"Who are you, really?" the blind girl asked, waiting patiently for Kaelvir's reply. But none came. It wasn't that he didn't want to answer—he simply had to be careful. People were scheming against him here, and he had just faced the very culprit who had nearly ended his life.
Finally, a cunning glint flashed in his eyes. "I'm Nyvar. You can call me Nyvar."
Her ears twitched at the name. "Nyvar," she whispered softly, almost as if tasting the sound.
Kaelvir's tone turned teasing as he added, "Can you let go of my hand now—or do you like it this way?"
She jerked her hands free, realizing she had forgotten they were still holding hands. "I… I thank you for your saving grace. If not for you, who knows what might have happened? And it's such a pity I can't see your face—but I'll always remember your voice. I sincerely thank you." She bowed.
Kaelvir stopped her with a shake of his head. "You don't need to do this. I just couldn't leave you in that danger—my heart would've been filled with guilt if I had."
She straightened, a faint smile touching her lips. "You're really a kind man. Which clan or power are you from in the city?" she asked warmly.
Kaelvir frowned at the question, steering the conversation away. "Young miss, you really shouldn't come to places like this alone. Is there no one escorting you? And how will you get back home?"
She noticed he avoided her question, but chose not to press, smiling instead. "Actually, I didn't come out alone. My maid and I snuck out without telling the family," she admitted, embarrassed.
Under his hood, Kaelvir's mind raced. Really! What a coincidence—I snuck out too. He didn't voice it. Instead, he spoke gently, easing her embarrassment. "There's nothing shameful in sneaking out. Maybe you felt caged, suffocated, unaware of what was happening around you, so you chose freedom. Making a choice isn't easy for everyone—but you did. That's amazing, honestly."
His honest words struck her heart. Gratitude swelled inside her. She longed to see his face but could only hold onto the memory of his voice.
Suddenly, a panicked voice rang out. "Young miss… young miss! Where are you? Please answer me!" Other voices followed, echoing together. Kaelvir realized her family's people were nearby.
"Seems your family has arrived. I'll take my leave now. If fate wills, we'll meet again," he said, vanishing into the night.
Moments later, another panicked cry sounded, this time mixed with relief. "Young miss! Is that you? I've been searching all over! What happened? Did you get lost? Are you alright?"
The blind girl chuckled. "That's multiple questions I'll have to answer. Which one first, Nina?"
So Meyra recounted everything that had happened.
Nina's face turned cold at the mention of the attack. Her nails almost digging into her palm "Young miss, it's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone."
"You shouldn't worry, Nina. I was the one who sent you on an errand. I only wanted to teach that pervert a lesson—but he ran away," Meyra said, recalling Dorian's cowardly retreat.
"Who was it?" Nina demanded in rage. "Who dares attack the young miss of the Kaevor clan in this city?"
Meyra shook her head. "Tia wasn't there to lend me her sight at the time, but I could guess… it was Dorian of the Zaryth clan."
Nina gasped. "Is he insane? Does he want to start a war between the clans? If only you're able to summon more of Tia's visual prowess he'd be dead by now."
Meyra smiled warmly. "I hope so too. But I don't know Dorian's full plan," she admitted. "What I do know is that I was saved by someone else. I couldn't see his face, but I remember his voice and his scent. He gave the name 'Nyvar.'"
"Nyvar?" Nina repeated, puzzled. "Are you sure that's real?"
"Of course it's an alias," Meyra said with a small smile. "Nina, pass my order to The Silver Chalice. Find everything you can on this Nyvar. His age should be around eighteen to twenty from his voice, and he has a feline familiar. With these features, they should be able to narrow the search."
Nina bowed. "Yes, Mistress. But wouldn't it be faster to use the clan name?"
Meyra shook her head. "If we use the clan, we'd be exposed. Did you forget that we snuck out?"
The two quickly made their way back to the clan, careful to avoid attention.
---
Slipping through the secret passage into his courtyard, Kaelvir froze when he heard his father's voice calling. "Kaelvir!…"
Was he caught?
"Kaelvir!" the voice rang again, strict and commanding—but no one answered.
Kaelvir tossed aside his robe, dashed to his room, changed into nightwear, and lay on his bed. When the door flung open, he feigned surprise. "Who's there? Who are you?…oh it's you father, you shouldn't barge in like this. I thought an assassin had sneaked into the clan."
Zar's piercing gaze studied him silently. Kaelvir tensed but forced himself to remain composed.
"The clan made a decision today concerning your engagement with the Kaevor clan," Zar said bluntly. "I agreed to cancel it if you fail to awaken in the coming ceremony… so, are you up for it?"
Kaelvir smiled calmly. "Father, I don't even know what the fiancée looks like. As for the awakening, I told you before—it will be a success."
Zar's eyes flickered, sensing a change in his son. "You've changed… something feels different about you."
Kaelvir stiffened. Did I slip up? Did he notice?
Zar cleared his throat. "Don't be alarmed. I mean you've changed for the better. Keep that confidence and make good use of it."
Relief washed over Kaelvir. "Don't worry—I won't fail this time."
For the first time in a long while, Zar smiled, patting his son's head. "Very good, very good, son…" He paused midway. "As for sneaking out without permission—punish yourself with a thousand push-ups. No more, no less. And don't think I won't know if you skip them."
Zar chuckled as he turned to leave, clearly pleased with himself.
Kaelvir stared after him, dumbfounded. A thousand push-ups? How did he know?
---
Elsewhere, in a mansion far from the Veydrak clan, the door to a room slammed open. A youth stormed in, the familiar walls suddenly too small, too constricting. Fists smashed tables, scattering papers and trinkets across the floor. Every strike echoed the sting of failure.
She had slipped through his fingers. The plan, flawless until now, lay in ruins. Who was that? Her guard? But no—I've never heard of a Kaevor cultivator with such a terrifying familiar.
The twin-headed snake emblem on the wall—the symbol of his clan—seemed to leer at him, mocking his incompetence. Chest heaving, teeth gritted, mind spinning with wrath and humiliation, one dark thought consumed him: Sooner or later, she will be mine. As for that anomaly… he should already be dead—or very close to it.
"And why is the clan slowing the plan?" he muttered furiously. "I need to ask Father. Why the delay? Only if the plan succeeds can I have Meyra to myself."
With that, he stormed out toward the clan's largest courtyard.
---