Isha shook her head, trying to push Aeren from her thoughts, and refocused on Art.
Aeren was not important to her. He had done nothing for her—nothing that warranted such confusion. Yet doubt lingered: had he been an enemy or merely a passing presence?
But if he is not here now, then he is not an enemy.
She let the thought go and turned to Art. "How did you forget, Master?"
Unease stirred within her. Master never forgot anything. In all her time with him, she had never witnessed such a lapse. That certainty had always been there. Art noticed her expression, saw the concern flickering across her face, and laughed.
"Ahaha, Isha, you're thinking too much," he said lightly. "Nothing bad happened. I just forgot something Aarav said." He placed his teacup on the table and stood. "I'll ask him later when he comes again."
He started walking toward the canvas, determination settling into him. If I finish this, he thought, still smiling, I will be able to see Father again. I wanted to show him my creation. I wanted him to see what it had become.
Behind him, Isha's steps faltered.
"But Master," she said, walking after him, "Aarav is not here."
Art stopped.
Something twisted deep within him—an ache that formed sudden and sharp. It felt as though something had already been lost, even though he could not remember when or how. Unease spread through his entire being.
Why did it feel like this? Did I become attached to Aarav? Was it because I shared my happiness with him?
He could not understand it. The feeling had no present cause—only a past absence.
Art started walking again. He turned back to the canvas, gathered all the paintbrushes, and prepared to paint. Behind him, Isha remained still, watching. She did not know what exactly had been missed—only that something important had passed, and neither of them realized it at the time.
A heavy silence settled around Art as he painted. Isha could see it clearly now—the sadness that came from something already gone.
*****
As the thought faded, the surroundings stirred to life. Small rabbits peeked from behind bushes. Birds fluttered down from the trees. Cats slipped quietly from their hiding places. One by one, they gathered, looking around curiously before breaking into playful chaos. Their soft sounds—chirps, paws against stone, light rustling—blended into the air as if the world itself were listening.
Isha watched the scene unfold, and a gentle smile bloomed on her face. For a moment, she forgot about Aarav entirely. She stepped forward and joined them.
Her laughter rang freely as she played among the animals, pure and unburdened. Art captured that moment on his canvas, completely absorbed, unaware of anything beyond his brush and the scene before him.
*****
The week passed.
Aeren arrived in the City of God.
In this place, darkness never came.
Aeren walked through the radiant streets with a soft smile. Above his head, a small white fox darted about, glowing faintly. Children chased after it, laughing, trying to catch it—but the fox was far too fast, slipping through their grasp like light itself. Still, they played together endlessly, their joy echoing through the streets.
Aeren lifted his gaze and took in the city. Kindness and warmth filled every corner. People walked and talked peacefully. Children climbed over him without fear. Shop owners smiled as if happiness were a natural state of being. The entire city glimmered like a divine star, untouched by shadow.
For three days, Aeren lived there.
Then he caught the fox with his right hand.
He lifted her effortlessly and looked down at the three children who had been clambering over him moments ago. They froze when they saw the small creature trapped in his grasp. The fox trembled, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes as she shivered in fear.
Aeren smiled gently. "Go on," he said, lowering his hand. "Play nicely."
The children's eyes widened before breaking into bright smiles. Aeren handed the fox to one of them, and they all looked up at him together, their voices perfectly synchronized.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
With laughter trailing behind them, they ran off, the white fox cradled safely among them.
Aeren watched their retreating backs, a faint smile still on his lips. I'm too kind, he thought. Even children love me.
His mind drifted—back to the jungle where Art lived. He remembered the moment clearly. I was on my way here when that fox and her mother mistook me for prey. I was kind enough to spare the child. I only kicked the mother away… straight into a demon den. And now the child is here. In the City of God. Perhaps they'll meet again someday.
Aeren's smile deepened. That would be romantic.
*****
"Hey, Aarav—what are you standing around for? Don't you want to set up your shop here?"
A beautiful voice reached his ears. Aeren turned.
She stood with flowing black hair and deep, dark eyes. Her skin shone brilliantly, as though kissed by starlight itself, and her body was wrapped in a faint veil of cosmic energy that made her presence feel almost divine.
For a brief moment, Aeren simply looked at her.
"Oh, Dipti, I'm about to set up as well," he said with a smile. "I was just waiting—to admire your beauty a little longer."
Dipti paused, then turned back, meeting his gaze. A faint smile touched her lips before she quickly looked away. Aeren followed her, lifting his eyes toward the palace in the distance. It shimmered with a radiance that felt beyond atoms and elements—something fundamental, something divine.
So even in the City of God, hierarchy still exists, he thought. A King of Gods. A Queen of Gods. Their cultivation stands above all, yet they think of their people before themselves. Interesting.
"When are you going to marry me?" Aeren said, breaking the silence.
Dipti stopped. A blush spread across her face despite her sharp tone. "Shut up. Don't speak nonsense." She quickened her steps, almost stomping ahead, her breathing slightly uneven. Aeren matched her pace easily, hands behind his back.
She turned around—and again—each time glaring at him with an annoyed expression that only made her look more flustered.
"Wait, Dipti—I'm coming too!" Aeren called out suddenly. Before she could respond, he broke into a run, closing the distance between them as laughter flickered in his eyes.
The radiant streets of the City of God echoed beneath their footsteps.
*****
Aeren set up his fruit shop right beside Dipti's accessory stall.
He stood close—far too close—his gaze lingering on her without any attempt to hide it. Dipti kept her eyes firmly on her merchandise, adjusting displays and arranging accessories with deliberate focus, as if he didn't exist.
She sighed.
Her thoughts drifted back to what had happened three days ago. He walked up to me smiling. Proposed as if it were nothing. Said he fell in love with me at first sight. Her fingers paused on a delicate bracelet. Does he think I'm an idiot—someone who would believe words like that so easily?
And yet… at that time, he really did look handsome. He still looks the same. And he's still following me around like a fool.
Dipti shot him a quick glance. Aeren was staring at her again, openly, as if he had nothing better to do. She immediately turned away, focusing harder on her shop.
"Dipti," Aeren said casually, breaking the silence, "why are you wasting time?"
She froze.
"We can just get married," he continued, his tone calm—too calm. "I know you like me. And I know you're hesitating because your parents aren't here." He stepped a little closer, his voice lowering. "But they won't return for a century."
Dipti's hands tightened around the accessory she was holding.
"And in those hundred years," Aeren went on, his expression serious and confident, "I might forget about you. I might meet others—women more beautiful than you." He smiled faintly. "Then you'll regret not accepting me." His eyes met hers at last, filled not with doubt, but certainty. "My love."
Dipti finally burst out. "Shut up!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "Go do whatever you want—I don't care! I don't like you. I don't even know your background, yet you speak as if we've known each other for centuries, for millennia!"
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. "Why should I marry you?" Her words spilled out uncontrollably. "You bastard—get away from me! And don't you dare speak about my parents!"
The anger came suddenly, violently. She didn't even understand where it was coming from—only that Aeren's words had struck something deep inside her. Yes. Leave me. That's what I expected. No one ever stays. You too—go away. I'll live my life the way I want. I don't need you.
Her heart ached sharply, as if something were being torn apart from within. Dipti clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She bit her lip so hard that a trace of blood appeared, her body trembling as she struggled to keep her emotions contained.
Aeren noticed. He saw the way her shoulders stiffened. The way her hand shook. The way she hurt herself just to remain composed. He sighed softly.
Before she could react, Aeren reached out and took her hand, pulling it gently but firmly toward his chest. Dipti froze. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared at him, her breath caught between confusion and panic.
"A-Aarav… what are you doing?" she stuttered, her voice breaking.
She didn't understand what was happening—to her heart, to her thoughts, to the sudden warmth she felt beneath her palm. Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall silently.
Aeren looked at her. And he smiled.
"See?" he said softly. "You're already in love with me. That's why you're crying. That's why you're not resisting." His voice lowered, steady and sincere.
"My love, I will never leave you. I am Aarav Dev—beyond everything else, I am only this: yours. I will love you forever. I will never make you cry, and I will always respect you." He placed her trembling hand more firmly against his chest, right over his heart.
"Even if I'm not strong enough to protect you now, I will protect you with my own body. If a day ever comes when I must choose between everything and you…" His gaze never wavered. "I will choose—"
Before he could finish, Dipti lifted her hand and pressed it gently against his mouth.
The words stopped. Aeren's eyes went still—numb, yet filled with something dangerously tender. He looked at her as though she were the only thing left in the world.
Dipti met his gaze. Tears still traced silent paths down her cheeks, but she did not pull away.
For a brief moment, the world itself seemed to pause. The noise of the City of God faded. The light stood still. And in that suspended silence, they looked at each other—sharing the same breath, the same warmth, the same unspoken feeling.
Time moved again. But the moment remained.