49. Departure
Thanks to Victor… Marcelline Slept Well
Marcelline didn't know when she fell asleep.
Maybe it was the exhaustion.
Maybe it was the calmness after packing.
Maybe…
it was because Victor's aura lingered outside her room like a protective shield.
Either way—
for the first time in weeks, she slept without nightmares, without jolting awake from dark pulses, without feeling watched by the thing that haunted Hollowmist.
She woke up refreshed.
Sharp. Alive. Ready to win any war today.
She stretched her arms, exhaling.
> "Not bad… Thanks, Victor."
She whispered it to herself, not intending anyone to hear.
Marcelline freshened up, showered, tied her hair back, and dressed in a clean, minimal travel outfit.
No royal badges.
No crest.
No symbols of power.
To the world, she would look like just another traveler.
A normal citizen heading abroad.
Silent.
Invisible.
Untraceable.
She packed only the essentials:
simple clothes
encrypted documents
emergency seals
a basic astral kit
minimal cash
snacks because she does not trust airplane food
and her dimensional ring with everything else
Weapons?
She didn't need them.
She herself was a walking weapon.
A blade sharp enough to slice the world.
A force capable of breaking armies.
She zipped her bag shut.
"Alright… time to move."
She pulled the door open—
and immediately froze.
Victor, who had been leaning against her door backwards to "casually guard," lost his balance.
And instead of catching himself…
…a wicked idea flashed in his mind.
He let himself fall.
Directly.
On.
Her.
Marcelline: "VICTOR—!"
He crashed into her gently, hands on either side of the doorframe so she wasn't hurt, trapping her between him and the wall.
For a solid three seconds, they were way too close.
Victor smirked.
> "Good morning, Elli."
Marcelline glared, pushing him away.
"Get off me, you idiot!"
He stepped back, pretending to dust imaginary dirt off his shirt.
> "You slept well, I see.
Must be because someone noble and handsome guarded you all night."
Marcelline crossed her arms.
"Oh yes. I felt extremely safe knowing a grown man was cuddling my door."
Victor gasped dramatically.
> "It was NOT cuddling. It was strategic contact."
"Strategic stupidity, you mean."
He grinned.
> "Ah, so you admit you slept well because of me."
She scoffed.
"Get out of my hallway before I throw you out."
He winked.
> "You'll miss me when you're gone."
"I doubt that."
But the small smile on her lips betrayed her.
Both of Them Head to Breakfast
They walked side by side—
Marcelline pretending she didn't enjoy his company,
Victor pretending he wasn't watching her every step like she was glass.
Adele passed them with files, eyes wide.
"D-Did Something happened my lady ?"
Victor( Grinned): "Yeah Elli fall on me ,Ask her."
Marcelline: "No."
Victor: "It was romantic."
Marcelline: "I'll stab you."
Adele: "…Okay."
The poor assistant ran off.
When they entered the dining hall—
Sister Florence, Leo, Alpha, and Paradus were already seated, waiting.
Amara and Vincent arrived with Mia half-asleep in Vincent's arms.
Everyone greeted Marcelline with smiles—
real ones.
Alpha pulled a chair.
Leo handed her a cup of herbal tea.
Paradus placed bread near her like she was a child who needed feeding.
Mia hugged her leg.
"I'll miss you, Miss Elli…"
Marcelline softened, patting her hair.
"I'll be back soon."
They ate together.
Laughed.
Teased each other.
Talked like a family.
Even Victor behaved…
for a few minutes.
Then he leaned in.
> "When you land, message me.
If you don't, I'll assume you died."
Marcelline gave him looked..
Victor: "What? I said assume, not hope."
Marcelline stabbed a sausage and pointed it at him.
"Say one more word and I'll make that assumption come true."
Everyone burst out laughing.
---
Time to Leave
Adele cleared her throat, checking the time nervously.
"My Lady, It's almost time for your flight.we have to go now."
Marcelline set her spoon down.
Everyone went quiet.
Sister Florence squeezed her hand.
Leo stood up, bowing his head. He was happy cause he was accompanying Marcelline.
Alpha crossed his arms to hide the sadness.
Paradus lifted her luggage easily.
Victor…
Victor just stared at her.
As if trying to memorize her face.
---
Walking to the Car
The group walked her outside.
Morning sunlight fell on them.
Marcelline inhaled deeply, looking at all of them with a calm, gentle smile.
> "I'll come back."
Victor spoke the loudest.
"You better."
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
Victor stepped closer, voice dropping low.
> "Only if you stay alive."
A silent promise.
A vow between them.
A boundary respected… yet trembling.
The car door opened.
Adele handed her the final documents.
She took them gracefully.
Everyone stood around her—
a circle of love, worry, trust.
Marcelline looked at them one last time.
Then she stepped inside the car. Following her Leo jump in as well.
The door shut softly.
And just like that…
She left...
Where danger slept.
Where secrets waited.
Where her destiny called her home.
---