It was late at night. Kaelxi sat cross-legged on her small bed, ready for her bedtime fun—counting money.

Today, she’d snagged another easy mark. The stolen wallet held over a dozen silver coins, making Kaelxi grin uncontrollably.

This matched ten days’ worth of city gate fees she’d collect outside town!

Whenever Kaelxi caught a big fish, she’d dump her wooden box of coins onto the bed.

She’d rake her tiny hands through the silver pile like swimming in a money-filled pool.

Once satisfied, she’d sit up and count each coin one by one.

One coin counted, one tossed back into the box. When done, she’d tuck the box under the bed and drift off, content.

Now, Kaelxi sat counting coins, humming a silly tune she’d made up.

She wasn’t worried about Witt at all. She trusted his combat skills.

Even if he lost, he could cast a speed spell and run, right?

If Witt failed his mission and slunk away too ashamed to face her? Even better.

Then she wouldn’t have to break up with him herself.

Though... if that guy really left...

She’d kinda miss him...

When he went, would he give her the Advancement Stone as a keepsake?

After all, he liked her so much...

Unaware, Witt had quietly opened the cottage door and was sneaking toward her bedroom.

He wasn’t spying. From the moment he opened the door, he’d buried the assassin’s words deep inside.

Witt pictured Kaelxi’s delicate Elf form. If he stormed in accusing her now, he’d terrify the poor girl.

Maybe she was drooling, mumbling his name in her sleep.

Maybe she sat by the bed, silently waiting for her hero’s return.

And he doubted her over a damn assassin’s whispers!

Guilt-ridden, Witt silently opened the bedroom door, ready to sleep on the floor.

Tomorrow, he’d joke about the assassin’s nonsense. Kaelxi would giggle at the absurdity.

Then he saw her—sitting on the bed, counting coins and humming happily.

Witt froze. His hand shoved the door harder. It slammed against the wall.

*Bang!* The crash nearly sent Kaelxi tumbling off the bed.

She whipped her head around. Witt. Relief washed over her.

But a closer look—Witt! Her heart leapt again.

Kaelxi yanked the blanket, trying to shove the glittering coins underneath.

She feigned calm. “Witt? What took you so long?”

Inside, she prayed the dim light hid everything.

If not, explaining would be impossible.

And if she couldn’t explain... something terrible would happen.

“I succeeded. I rescued the scapegoat,” Witt replied evenly.

“Shaking off my pursuers just took time.”

Seeing Witt ignore the coins, Kaelxi thought he hadn’t noticed. The weight in her chest lifted.

As she tried sliding under the covers to hide the silver, a large hand grabbed her foot.

Witt’s icy stare made her skin crawl.

She kicked at his grip with her free foot, voice trembling. “Witt! What are you doing? Let me go!”

“Fine. I’ll release you.” Witt yanked the blanket away.

The Elf girl wore a gossamer-thin nightgown. Her slender figure glowed faintly in the kerosene lamp’s light.

But more striking were the dozens—hundreds—of gold, silver, and copper coins beneath her.

“Explain this, and I’ll let you go.” Witt’s tone turned glacial.

“Oh, this? Grandma Elisa left it for me—” Kaelxi’s fake laugh cut off. “Hahaha stop! Witt, please stop!”

Before she could finish, Witt’s thumb dug into her sole, tickling fiercely.

Kaelxi lunged at him, but magical shackles snapped around her wrists, locking them behind her back.

“Haha... hahaha please stop...”

“I’ll talk... hahaha... I really will...”

“Huff... hahaha... I’m... dying... huu...”

Ignoring her pleas, Witt tickled for five full minutes before releasing his thumb.

Face stern, he watched Kaelxi gasp on her side, trembling.

Tears filled her eyes. She bit her lip, sweat beading on her forehead. Her pointed ears drooped limply.

Witt ached for her, but he needed the truth.

Was Kaelxi a liar?

He gambled: if he wronged her, he’d leave forever—or slit his throat if she wished.

If she was a fraud, he couldn’t forgive being emotionally deceived for so long, nearly losing his life. He’d repay her cruelly.

He’d ache for the kind Kaelxi, not the imposter.

“Huff... huff...” Kaelxi gulped precious air. She’d almost suffocated.

That bastard! Why attack her first? He was supposed to adore her!

What went wrong? Where did she slip up?

No time to think—Witt decided she’d rested enough.

“Where did this money come from?”

“No lies. Or I’ll tickle you till you’re happy.”

“...I saved it working at the bakery...”

“Really?” Witt raised an eyebrow, eyes on her sole.

“It’s true! I’m not lying!” Kaelxi glared, feigning hurt to win his trust.

Sadly, Witt had been fooled long enough. He wasn’t naive anymore.

“You once said your daily wage was five copper coins.”

Kaelxi froze. She hadn’t expected him to remember an offhand remark.

Witt’s grip tightened on her foot. Intense ticklishness shot up her leg.

“Hahaha... damn you hahaha”

“Haha why don’t you believe me... huu...”

“I’m sorry... I know I’m wrong... hahahaha stop, please!”

Her free foot kicked his chest, but Witt’s hand held firm as iron.

Watching Kaelxi laugh hysterically through tears, Witt’s heart wept too.

He truly remembered every single word she’d ever said.