As Sion stepped out of the central command room, weary yet alert, his eyes caught two familiar figures standing near the courtyard. His heart skipped a beat,
Sara and Janet.
They stood there with their arms crossed, eyes locked on him like two queens awaiting answers. Sion internally panicked.
"Oh no… I've been too caught up to even contact them..."
"Raphael, help," he whispered under his breath.
But Raphael, watching from a distance, chuckled mischievously. "Even I, the guardian of this world, cannot save you from this mess, my little saviour." She folded her arms and grinned. "Good luck."
Sara stepped forward, her voice playful and sharp.
"Well, well, my future husband. Who are you, and how exactly were you surviving without your fiancées? I should mention Katherine is probably halfway here too… but I got to you first, so that makes you mine for the moment."
Before Sion could respond, a soft voice chimed in beside her.
"No. He'll be with me." Janet's quiet tone was just as commanding.
Sion gulped, trying to diffuse the tension. "Y-yes, Madam Sara, I am all yours…"
Sara grinned triumphantly. "Good. You still have some survival instincts."
Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, Sara leaned in closer.
"Well then, I'm tired from traveling… so I'll be heading to your room now."
Sion's eyes widened. "I—I can arrange a guest room for you and Janet!"
Sara turned to him with a teasing smile. "Tell me something, Sion. Who am I to you?"
"My… my fiancée…"
"Ah! Thank the heavens you remember that much. Then I suppose it's only fair I stay in your room, don't you think?" She smirked. "Don't tell me you're thinking something indecent?"
"Wha—No! Not at all!" Sion stammered. "Jerin! Please take her to my room!"
Janet, watching quietly until now, finally stepped forward. Sion turned to her gently.
"How are you, Janet?"
She pouted. "Not good."
He blinked. "Why? What happened?"
She folded her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Do you remember what's coming in two days?"
Sion froze. His mind raced. What was happening in two days?!
"Raphael, please, not again…" he thought.
Raphael, overhearing his panic, burst into laughter. "This is entertaining."
Suddenly it clicked.
"Your birthday!" Sion exclaimed. "How could I ever forget such an important day?"
Janet's expression brightened instantly. "Good. I'm glad you remembered. Father is organizing a grand party—every noble in the kingdom will be attending. Even the royal family."
Sion smiled softly. "Then it'll be a celebration to remember."
But far from the warmth of the courtyard, a dark figure cloaked in black approached the outer gates of the Leaf Dukedom. His aura was suffocating, malevolent.
He looked at the sprawling estate before him and chuckled darkly.
"So, this is where the hero hides… Let's see how long you survive, Sion Ragnar."
He drew his blade slowly. "Your grim reaper has arrived."
And with a maniacal laugh that echoed through the shadows, he vanished into the night.