"It's over."

Rayelle clapped her hands, stepping forward to haul the two figures to the Adventurers Guild for Aerin’s interrogation.

But in that instant—a terrifying gale erupted.

A whirlwind of ochre sand and grit surged violently, blinding Rayelle and stinging her eyes shut.

"What? Reinforcements?!"

Rayelle snapped back to her senses and swung her fist again.

BOOM!

The howling sandstorm slammed apart under her punch.

But the two figures had vanished.

Clearly, a third accomplice had seized them while Rayelle was momentarily blinded.

"Tch..."

Rayelle’s brow furrowed.

No trace lingered in the alley—their tracker must’ve known counter-surveillance tricks.

Still, not a total loss.

Rayelle lifted a coin purse she’d snatched from them mid-fight, shaking it lightly.

As a dragon, she had a nose for coins.

The crisp clinking sounded rich; the weight in her hand felt substantial. Plenty inside.

More importantly, the brief clash had given her a clue.

That sandstorm—able to mask presence and sight—it matched Vera’s supernatural ability.

*So she’s targeting me?*

Rayelle’s fingers brushed the letter tucked in her chest.

Earlier, those two had mentioned stealing something.

Likely this very item Chloe entrusted to her.

*They’re after Chloe next.*

Rayelle’s eyes sharpened.

She’d need to protect Chloe.

If Chloe died, Aerin would spiral further down a dark path.

Rayelle pocketed the coin purse and strode out of the alley toward the plush toy shop.

The kind shopkeeper waited as promised.

"Back with coin, little one?"

"Yep! Here you go, Manager!"

Rayelle handed over the purse. Payment made, the shopkeeper cheerfully wrapped the pure-white plush toy in a gift box, slipped it into a cloth bag, and passed it to her.

"Kind soul. See you next time."

"Thank you!"

Rayelle waved goodbye, clutching the bag.

Guided by her map, she soon reached Chloe’s neighborhood on Bonn City’s outskirts. Quiet. Sparse houses. Easy to spot the estate marked with Chloe’s name.

"Wow..."

Rayelle let out a soft gasp.

Chloe’s home was grander than expected—three stories tall, with a sprawling hundred-square-meter garden.

A shimmering pond. Flowering shrubs swaying in the breeze. A tranquil painting come to life.

*Chloe’s richer than I thought.*

Rayelle didn’t linger. After circling the fence, she found the gate, slotting in the magical doorbell activator Chloe had mailed her.

*Clack-clack.* Gears whirred. Faint magic rippled across the gate. A clear, silvery chime rang out—gentle, soothing, like a lullaby.

Seconds later, the door opened.

Chloe stood there.

"Rayelle. Good morning."

Her usual cool expression warmed into a soft smile under the bright sun. For a fleeting moment, Rayelle glimpsed Chriss’s gentle warmth in her features.

*Sisters, after all.*

Both Chloe and Chriss had smiles that felt like sunlight.

"Good morning, Sister Chloe!"

Rayelle tiptoed, waving her tiny hand high above her head—otherwise, the gate would’ve hidden it. *So small!*

Chloe pulled the gate wide, ushering her in. Her gaze caught the cloth bag in Rayelle’s arms.

"What’s this?"

Curiosity flickered in her eyes.

Rayelle hugged the bag close, grinning.

"A gift for Chriss! I think she’ll love it."

"Hmm... Let me see."

Rayelle nodded, handing it over. She understood—Chriss was ill, and they weren’t close enough for Chloe to trust random gifts.

But Chloe didn’t open the box. She cradled it briefly, studied it, then returned it. Her shoulders relaxed, tension easing from her face.

"It’s fine. Go on. She’s waiting in her room."

Chloe patted Rayelle’s back.

Rayelle followed her inside. Down hallways. Until they stopped before a gray door unlike any other.

Cold metal and warm wood intertwined, etched with intricate runes forming a mystical seal.

Even from a distance, Rayelle felt it—a gentle warmth radiating from the room, washing over her in calming waves.

"This is..."

"Noticing Rayelle’s curiosity, Chloe explained softly, "A special seal in Chriss’s room. It suppresses the root of her illness. Keeps her comfortable."

"I see..."

Rayelle stole a glance upward. Beneath Chloe’s carefully composed calm, shadows lingered under her eyes. Exhaustion.

*Worried about Chriss.*

Though Rayelle hadn’t known them long, the way they spoke of each other—their fleeting touches, their guarded words—spoke of a bond deeper than blood.

Losing one would shatter the other.

Silently trailing Chloe, Rayelle’s chest tightened. Six days.

Chriss didn’t know her sister would die in agony six days from now.

In the original story, Chriss—abandoned, uncared for—would succumb to her worsening illness, alone.

The thought of their tragic end made Rayelle’s tiny fists clench.

*I will rewrite this story.*