NOVPUBNyx sat still.
The file on Alden remained open in her ManaSync, but her eyes weren't reading anymore.
They were distant and lost.
He's just like me…
That thought appeared into her mind out of nowhere—but it was impossible to ignore.
She had always thought Alden was a typical noble—arrogant and spoiled.
Even if he was an illegitimate son.
But the truth…
He had been discarded. Abused. Exiled.
Just like me…
Her fingers curled into fists.
Memories appeared in her mind—memories she'd buried deep.
Her own childhood, spent behind fortified gates and marble walls.
A golden prison.
Her father never once smiled at her. Never once held her hand or praised her.
His gaze was cold and clinical — as if assessing a weapon he'd personally forged.
And that's all she had ever been.
A tool.
The perfect daughter. The perfect soldier.
Trained in combat before she could write.
Restricted from leaving family mansion. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
Prohibited from speaking freely, laughing too loudly, or dreaming of a normal life.
Friends? Forbidden.
Emotions? Weakness.
Freedom? A lie dangled like a carrot she could never reach.
She remembered staring out of her window at night, watching her brother laugh, his world filled with colour and softness.
And she — trapped in steel and silence — would imagine what it felt like to just be a child.
A small sigh escaped her lips, and for once… her expression softened.
Maybe he wore the mask of a playboy because it was the only kind of freedom he was allowed.
A desperate try to reach something normal.
Something human.
She looked at the screen again.
Look at the boy with bruises beneath his eyes.
Alone in every photo.
And she felt something unexpected.
Pity, yes.
But also something warmer. Gentler.
Understanding.
She had judged him without knowing anything about him.
But now…
Now, she wasn't sure.
Her thumb hovered over the file containing Amyra's information.
But she didn't open it.
Not yet.
Instead, she turned her ManaSync off and leaned back on the bed, eyes drifting to the ceiling.
Alden's face came to her again — not when he was fighting, not when he was burning with gold and fury…
But when he was smiling awkwardly in the class before. Quiet. Just listening.
There had been a certain loneliness in that smile.
A loneliness she now recognised.
Because it was the same one she'd worn for most of her life.
Maybe… you're just like me.
__
Nyx got up from her bed.
It had been nearly an hour since they returned.
Alden might've woken up by now… right?
With that thought in her mind, she walked quietly toward the spare bedroom.
She pushed the door open.
He was still lying there—unconscious.
His expression was peaceful, almost childlike.
It caught her off guard.
She stepped closer.
His body was still covered in dried blood, but all the wounds had long since healed.
She pressed the back of her hand against his forehead.
His body temperature is normal.
Her gaze wandered towards one of his arms. It was hanging off the edge of the bed.
Nyx frowned.
She hesitated – then sighed.
With a reluctant hand, she reached out and gently lifted his arm, placing it back on the bed.
Just as she was about to pull it away—
His hand grabbed hers.
Nyx froze.
Wha… What's happening?!
Her breath caught.
Her eyes widened.
She looked at his face — still unconscious, but his expression had shifted.
The peace was gone.
A pained expression now replaced it.
A nightmare?
She tried to pull her hand free, but—
His grip was tight. Desperate. Too strong.
Even asleep, his apprentice rank gave him more strength than her initiate rank could match.
Just as she was nearly free—
"Please don't go…"
His voice was weak. Broken.
Nyx stiffened.
W–what?
What is this I–idiot saying…?
She tried again — half-heartedly — but stopped when he whispered again.
"Please don't leave me alone…"
The desperation in his voice pierced something deep inside her.
She stopped moving.
Her hand remained trapped in his.
But for once… she didn't struggle.
She stood still.
Alden's grip had not loosened.
His voice, so fragile moments ago, still echoed in her mind.
Please don't leave me alone…
Her chest felt tight.
She didn't understand why. She had barely even realised how long she'd stood there—hand still in his—when suddenly...
Alden moved.
His brows furrowed. His crimson eyes snapped open, unfocused.
Then they sharpened.
His gaze locked onto her.
Nyx froze.
"…You're awake?" She said, awkwardly, instantly flustered.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
Alden blinked as he looked around in confusion.
Then, finally hai gaze shifted towards their hands.
His hand was still wrapped around hers.
He immediately let go.
Nyx stepped back instinctively, clearing her throat.
"You were unconscious," she said quickly, trying to sound composed.
"I found you in Lustra. You were surrounded by corpses, covered in blood. I brought you back."
Alden sat up slowly.
He didn't respond for a moment. His eyes stared at her intently.
"…Why?" he asked.
Nyx tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean why?"
"Why did you help me?" His voice was calm, but guarded.
She clicked her tongue, annoyed by his suspicious tone.
Tch, this is what I get for saving you, huh?
"I could've left you to rot there," she replied "But I didn't. That should be enough."
Alden didn't answer immediately.
He just stared at her for a moment.
Nyx shifted slightly. She tried to change the subject.
"You should rest more. You're not fully recovered."
"I'm fine," he replied immediately.
Typical.
Nyx sighed.
"You don't have to act strong all the time." Her voice was soft. "It's okay to show weakness sometimes." Alden looked at her strangely.
But he said nothing.
He simply got up from the bed.
He walked past her toward the door.
Nyx hesitated, the words on the tip of her tongue.
Something about rest.
But she said nothing.
Just as he opened the door, he paused.
"Still", he said without turning back, "Thanks."
With that, Alden stepped out, leaving only silence in his wake.
Nyx stood there.
"…Idiot," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
But the way her fingers curled into a soft fist—it betrayed more than she intended.
__
Somewhere else…
A girl with long, snow-white hair and deep violet eyes stared at her ManaSync.
Amyra's fingers trembled slightly. Her lips parted in shock.
The notification on the screen didn't make any sense.
__
<THE CITY OF LUSTRA HAS BEEN DESTROYED IN A DEMONIC RITUAL LINKED TO A DISCIPLE OF GREED>
__
"No…" she whispered. "This—this can't be possible."
She stared at the message for another second.
This didn't happen before… Why now?
Why when I wasn't there?
Her fists clenched tightly around the ManaSync.
She repeatedly tried to call him. But his ManaSync was unreachable.
There was no time to think.
Her breathing was rough. Her heart pounded in her ribcage.
"I should've stayed…" she muttered to herself.
She opened the door to her apartment and ran out, not even bothering to check the lock.
She was sure he was still alive. She hadn't felt the shift.
"Please be safe, Alden…"
She didn't know where he was.
But she was going to find him.
No matter what.
