"Bro, have you decided where to go?" Zeis asked Lorin behind him as he drove the carriage.

Zeis knew a few healers, but given Lorin’s status, other options were better if available.

Lorin fell silent for a moment. His first thought was his own manor, but after his absence, he couldn’t be sure it was safe.

"To Gleiter Manor."

"Gleiter Manor," Zeis repeated. "I think it’s this way."

For those like them who roamed the Royal Capital often, the area was familiar enough to navigate blindfolded.

The carriage’s jolting speed and her body’s pain made Xueyi struggle to open her eyes.

She saw Lorin wiping her cheeks gently with his sleeve.

Spotting her awake, Lorin quickly asked, "How are you feeling?"

Since earlier, Xueyi had burned with fever, her forehead hot and slick with cold sweat.

Even Lorin, clueless about injuries, knew she was in terrible shape.

Xueyi’s mouth moved as if to speak, but only a hoarse whisper came out.

"Water?"

Lorin grabbed a waterskin and held it to her lips.

"Uh... *cough cough cough*."

Whether he poured too fast or she drank too eagerly, she choked after a few sips. Lorin patted her back lightly.

Feeling slightly better, Xueyi gasped up at him. Lorin’s own breath had synced with hers.

"I need to ask something," Xueyi murmured wearily, sounding half-asleep.

"Anything. What is it?"

Seeing her like this, Lorin’s heart clenched tight, a breathless tension gripping him.

Xueyi’s free hand gripped his clothes weakly. "That sachet... what’s it about?"

"Sachet?" Lorin blinked, confused.

"I saw it. In your clothes."

"Oh, that one," Lorin said, baffled why she cared.

"Who gave it to you?"

Even with little strength, her tug on his clothes was fierce—her utmost effort.

Frustrated and anxious, Lorin almost snapped. But her desperate eyes forced him to answer. "Mina gave it. The former lord’s youngest daughter."

He remembered how the little girl had handed it to him after getting a new one herself.

Hearing "girl," Xueyi tried to sit up. Lorin held her down gently. "She’s this small," he gestured, "barely speaks clearly. Just a kid."

"A kid..." Xueyi whispered, her tension easing as relief washed over her. "Where are we going now?"

"To your home."

"My home... Can we not go back? Just stay... there... only us two." Her voice faded. Lorin had to lean close to hear over the carriage noise.

"We’ll have chances later," Lorin soothed, brushing her forehead. It still burned hot—he worried fever had addled her mind.

No matter Xueyi’s reluctance, only Gleiter Manor could treat her wounds now.

The carriage halted. Zeis called out, "We’re here."

Guards barked, "Who goes there?!"

Lorin scooped up Xueyi and kicked the door open. "It’s me."

The guards froze, then recognized him and Xueyi. "Second Prince? And Miss?"

They knew little of Lorin’s situation—the nobles had summoned him. Xueyi’s disappearance had the entire Gret Family searching for days.

"Find a healer for Xueyi. Now!" Lorin’s urgency made them notice her injuries. They scrambled inside.

Naba rushed over upon hearing the news. "Second Prince, you’re back. Xueyi, what—?"

Though he’d written separately from the nobles, Naba had waited endlessly for Lorin. With the Gret Family’s chaos, he’d been swamped. Their sudden arrival left him bewildered.

"Talk later. Treat Xueyi first," Lorin said, watching her gasp in pain.

"Right, right," Naba snapped to attention.

Led by Naba, Lorin carried Xueyi to her room. As he set her down, she clutched his sleeve, mouth opening silently.

Lorin lifted his wrist beside hers. Their Bracelets glowed in perfect sync.

"As long as this reacts, I’m still here."

Xueyi reluctantly released him.

Her shoulder wound would require tearing her clothes open soon. Though they’d seen each other bare before, Lorin couldn’t linger—this was her home.

After the maid ushered the healer inside and the door shut, exhaustion crashed over Lorin. He stumbled back, leaning against the wall to gasp for air.

"You okay?" Zeis reached to steady him.

Lorin waved him off.

To Zeis, Lorin looked wrecked. Uninjured but mentally frayed from constant tension—like a rope pulled too tight.

Lorin slid down the wall, sitting on the floor, uncaring of his disheveled state.

If today hadn’t felt so real, he’d have thought it all a dream.