The wind was calm and cool as Kyle walked the path back to the settlent, Silvy resting quietly in his arms.
The remnants of battle, gods, and shattered reality still lingered like fading echoes behind them, but in that mont, it felt distant—like a nightmare they were slowly waking up from.
Silvy stirred gently, her eyes half-lidded as she looked up at him.
"Kyle...When I was unconscious... when I was in that white space... it felt like I was no longer on this planet."
She whispered.
Kyle didn’t stop walking.
"Go on."
"There were... other worlds."
Silvy continued, her voice shaky.
"I could see them. Endless ones. So so bright it burned to even think about, and others so twisted it made want to scream. Just catching a glimpse—it was like my mind couldn’t take it. Like I wasn’t supposed to understand."
Kyle’s expression remained calm.
"You’re right. You weren’t."
Silvy blinked, surprised by the bluntness.
He continued.
"You’re not supposed to comprehend the full shape of existence. It’s too wide, too deep. People lose themselves chasing what lies beyond the veil. So don’t. Focus on what’s in front of you—our world. The rest is just noise."
Silvy exhaled, her breath shaky.
"I guess... you’re right. I’m still terrified of what I saw. But even then, I decided sothing before I woke up."
Kyle raised a brow.
"And that is?"
"I already gave myself to you. All of . Even if I’m scared, even if I don’t understand... I ant what I said. I won’t take it back."
Silvy said quietly.
Kyle was silent for a few steps. Then, softly, he said.
"Good. But don’t ever feel like you have to carry more than you’re ant to. I’ll lead you through the dark. Just don’t let go of my hand."
Silvy smiled faintly, her eyes fluttering closed again.
Far away, within the cold marble halls of the royal castle, tension brewed beneath polished civility.
Servants and nobles paused in their step as two figures crossed paths in the corridor—Grand Duchess Amana in her flowing midnight gown, and lissa, clad in her sharp uniform. The two won halted, their eyes locking.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Is that the Grand Duchess?"
"And the red-haired knight... Lord Kyle’s aide..."
"Are they going to fight?"
"They say their feud is because of love..."
"...over Lord Kyle Armstrong..."
The silence between the two won was sharp as a blade. No greetings were exchanged. Only a quiet understanding passed in their gazes.
At last, Amana broke the stillness.
"We need to talk. Privately."
lissa gave a slow nod.
"Lead the way."
The pair stepped into a secure chamber deep within the castle. Once inside, Amana closed the door behind them and extended her hand.
A subtle glow ford in the air as a magical barrier shimred to life—a privacy ward powerful enough to block even divine eavesdropping.
lissa sat, her expression unreadable.
"Why did you ask to speak with ?"
Amana turned, eyes calm but direct.
"Because I love Kyle Armstrong."
The words struck like a hamr—direct, unflinching.
lissa’s gaze narrowed.
"Is this your way of telling to step aside?"
Amana nodded once.
"Yes. It is."
The silence that followed was bitter, but not unexpected.
"...Then you already know what my answer is going to be."
lissa said quietly.
"I do. That’s why I have a different proposal."
Amana replied.
lissa tensed.
"...What kind of proposal?"
Amana walked slowly to the opposite seat and sat down, folding her hands in her lap.
"I’ve accepted that Kyle is not the kind of man who can be bound by conventional things. His path is wide. His fate... larger than any one of us."
lissa remained silent.
Amana’s gaze didn’t waver.
"Which is why I want you to be on my side."
lissa raised a brow.
"What?"
"I’m not going to lie and say I like you. You irritate . You’re stubborn, reckless, and far too emotional. But you’re loyal. And that’s sothing I can’t dismiss. Especially when it cos to Kyle."
Amana said.
lissa clenched her fists in her lap.
"...So what are you suggesting?"
"A pact. We stop working against each other. We protect him together. We don’t interfere in his decisions, or his path. And when the ti cos, we put our differences aside—for his sake."
The Grand Duchess said. lissa’s eyes widened.
"You’re suggesting... what? That we share him?"
"I’m suggesting we protect him from this world’s filth, not tear each other apart like the vultures circling him already. Kyle is at the center of sothing far greater than either of us. If we let our personal feelings get in the way, we’ll lose him. And worse, he may lose himself."
Amana answered coldly.
lissa looked away, conflicted.
Amana’s voice softened just a little.
"You’re not a rival. You’re an ally. If you’re willing."
The silence dragged. At last, lissa whispered.
"...You really do love him."
Amana nodded.
lissa bit her lip.
"Then I’ll think about your proposal."
Amana stood, lifting the barrier.
"Good. Think fast. Ti isn’t a luxury we can afford anymore."
As the Grand Duchess turned to leave, lissa’s voice called out, stopping her just before she reached the door.
"There’s sothing else you should know."
lissa said quietly, rising from her seat.
Amana glanced over her shoulder, her expression composed.
"Go on."
"You and I... we’re not the only ones Kyle treats with that kind of care. There’s another."
lissa said.
A flicker of confusion crossed the Grand Duchess’s face.
"Another?"
"Silvy. The elf representative. The one who stood against the gods for him. Risked her life, nearly died for his sake."
lissa answered.
Recognition blood in Amana’s eyes, followed by a mont of stunned silence.
"...The elf girl. The one who offered him her everything."
lissa nodded.
"I don’t think you understand just how far she’s willing to go. Or how much Kyle sees in her."
Amana narrowed her eyes, folding her arms.
"You’re saying she’s a threat?"
"I’m saying she’s a possibility. Just like you. Just like ."
lissa corrected.
The room felt heavier now, as if the truth had settled like fog around them. The Grand Duchess exhaled slowly, taking a mont to gather her thoughts.
lissa stepped forward, her voice softer.
"Even if we co to an agreent between ourselves, it won’t matter unless Kyle chooses us. And honestly, I’d rather share his heart... than be cast out of it entirely."
Amana turned fully then, her regal mask faltering for just a heartbeat. "You’d be willing to share?"
"If it ans I can stay by his side, then yes."
lissa said firmly.
Amana studied her for a long mont before her lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile.
"...Then perhaps you’re stronger than I gave you credit for."
She murmured.
lissa shrugged.
"It’s not strength. It’s love."
The Grand Duchess gave a short nod, her gaze distant now.
"Let’s see how far that love carries us, then."
And with that, she finally stepped out, leaving lissa alone with her racing thoughts and the growing storm of emotions she had no power to stop.
But how long would this ti of peace last before sothing happened once more?
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