The group made camp deep within the forested Mountain Pass. The air was chilly, and Seraphine, Kael Arisugawa, and Lionel Kisaragi huddled close to the crackling fire while Yuzael Valestrian sat a formal distance away, observing silently.
Seraphine was quiet. She was distracted by the rarity of the herbs she found (her side quest success!) and by the strange, confusing warmth in her heart. She was starting to feel a true connection, and the weight of her original goal—escaping the arranged marriage—was getting heavier.
The Honest Tsundere
Lionel, seeing Seraphine's quiet mood, kicked Kael's foot and then stomped over to sit near her. He looked less fierce in the firelight, showing his unbelievably soft heart.
"You're too quiet," Lionel mumbled, keeping his voice low. "Don't worry about the royal guards. I'll protect you, you careless princess." He put his large, firm hand near her shoulder, trying to be subtly protective.
"Thank you, Lionel," Seraphine said softly, leaning into the warmth of the fire.
"Hmph," he replied, his face turning a deep red blush at her soft tone. He quickly looked at the fire. He was terrible at expressing affection, but his loyalty was absolute. He was already so easily attached to her.
Sweet Moment: A Glimpse of the Future
Kael, sensing the shift in mood, walked over, bringing Seraphine a warm, freshly brewed cup of her favorite herbal tea.
He knelt beside her, his handsome face sincere. He wasn't teasing or flirty this time; he was simply home. "Don't look so sad, Princess. Whatever happens, we will figure it out together, okay?" He gently brushed a stray leaf from her cheek, his touch familiar and comforting, a pure love since childhood shining in his eyes.
Seraphine felt a rush of safety. With Kael, everything felt easy and right. She was beginning to recognize that this familiar comfort was exactly what her heart needed.
Jealous Moment: The Cold Prince Speaks
Yuzael, who had been watching this tender exchange, finally broke his silence. His voice was cold and steady, cutting through the comfortable moment.
"You are worried about the future," Yuzael stated, not as a question, but as a cold, honest observation. He then looked directly at Kael, his blue/silver eyes sharp with veiled jealousy. "You already know who she is falling for, Kael. You have her trust. The rest of us are just playing catch-up."
The air froze. Lionel's eyes widened, and he instantly turned to look at Seraphine, realizing Yuzael was right.
Yuzael had correctly observed that Seraphine's heart felt safest with Kael. He saw the genuine, non-romantic bond that Seraphine mistook for friendship, the bond that was quickly evolving into love. Yuzael's comment was a direct challenge to Kael, forcing the "flirty" one to face the depth of his own feelings, and a confession of Yuzael's own understanding.
Seraphine, however, was confused. "What are you talking about, Yuzael?"
Yuzael just offered a quiet, nonchalant half-smile. "Nothing important. Just sleep well, Seraphine. You need to stop being careless with your health." He then stood up and returned to his spot, leaving the question hanging heavy in the cool night air.
Seraphine lay down, her mind swirling. Did I give Kael too much comfort? Am I really falling for him already? She was too kind-hearted to hurt anyone, and the thought of choosing brought a new kind of anxiety.