The night was quiet in the capital. The faint hum of crickets echoed outside, the moonlight spilling through the window and painting silver streaks across the room.
Vaspera lay on her bed, eyes half open, staring blankly at the ornate ceiling. Her hair was scattered across the pillow like spilled wine, a contrast against the pale moonlight.
She turned on her side with a sigh. Sleep wouldn't come — no matter how many times she shifted.
"…Tch." She clicked her tongue softly, pulling the blanket higher as if it would somehow silence the noise inside her head.
The curry was actually… delicious, she admitted to herself, a reluctant thought that made her frown.
That brat can actually cook better than any noble family's chef I've ever met.
Her lips curved just slightly before she caught herself.
"Heh. Wait… why am I even thinking about him right now?" she whispered, pressing the pillow against her face. "Usually, by this time, I'd be asleep already. Ugh… this is so annoying."
She let out another quiet sigh. The scent of curry still lingered in her memory — warm, comforting, and strangely nostalgic.
Her eyelids grew heavy, but the strange warmth in her chest wouldn't fade.
---
And in the storeroom, Ren lay sprawled across his bed, one arm dangling off the side, the other under his pillow.
The night air was cool, but his mind was far too awake.
"I'm glad she liked the curry," he muttered into the darkness, a small grin tugging at his lips. "She said she was fine with bread, but she still ate it all anyway."
He chuckled softly, eyes half-lidded. "Maybe she isn't that bad after all…"
Then he froze, eyes snapping open. "Wait— what the hell are you saying, Ren?"
He quickly sat up and shook his head, cheeks puffed. "Get a grip!"
Then, without hesitation, he slapped both his cheeks with his palms — smack! smack!
"Just go to sleep, idiot," he scolded himself, collapsing back into bed.
For a while, he just stared at the ceiling, his expression blank. "…But still… she looked kind of peaceful while eating," he whispered, almost too softly for himself to hear.
Sleep eventually claimed him, the faintest smile still resting on his lips.
---
Morning came swiftly.
Golden rays seeped into the backyard, glinting off Ren's sweat as he moved through his usual training routine. The steady rhythm of his strikes echoed through the open courtyard.
But the air felt… different today.
Vaspera stood a few steps away, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She watched him train, but said nothing — no corrections, no mocking remarks. Just silence.
Ren could feel her eyes on him, yet he couldn't bring himself to look her way. His movements faltered slightly, his focus slipping.
Why am I not looking at her? he thought, landing another blow on the wooden post.
It's just madam Vaspera, right? Why does it feel weird all of a sudden?
On the other side, Vaspera frowned faintly.
Why am I not lecturing him today? ridiculous.
She shifted her weight, arms tightening over her chest.
It's just that stupid brat again. So why does the air feel so heavy?
The tension between them was thick enough to touch — silent, awkward, and unspoken.
Then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A sharp knock echoed from the mansion's front gate.
Ren stopped mid-swing. Both turned toward the sound, relieved by the interruption, and made their way toward the main hall.
A man in a formal black uniform stood there, bearing the golden crest of the royal family upon his chest. He bowed deeply, his voice crisp and formal.
"lady Vaspera," he began, "greetings from His Majesty. The King requests your presence at the royal palace. You are to attend a formal meeting immediately — by royal invitation."
Vaspera's expression froze for a heartbeat, then shifted into one of cold annoyance.
She turned around without hesitation. "I decline."
The messenger blinked in disbelief. "wha… are you declining His Majesty's personal summons?"
Vaspera smirked over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Yes. And what are you going to do about it, hmm?"
The messenger stiffened, his throat tightening. The weight of her aura pressed against him like an invisible wall.
"I… I shall inform His Majesty of your response," he managed, voice trembling slightly.
Vaspera waved him off lazily. "Do that."
As the man hurried away, Ren sighed behind her, running a hand through his hair.
"…declining king's invitation," he muttered under his breath.
Vaspera glanced sideways at him, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Got something to say ?"
---Ren shrugged quickly. "Nope. Not a thing."
But deep down, he had a bad feeling — one that told him this wouldn't end quietly.
---