So.

Jetri vaguely heard someone tapping at his window through the haze of sleep.

He couldn’t be bothered.

Probably just his imagination.

Vya next door hadn’t even woken up. At this distance, only Lilith could move without Vya noticing—

Well, among humans, at least.

If it were a Demon Clan member? Jetri’s advice would be to just lie down and die.

*What the hell?*

Seriously? If they could slip in this easily today, tomorrow they’d stroll into Hanover Palace and pluck King Delan’s head off.

Reassured, he rolled over and buried himself deeper under the covers.

And if it *was* Lilith? Well, she’d only be here for Vya at this hour.

She’d realize her mistake and slip out quietly once inside.

Jetri would pretend he saw nothing.

As for alarm spells? He’d been too lazy to set them up after returning.

Though honestly, alarms probably wouldn’t matter much to whoever was out there.

Just as Jetri drifted back to sleep, the window creaked open.

He hesitated—should he get up?

*Eh. Whatever.*

“Jetri?”

A familiar voice whispered his name.

*Huh?*

*Wait—shouldn’t you be calling for “Vya”?!*

Jetri didn’t understand. He kept his eyes shut, feigning sleep.

“Richard Jetri, your acting is terrible. Your breathing and heartbeat aren’t just faster than when you’re asleep—they’re faster than when you’re fully awake.”

Lilith’s voice had a distinctive, slightly raspy texture.

Though after five years, Jetri would recognize it even if it didn’t.

“So what do you want this late—” Jetri gave up the act, turning over with irritation. His words died in his throat.

The Half-Elf before him wore only a thin, barely-there nightgown.

His pupils contracted sharply.

His first instinct?

*Close the window.*

“Why are you dressed like *this*?!” Jetri snapped while slamming the window shut.

“Shh! You’ll wake Vya,” Lilith murmured, stepping closer behind the still-turned Jetri.

Jetri didn’t notice how rarely Lilith joked like this. He just bristled.

“*Wake Vya*? What’s that supposed to mean?!” He felt personally insulted.

He had zero interest in stealing anyone’s partner.

Lilith didn’t reply.

Silence thickened between them.

She stared at Jetri’s rigid back.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Jetri froze.

“What?”

His irritation vanished, replaced by icy calm.

He turned. His eyes held no trace of the panic from moments before—only a coldness Lilith hadn’t seen in years.

“I said, I’m sorry.” Lilith met his gaze but quickly looked away.

“I… I misunderstood you back then.” Her head dipped low.

Jetri frowned. “Misunderstood what?”

“I thought you and Vya were together, and—”

A sharp pain lanced through Jetri’s chest. Old wounds tore open under the clumsy weight of her words.

He cut her off, eyes closing. “Leave. I accept your apology.”

“…” The Half-Elf lifted her head, disbelief flashing across her face. “I—I just…”

Lilith sensed Jetri had misunderstood, but the core of it slipped through her fingers.

“Go. Before I lose my temper.” Jetri kept his eyes shut, but his quickening breath betrayed his stormy mood. His chest rose and fell sharply.

“You—you don’t understand, I—” Lilith stammered.

“Get out! *Now!!*” Jetri growled, low and raw.

He was done listening.

“…” Lilith went rigid.

She left. Only a choked whisper lingered in the air:

“Okay.”

Jetri opened his eyes only when he sensed she was truly gone.

He stared at the empty space where she’d stood.

His face twitched. His hand shot up—

*SLAM.*

It crashed onto the table.

Even Sages had fragile Mage bodies.

The table stood firm. His knuckles split, blood dripping steadily onto the wood.

Less than half an hour had passed since Lilith’s sudden visit and her tear-streaked return to her empty room.

The only comfort? She could finally sleep.

A suffocating weight had crushed her breath, leaving her sobbing until she nearly passed out from lack of air.

Lilith might sleep, but her visit shattered Jetri’s rest.

Blood still dripped from his hand.

He slumped onto the bed.

Muttered one word:

“Freak.”

Vya, meanwhile, slept soundly.

Lilith had made no noise entering. Her “don’t wake Vya” remark had been a joke—she’d activated the advanced Rogue skill *Silent Domain* the moment she started tapping.

No sound within its radius could escape.

So when Vya woke the next morning, she was bright-eyed and refreshed.

It was the first time since returning that she’d risen before Jetri.

This time, *she* got the shock.

When she knocked on his door, the man who opened it had deep purple shadows under his eyes and looked utterly drained.

Vya had seen this look often back at Brave Academy.

But it had been five years since she last saw him this worn down.

Even after all-nighters on missions, he never looked this wrecked.

“What’s wrong?” Vya asked, worry creasing her brow.

“Nothing.” Jetri forced a tired smile.

“You’re heading out? Wait a sec. Let me change.”

He turned back into his room, leaving the door open.

Jetri wasn’t overly modest around Vya.

Changing clothes wasn’t bathing or using the toilet, after all.

So Vya watched, wide-eyed, as Jetri slowly peeled off his sleep shirt.

A faint blush crept up her flawless face.

But her gaze never wavered from his body.

His frame wasn’t sculpted, but years of forced training kept it lean and deceptively strong.

A soft *gulp* echoed in the quiet room.

Jetri’s head snapped around.

His eyes locked onto Vya’s.

She merely arched a questioning eyebrow, expression perfectly neutral.

Suspicious, Jetri finished changing.

Men didn’t take long—under a minute, unless it was formal wear.

“Ready,” Jetri said flatly.

“Dressed up today?” he teased weakly.

“You’re leaving tomorrow. Shouldn’t I make it special?” Vya smiled softly.

Jetri chuckled. “Heh. Fair point.”

They didn’t leave unprepared. Without disguises, their stroll would turn into a spectacle.

The capital was still half-asleep, streets draped in dawn’s haze.

Most shops remained shuttered.

But a few early risers were open.

They found a quiet café just opening its doors.

“What next?” Vya asked casually, stirring two sugar cubes into her coffee.

As if she truly didn’t plan to keep him.

Her voice was always warm, like sunlight—like the lazy, golden rays now spilling over the horizon.

“What next?” Jetri echoed. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve got coin. Maybe hire ten or twenty pretty maids to fuss over me all day?”

A lecherous grin spread across his face.

He didn’t notice Vya’s hand freeze, her grip tightening until the metal spoon nearly bent.

“And you? What about you…?” Jetri trailed off. “Oh, right. Inheriting the family business?”

“Yeah. No choice.” Vya’s smile stayed light.

As if being handed a predetermined future didn’t bother her at all.

Even though she could command her own life now.

“Tsk tsk. How…” Jetri shook his head, the picture of a full-bellied man mocking the starving.

“You’ve got no choice. I’ve got no choice either. No empire to inherit—I can only choose to succeed.” He winked.

“Heh.” Vya ducked her head, smiling into her cup.

“This… it’s nice. Sometimes.” Her voice grew quiet.

“Hmm?”

“Just… drinking coffee. Doing nothing.” She stared at the swirling liquid, avoiding his eyes.

“Maybe.” Jetri sighed, smiling faintly. He knew Vya didn’t want him to go.

*Why does she cling so hard?* he wondered.

*Is this just… normal friend stuff? We’ll still see each other…*

Lilith’s words from last night gnawed at him.

He hadn’t let her finish. Assumed her disgust came from him “stealing” Vya.

Maybe part of it was jealousy. Maybe part was him supposedly chasing her while dating Vya.

And why apologize *now*?

Probably because of that student’s question during yesterday’s speech.

Lilith knew he and Vya weren’t involved.

*So why did that girl ask that?*

*Do Vya and I really look…?*

He glanced at her, uncertain.

“What is it?” Vya tilted her head.

She *was* stunning. But…

“Why not… stay?” Vya’s eyes lit with hope, mistaking his hesitation for a change of heart.

A terrifying thought struck Jetri:

*Does Vya… like me?*

*No. No way!*

He violently rejected the idea inside his head.

Because if it *was* Vya… his steadfast preferences suddenly wavered.

After all, Vya…

Jetri stared at her flawless face, momentarily dazed.

*Why does she look so… beautiful today?*

“What is it?”

Her soft lips moved with the question.

*Did she always look this good?* Jetri suddenly doubted his own memories.

*No.*

*No no no!*

*Leaving is non-negotiable! If a few years did this to me, a few more and I’m completely doomed!*

His gaze hardened with resolve.

Across from him, Vya remained clueless. She didn’t realize her careful morning routine—though it had shaken Jetri—had also cemented his decision to leave.