The last two days felt like an eternity to Saturo. His mind had been constantly racing with thoughts of Edith—the woman whose name he had just learned but whose presence had already become a significant part of his life. Every moment leading up to their meeting had been a blur of restless anticipation. He spent his time preparing himself, even though he wasn't sure what for—he had no clear expectations. But there was something magnetic about her, and he knew that today was going to be significant.
Kael, ever the observant friend, had noticed Saturo's heightened state of tension. He was used to his companion's usual calm demeanor, but the excitement in Saturo was palpable. When Saturo finally admitted that he was anxious, Kael had simply sighed and helped him prepare—adjusting his disguise, making sure the swords were in place, and double-checking that Saturo's aura was concealed.
"You're really wound up about this one, huh?" Kael had asked, a teasing note in his voice.
"I can't help it. There's something about her," Saturo replied absently, already lost in his thoughts again.
Kael chuckled and shook his head, clearly amused by his friend's sudden burst of emotion. "Well, good luck then. Just don't forget that we're not here to get too attached."
"I won't forget. This is just… a meeting, nothing more."
The morning of their meeting arrived. Saturo was up before dawn, his restlessness having deprived him of a full night's sleep. He dressed in simple clothing, the cloak he wore offering anonymity, and made his way to the town square, arriving thirty minutes ahead of the agreed-upon time.
The streets were still quiet, with only a few vendors setting up their stalls and a few early risers walking through the market. Saturo stood near the fountain, keeping to the shadows and trying to steady his breath. He had to remind himself that this wasn't a mission—it wasn't a part of his duties as a king. He was just a man meeting a woman.
As the minutes passed, the stillness of the morning began to fill Saturo with a sense of calm. Yet, there was still something inside him—some part of him— that couldn't stop the anxious excitement that pulsed through his veins. He adjusted the hood of his cloak and checked the time again.
Twenty minutes later, he saw her.
She came running toward him, her figure silhouetted against the rising sun. Her modest clothes, though simple, still seemed to shimmer in the morning light, as if she were somehow different from the rest. Her silver hair flowed behind her, and her movements were graceful, but purposeful.
Saturo was caught off guard by how beautiful she looked. The sun highlighted her features, casting a golden glow that seemed to make her more than just ordinary. He was so stunned by her appearance that for a moment, he forgot to breathe.
She stopped in front of him, her chest rising and falling with her breath. "I had to leave without anyone knowing," she said with a playful smile. "If I didn't, I'd have been followed around all day."
Saturo's heart fluttered, and he smiled at her, the joy of seeing her again filling him. "I'm glad you made it. I was beginning to wonder if I'd be standing here alone."
"Well, I wouldn't do that to you." She winked before glancing around, clearly aware of the attention they were drawing in the still-bustling square.
Saturo found himself speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say next. A long stretch of awkward silence fell between them before he finally broke it.
"So, what do you have in mind for today?"
She tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean? We're going to explore the town, of course! I'm free for the day, and we might as well enjoy it."
Saturo grinned. "Then, lead the way, my Lady."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "my lady?
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she tilted her head, studying him. "You keep calling me my lady."
"It seemed appropriate." Saturo looked a little embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, I just… I've gotten used to calling you that."
"Do you even know my name?"
He hesitated. "…Unfortunately, no."
"I know this might sound strange, but I don't think I ever asked you for your name."
Edith's eyes twinkled with amusement, her lips curving upward. "You never did. And yet, here we are."
Saturo winced slightly. "I suppose it was a little rude of me to ask you out without even knowing your name."
"I can't believe you asked someone you don't even know out on a date," she teased, her voice light and playful.
"I apologize," he said with a mock bow, grinning. "But please, allow me to make amends. What is your name?"
She paused, as if contemplating his request. Then, she said with a smile, "My name is Edith."
Saturo paused. "Edith," he repeated quietly, savoring the sound. "It's a beautiful name."
"Careful," she warned lightly. "You're already in trouble enough."
They spent the day walking through the town, exploring different parts of the square, sampling foods from various street vendors, and chatting about their lives. Saturo found that with each passing moment, the connection between them deepened. There was no need for formalities, no need to hide behind roles or titles. With Edith, he felt free.
Around midday, they stopped at a small, cozy café nestled in a corner of the square. Saturo ordered a dish he had never seen before—a spiced meat stew that smelled amazing—and Edith ordered tea and some pastries. They ate in comfortable silence, stealing occasional glances at each other, enjoying the soft warmth of the day and the easy flow of their conversation.
As the day wore on, they walked through the town, laughing and talking more freely than either had expected. There were no burdens, no responsibilities pressing on Saturo's shoulders. For the first time in a long while, he was just a man out enjoying a beautiful day with a woman who had unknowingly captured his heart.
They ate sweet bread from a street vendor and argued playfully over which stall had the better spice blend. She teased him for being too observant—"You watch crowds like they might attack you"—and he countered that she walked like someone who expected the world to bend gently around her.
At one point, a child ran past and nearly knocked her over. Saturo caught her wrist instinctively.
Their eyes met.
Neither spoke.
They let go at the same time.
Laughter followed, but something quieter lingered beneath it—an unspoken awareness that neither could name.
By evening, the sky burned gold and violet. Edith slowed her steps, glancing toward the palace district with faint concern.
"My people will be worried," she admitted. "I've been gone all day."
"Then we should part," Saturo said, though the words came reluctantly.
They exchanged locations—discreet couriers, neutral shops where letters could be left without suspicion.
"Until next time," she said.
"Yes," Saturo replied softly. "Until next time", his eyes shining with hope.
They exchanged a final look before parting. Saturo watched as she walked away, and for a moment, he was filled with a quiet sense of contentment. As he turned to walk back to the inn, he felt a flutter in his chest—a feeling that hadn't been there before.
They met again.
And again.
Days turned into weeks—nearly a month.
Their conversations deepened. Laughter came easier. Silence became comfortable.
But danger crept closer.
One night, as Saturo returned to the inn, Kael was already waiting for him. As soon as he saw Saturo, Kael raised an eyebrow. "Looks like someone had a good day."
Saturo smiled, his heart still racing from the encounter. "I did. It was... everything I hoped for."
Kael chuckled. "Don't get too attached, Saturo. We're not here to make friends."
"I know," Saturo replied, his voice quieter now. "But sometimes, the world isn't so simple."
Kael, seeing the look on his friend's face, said nothing more. Instead, he simply nodded and turned back to his work.
Saturo lay down on his bed later that night, but sleep didn't come easy. His mind raced, and all he could think of was Edith—her smile, her eyes, the way she laughed, how easy it was to talk to her.
Could this be fate?
The next morning, after another short meeting with Edith, the reality of their situation began to sink in. Kael, ever pragmatic, broached the subject Saturo had been avoiding.
"It's time, Saturo," Kael said firmly. "We've been here for almost half a month. You know people are starting to watch us."
Saturo's joy was replaced by hesitation, but Kael was right. It was time for them to return to the capital. His kingdom awaited.
But before they could depart, they met one final time.
The evening was peaceful, the streets empty except for them. As they reached the familiar alley near the tavern where they had parted earlier, a strange feeling prickled Saturo's skin.
Something was wrong.
And then, the shadows shifted.
Out of nowhere, masked and armored figures appeared, emerging like phantoms from every corner of the alleyway. They surrounded Saturo and Edith, closing in quickly. The odds weren't in their favor.
Saturo acted instantly, stepping in front of Edith and shielding her. His muscles coiled as he prepared for what was to come.
The attackers moved, their strikes fast and deadly, but Saturo was quicker. He parried and countered, his movements fluid and precise. However, something was off—he could feel the hesitation in Edith's strikes. She wasn't using her full strength.
Neither was he.
The fight raged on, but they were both outnumbered. Saturo could see the masked men intensifying their focus on Edith, sensing her vulnerability. One of them landed a vicious blow on her, cutting her right arm deeply. She stumbled, falling into the nearby shop, the door creaking as she collapsed.
Saturo's blood boiled.
His mind snapped. In that split second of rage, his family's technique flared. The Eighth Phase: Berserk unlocked in an instant, flooding him with raw power. With a roar, he tore through the attackers, his blades cutting through them faster than they could react. Within moments, the alleyway was littered with their lifeless bodies.
Edith, still recovering, slowly stood up, eyes wide with shock.
She turned to him.
"Aren?"
Saturo's senses returned. His hands stopped shaking.
Before he could speak, Kael appeared, rushing toward him.
"We need to leave. Now."
Edith's eyes followed him for a moment, but the shadows quickly closed in around her. By the time Saturo and Kael disappeared into the night, she had lost them once more.
They did not stop running until the city fell behind them.
Only then did Saturo feel the tremor in his hands.
"I lost control," he said quietly.
Kael said nothing.
That night, Saturo did not sleep.
Silver hair.
Hazel eyes.
Blood on stone.
He did not know if he would ever see her again.
And that thought hurt more than any wound.
From Edith angle
Silver Dawn buzzed with alarm.
Guards searched. Whispers spread.
Edith sat alone, arm bandaged, staring at the empty space before her.
"A suspicious man," they said.
She knew better.
She remembered the look in his eyes—terror, fury, restraint.
"Who are you?" she whispered to the night.
And why did her heart ache with his absence?