That night, under the moonlight, two figures ran from the palace.
Their hands were still clasped together. Sylvaine held on tightly, as if afraid Leon would disappear if she let go. Leon himself still couldn't quite believe that he, a low-class demon who used to be nothing but bait on the battlefield, was now running beneath the moon with a royal princess.
They stopped at the city gates. From a distance, the sound of revelry could already be heard. Music, laughter, singing. Colorful lights reflected off the night sky.
"The Moon Festival," Sylvaine whispered, her eyes sparkling. "I've only ever heard stories about it from the servants."
Leon looked at her. Sylvaine's face glowed. And suddenly Leon realized that the princess who always appeared calm and elegant in the palace was, here, just an ordinary girl who wanted to experience the outside world.
"Wait here a moment," Leon said suddenly.
Sylvaine blinked. "Why?"
But Leon had already run towards a street vendor. A few minutes later he returned, carrying something in his hands.
"Here," he said, slightly awkward. "So no one recognizes the Princess."
He held out two masks. One shaped like a silver wolf, the other a purple fox.
Sylvaine stared at the masks, then at Leon. Her eyes softened. "You thought of this?"
"The Princess said she wanted to experience something different, right?" Leon looked away, a little embarrassed. "So I thought... maybe by wearing masks, the Princess could be anyone tonight. Not a royal princess."
Sylvaine was silent for a moment. Then she took the purple fox mask and put it on. From behind the mask, her voice sounded lighter.
"In that case... call me Sylvaine, just for tonight. Not princess."
Leon smiled. He put on his silver wolf mask.
"Alright, Sylvaine."
---
They stepped into the festival crowd.
And Sylvaine looked like a child seeing the world for the first time.
She stopped at every stall, her eyes widening at the colorful trinkets. She pointed at the small fireworks vendors were selling, asking how they worked. She laughed when Leon tried to win her a stuffed toy, failing three times in a row.
"Come on, let me try!" Sylvaine exclaimed, bouncing with enthusiasm.
Leon stared at her in disbelief. "Prin—Sylvaine, can you even do that?"
The Sylvaine who was always graceful and calm in the palace was now rolling up her sleeves with determination. "Of course! I practice archery often!"
She started throwing... and hit the target dead center.
The stall owner could only stare with wide eyes. "Amazing, Miss!"
Sylvaine jumped for joy. A large bear plushie finally fell into her arms. She turned to Leon, her eyes sparkling behind the mask.
"See? I won!"
Leon could only laugh. For the first time, he saw a side of Sylvaine that had always been hidden.
---
They continued walking along the rows of food stalls. Sweet and savory aromas mixed in the air. Sylvaine, spotting something interesting, pointed.
"What's that?"
"Candied apples, Prin—Sylvaine. Sweet treats." Leon bought two.
"Please, try it."
Sylvaine took one. Her eyes widened as the warm sweetness touched her tongue.
"This... this is delicious!"
Leon smiled at her expression. "Sylvaine has never eaten this before?"
Sylvaine shook her head, still chewing happily. "In the palace, all food is served on porcelain plates with complicated dining etiquette. Nothing is... as simple as this."
Leon fell silent. Suddenly, he understood. Sylvaine didn't just want to leave the palace—she wanted to escape her gilded cage.
"You understand now?" Satan whispered. "She's also imprisoned. Just in a different way."
Leon sighed. Then, without thinking, he reached for Sylvaine's hand again.
"In that case, tonight Sylvaine can try anything she wants."
Sylvaine looked at him. Behind her fox mask, she smiled.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
They explored every corner of the festival. Tried foods they had never seen before. Watched fire performances that made Sylvaine clap joyfully. Played guessing games at mystery stalls.
Until finally they arrived at the edge of a small river that split the city. It was quieter here. Only a few other couples sat on stone banks, enjoying the night.
Colorful lanterns floated on the water, carried slowly by the current. Their light reflected, creating thousands of glittering points on the river's surface.
Sylvaine sat on the grass, removing her mask. Leon sat beside her, doing the same.
For a while, they were silent. Enjoying the beauty.
"Leon."
"Hm?"
Sylvaine looked down. Her hand reached into a small pocket hidden in her cloak. "There's something I want to give you."
Leon turned. Sylvaine brought out two small crescent moon pendants, made of pale stone that emitted a faint glow.
"I secretly asked the palace's finest craftsman to make these," she whispered.
"They're... made from moonstone. Legend says they can sense each other's presence if we wear them."
She held one out to Leon. "For you."
Leon received it, examining the small object. From within, he felt something—like a faint heartbeat, in rhythm with Sylvaine's own pulse.
"This..." he swallowed. "This is too precious, Princess."
"Call me Sylvaine." Her voice was soft, but firm. "Tonight, you promised."
Leon smiled. He hung the pendant around his neck. As it touched his chest, he felt warmth—like a small bond connecting him to Sylvaine.
"Thank you, Sylvaine."
Sylvaine smiled. She also hung her pendant.
Now, they could connect with each other. Not just physically, but by something deeper.
---
In the distance, music began to play. Some couples started standing, dancing by the riverbank.
Sylvaine looked at them, then at Leon. Her eyes asked a question, but she said nothing.
Leon sighed. His heart pounded harder than when he faced Raiden.
He stood. Extended his hand.
"May I have this dance, miss?"
Sylvaine looked at his hand. Then, with a smile more beautiful than all the lanterns on the river, she took it.
They began to dance slowly. No special music—just the distant melody and the sound of flowing water. But it was more than enough.
Their steps were simple. No complicated movements. Just slow turns, occasionally exchanging places, laughing softly when their feet almost stumbled.
But in the midst of that dance, something happened.
As they turned, Sylvaine's hair ribbon came loose. Her dark blue-black hair cascaded down, falling like a waterfall in the night. Soft. Shimmering.
Leon stopped. His eyes fixed on her.
Sylvaine felt his gaze. She looked down shyly. "What is it?"
Leon didn't answer. His hand lifted, almost touching her hair—but he held back.
"Beautiful," he whispered, barely audible.
Sylvaine lifted her face. Her eyes met Leon's. And for a few seconds, the world seemed to stop.
No festival. No lanterns. No river.
Only the two of them.
"Leon," Sylvaine whispered.
Leon held her hand tighter. He took a long breath. His heart pounded so hard, he was sure Sylvaine could hear it.
"Sylvaine."
He stopped. Looked into those eyes—purple eyes that tonight were only for him.
"I..."
Sylvaine waited. Not pressing. Just waiting.
Leon exhaled. Then, in a voice firmer than ever before.
"I actually love you, Sylvaine. Not as a royal princess. Not because of your status. But as..." He searched for words. "As the person who makes me feel... alive."
Sylvaine's eyes widened.
Leon continued, "I truly have nothing. I'm just a low-class demon. But I want you to know—"
He couldn't continue. Because Sylvaine had already hugged him.
The embrace was tight. Warm. And Leon could feel his shoulder wet from Sylvaine's tears.
"I love you too," she whispered on his shoulder, her voice trembling. "Since the first time you caught me when I fainted at your door... I felt something different."
Leon was silent, letting Sylvaine cry.
"Every time you went on duty, I worried. Every time you were injured, I wanted to run to your side." She released the embrace, looking at Leon with wet eyes. "I don't know if this is love or not, but what I do know is... I don't want to lose you."
Leon smiled. With trembling hands, he wiped Sylvaine's tears.
"You won't lose me."
Above them, the night sky was adorned with thousands of stars. On the river, lanterns continued to flow. And on that riverbank, two souls who never expected to meet now silently promised each other everything.
---
Afterwards, they sat by the river until late.
Talked about everything. About Sylvaine's childhood full of rules. About Leon's past full of wounds. About small dreams that might seem foolish to others, but to them, meant everything.
Until finally, the stars began to fade. Dawn approached.
"We must return," Sylvaine whispered.
Leon nodded. They stood, put their masks back on, and walked away from the river.
Arriving at the palace gates, they stopped. Sylvaine removed her mask, looking at Leon.
"Thank you for tonight."
Leon smiled. "Thank you too, for inviting me."
Sylvaine laughed softly. "You confessed, didn't you?" But her eyes were warm. "See you tomorrow, Leon."
"Goodnight, Sylvaine."
They parted. Leon returned to his room with light steps. On his chest, the moon pendant still felt warm.
"You're smiling like an idiot," Satan commented.
Leon didn't care. "Maybe."
"But... I like it." Satan chuckled softly. "Rest, boy. You need it."
Leon lay on the bed. His eyes still open, staring at the pendant on his neck.
In another room across the palace, Sylvaine did the same.
The two pendants glowed softly, connected by the bond born that night.
---
Two days later.
Leon stood at the palace gates, travel gear ready. Beside him, a young elf with silver hair smiled warmly—Prince Feyar, son of King Aerion.
"Are you ready, Leon?" Feyar asked.
Leon nodded. "Ready."
His eyes searched for someone among the send-off party. Zephyr was there. Sylphine waved enthusiastically. But who he was looking for...
Sylvaine stepped forward. Her face was calm, but her eyes—her eyes said otherwise.
She touched the pendant on her neck. It glowed softly.
Leon did the same.
"Promise... you'll return," Sylvaine whispered, loud enough for Leon to hear.
Leon smiled. "No matter what."
He stepped back one pace. Then, unexpectedly, he approached again. His hand lifted, and carefully—as if touching the most precious thing in the world—he bent his index finger and gently flicked Sylvaine's forehead.
Plok.
Sylvaine's eyes widened. Her hand automatically rose to touch her forehead that had just been flicked. "L-Leon?!"
Leon smiled awkwardly, but his eyes were warm. "A keepsake. So the Princess remembers... this promise."
Sylvaine stared at him, still holding her forehead. Then, slowly, a smile bloomed on her face.
"You idiot," she whispered, but her tone was full of affection.
Leon chuckled softly. "I know."
He turned, joining Feyar and two other elf representatives. Teleportation magic began to glow.
As the light engulfed them, for a moment Leon's eyes met Sylvaine's. On his chest, the moon pendant felt warm.
Then they vanished.
Sylvaine still stood in her spot, one hand on her forehead, one hand holding her pendant. Her smile didn't fade.
"You idiot," she repeated, this time softer.
In his room, Zar sat in a wooden chair, staring at the ceiling. His lips moved, almost inaudibly.
"An interesting journey awaits you, boy. Don't die yet."
=== CHAPTER 10 END ===