The two quickly parted and turned toward the source of the voice.

Yenoa had somehow arrived unnoticed. Leaning against a tree, her face pale, her maid dress torn and stained with blood.

"Xiao Ya!" Silva cried out, rushing over to steady her. "What happened? Why did you suddenly cut off our mental link?"

"They can invade our mental link," Yenoa whispered weakly, clearly still battered from severe injuries. "I couldn't contact you—if I did, they'd grow suspicious."

"And these wounds…?"

"I ran into a squad earlier. One was a Sage-tier Mage… but they're all dead now," Yenoa said coldly.

Roland pulled a pill from his pocket. "Take this. It'll help."

Yenoa didn't take it—deliberately ignoring him.

Roland left his hand outstretched, waiting.

A silent standoff.

Silva sighed inwardly. She'd long known her lover and best friend clashed. For a month, she'd tried everything to mend things—nothing worked. Guilt weighed on her. It all started with her…

Years ago, she'd secretly led troops to crush a rebel faction lurking deep within the Moshando Empire. A few dark mages survived. Under cover of night, they infiltrated camp to assassinate her and cripple the empire—but she was prepared. With their dying breath, they cursed her: a spell surpassing even the Forbidden Spell. Seven days of soul-rending agony. Then rot. Eternal damnation.

No Imperial Archmage could break it.

She barely lasted a day. Soul pain dwarfed physical torment. She'd nearly ended it—Yenoa vowed to follow—when Roland, a wandering Bard, appeared. Using a lost ancient art, he lifted the curse, mended her shattered soul. Honored guest. Her father's praise. Even stoic Yenoa thanked him sincerely. And Silva… fell for him instantly.

Later, strange symptoms emerged. Archmages confirmed: a mana-replenishment contract, accidentally formed. Without regular replenishment, her personality would warp.

Roland was imprisoned. Everyone turned on him. Yenoa grew to despise him—and the "her" he'd saved.

Silva shook her head. Roland? Easygoing. Forgiving. But Yenoa? Reconciling them felt harder than a goblin flying to the heavens.

With a sigh, Silva took the pill and pressed it into Yenoa's palm. "Eat it. From me."

Yenoa swallowed without hesitation.

Roland's face darkened. *So you reject mine but take hers?!*

"Don't be mad," Silva quickly interjected. "Xiao Ya, tell us what happened."

Color swiftly returned to Yenoa's cheeks. "I followed you into the forest. Ambushed. They were royal agents who knew about the mental-link-invasion magic in the Royal Library. I stayed silent to avoid alerting them. I killed them—but got badly hurt. More came. I tore a barrier scroll."

Silva bit her lip, then hugged her tightly. "Next time, prioritize your safety. I can't lose you."

Yenoa froze, then murmured a soft "Mm."

A rare, faint smile touched her lips—missed by Silva, caught clearly by Roland.

Truth be told, Yenoa was stunning. Rivaling Silva, the continent's celebrated goddess.

"Wait—if they attacked us…" Roland's eyes widened. "Elite squad. Multiple Sages. Even a Grand Sage. They assumed you'd die… so the palace must be in chaos!"

"This wasn't spontaneous," Silva said calmly. "I've known traitors hid deep in the court. Ordinary methods couldn't flush them out. So I became the bait."

"Before leaving, I spread word: just you and me. No Royal Guard. True. I cultivated the illusion I'm just a slightly strong girl without guards—easy prey. For you? I sealed your records. They only heard: a joke-telling Bard with absurd luck and sealed cultivation. Nothing to fear."

She met Roland's gaze, imperial confidence radiating. A triumphant smile curved her lips. "I accompanied you partly for you, partly for me, partly to fish. Slim chance… but the school I waited years for just bit. I made arrangements. My family is safe."

Roland stood stunned. *She planned this for years. Risked her life. And I thought I was slipping away… I was her first move all along.*

"Wait!" Roland blurted. "That was reckless! Without my divine gear, you'd be ashes!"

Silva smiled gently. "You were the crucial piece. Without you, I wouldn't have dared."

"You trusted me that much?"

"Mm. Completely." Her clear eyes held his, warm and unwavering. "I knew you'd protect me. That's why I acted."

Roland's heart stirred. A girl trusting him with her life… Could he betray that? Never.

Beyond excitement, warmth and resolve swelled within him. He patted his chest. "I'll protect you forever, Silva!"

A rosy blush bloomed on her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

Standing on tiptoe, she leaned in. Fair skin flushed, heart fluttering like a frantic fawn.

Roland didn't—couldn't—refuse. Warm, perfect fiancée initiating a kiss? Who could? Especially one who trusted him with her soul.

*Cough.*

Yenoa coughed sharply. Silva jerked back, crimson-faced, burying her shy face in Roland's chest.

Roland snapped. "Why keep coughing? Throat feels blocked? Dry? Itchy? Nauseous brushing teeth?"

Yenoa blinked, confused.

"Probably lung heat. A beating'll fix it."

Yenoa: "???"

"Ah—chronic pharyngitis…"

Yenoa: "???"

(Puzzled but expressionless—she never showed emotion well.)

"Xiao Xi, we can't waste time," Yenoa said. She'd recovered fast. *Anything Roland produces is legendary. That pill alone could spark wars.*

"Right. Next step," Silva said, lifting her head, smoothing her hair, clearing her throat.

"Mm…" Roland grumbled but focused. "What is it?"

"Um…" Silva held his hand, hesitating, face flushed, voice tiny. "Darling… could you… just once…" She swayed his arm, adorably bashful.

Roland's resolve melted. "Say it! I'll climb blades, cross fire for you!"

Silva smiled faintly, voice like a whisper:

"…Could you dress up as a girl just once?"