Without another word, Alte smoothly scooped Favna up by the waist, cradling her gently in his arms. To reassure her, he said,

"Just to be clear—I’m not thinking anything weird. I’m just taking you to your room."

But cradled bridal-style, Favna’s mind had completely short-circuited. By the time she snapped back to her senses, Alte was already stepping toward her room. "N-no! Don’t go in!" she protested, squirming weakly in his arms—though it did nothing. With a sigh, the Dragon Knight said,

"I have zero interest in a girl’s private space. I’ll leave the moment I set you on the bed. Okay?"

"It’s not about the room being a girl’s room…"

Seeing resistance was futile, Favna buried her face like an ostrich, covering her eyes—out of sight, out of mind.

Alte laid her on the bed and tucked her in. He’d noticed the room was messier than his own office, yet said nothing—as if he’d seen nothing at all.

After a long silence, Favna peeked out from under the blanket, voice barely a whisper, thick with embarrassment:

"U-um… sorry it’s so messy."

Back in familiar territory, she’d gathered just enough courage to speak. Otherwise, she’d have stayed frozen like a corpse.

"Messy?" Alte shook his head dismissively. "Feels like stepping into my office."

Favna’s face burned hotter. If her legs hadn’t been injured, she’d have dug a hole and buried herself right there.

"Alright, I’m off," Alte said. True to his word, he stood and headed for the door. Pausing at the threshold, he added,

"This place is far from the Dragon Knights Order garrison. If you need it, I can arrange a safer residence. Just message me on your phone."

He closed the door softly and left without looking back.

Under the covers, Favna’s cheeks stayed flushed—but relief washed over her. Not because she feared criticism.

It was because this Dragon Knight was *that* upright.

Alone. Defenseless. If he’d wanted to… she’d have been helpless as fish on a chopping block.

Yet he’d done nothing but set her down.

"Just like Liko said… the Dragon Knight Captain really is a good person."

Lost in swirling thoughts, sleep finally claimed her.

Meanwhile, Alte stood at the crime scene, expression grim.

Even in this relatively peaceful era, how had an Abyssal Demonkin infiltrated Naro City?

A clear failure by the city garrison and intelligence bureau. He’d question them later.

And Favna’s place—remote, no surveillance—prime target for slavers.

He had to move her somewhere safer.

*Don’t let her get taken.*

"Hmm. I’ll check on her tomorrow morning," he muttered on the walk back to the garrison.

***

The next day’s sunlight… never reached Favna’s bedroom.

The curtains of this dragon’s nest were rarely opened; the room stayed perpetually dim. No wonder light never got in.

*Knock, knock, knock…*

Still in bed, Favna stretched, threw on clothes, draped her black robe over her shoulders, and opened the door.

An elderly man stood there, voice sharp and sneering:

"Rent’s due. One hundred fifty gold coins—utilities included."

Favna bristled. "Last month was eighty! The meter hasn’t spiked!"

"Rent’s one twenty now. Look around Naro City—rooms vanish fast. Take it or leave it. We’ve got plenty of tenants."

Swallowing her frustration, Favna stayed silent. What could she say? Naro City, capital of the Fallen Empire, had sky-high demand. Landlords raised prices whenever they could.

The old man snorted. "Pay today, or pack your bags and leave!" He turned, hands behind his back, swaggering off to harass the next tenant.

Favna trudged back inside, weary. She began tidying the tiny room she’d called home for nearly a year—soon to belong to someone else.

Leaving it messy meant a fifty-coin cleaning fee. Better to do it herself.

She wasn’t bad at chores; she just preferred shadows and rarely bothered.

After who-knows-how-long cleaning, another knock came.

*The landlord again?*

She opened the door—only to find Alte, holding a plastic bag.

Seeing her in an apron and dust cap, he instinctively leaned to peek inside.

Favna shifted slightly, blocking his view.

"Cleaning up?" Alte’s eyes flickered with faint disappointment, but his tone stayed neutral. "I can help."

"Ah…" Hesitating, her hand trembled as she widened the door. "Y-you can… but don’t touch my clothes!"

"I’d never do something that low," Alte said with a wry smile. He handed her the bag. "You don’t look like you’ve eaten. Steamed meat buns my sister made. Eat up—I’ll handle the rest."

He took the broom and started sweeping.

Favna watched his busy back, heart fluttering. After a long pause, she whispered:

"U-um… about the place you offered… where exactly would I stay?"