The room was dimly lit, the scent of herbs lingering. As Kael, Lina, and Russell entered, relief washed over them. Damon was awake—weak, pale, but alive.
"Damon!" Lina cried, rushing to his side. She flung her arms around him, her voice cracking. "I thought you'd leave us like Mom and Dad… It's my fault. If I hadn't insisted you come… If I wasn't there, you could've fought them properly!"
Damon placed a trembling hand on her head. "Lina… don't ever say that. It's not your fault. I'm the one who made the choice."
He pulled her into a hug, and for a moment, the weight of grief and guilt between them softened.
Kael stood back, eyes shadowed. "Damon… I'm sorry. I should've gotten there sooner."
Damon looked at him, forcing a weak smile. "You've always protected us. You're not to blame either."
Russell crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, a rare smile forming. "Your parents would be proud, you know. You three… sticking together like this."
Just then, Carlos stepped in.
Russell turned. "How's his leg, really?"
Carlos's expression darkened. "Without Lilia, I can't promise full recovery. I can stabilize him, reduce the pain, but… the more Lilia we have, the better the result."
At the mention of the flower, Damon's hopeful gaze dropped. Paralysis loomed over him like a sentence.
Kael stepped forward. "Damon… do you know who did this?"
Damon shook his head quickly. "No."
He did—but he feared what Kael might do. Rage would drive him to war.
Carlos raised a hand. "He needs rest now."
Kael turned, jaw clenched. "I'll be back."
---
Outside, the rain had calmed. Kael rushed home, planning to fetch extra bedding and supplies. But when he arrived, someone was waiting.
"Euphelia."
She was still dressed like a servant, her silver hair hidden beneath dye, but Kael recognized her instantly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
She stepped forward, visibly distressed. "I… heard what happened to Damon. I'm so sorry. I never thought nobles would go so far."
Kael's expression turned grim. "Do you know who did it?"
"I overheard maids talking. They mentioned the vordellan family. That their young master got 'revenge' on a lowborn."
Kael's fists clenched. His breath quickened.
"Roland…"
"I knew it," Euphelia said. "But you can't just attack them. It'll only make things worse. We need to prove it."
Kael hesitated. The fire inside him still roared, but he nodded. "You're right."
They decided to return to the refugee camp and tell Russell everything. This needed to be handled carefully.
---
Elsewhere, Kaizen handed Sylfia a dry blanket. She was shivering from the rain.
"Change before you catch something."
She nodded and disappeared into the bedroom. It was the only bedroom in the house—and she had already moved some of her things in, quietly, gradually.
When she returned, she wasn't wearing her own clothes. She had on one of Kaizen's shirts—oversized and loose, hanging past her knees.
He blinked, caught off guard.
She smiled. "Yours are more comfortable."
He was already lying stiffly on the couch, clearly trying not to make a big deal of their proximity.
"You can take the bed," she offered.
"No. I'm fine here."
"You won't sleep properly on that."
"I'm used to it."
She tilted her head. "So you're a gentleman after all. I didn't think someone like you would have such traditional thoughts."
Kaizen gave her a flat look. "Go sleep."
Instead of obeying, she walked over and gently settled beside him on the couch, snuggling close.
"What are you doing?" he asked, startled.
"Sleeping," she said innocently. "With my fiancé."
He sighed, clearly flustered. "You're annoying."
She grinned, resting her head against him. "I know."
---