The chamber reeked faintly of smoke, steel, and blood.
Andy sat at the edge of the bed, back hunched, shirt torn wide where dragon-kin claws had raked deep across his ribs. The healers had done what they could, but exhaustion had spread through the palace after the attack, and Andy—stubborn as ever—had waved them off once the bleeding slowed. He looked like a man still fighting a war no one else could see.
Nia knelt before him, basin at her side, cloth soaked in warm water that already swirled crimson. Her hands moved with precision, though her eyes betrayed the storm within. Each time she pressed the cloth against his wound, his jaw tightened, a hiss of pain slipping past his teeth.
"You don't have to do this," he muttered hoarsely.
Her silver eyes shot to his, sharp enough to pierce steel. "Be quiet. If you think I'll let you sit here and bleed alone, you're more foolish than I thought."
For a heartbeat, he almost smiled. Almost. But it faltered, crushed beneath the weight of whispers that hadn't left his ears since dawn. His gaze dropped to the floor, shadows clinging to his voice.
"They're right, Nia. The people, the nobles. Every time these monsters come, they say it's because of me. That I draw them here. Maybe… maybe they're not wrong."
Her hands froze. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, fury and anguish burning in equal measure. "Don't you dare."
He blinked at the steel in her tone.
"Don't you dare believe that poison," she hissed. "You saved them. You saved me. Again and again. And yet you sit here ready to let their fear define you? Andy, I don't care what they say. I don't care what my father schemes. I know who you are."
Her hand rose, pressing against his chest, over the frantic beat of his heart. "This," she whispered, voice trembling yet fierce, "this is Andy. Not a curse. Not a calamity. You."
Something in him cracked. His chest constricted, throat burning. He leaned forward, forehead pressing against hers. His voice came raw, broken. "Then why does it feel like I'm losing everything?"
Her fingers slid up to his face, cupping his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "Because you're blind."
His breath caught. "Blind?"
Her tears welled, but her gaze did not waver. "To me." Her voice shook, but she pushed through, her truth spilling free at last. "Don't you see, Andy? I don't care about Everhart, or politics, or what anyone says. I care about you. I… I love you."
The world seemed to still.
Andy's breath shattered in his chest. His golden eyes widened, searching hers for any flicker of doubt. But there was none—only raw, unshaken truth.
"Nia…" His voice broke on her name. Then he pulled her to him, his lips finding hers.
The kiss was nothing like before. It was fierce, desperate, a confession of its own. His hands clutched her as though afraid she might vanish, while hers curled into his hair, pulling him closer. The taste of salt, the mingling of tears and breath—it was messy, imperfect, and utterly real.
Their rings blazed.
Light flooded the chamber, starlight spilling across walls, ceiling, and floor. It was as though the night sky itself had descended, constellations spinning in radiant arcs around them.
The System's voice thundered through their joined hearts.
> [Bond Progression Increased.]
1-Star Bond: 20%
[Hidden Reward Activated: Eternal Oath Resonates.]
Future Resonance strengthened by True Confession of Love.
Andy gasped against her lips as the power surged—not wild flame, but steady, radiant, anchored. It wasn't just strength. It was wholeness. For the first time since the reset, he didn't feel empty. He felt complete.
He broke the kiss only to rest his forehead against hers, his breath ragged, voice hoarse with awe. "I love you too. More than anything. More than fire. More than fate."
Her tears spilled, but her smile broke through, soft and trembling. She touched his face, her thumb brushing the scar near his jaw. "Then promise me. Whatever comes… don't let go."
His answer was instant. "Never."
They stayed like that, wrapped in each other's arms, their hearts steady, their rings glowing like twin stars pulsing in perfect rhythm.
---
But not all hearts in Everhart found joy that night.
Outside the chamber, beyond the crack of the door left ajar, Andrew stood. His fists clenched at his sides, nails drawing blood from his palms. He had followed in silence, curiosity at first, but now—now his vision blurred with rage.
He saw them. The kiss. The rings blazing brighter than ever. The confession that shattered any illusions he had clung to.
His chest heaved, breath ragged. Every word of love Nia had given Andy felt like a blade turned on him.
The shadow moved beside him, unseen by all but his eyes. Its whisper slithered like poison into his ear. "Do you see now? She has chosen. He has stolen what was meant for you. There is only one path left."
Andrew's nails dug deeper, his blood dripping to the floor. His silence was his answer.
The shadow smiled.
---