DNCTFB 29

Episode 29

Melody took a deep breath and asked, “May I ask why this must stay a secret?”

If the temple learned she was using sacred energy in a magic tool, rumors would fly. They might accuse Deonis of stealing her from the temple for odd experiments.

If the effect of sacred energy proves true, I’ll find another priest—one who cares more about money than the goddess, she thought. Until then, she’d keep meeting Awhin secretly. Even if she no longer needed his energy, he could still help repair her tools out of kindness.

But she couldn’t say all that to him now.

After a moment, she answered, “My fiancée… she doesn’t like me meeting other men.”

Awhin’s rare frown flickered for a moment.

“That sounds spiteful.”

Is that so? she thought, but shrugged. “That’s okay. I’m keeping her restrained too.”

One-way control is abuse—but mutual restraint is conquerable love. She collected the tools she brought.

“Did you bring the magic tool?”

“…Of course.”

He handed her a maintenance tool—an open, box-like device. His long white fingers traced the runes she’d inscribed. They were slightly different from hers. Small details, but she knew perfection lived there.

“To clean every corner… hm.”

She carefully erased any error and redrew the design, wanting to give him the best tool possible. When she lifted her head, Awhin stood by the bed, quietly watching her work.

“Did I disturb you?” she asked.

“Not at all. When I work, I hardly notice anything else. And it’s just finished now.”

“It’s my first time seeing the process. I couldn’t help but watch.”

“It’s fascinating,” she said.

“Truly,” he nodded.

His genuine interest lifted her spirits.

“Did you know? The first person to discover and use runes was a Saint. The first rune created fire. But when they tried it with sacred energy, the wood grew into a forest.”

“You’re talking about the Firen Forest,” Awhin remarked.

“Yes. Fire runes plus sacred energy made gentle life.”

He snapped his fingers, and golden light shimmered. A tiny butterfly of gold fluttered and landed softly on her hand, where the scar from inscribing a magic core still lingered. The scar healed at its touch.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s so beautiful.”

entranced, she whispered.

He watched her, eyes shining.

“How far can this go? Could it heal people along a path?”

“My power is small,” he admitted. “It would be difficult.”

“What if I used runes—like a preservation rune—to guide energy along a path? It would have to adapt to movement…”

She paused, noticing Awhin’s expression.

“Oh—I’ve been rambling about runes again.”

“No, it was delightful. Made me wish I’d paid more attention in class on runes.”

Melody blinked, surprised. No one but her father had ever encouraged her so kindly. Her heart swelled.

“You’re not the type to skip class,” she teased. “I imagine you excel at everything.”

“Except swordsmanship,” he said dryly.

“That’s because you enjoy what you’re good at. I was always scolded for being too sedentary. Maybe if we mixed our strengths…”

“A melody and an Awhin mixed?” he mused. “You’d be the student praised above all.”

“And?” she asked.

“But you wouldn’t have joined the Holy Knights.”

“Because…?”

“I’d have used half my power,” he replied.

His earnest answer made her laugh.

“I didn’t know you were so fun.”

“Am I… fun?”

“Didn’t you know?”

Her cheeks warmed at the question.

She realized the sky had darkened while they talked. Gently, she gathered her tools.

“Then, see you next time.”

He asked, “Are you going back that way?”

“I… the Duke’s guards are posted outside,” she hesitated.

He clenched his jaw.

“Oh—can I ask a favor?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be surprised. I will hold you.”

Before she knew it, his arms were around her back and legs. He lifted her, lighter than he looked, then carefully set her on the balcony floor.

“Oh.”

“It seemed safer this way.”

He stepped back, then leapt across to the opposite balcony.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Her heart fluttered—no one had held her like that since she was a child. Even though she knew it was for her safety.

“Take care,” he said.

“And you, Awhin.”

Back in the room, she held the stones—each glittering with his sacred energy. She hoped their light would ease Deonis’s pain.

A knock came at the door—time to return to the Duke’s manor with Anna’s gift.

Meanwhile, at the temple’s Sacred Council…

The Emperor had announced he would not attend.

Nobles gathered in the white-hued hall whispered at the empty throne.

“He’s skipped again this year.”

“His health’s never been good.”

“But this is too frequent.”

“Maybe someone else should be prepared?”

At that, the hall grew tense.

“Don’t worry. We still have Crown Prince Ryan.”

“But a monster-hunting crown prince—does he deserve to lead?”

“Nobody else holds the claim.”

“At least one heir renounced the throne.”

An older noble, Lord Stein Einwood, spoke.

“But doesn’t the Prince carry true blood of Valkaras?”

It was well-known he referred to Deonis, though unnamed.