her. "Don't worry. Mio doesn't hate you—she's just shocked. Mio and I fought at first too. Now we're best friends. She'll accept you soon."
"Hmm! Thanks! So... you met Horobi after Mio?"
"Yeah. Long story. Come, sit."
The guest room was spacious.
"Yep. First met Horobi at the academy. Heard he'd caused a huge scene in tests. Went to him, and we became friends. But one day, heading home, he followed me."
"I lived alone in a forest cave. No idea where my family went. Struggling badly. But..."
"That day changed everything. Horobi entered my life. Offered me a place here. Mio wasn't thrilled at first... but she became my best friend."
"Really? Mio healed me too. I get it—if someone took Horobi from me, I'd feel the same."
"Hmm! Good—you're shy, innocent, and understanding."
"Ahh! That's me."
"Anyway, goodnight. And hey—make Horobi something special tomorrow morning. It'll shock Mio. You'll get your chance."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It'll be fun. Goodnight."
"Goodnight! And Thanks, Liora."
Liora headed to her room but noticed Mio's door ajar. She peeked in. "What happened, Mio? Why so down?"
Mio looked down. "What if he gets mad at me? I said too much. I forced my way into his life and troubled him. Even snapped at poor Mahi."
"Hmm! Hahaha! Is this Mio? You get sad too?"
"What's so funny?"
"You're overthinking. Everything's fine—just a new family member."
"You're right. She's serious about Horobi. Like me. She wants him too. So I'll accept her."
"Like us, huh? And yeah, she's sweet. If Horobi hadn't brought her, where would she go? Not safe out there."
"She's cuter than you too—bet Horobi's heart melted."
"Hmm? What? I'm not cute? Wait—she's cuter than me? Admit it."
"Yeah, but Horobi's only mine."
"No, mine too."
"No, only mine."
"Okay okay, all three of ours."
"All three?"
"Yeah, all three."
"Fine. Goodnight! staying in your room tonight, Mio?"
"Yes! Why?"
"So Horobi and I are alone tonight."
"No way!"
"You chopped your own foot with that axe. Bye-bye, Mio."
"Wait—no, go to your own room!"
Mio tried stopping her, but Liora dashed to Horobi's room.
Horobi was still inside. "Come in, Liora."
Liora jumped onto the bed, knocking Horobi down and straddling him. She hugged tight.
"What are you doing—Liora?!"
"Shh! Quiet. You know what you did tonight?"
"Yeah. Mio's upset because of me. But I couldn't leave Mahi alone. I... care about her."
"Care? Say it."
"It's nothing."
"Say it, Horobi. Do you care about me?
What?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Hmm, thought so. I love her too. I love all of you."
"Right. Now listen—you didn't tell us about her first. It's punishment time."
"What? What punishment?"
"Our second kiss. And more."
"Oh come on, Liora."
"What? You..." Horobi pulled her close. Liora stared into his eyes. They drew inches apart.
They kissed deeply. After, Horobi apologized, promising never to upset anyone again.
"Good. You get it. No more girls after Mahi. Oh—and I have good news for you."
"What news?"
"I talked to Mio and Mahi."
"Oh?"
"They're ready to accept each other. Might take time."
"And you?"
"Me? No issue. Even if there was... not anymore."
"Why?"
"Because tonight I got my second kiss. Second time. Mio got the first kiss, but I'm closer now."
"Enough already."
Liora grabbed his cheeks, leaning in again. "Sleep now, Horobi. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Next morning, Mio stared at the breakfast table in shock. "Breakfast ready? Who made this?"
Liora teased. "Whoever did it, it's amazing. Best food ever—better than your tasteless stuff."
"So you could've asked her before. Why make me cook?"
"Because I can't. Thanks, Mahi—first good meal. Otherwise, Mio's bland food forever.
You'll make a great wife."
"Really? A good wife?"
"Hmm."
"Stop dreaming." Mio tasted it reluctantly. Damn, it's actually good. But she hid it.
After breakfast, Horobi approached Mahi.
"Good, Mahi. We're heading out now. Take care, okay?"
"Okay!"
Horobi patted her head gently.
Mio sidled up, tilting her head expectantly.
He skipped her. Liora burst out laughing atop Mio's head pat. Liora's face flushed pink; she puffed her cheeks.
"I'm not a kid, okay?"
"Sorry—thought you wanted it too."
"I did! But in front of everyone, it's weird."
"Oh. Anyway, we're late. Gotta go."
"Yeah, bye Mahi. See you in the evening."
"Bye, Horobi, Liora... Bye, Mio."
Mahi's Revelation
Alone at home, a servant approached. "Miss Mahi, need anything?"
Mahi jumped at the voice. "Who are you?!"
"Forgive me, madam—I scared you."
"No problem. What is it?"
"Just checking if you need anything."
"No, thanks." Horobi's hiding something. Huge house, servants... village officials called him Young Master. Soldiers obeyed instantly. Who is he?
"Wait."
"Yes, madam?"
"Can you tell me who Horobi really is? Servants, soldiers... why do they call him Young Master?"
The servant blinked. "You're joking, Miss Mahi? You don't know who the young Master is? He is the next Enma Clan leader?"
Mahi froze. "Enma Clan?!"
"Yes, ma'am. Enma Clan rules nearly half the state. Lord Chem leads it—Master's father. He's been strong from the start. Now A-rank."
"A-rank?! Our village barely gets D-rank!" Mahi gets a little shocked.
After few hours---
Horobi returned home. Mahi waited, beaming. "Horobi! Welcome back." She leaned closer shyly.
Mio spotted it from the door. "Mahi."
"Yes?"
Mio's cold smile. "Keep some distance."
Mahi quietly. "Sorry... but I love him."
Silence hung heavy.
Liora sighed. "Looks like our household
just got more interesting."
Mio murdered "Or more annoying."
Mahi, determined "I won't give up."
"…Why is this happening to me?"