Sharin fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then pressed on, "What’s your relationship with Elder Silverflower?"

"Friends."

"What kind of friends?"

"Just ordinary friends."

The monster beast’s bones were tough. As an ordinary human, Lena lacked the strength to crack them—her knife barely left a mark.

Sharin flicked her index finger. Razor-sharp magic sliced through the bones and finished prepping the rest of the ingredients in one fluid motion.

Lena opened her mouth to thank her, but Sharin closed in. One hand clamped firmly around Lena’s wrist; the other braced against the counter, trapping her.

"Last question," Sharin murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips. Yet somehow, that smile felt dangerous. Lena knew a wrong answer could unleash who-knew-what.

The truth was simple: Sharin’s warmth had crossed the line of ordinary friendship. It needed cooling down.

But saying that outright? Impossible. If true, it’d crush Sharin. If false, Lena would look like a fool.

So she blinked her wide, innocent eyes and whispered, "What dishes do you like? I’ll cook them for you tonight."

"Your deflection is painfully obvious," Sharin shot back, arching a brow in clear disapproval.

Just as she leaned closer, the kitchen door swung open. Isa stood frozen in the doorway, candy dangling from her lips.

"Sister Lena... what are you two doing?"

"Woah. Didn’t expect you two to be *that* close," Aurora chimed in, peeking around the doorframe. Her eyes widened at their intimate stance, and she covered her mouth with a gasp. "The Guild President actually has feelings for Miss Lena..."

They’d rushed over after hearing noises from the kitchen—only to catch the Guild President and their landlord tangled in what looked like a lovers’ moment.

Lena quickly pushed Sharin away, face serious. "It’s not what you think. Don’t jump to conclusions."

"Mhm, mhm," Aurora nodded obediently, but Lena knew she didn’t believe a word.

Lena sighed, rubbing her temples. Explaining felt pointless now. Still, their interruption had saved her from Sharin’s interrogation—a small mercy.

Sharin, however, seemed far more concerned about the misunderstanding than Lena’s answer. Even her forced smile softened into something genuinely sweet. She ushered both girls out of the kitchen and followed them, leaving Lena to finish dinner in peace.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in molten gold, the last straggling birds flew home to their nests. Lena carried the finished dishes into the living room just as Sharin’s voice floated over:

"How about a hot spring soak after dinner? It’ll help us bond—we’ll be together for at least half a year until Celia’s Hero trial."

As Guild President, Sharin would naturally spend plenty of time with them.

"Yes! Yes!" Isa shot her hand up, bouncing with excitement. Celia, curled on the sofa, flinched and hugged her arms. "I... I’ll skip it."

"Why?" Aurora studied her flushed face. "Scared of being nearly naked together?"

*If she didn’t have horns, I’d swear she was a literal Demon*, Lena thought dryly.

"What? I’m not scared!" Celia snapped, hands on hips.

"Then you’re coming?"

"Fine! Like I’d be afraid!" Celia blurted—then instantly regretted it. Aurora’s knowing smirk confirmed her trap had snapped shut.

Lena just sighed. *Celia’s completely wrapped around her finger.*

After dinner, as Lena cleared the plates, Sharin looped an arm through hers and tugged her toward the door.

"Me too?" Lena blinked. She’d assumed Sharin meant just the trainees—she was only their powerless landlord, the frailest among them.

"Of course!" Sharin insisted. "You’re their landlord. You spend almost as much time with them as their trainer!"

Lena realized it was true. Every evening, she welcomed them home with warm meals, handled chores, and listened to their worries. It did feel... like a family of four.

She agreed.

The hot spring lay north of the Heroes Guild—a haven exclusively for Heroes within Vedona. The lobby buzzed with guild members who greeted President Sharin warmly, then curiously eyed the strangers trailing her. Their gazes lingered longest on Lena, clouded with confusion. *What’s an ordinary girl doing here?*

Sharin noticed. Deliberately, she slipped her arm through Lena’s in full view of the hall.

A sharp intake of breath echoed. Every Hero quickly looked away.

At the front desk, Sharin released Lena and addressed the receptionist, who was scribbling notes. "Five guests."

Sharin was a regular, but the receptionist glanced up at Lena and blurted, "Is this lady... also a Hero?" She paled instantly.

Sharin’s brow furrowed. "Yes. Problem?"

"N-no! This way, please!" The flustered clerk jabbed a finger toward the left corridor.

Once alone, Lena whispered, "Is this place off-limits to ordinary people?" She worried Sharin had broken rules just to soak with her. As Guild President, no one would dare object openly—but whispers behind her back? Lena didn’t want to cause her trouble.