The fire crackled weakly in the hearth, throwing restless shadows across the room.
Solved sat directly opposite Andrew, close enough to catch every twitch of his expression. The man was still flexing his fingers, the cold lingering in his bones like a grudge that wouldn't fade.
"So," Solved said, breaking the silence, "how did you know I was here?"
"I had two guesses." Andrew took a sip from his cup, his eyes never leaving Solved's face. "Either the royal guards didn't let us go easily and were spying on us in Campoff…"
Solved raised a brow. "So you thought they kidnapped me?"
"Or…" Andrew leaned forward, voice sharpening. "You were on their side and didn't tell me."
Solved tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"And now that I see you," Andrew's gaze scanned him from head to toe, "I'm starting to believe I was right."
"I'm not actually on their side," Solved said, his smirk deepening.
"Then what happened that night?" Andrew demanded. "Why did you leave without me?"
He really thinks I'm with the nobles.
Solved sighed softly. "Hmph— I left because of one thing. I wanted to save Elera. If she'd died, I'd have to live with that burden. And that would've been… difficult."
"Lies!" Andrew slammed his fist on the table. The sound echoed through the room. "You didn't even know who she was—except for her hair color!"
"You're right," Solved admitted. "She was a stranger to me. I had no reason to help her… but I did."
He turned slowly toward the window, where the faint light of dawn bled through the curtains.
"Because once, I had the chance to help someone—and didn't. I told myself it wasn't my problem."
He stood, the firelight cutting a sharp line across his face. "I don't want to make that same mistake again."
Andrew's jaw flexed, torn between anger and something softer.
"You used magic on our way to Campoff," he said finally, tone sharp. "Explain that."
"I didn't use magic," Solved replied. "It was just an item that contained it."
"Still," Andrew pressed, "no one gets their hands on Strelics—except nobles, royal guards… or thieves."
Solved didn't answer. His silence said enough.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Solved said quietly.
Andrew froze mid-breath. "Go on."
"I don't know anything about this world." Solved raised his hand as if swearing an oath. "You know why? Because I'm not from here."
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Don't lie to yourself, Andrew," Solved said, his voice calm but cutting. "You've suspected all along."
Andrew's eyes darted, searching Solved's face as if trying to read the truth between breaths. Is that even possible?
"So yeah," Solved added with a faint smile. "You'd better believe it."
Andrew sank back into his chair, exhaling slowly. The tension in his shoulders melted into something heavier—understanding, maybe pity.
"The nobles only assigned me to be Elera's guardian," Solved muttered. "That's why I'm here."
Solved watched him from the corner of his eye. "How long did it take you to find me?"
"I arrived in Valamore yesterday. Two days on foot before I could reach you."
Solved chuckled under his breath. "That's why you're upset. I'd be pissed too if I got ditched and had to walk. My bad."
He tapped his temple thoughtfully. "But I woke up three days ago. That means I was unconscious for only a few hours…"
Andrew lifted a brow. "You were unconscious."
"Yeah. Fought a guy—used illusions, all kinds of tricks. Tough one."
Andrew's gaze sharpened. "Was he from the Blackwood family? What was his name?"
Solved rubbed his jaw, recalling. "Aldrey Blackwood."
Andrew froze, then shot to his feet. "Good. I've got evidence against the Blackwoods." His fist clenched, a grim smile forming as the light caught his face.
"Where is he?"
"Honestly, no idea. Haven't had time to investigate—"
"What!" Andrew's shout rattled the cups on the table. His brows sank like storm clouds, veins pulsing at his temples. "We have to find him before they do! If they hide him, they'll bury the evidence!"
"You think someone in the royal court is protecting them?" Solved asked calmly.
"I don't think," Andrew growled. "I know."
Solved studied him quietly. Revenge. That's all he sees now. And it'll eat him alive.
He sighed and leaned back. "But that can wait."
"Huh?" Andrew blinked, jarred from his fury.
"Your fate's still being decided by the court," Solved said. "And there's still a lot I need to know."
He leaned forward, voice steady. "Like what you really want from me. Don't tell me you came all this way to 'save' me after that gamble you pulled at the gates."
The air thickened again, pressing down between them like unseen weight.
"I believed you were a noble," Andrew said finally. "With your authority, things would be easier."
"So you just want to use me," Solved said, crossing his legs and pointing at him.
"Tch." Andrew's jaw tightened. "In exchange, I'll help you achieve your goal—to get home, no matter what."
"Scratch my back, I scratch yours," Solved murmured with a smirk. "Fair enough."
"So tell me—what's your goal, then?" Andrew asked.
Solved looked up at the ceiling, eyes distant. Do I even have one yet?
"I don't actually want to go back," he said at last. "But when we reach that bridge, we'll cross it. Let's start with yours."
He stood and extended his hand.
Andrew hesitated, then took it. A rare smile flickered across his face, relief softening the hardened lines around his eyes.
"How's Elera?" Andrew finally asked.
"Elera? Who's Elera?" Solved ran a hand through his dark hair, feigning confusion.
Andrew gave him the flat, unimpressed stare of a man out of patience. "You're not funny."
"She's fine," Solved said. "Probably training with her tutor in the royal hall. They've given rules so much she can't even see her father properly anymore."
"Is that supposed to be surprising?" Andrew asked. "Hoarding magic is second nature to the royals," Andrew Stated.
Solved didn't answer, and he didn't need to. The look on his face said enough.
"What do you know about the Plasma Vessel?" Solved asked.
"Not much. The former crown was the Plasma Vessel. After his death, the power didn't pass on—so they crowned a noble instead."
"So Elera might be next," Solved murmured. "If the current king allows it."
He looked down at his hands, tracing the scars across his knuckles. "So the power left the royal bloodline. No wonder they went after her immediately. But I haven't seen any king or queen since I arrived… something doesn't add up."
Knock. Knock.
The sound broke through the heavy quiet.
"Ariel?" Solved called.
The door creaked open, and Ariel stepped in, posture crisp and formal. "Sorry to interrupt, sir. But you've been summoned by the royal court. They demand your presence immediately."
"So fast?" Solved muttered, stretching his arms. "Guess they mean business."
He grabbed his coat, tossing it over his shoulder, and turned toward Andrew.
"Come on," he said with a faint grin. "We've got a case to defend."