"…Why didn't you let me handle everything? You could've died."
Kael shrugged. "Didn't want you to fight alone."
He didn't even realize what he said.
He spoke casually, like it was nothing.
But to her…
He said the exact opposite.
She looked away.
"You're reckless," she muttered.
"You're annoying." he replied.
They both exhaled at the same time.
She touched her sleeve.
The vial was still there.
She could poison him now.
(Why can't I do it?)
But her heart whispered:
(He saved you too… many times.)
(He fights without hesitation.
He risked himself to protect you.) she thought.
She closed her eyes tightly.
Her plan failed again.
The Thief Returns
Then suddenly—
A small cough echoed from behind a crate.
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly.
A small girl with ragged clothes, holding his pouch in shaking hands.
"I-I'm sorry…" she said. "I didn't mean to lead you here. I didn't know there were spirits. I… I just needed money for medicine…"
Kael stared quietly.
