The candlelight flickered weakly as Reinhardt entered Elric's office. She immediately stood and bowed, offering him her seat without hesitation.
"So," he began, folding his arms, "any report about the intruder?"
Elric nodded with a grim expression. "I ordered my mages to scan for mana residue. But strangely… there's nothing. Not a single trace."
Reinhardt's jaw tightened. He stared at the floor for a moment before sighing deeply.
Elric glanced at him from the side. She could see it—the tight clench of his jaw, the way his shoulders drooped slightly. "We shouldn't have killed them all," he murmured. "But I didn't expect them to attack Kael directly."
"What's his condition?" she asked, quieter now. "Is he awake?"
"He woke before I came here," Reinhardt said, his voice softer, but wearier. "But he's not ready to go outside. He's… shaken. Not just physically."
Elric hesitated. "I don't think they were just there to hurt him."
Reinhardt glanced up.
She continued, "This feels like something else. Something planned. Some still don't believe Hero Kael is dead. Some…" Her voice trailed off.
"…And they'd never accept that Kael has lost his memory," Reinhardt finished bitterly. "He was the world's peace. It's hope. If they find out he's no longer who he was… they'll turn on him."
Silence lingered for a moment between them.
"I expect something like this will happen again," Reinhardt said. "Be ready. I'll return to the palace in a few days. The mutts are barking at the gates again. I told them I came here to thank you for helping arrest Count Govert."
Elric said nothing, recognizing that the man before her was no longer just Reinhardt—this was the Emperor now. Cold. Calculating. Sharp.
Reinhardt stepped closer, and his gloved hand gently lifted her chin. "I can count on you, right?"
Elric's spine straightened. "Yes, Your Majesty."
At the door, he paused and glanced back. "This is just my prediction," he said calmly. "If he tries to run… don't stop him. But don't let him disappear either. Bye~" He left before Elric could ask what he meant, leaving her still and slightly stunned.
-----------------------------------------
The next morning...
Robert stood outside Kael's room with a breakfast tray. He knocked softly. No response. He tried again. Still silent.
Frowning, he jiggled the doorknob. It was locked.
Kael had never locked his door before.
Worry crawling into his chest, Robert fetched another servant and used the spare key to unlock the door. What he saw inside made his heart drop.
The bed was empty.
"Young Master?" he called out, a hint of panic seeping into his voice as he searched the corners of the room.
He opened the wardrobe—and found Kael curled up inside, asleep while sitting. Tear stains marked his cheeks.
"...Young Master?" Robert's voice softened.
Kael's eyes fluttered open but only halfway. His red eyes were dull and rimmed with exhaustion. Robert crouched down, concern thick in his voice. "You couldn't sleep last night?"
He reached to touch Kael's hand, but Kael slapped his hand away in silent rejection.
Robert flinched slightly but tried to remain calm. "You still need to eat something. And I have to treat your injuries."
No response. Not even a blink.
"I can get His Majesty if—"
The door opened behind him. Reinhardt entered casually, his tone unfazed.
"What are you doing there, Kael?"
Kael didn't respond, closing his eyes again as if to will the world away.
Reinhardt frowned and approached the closet. Without warning, he grabbed Kael's wrist and pulled him to his feet.
Robert gasped, "Your Majesty—!"
"You really act like a child around Robert, huh?" Reinhardt said dryly, but Kael's fist suddenly collided with his chest.
Reinhardt grinned. "I'll take that as proof you're not injured."
He dragged Kael to the chair by the table.
"Please, Your Majesty," Robert stammered, "be more gentle—"
"I'm not hurting him. Now get me his breakfast," Reinhardt ordered calmly.
Robert hesitated, glanced at Kael, and obeyed. Reinhardt sat across from Kael, still holding his wrist. He could feel Kael trembling.
"Take this." He lifted a coffee cup and offered it.
Kael only stared.
"My hand's going numb waiting," Reinhardt said with a faint smile.
Finally, Kael reached for the cup—but his fingers slipped. The cup shattered on the floor.
Reinhardt and Robert both leapt forward to check if he was hurt.
"Are you okay? Did the glass hit you?" Reinhardt's tone turned serious. Kael only closed his eyes. Sweat beaded his brow.
Reinhardt signaled Robert. "Get another cup. One for him and me. We're eating here."
Robert bowed and left quickly.
Alone again, Reinhardt loosened his grip and finally released Kael's hand.
"You're still trembling," he said. "Are you afraid of me?"
Silence.
Reinhardt sighed. "Still shaken from yesterday?"
Still nothing.
He reached into his coat and pulled out a simple bracelet—thin, black, with a small crimson charm embedded at the center. "I made this last night," he said, softly. "Poured a bit of my mana into it. If anything attacks again, this'll form a barrier around you."
He gently wrapped it around Kael's wrist.
"I'm sorry. I should've protected you. I didn't know… you wouldn't fight back if you were in danger."
Reinhardt smiled again, though it was weary. "We'll protect you. So, Kael... please stay strong."
Kael looked at him, eyes wide and unreadable. He wanted to speak—but the memory of the other Kael, of Reinhardt screaming his name as he died, gripped his chest like a vice.
Robert returned with coffee. He paused at the door, surprised to see Kael calm in Reinhardt's presence. Quiet, but no longer shaking. A small relief filled him.
Kael hesitated… then took the bread offered by Reinhardt and began eating.
Later, Reinhardt and Robert stepped out, leaving Kael sleeping once again.
"Robert," Reinhardt turned to him.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
Reinhardt's hand came down on Robert's shoulder.
The butler flinched. The touch wasn't painful, but the atmosphere behind it was heavy. Robert's fingers twitched. His chest tightened.
"Take care of him."
Robert swallowed. He couldn't respond. Fear strangled his voice.
Reinhardt leaned close and whispered something in his ear.
Then, without another word, the Emperor left. Robert remained still, breath shallow, trying to calm the trembling in his hands.
-----------------------------------------
Kael awoke slowly, feeling more rested thanks to the potion. He sat up, blinking. A tray of untouched food sat on the bedside table.
He noticed the bracelet still around his wrist and stared at it.
A glint of something black flickered in the air—a strange, smoky shimmer—gliding toward the door, then slipping out like vapor.
Kael rose barefoot and silently followed.
Down the hallway.
Through the garden.
Toward the lake.
The site of the attack.
Several guards and mages were still there, examining the area. They all bowed when they noticed him approaching, but Kael said nothing.
He didn't even look at them.
His eyes were locked on the smoke.
Only he could see it.
It hovered exactly where he had collapsed the day before.
"Kael?" Elric's voice called from behind.
She ran to him, worry etched deeply into her face. "You shouldn't be here. Please… let the investigators handle this."
She grabbed his hand gently. His skin was cold. "You're still pale…"
Kael didn't respond. His eyes didn't leave the smoke.
Then, he pointed.
"Did you see something?" Elric asked quickly.
He stepped forward, reaching for it—
The moment his fingers brushed the smoke, a static pulse jumped out, sparking blue light and snapping into the air.
Kael recoiled immediately, clutching his hand. The pain was faint, but sharp.
All around him, the mages froze. They could now see it.
Black mana—residual, dark, slithering in the air.
"Magic trace!" one mage shouted. "It's reacting to him!"
The smoke curled suddenly, as if noticing it had been seen. It darted forward to strike Kael—but the bracelet glowed.
A barrier burst into life around him with a soft hum, and the smoke disintegrated into nothing.
Kael dropped to his knees, panting.
His stomach twisted. He gagged, trying to vomit—but nothing came.
"Kael!" Elric knelt beside him. His face had turned pale again. He was drenched in sweat. "Are you okay? Kael!"
His eyes fluttered slightly, his breath ragged.
But again, he said nothing.
Only silence.