The people of Delan lined the streets to welcome the victorious Hero Squad.

Ribbons fluttered above the roaring, jubilant crowds.

The heroes’ triumphant return radiated glory. With a few magical tweaks by the mages, their carriage had been transformed into an open-top chariot.

The Half Elf’s crimson eyes sparkled as she took in the cheering throngs.

Princess Delan waved gracefully, her smile perfectly poised.

The Sword Hero occasionally greeted citizens on both sides of the street.

The Sage simply smiled, eyes lowered in quiet contemplation.

Jetri felt utterly miserable.

To him, this victory parade felt no different from a condemned man’s final walk to the gallows.

Even the relief of completing their mission vanished beneath the suffocating press of the crowd.

High above the Delan Capital, the Holy Maiden watched the returning Radiant Star Squad.

Her gaze lingered on the least conspicuous member of the group.

A knowing smile touched her lips.

*Still the same, Mr. Jetri.*

The weight she’d carried for five long years finally lifted from her heart.

As the Church’s Holy Maiden, she couldn’t personally greet the squad before their official return. All she could do was arrange discreet guardians along their route.

She wouldn’t—*couldn’t*—rush down like a lovesick bird the moment they arrived.

The Violette of nine years ago might have charged down on impulse. But four years with *him* had changed her.

Violette’s eyes followed the Sage on the carriage.

Only when the heroes’ vehicle slowly disappeared into the palace gates did she finally look away.

*There’ll be a banquet later. I must prepare.*

But when Violette arrived at the banquet that night, she discovered *he* hadn’t attended at all.

Masking her frustration behind a serene smile, the Holy Maiden endured the nobles’ hollow chatter.

She soon excused herself.

Years under *his* influence had made her pragmatic. She despised these empty gatherings.

Tonight’s feast held no political weight—just a chance for heroes to unwind.

Debutantes dreamed of tasting the Sword Hero’s or Sage’s lips.

Playboys schemed for a night with the princess or the Half Elf.

All their plans crumbled to dust.

Violette swallowed her impatience and excitement, waiting until the next day.

Jetri had once told her first impressions mattered. She’d give him one he’d never forget.

So at the next evening’s unavoidable banquet, when she saw the Sage sneak away after wolfing down his food, she followed.

Violette was pleased by his stunned reaction.

But his wary eyes irked her.

*Though I know that’s just his nature.*

What truly soured her mood tonight was the so-called Sword Hero.

She’d investigated him the moment Jetri mentioned his "new roommate."

*Veya Pendragon.* She knew that name.

She’d nearly lost control of her emotions earlier.

Only the Sage’s quick mediation had prevented disaster.

After their brief separation, Violette finally met Jetri again—in the confessional booth.

When he almost confessed his feelings, she didn’t hesitate.

The Holy Maiden slid open the partition. Before the mousey man could flinch away like a catfish dodging a webcam reveal, she seized his hand.

“From today on, we’re lovers.”

“Huh? Wait—no!! Your Holiness?!” Jetri’s mind short-circuited. “Let—let go of me first!!”

The Sage struggled.

Terror flashed in his eyes. He couldn’t comprehend how things had spiraled like this.

Violette refused to release him. “Call me Vivi, darling.”

Her sapphire eyes burned into the Sage’s.

“I—” He instinctively shrank back, shaking his head.

But a frail mage stood no chance against a holy knight.

The Holy Maiden yanked him off-balance, tilting her face to seal his lips—and his racing thoughts.

Jetri’s mind went blank.

Only a strange, spreading warmth remained in his chest.

“Chad. Look at me.”

Violette held his gaze, unwavering.

His eyes drifted to her moon-pale, sacred face—flawless as frost-kissed jade.

“I mean it. I love you, Chad.”

Her blunt words shattered his focus.

No one had ever said those words to him.

“Let’s elope.”

Violette’s voice cut through the silence.

His pupils snapped back into focus. “No!” he burst out, fury mixing with panic.

“Chad, you—”

“I said *no*!” The Sage cut her off. “I won’t let you elope with me!”

“It’s not *you* eloping with *me*. It’s *me* eloping with *you*,” she countered, twisting the logic.

“No.” Jetri’s reason finally reclaimed his mind.

“Why must we elope just to be together?”

“Because a Holy Maiden can’t have a partner. And I refuse to be your secret,” Violette stated coldly. “Besides, being together would provoke Veya Pendragon. I can’t handle the Human Strongest when she snaps.”

“Why would Vya—”

“Your captain. Your roommate. Veya Pendragon is a woman.” Violette’s tone was flat.

“What?” Jetri first doubted his ears.

Then he doubted *her*.

“The Sword Hero is female. Aelons Kingdom isn’t as progressive as Delan. To secure the throne for their Chosen Hero, they fabricated the identity of ‘Vya Pendragon’.”

“Wait… hold on…” The Sage’s pupils dilated.

He felt like some director from his past life—perpetually stuck in shock reels.

“When you said you wanted to ‘pursue’ me… you meant marriage, right?” Violette pressed.

“I…” Jetri sensed the trap in her words. “I said I’d pursue you, but I’d never—”

“What if she throws away her dignity?” Violette’s voice turned icy. “I can’t beat her—not in battle, not for *you*. So elope with me. Tonight.”

“And we’re not pursuer and pursued anymore. I accepted your pursuit. We’re *together* now.” She cemented their status again.

“But…” Jetri accepted the logic. “Your position… the Church…”

“Doesn’t matter.” The Holy Maiden’s reply was dismissive.

Jetri’s face twisted in conflict.

*Is this just a fleeting impulse?* But her expression held no trace of whimsy.

Violette’s patience snapped.

“Goddammit, Richard, are you done yet?!” Her elegant face clashed violently with her vulgar words. “I brought this on myself! Chasing you, spilling my heart—I *chose* this! I deserve every damn second!”

“Since when did your damn sense of responsibility become an *asset*? It drives me mad, yet I can’t stop loving you!”

“Whether you agree or not tonight, the only difference is whether you walk away with me awake… or unconscious.” Her smile bared teeth.

“Who told you to shoulder guilt that isn’t yours?!” Her voice cracked with fury and hurt. “You should be asking why I’d abandon my wealth and status for *you*!”

“Not hiding in the shadows worrying only about *me*!” She gripped his collar, her sapphire eyes stormy. “If you only care about *me*, then come with me *now*! Nothing matters more than you! Understand?!”

The Sage flinched.

He stared at her, fear flickering in his eyes.

After a long silence, he mumbled, “You… you said you wouldn’t learn swear words…”

“You little—” Violette almost laughed through her rage.

Jetri took a deep breath. His lips pressed into a thin line. “I understand.”

“You agree?” Relief washed over her.

“Yes.”

“Good. We leave tonight. All or nothing.”

Violette seized Jetri’s arm with one hand, hitched her gown with the other, and sprinted toward the city gates.

Their titles granted them passage even at this hour.

The guards’ eyes burned with gossip-laden curiosity.

*The Holy Maiden looks like she’s kidnapping the Sage…*

Beyond the walls, the Holy Maiden swept the Sage into her arms.

Mud stained the hem of her gown.

After twisting through forest paths, she leaped onto a hidden enchanted carriage deep in the woods.

Only then did Jetri realize Violette’s plan wasn’t impulsive.

It was meticulously plotted.

“Violette…”

“Call me Vivi.”

“Vivi…” The name felt strange on his tongue. “What about the Church? You’re the Holy Maiden…”

“Don’t worry. If I fail to handle it, that’s my incompetence. My foolishness. Not yours.” She cupped his face, earnest. “Stop shouldering burdens that aren’t yours.”

“But…” This fierce Holy Maiden felt unfamiliar.

“No buts. I’ll announce to the world that *I*, Violette, abducted you, Richard. I only need *you*.” Her sapphire gaze pinned him. “I abducted you—I’ll protect you. You won’t suffer a single hardship. Understand?”

“You only need to learn how to be a good husband and father. I’ll handle everything else.”

“You seem… different,” Jetri said with a bitter smile. “I promised not to dwell on your choices. But I can’t *just* be a husband and father.”

“…” Violette’s expression softened.

“I know. I just… couldn’t bear that look on your face anymore.”

“What look?”

“The lonely, drifting look. Like you have no home.”

“When did I ever—” Jetri blinked, bewildered. Then panic struck. “Wait! Didn’t I say not to dig into who I was?!”

“Hmph. If I hadn’t tracked you down, would you have vanished without a trace?”

“I… I…” Jetri choked on his words.

“Did you think I’d slowly forget you if you never returned?” Violette smiled, her voice glacial. “If you died in the Demon Realm, I’d descend after you. In death.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that…” Jetri whispered, weak and guilty.

Beneath the moonlight, the carriage wheels rolled on, leaving the Delan Kingdom far behind.