Noah's POV
Cut... cut... cut...
"Is this okay?" I asked, holding up the pile of chopped onions to Scarlett.
She leaned over slightly, her crimson eyes scanning my handiwork before giving a small nod. "Hmm. Yeah, not bad. Now do the same with the tomatoes."
She handed me a handful of ripe tomatoes, her fingers brushing against mine. A small smile tugged at her lips.
Phew.
We were currently in the makeshift kitchen, preparing a meal for all of us. The air smelled of herbs, sizzling oil, and effort.
It felt... oddly peaceful. A strange kind of calm, considering what had just happened.
We'd saved Lyra's mother.
Alea was currently inside the carriage, unconscious but alive. Her body still radiated a faint chill, like the last traces of her domain refused to let go. But her heart was beating. That was enough for now.
As for Lyra—she was unconscious too. After unleashing her domain and using whatever ancient spell she cast to melt through the ice, she collapsed. Her mana reserves were drained completely. She hadn't even stirred once.
I'd asked Layla to watch over both of them.
She grumbled at first—typical Layla—but after a little bit of gentle coaxing(cuddling), she let me go.
With an exaggerated pout and a reluctant nod, of course.
I smiled a little to myself at the memory. She may act like a troublemaker, but deep down, I knew she cared deeply. Especially for us.
A flick of the knife brought me back to the present.
Scarlett was humming softly, her fiery hair tied back in a loose braid as she stirred something in a pot. She looked… content. In control. The strong, gentle center of gravity holding us all together.
Honestly, watching her like this made something ache in my chest. A good ache. Like something warm wanting to bloom.
"You're spacing out again," she said suddenly, not even looking up from the pot.
I blinked. "Huh?"
Scarlett smirked. "You always get that soft look when you're thinking about something—or someone."
"Is that so?" I tried to sound casual as I returned to chopping tomatoes, but my ears were probably turning red.
She laughed softly.
Sizzle.
The sauce in the pan bubbled gently, filling the kitchen with a warm aroma. Scarlett moved with grace, focused and calm, her back to me as she stirred.
But my gaze wasn't on the pan. It was on her.
I've been so caught up in everything lately—fighting, training, surviving.
I haven't truly looked at her… haven't truly felt her presence in days.
Even now, after saving Lyra's mother and surviving all that chaos, I couldn't relax… not until I made this right.
I walked forward, quiet as a whisper, until I was behind her.
"Scarlett."
"Hm?"
I gently placed my hands over hers, guiding the motion of her stirring. My other hand found its place naturally, wrapping around her waist.
She tensed. "N-Noah?"
"I'm just helping," I said softly, playing innocent.
"You're not… this isn't helping…" she muttered, but her voice was already weaker.
I leaned in, close enough that she could feel the warmth of my breath against her skin.
"I've been unfair to you, haven't I?" I whispered, lips brushing the curve of her ear. "I've left you waiting, watching… always behind me."
Her hands trembled under mine.
I kissed her neck, right at the soft hollow beneath her ear. She shivered, instinctively tilting her head slightly, exposing more of herself.
She smells like cinnamon and something sweet. Home.
Another kiss followed—down her neck, to the curve of her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Scarlett," I murmured again. "I didn't mean to make you feel like you didn't matter. You do. More than I can put into words."
Scarlett tried to respond, but I gently turned her around to face me. Her eyes—deep red, glassy, wide—searched mine.
"Noah…"
That look… it was love. Pure and vulnerable. And it hit me like a blade to the chest.
"I love you," I said, my voice low and certain.
Her breath hitched.
And then—she surged forward.
Her lips met mine in a kiss that wasn't just affection—it was raw, desperate, real. Her fingers gripped my shirt tightly as if afraid I'd vanish. I held her waist, pulling her flush against me, deepening the kiss.
She tasted like warmth. Like longing. Like something I hadn't known I needed until this very moment.
I poured every unspoken word into that kiss. Every apology. Every promise.
She kissed me back just as fiercely.
And then—
"Well, well~"
We froze.
I turned my head slowly.
There stood Layla, arms crossed, eyebrow twitching, her usual playful grin absent.
"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just the poor soul watching over unconscious people while you two are playing lovebirds in the kitchen," she said, her tone deceptively sweet.
Behind her, Lyra stood half-asleep, holding a mug. She blinked twice. "....should I go back?"
Scarlett's face was buried in my chest by now, burning red.
I sighed, raising a hand in surrender. "…I was… stirring the sauce?"
Layla narrowed her eyes.
"Next time I'm getting cuddles and kisses first," she muttered, storming off with a dramatic flip of her hair.
Lyra tilted her head. "…Cuddles?"
"Tch."
Layla stormed off, muttering under her breath, while Scarlett clung to me, too embarrassed to meet anyone's eyes.
Lyra, still standing there with her mug, watched us quietly. She didn't seem angry or flustered—just thoughtful.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"…Thank you."
I looked at her.
Her voice was soft, almost fragile, completely different from her usual cool and composed self.
"For saving my mother," she continued, her fingers tightening around the cup she held. "For… risking so much to bring her back."
I released Scarlett gently, stepping toward Lyra.
"You don't have to thank me, Lyra," I said sincerely. "I would've done it even without you asking. Family is… important."
Lyra's lips trembled, just slightly. She lowered her gaze.
"I thought I'd never see her again," she whispered. "When I first heard her heart still beating inside that ice… I—"
She cut herself off, biting her lip hard.
I reached out, placing a hand gently on her head.
Lyra froze.
Her hair was soft beneath my palm, cool like fresh snow. She tilted her head up slightly, eyes wide.
"You don't have to hold it in," I said quietly. "You're not alone anymore."
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed thickly.
"…You're annoying," she muttered, trying to hide the way her voice cracked. "Always saying cheesy things like that."
I chuckled, ruffling her hair a little.
"And yet you're still here," I teased.
Lyra scowled lightly, but her cheeks had turned the faintest shade of pink.
'So cute' I thought.
She looked away, sipping her drink quickly to hide it.
Scarlett, who was watching from the side, smiled warmly.
Layla's voice called from the other room, something about "still waiting for my turn!" but I ignored it for now.
Right now, this moment… it was just ours.
I lowered my hand from Lyra's head, but she surprised me.
She stepped forward and, very lightly, bumped her forehead against my chest. Like a silent thank-you.
For once, she didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
I raised my hand again and lightly placed it on her head, staying like that for a few heartbeats.
A quiet, unspoken bond.
Finally, Lyra pulled back, her cheeks still faintly pink.
"…If you ever need me," she said, her voice firmer now, "I'll be there."
I smiled.
"I'll remember that."
Layla's POV
Peeking through the doorway, I saw Noah in front of Lyra, gently wiping away the last of her tears. Scarlett was watching quietly from behind, her lips curved in a soft smile.
And there he was—Noah Von Augustus.
Charming.
Warm.
Unfairly good at this "hero of broken girls" thing.
I leaned on the wall, arms crossed.
"…Tch. Look at you," I called out, smirking.
All three of them turned toward me, startled.
"Noah the gallant. First a romantic kitchen escapade with Scarlett, now a heart-melting hug with Lyra? What about me?"
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you mad a few minutes ago?"
"I was, yes," I said dramatically, flipping my hair. "But then I remembered… I haven't had my quota of cuddles today."
Lyra blinked. "…Quota?"
Scarlett giggled quietly, and Noah sighed like a man already used to the chaos.
"Come here then," he said with exaggerated tiredness, holding out an arm.
I practically skipped over, dropping myself into his side like it was a throne I owned. "Hmm… much better. You're warmer than usual. Were you storing emotions again?"
"I was reassuring Lyra."
"Uh-huh." I smirked, shooting a teasing glance at Lyra. "He gets this way when he cares too much. You'll get used to it."
Lyra looked overwhelmed but smiled anyway. "…I think I'm already used to it."
"Aww~ She's learning fast," I said, patting her head like a proud older sister.
Noah groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm being adopted by you two?"
"Because you are," Scarlett chimed in, finally joining us and wrapping her arms around Noah from the other side.
"Group hug?" Lyra asked shyly.
"Obviously," I said. "We're already emotionally compromised. Might as well commit."
And just like that, in the warmth of a cluttered kitchen, the four of us stood together—laughing, teasing, holding onto something fragile yet real.
A found family.
A moment of peace.
One we all desperately needed.
—To be compromised..