After all was said and done, Duke Grandal's forces finally reached Deimos. Given the distance they had to cross, five days was almost too fast.
Ryn really had to hand it to Haywood — that old curator must've fired the message off the moment he smelled trouble.
And Duke Grandal… the second he heard his daughter had been targeted, he didn't hesitate. The man came running with his most elite troops.
Even if they came late for the battle, they were in time for the aftermath.
Knights flooded the ruined marketplace. Healers rushed to stabilize Amelia. And before Ryn even realized what was happening, he was being hauled into Baron Deimos' estate—patched, bandaged, and sat on a cot with strict orders not to move.
Now, hours later…
He sat beside Amelia's bed.
Waiting for her to wake up.
It's strange how fate always has a hand in reversing the roles.
The guest chamber of Deimos Estate was dim and quiet, lit only by a few lanterns burning softly along the walls.
Then, the door opened quietly.
Duke Grandal entered.
His steps were sharp, controlled, but the moment he reached Amelia's bedside, every line in his face softened. He checked her pulse, then her temperature, then the faint traces of magic hovering around her like dying embers.
"…Good," he muttered under his breath. "Stubborn girl."
Only then did his gaze flick toward Ryn.
"You look terrible," he said.
Ryn blinked. "…Thank you, sir?"
"It wasn't a compliment." The duke crossed his arms. "Though it is impressive you're even conscious."
Ryn stared.
The duke sniffed sharply, looking away.
"I mean—considering you're just the middle son of your house. One wouldn't expect that much spine."
"…Right."
"And certainly not enough to hold off Rodrick Haze of all people," the duke added, voice dropping.
"Man's suddenly disappeared and now comes back and wrecks havoc."
He tightened his jaw.
"So the fact that you didn't die is… well…" He coughed.
"…fortunate."
Ryn raised an eyebrow. "For me?"
"For Amelia," the duke snapped, a little too fast.
Silence.
The duke looked away again, clearing his throat.
"Ahem…Baron Deimos mentioned you're clever," he said. "I suppose…that's to play a part for both of your survival."
Ryn wasn't sure if that was praise or an insult.
Probably both.
"You must've strategized," the duke continued.
"Not that I'm saying you're… capable of beating someone like that. Obviously." Another cough.
"But you helped Amelia survive. Which is… acceptable."
"…Acceptable," Ryn echoed.
"Yes. And—" The duke stopped, then waved a hand vaguely. "Well. I suppose… good work."
Ryn stared.
Was this man blushing?
The duke immediately straightened, face hardening again.
"But!" he barked. "Don't get the wrong idea. I still don't approve of you completely."
"Of course not, sir." Ryn said dryly.
The duke scoffed, clearly relieved at the formal address.
"Good. It's best to keep your head down and be humble—"
A soft sound cut him off.
"…mm…"
Both men turned.
Amelia shifted beneath the blankets, eyelashes fluttering, fingers twitching weakly against the sheets.
Ryn was on his feet instantly.
"Amelia?"
Her eyes opened—slowly at first, unfocused, then sharpening with awareness. She blinked, staring up at Ryn, then her father, then Ryn again.
"…Ryn?" Her voice was hoarse. "You're… okay."
Ryn exhaled, the breath leaving him shakily.
"I should be saying that to you."
Amelia tried to sit up, winced, and fell back onto the pillow. Ryn caught her shoulder gently before she could strain anything.
"You used too much magic," he said softly. "Just rest."
She blinked at him again, then looked at her father—and immediately froze.
"…Dad?"
"Five days," Duke Grandal said, attempting to sound stern and failing miserably.
"Five very inconvenient days in which I had to ride nonstop because you apparently thought it was a good idea to battle a notorious serial killer."
Amelia shrank slightly into the blankets.
"…Oh."
"And you," the duke added sharply, pointing at Ryn as if he were also responsible, "let her do that."
Ryn opened his mouth.
Amelia frowned weakly. "Don't yell at him… he saved me."
The Duke tried to fire back, but the words jammed in his throat.
He closed his mouth instantly. It became painfully clear that this man's ONLY weakness was his daughter.
She settled back onto the bed, exhaustion tugging at her again—but she reached toward Ryn, fingers brushing his hand.
"I'm glad it's over," she whispered.
Ryn's breath caught. He squeezed her hand gently, thumb brushing her knuckles.
"Yeah," he said softly. "Me too."
Duke Grandal coughed loudly. Very loudly. As if announcing that he was still there.
"I'll… go inform the baron that Amelia is awake," he announced, already turning toward the door.
"Dad, wait." Amelia stopped him.
He paused.
"Uhm…thank you for coming. Even if it was tough."
The man chuckled, a small smile forming on his face, though he did his best to hide it. If his best was the most obvious grin ever.
"And you…did good in taking down that criminal."
Without waiting for an answer, he left the room. Closing the door a bit too loudly for a man of his manners.
Silence settled.
Ryn exhaled slowly.
Like father, like daughter, huh…
Ryn lingered beside Amelia for a moment longer, watching the slow, steady rise of her chest. She'd fallen asleep again almost immediately— exhaustion pulling her under.
"She'll be okay," he whispered, more to himself than anyone.
He brushed a stray hair from her forehead, then quietly stood from the chair, pulling the blanket back over her more securely.
She needs rest.
He slipped out of the room, closing the door carefully behind him.
Ryn exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, and turned down the hallway, only to nearly collide with Baron Deimos.
"Ah—pardon me, lad."
Deimos looked exhausted. His coat was buttoned wrong, his hair slightly mussed, and there were shadows under his eyes that no amount of sleep would fix.
Ryn bowed slightly. "Baron."
"I was headed to check on Amelia," Deimos said, voice low. "Is she awake?"
"She was," Ryn replied. "She's resting again. Should be fine by morning."
Deimos closed his eyes briefly in relief.
"Good. If anything had happened to her under my watch…"
He didn't finish.
"You were with her," he said. "In the square."
Ryn nodded."Then allow me to say this clearly."Deimos stepped forward.
"Thank you."
Ryn instinctively looked away. "I just—"
"No modesty," the baron cut him off gently. "I know what I saw… and what I didn't."
Ryn didn't respond.
Deimos lowered his voice.
"Rodrick Haze… that creature…the monster wave… it wasn't simple. You know that as well as I do."
"Timing is too close to be a coincidence."
Ryn's breath caught a little.
He's putting it together… a few steps away from the truth.
Deimos continued:
"We assumed the wave was random." He shook his head.
"Now I'm not so sure."
The baron exhaled, steadying himself.
"My men reported strange things at the site. Silver light, unnatural bursts of energy. And yet…" He offered a faint, almost amused smile.
"…everyone will assume Amelia struck the final blow. No one questions a prodigy daughter of Grandal."
Ryn swallowed. "Baron—"
Deimos raised a hand lightly.
"I won't pry into your secrets. I don't know what technique or… blessing you used. And frankly?"
He shrugged. "I don't need to know."
The Baron stepped closer, placing one firm hand on Ryn's shoulder.
"You saved my city. My people. And a future Duchess."
Ryn stared.
"That's why," Deimos continued softly, "your power — whatever it is — stays hidden. My lips are sealed."
Ryn let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Deimos nodded.
"And Ryn?"
"Yes, sir?"
"…I owe you. Personally. If you need my assistance, anything at all, don't be afraid to send me a letter."
The baron squeezed his shoulder, then moved past him toward Amelia's room.
Ryn let out a slow breath and continued down the estate corridor.
When he reached the balcony, he paused.
Outside, the city had begun to live again.
People hurried through the streets, hanging banners and lanterns. Vendors reopened their stalls. Children chased each other between piles of lumber and ribbons.
It was the Heroes' Festival: the celebration in Deimos marking the birth of the kingdom's first hero, the figure who united the lands.
Normally, Ryn might've watched the preparations. Today, his mind wouldn't settle.
Thoughts scattered through his head, a dozen worries and unanswered questions spinning around each other.
But one remained.
The first threat was gone.
But the Cult wouldn't rest —and neither would he.