"Eh? You're leaving the Royal Capital?"

Like everyone else, Xueyi’s face flashed with shock when she heard Lorin would soon depart—but it quickly twisted into unease.

"Why?! There’s still time, isn’t there? Why the sudden change?"

Lorin had mentioned his upcoming assignment to a territory before, but Xueyi hadn’t reacted then.

"Maybe someone fears I threaten their position," Lorin murmured. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure whether Romon and Baneka truly saw him as a rival for the throne, or if Oulei was the one wary of him. This abrupt shift reeked of something unnatural.

"Who?!" Xueyi’s expression darkened instantly, her voice sharpening into that familiar, fierce edge.

Lorin had never seen her like this—not since their first meeting. Pure hostility radiated from her eyes.

"What are you planning? No—what will you *do*?!" Lorin shifted upright, startled. "Listen to me. Even if you know who’s behind this, you can’t act recklessly. Understand?"

Romon and Baneka were royalty. Oulei was Romon’s fiancée—the future queen. Just imagining Xueyi confronting any of them made Lorin’s blood run cold. It would unravel everything he’d worked for.

Xueyi fell silent. Moonlight caught the clarity in her eyes, hiding depths Lorin couldn’t fathom. She gripped his sleeve. "Then I’m coming with you."

Lorin had expected this. He shook his head. "No."

"...Why?"

"What about the Academy? Your future?"

Thanks to his mastery of Advanced Magic—and Dean Lixen’s quiet approval—the Academy had nothing left to teach him. He’d learned this world’s fundamentals from the Bookkeeper anyway; classes were just naps now. But Xueyi needed her rank. Even Lilith in the original story had waited until she earned her Knighthood qualification before leaving. That’s why he’d paired Xueyi with Lilith for the trials—to secure her future. Staying in the Royal Capital was best for her. And if she followed him? Oulei might notice her. After all, Oulei believed all his efforts were for Lilith’s sake—not Xueyi’s.

"You can join me after graduation," Lorin added gently.

Xueyi didn’t lift her head. Her grip on his sleeve loosened, sliding away.

"...No."

"Hm?" Her whisper was faint. "What did you say?"

Suddenly, she looked up. Her eyes glistened, emotions brimming to the surface.

"I said—I *don’t want to*!" Her voice cracked, thick with tears.

Lorin froze, unprepared. He reached to wipe her tears—but she slapped his hand away.

"I can wait for others’ approval. I can wait for my rank. I don’t even need those things." She threw her arms around him, clinging fiercely. "But waiting to see you? I *won’t*! I *won’t*!"

Her embrace felt desperate, as if she could fuse herself into his bones. Slowly, Lorin patted her back. He’d hoped distance might ease her dependence on him—was this his fault for meddling too much?

"Xueyi, listen—"

She shoved him down onto the bed, pinning him beneath her.

"I’m *not* listening!" Her arms braced on either side of his head, tears dripping onto his cheeks. "You’ll just say things to make me agree. I know why now—you think I’m not *enough*." Her voice turned eerily calm. "If I do everything... everything for you... you’ll let me stay."

"Xueyi?" Lorin’s pulse spiked. Something was very wrong.

She didn’t hear him. She sat up abruptly, fingers tearing at her own clothes. Buttons popped. Delicate undergarments and pale skin flashed in the dim light.

"I’ll do everything... *everything*..."

"Stop!" Lorin seized her wrists. She lunged forward, her salty-tear-stained lips crashing against his, tangling with his. Her hands fumbled at his sleep shirt, ripping buttons free. Warmth seeped between their pressed bodies. Her fingers slid lower, frantic.

Panic surged. Lorin shoved her back hard, flipping their positions. Now he pinned *her* to the bed.