The moon climbed higher into the sky, its bright light draping the city of Aurathis like a grand curtain over a magnificent stage, with Altheria Castle standing as the highest peak above all corners of the city.

  Yet behind every grandeur, countless hidden agendas always linger, adding to the charm of the city itself.

  “Could you walk a little faster?!”

  “My apologies for my discourtesy, Lady Mira. However, I’m afraid Lady Mira’s eyesight might not be in the best condition right now,” said Valoric, who was currently carrying Yoei—now lost in a daze.

  “Besides, why must we pass through such a narrow alley, oh knight with a noble heart?” asked Mira.

  “For the sake of both our reputations, Lady Mira. I don’t want people to think strange things after seeing me walking alone with a woman—”

  “AHAHAHAHA,” Mira’s ugh cut Valoric’s sentence in half.

  “Walking with a woman, you say? So you never considered that lump of flesh you’re carrying as someone, huh?” Mira asked, leaning slightly toward him.

  Valoric could only exhale heavily after hearing such cruel words. One of his eyelids twitched—whether out of exhaustion from Mira’s behavior or simply from pretending too much.

  “That’s not what I meant…”

  “I was once reported by someone just because I happened to walk beside a female merchant who was passing through the western forest,” he paused for a moment, a faint smile forming on his face—one that seemed to carry the weight of the entire world.

  “Then when I came home, my wife scolded me endlessly and I ended up sleeping in the stables for a whole week.”

  “So that means you won’t get scolded if you’re caught carrying a woman, is that it?” asked Mira.

  Right before Valoric could answer, the sound of other knights’ footsteps echoed like a rolling thunder. Quickly, the two of them searched for a temporary hiding pce—but ended up choosing the exact same spot.

  The squad of knights marched in perfect rhythm, even their conversations drifting smoothly through the air, making it easy to hear what they were discussing.

  Among the countless words, it seemed they were focusing on King Rowan’s arrival and what strategies would most effectively secure the city of Aurathis.

  Strangely, none of them checked the hiding pce where Valoric and Mira remained cloaked in darkness.

  “As for your earlier question, it’s because my wife gets jealous when I walk with another beautiful woman,” Valoric whispered into Mira’s right ear.

  Mira could only stare at Valoric, her expression filled with disbelief that such an answer even left his lips.

  “Enough, we should hurry. My house is near, and we don’t want Lady Yoei’s condition to worsen,” Valoric said as he stepped out from the hiding spot. Mira followed behind him without saying another word.

  What Valoric had said turned out to be completely untrue—his house was far from the city center. They had to hide several more times from the patrols of Valoric’s own subordinates.

  Eventually, they reached a pce far from Aurathis’s bright lights, though the pace was still visible in the distance with its unusual architecture.

  “Welcome to my pace, princess,” Valoric said as he pushed aside a wooden gate—rotted and worn. What he meant was nothing more than a simple two-story home sitting in a field of grass surrounded by trees.

  “Sir Valoric—”

  “Yes, that’s right,” Valoric cut in.

  “I know exactly what you were going to say. Whose house would have a horse stable in the center of the city? No one, of course. That’s why—”

  “Stop that nonsense. I wouldn’t speak like that at all, oh galnt knight with a fierce wife,” Mira said, massaging her forehead.

  “What do you mean with that?” asked Valoric. Mira extended her left hand and pointed at a spot without saying a word.

  In the distance, a woman stood. Wearing simple home clothes, looking harmless. But what caught Mira’s attention was the solid chunk of ice floating above the woman’s right hand.

  Without any warning, the chunk of ice shot forward toward Mira. She dodged it instantly with the smallest movement of her body.

  The ice burst behind Mira, causing thorned roots to erupt and chase after her.

  “Ice attack… then a pnt-based attack… wait, that’s my wife! STOP!!” Valoric yelled as he ran up the hill toward her.

  Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot past Valoric—Mira’s attack colliding with the woman’s ice shield. The impact tore through the area around the house, sending shards of ice scattering like falling stars.

  The commotion from the stable grew louder as the explosion rattled everything.

  “Whoever you are, I must admit—that attack earlier shows you’re absolutely terrible at using magic!” Mira shouted boldly.

  “Oh my goodness, Mira, you HIT my wife!!” Valoric shouted back.

  What?…

  Mira’s heartbeat surged after hearing those words. The world around her twisted violently, her breathing louder than Valoric’s yell.

  Terrible memories from her past surged back—rushing through her like a horse forced to run beyond its limits.

  Her knees went weak instantly, unable to support her weight. She couldn't move anything except her eyes.

  Everything was swallowed by darkness as Mira’s consciousness slipped away—until a loud sp cracked across her left cheek.

  “Come to your senses!!!” Valoric shouted after striking her, sending her gaze flinging sideways.

  The sp snapped her back to reality in an instant—along with her sharp instincts. With just a few movements, Valoric’s face was now pressed into the grass.

  “You husband and wife… you both love surprise attacks,” Mira muttered as she stroked her reddened cheek.

  “Ughhh that hurts…” Valoric groaned.

  “Good thing I already secured Lady Yoei in a safe pce before approaching a raging dragon,” he added.

  “What did you say?!”

  Valoric quickly raised both hands in a pleading gesture.

  “Your earlier behavior was arming. I don’t want tonight to end with me taking care of three unconscious women!” he compined, standing back up and brushing off his face.

  “I don’t know what happened to you, Lady Mira,” he said.

  “But for now, let’s focus on getting Yoei and my wife inside the house.”

  With that, Valoric walked toward his wife. Mira, meanwhile, remained standing in the ruined grass, her eyes fixed on Yoei—who had been propped on a wooden chair on the porch.

  Yoei’s empty stare, Valoric’s desperate voice, his injured wife… Why does all of this remind me of that trauma…

  No. I must act normally. Focus on what I need to do first.

  She walked toward Yoei and lifted her into her arms—so carefully, as if she were holding fragile gss.

  Valoric opened the door to his home first, immediately pcing his wife on a simple, soft-enough mattress. Mira followed slowly from behind.

  But when she tried to lower Yoei down, the girl’s blood-stained hand suddenly clutched tightly onto Mira’s shoulder. Turns out Yoei was still conscious despite her eyes being tightly shut.

  Mira tried to shift her body so Yoei could be put down, but the girl’s grip only grew tighter.

  “I don’t want to let go of you…” Yoei whispered, her voice unbearably gentle.

  Mira’s pupils trembled at those words. Without her noticing, Valoric had returned quietly, carrying another mattress—just enough for Mira to rest on.

  “It’s not luxurious, but it’ll be comfortable enough for Miss Mira and Yoei. That is why I am asking you to rest as well,” he said.

  “I’m not sleeping here, only Yoei—”

  “Are you truly unaware? Yoei desperately needs you right now,” Valoric suddenly cut in.

  “How many signs do you need to realize that the girl you’re holding is even more shattered than all the beauty the city of Aurathis has to offer?” he added, not considering the consequences of saying such a thing to Mira.

  For the first time, Mira didn’t argue or try to regain control over the situation. She stayed completely silent, even as her jaw quivered with the urge to shout.

  “My apologies for choosing the wrong words. I… will go check the damage outside first,” Valoric said, his gaze falling to the floor.

  He then left the three of them alone—Mira, Yoei, and his unconscious wife. The air grew quiet, the only sound coming from the soft wind brushing against the house from outside.

  How is Suna doing right now, I wonder… is he also sleeping peacefully…

  After weighing so many choices, Mira finally decided to y Yoei down. To her surprise, Yoei’s grip weakened this time, though one hand still reached for Mira—holding her back from leaving.

  Don’t make me regret this childish request of yours, Yoei.

  With that, Mira y beside her, Yoei instinctively shifting closer. Their warmth blended together, fighting the chill of the night far from the lights of Aurathis.

  …Is this what Mother felt back then, when I was so terrified of Father?

  But Mother was never this calm while holding me. She always moved as if she were enduring pain.

  Father wasn’t even with us then… and Suna wasn’t home yet that night either…

  Those thoughts spread quickly, crowding Mira’s mind until she couldn’t handle them anymore. Without realizing it, she drifted off—overwhelmed by the weight of everything.

  “Oh? Seems everyone’s asleep…” Valoric murmured upon returning, quietly closing the front door.

  He walked toward the upper floor to fetch two bnkets, each decorated with beautiful pnt patterns. At the edge of each bnket was the family name embroidered neatly—likely sewn by his wife.

  “My son, Kaelion… if only you were still alive,” Valoric whispered, eyes fixed on the stitched name.

  “You would’ve been shocked to see the guests our home received tonight…” he added softly. He then carefully draped one bnket over Yoei and Mira.

  Just as the second bnket touched his wife’s arm, he was suddenly yanked forward with such force that he almost colpsed.

  “What exactly were you thinking, huh?!!” his wife demanded, gring at him.

  “Wait—what?! So you’ve been pretending this entire ti—mmgmghmgmgm”

  “Close that mouth of yours! Can’t you lower your voice??” she hissed, her left hand cmping over his mouth.

  After Valoric nodded repeatedly, she finally released the pressure from his mouth.

  “Listen. I don’t mind if Lady Mira comes to visit. But… who is that girl with her??” she asked.

  “What?! You know Lady Mir—mmghgmm”

  “My dear husband, Valoric Otorath. Lower. Your. Voice.” she said, smiling in a way that looked dangerous if stared at too long.

  “Y-yes! My wife, Thessa Otorath—the strong one,” Valoric mumbled from under her hand.

  “Strong and?”

  “Strong and Charming!” he added quickly.

  “Good. As a reward, I’ll let you go,” Thessa said, pulling her hand back.

  “Thank yo—”

  For the third time, Valoric’s mouth was silenced by Thessa. But this time, neither attempted to resist—because what covered Valoric’s mouth… was Thessa’s own lips.

  She pulled him closer with both hands, their breaths syncing—along with the heartbeat that kept them alive on that quiet night.

  “As for why I know Lady Mira…” Thessa said, breaking the intense kiss with a shaky breath.

  “I was her student… long ago.”

  Whaaat?!