I am Just an Average Tamer

Kai knelt beside Elina, brushing back a few strands of her hair, "You alright?" he asked, softly.

Elina gave a faint smile, her eyes still gleaming faintly. "Mhm. Just... tired. But I'm okay."

Liliana stood nearby, visibly shaken.

Her eyes kept darting back to the now-blank alley wall, lips pursed in worry.

"We should… we should get going," she muttered, clutching Elina's arm.

Kai nodded, rising to his feet. "Yeah. Let's go."

They began walking back through the cobblestone streets, the air turning colder as dusk crept in.

The lanterns hanging above lit up one by one, their flames flickering gently against the evening breeze.

But just as they turned a corner near the city's central fountain.

A few figures blocked their path just up ahead—Kael Valkros stood in the center, arms folded, his fancy navy coat flowing behind him like a cape.

The Varnel brothers flanked him on either side, along with two more smug-looking nobles Kai didn't recognize.

Kael's lips curved in that same infuriating half-smirk. "Well, well. Look who we ran into."

Kai instinctively stepped in front of Elina and Liliana.

Liliana's brows furrowed, and her voice went flat. "Move."

But Kael didn't.

He took a step forward instead, tilting his head slightly, eyes locked on her.

"You know, Lady Raelis," he said, the mock-politeness in his tone clear as crystal, "I spoke to my father last night. Told him I've taken a liking to you."

Kai's eyes narrowed.

Liliana raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Kael grinned, as if he'd just said something charming instead of infuriating.

"I intend to make you my wife. I've already started the process. A union between Valkros and Raelis will benefit both houses."

Liliana blinked. Then she laughed. A short, sharp scoff. "You serious?"

Kael's expression didn't change. "Why wouldn't I be? I think we'd make quite the pair."

Liliana stepped forward, her voice cold now. "I'm not some bargaining chip, you arrogant fool. You don't even know me."

"You humiliated me in front of my people," Kael said, smile finally dropping. "You think I'd just let that go? This isn't about affection, girl. This is about putting you in your place."

'Ah, so there it is.' Kai's hands clenched by his sides.

Liliana's lips curled in disdain. "So, your pride got bruised and now you want to trap me in marriage? That's pathetic."

Kael's face darkened, and he turned his gaze to Kai. "And you. The stray mutt clinging to her side like some loyal dog."

Kai tilted his head, "Funny, coming from someone who hides behind his family name."

"You think you can speak to me like that, you nameless bastard?"

Kai's eyes didn't flinch. "Try me."

Kael moved, stepping towards Kai.

That's when it happened.

A pressure. Fierce, raw, oppressive.

From behind Kai, Elina peeked out—but her eyes were glowing faintly.

Though she wasn't even aware of it.

"Don't," she said quietly.

Kai blinked. He turned toward her, just slightly.

'What the…?'

The Varnel brothers stepped back unconsciously, glancing around.

Kael frowned stepping back too. "What was that?"

Liliana grabbed Elina's shoulder. "Elina?"

She blinked up at her, unaware of the glow now fading from her irises. "I… I'm fine," she said.

"...I just didn't like the way he talked."

Kael's face twisted. "A cursed girl too? Just how many pets have you collected, Raelis?"

That did it.

Kai's stepped forward, just enough to meet Kael's eyes head-on.

His voice dropped low.

"Say that again."

Kael blinked.

"You heard me," Kai continued, his voice edged with something sharper than steel.

"Say it again."

Kael took a moment longer to measure Kai, but something in the air had changed.

The others beside him looked uncomfortable, unsure.

Kael clicked his tongue and scoffed. "This isn't over."

"Yeah," Kai said quietly. "I'm counting on it."

Kael turned on his heel with a sweep of his coat.

"Come," he barked to the others, and just like that, they retreated into the winding street ahead.

Silence lingered after they left.

Kai exhaled, shoulders relaxing just a bit. Then he looked at Elina.

"What was that?" he asked softly.

She looked up at him, wide-eyed and confused. "...I don't know."

Liliana crouched beside her, placing a hand gently on her head. "It's okay."

Elina tilted her head. "Was I bad?"

Kai let out a breath, smiling faintly. "No. You weren't."

Liliana then exhaled a shaky breath.

"We need to talk to Aunt Selene."

Kai nodded.

Elina clutched Kai's hand, her earlier energy dulled by what had just happened.

Liliana walked ahead, her pace slightly faster than usual, shoulders tense.

As they reached the estate gates, the guards stepped aside respectfully.

Inside the mansion's front courtyard, Liliana finally stopped.

She turned around, managing a faint smile. "Let's get some rest. We'll talk later."

Kai gave a simple nod. "Yeah."

Elina looked up at him, concern still in her eyes. "Big brother… will they come again?"

He glanced down, then knelt and gave her a soft pat on the head.

"Not if they know what's good for them."

That made her giggle faintly, and she hugged him before skipping off to her room with a maid.

Kai sighed and turned toward the hallway.

"I'll be in my room," he muttered, and Liliana nodded absently, already turning to go.

The door clicked shut behind him. Kai tossed his cloak on the chair, then slumped onto the bed. His hands came up to rub his temples.

He let out a breath and stared at the ceiling.

Then closed his eyes

------

Selene sat alone in the west garden, her silhouette framed by the sunset.

A porcelain cup of rose-petal tea rested between her fingers, steam gently curling upward.

The last light of day shimmered off her caramel-blonde hair, giving her an ethereal glow.

Liliana found her there, the grass brushing against her boots as she stepped off the stone path.

She paused a few feet away.

"Aunty…"

Selene didn't turn immediately. "You're back."

Liliana sat down on the bench beside her, silent for a few seconds before speaking.

"We ran into Kael Valkros."

That got Selene's attention.

Her gaze shifted slowly to meet Liliana's. Calm, but now colder. "What happened?"

"He was with the Varnel brothers… and a few others. They cornered us on our way back."

Liliana crossed her arms, her voice tinged with restrained anger. "Kael said… he wanted to make me his wife. And talked about how I should be grateful if he made me his wife.'"

Selene's fingers stiffened around her teacup.

"He even insulted Kai. Threatened us both. And I—I almost was about to put him in his place."

"You didn't?" Selene asked softly.

Liliana glanced aside. "No… something happened and they backed off."

A long silence.

Then Selene gently set her cup down. Her eyes, once soft, had turned razor-sharp.

"I see. I thought as much."

Liliana turned toward her, confused. "You… expected this?"

"Valkros sent someone to speak with me. He proposed a political marriage between Kael and you."

Liliana's eyes widened. "And you didn't tell me?"

"There was no need," Selene said, "I refused."

"And now he's taking it personally," Liliana muttered.

Selene turned her full attention to her niece, placing a hand over hers.

"Listen to me, Lili. These men… they don't understand subtlety. They see everything as a game of power and possession. They're used to getting what they want by pushing, bribing, or bullying."

"I noticed," Liliana muttered, eyes narrowing.

"You don't have to worry about them," Selene said, her voice dipped in steel. "If they try to move again... I will bury them so deep their ancestors will feel it."

Liliana looked at her aunt with a flicker of awe, but also concern. "Won't that cause political trouble? I mean… the Empire just recovered from war—"

Selene let out a soft, humorless chuckle.

"I don't need to start a war to destroy someone. There are… quieter ways." She picked her tea back up, taking a sip.

"But for now, don't engage them unless I say so. Let them think they have the upper hand. Let them move first."

Liliana nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright. But if they touch Kai or Elina—"

"I'll handle it," Selene interrupted gently. Her eyes softened for a brief moment. "You're not alone Lili."

Liliana gave a small smile, eyes dropping to her lap.

"I know."