Reborn As Papa Silva

It's my turn to speak. You just shut up and listen.

Acier blinked, her eyes fixed on Sebastian as he stood at the edge of her bed. He was wearing the clothes she had bought for him. Though they had been torn to shreds after the incident, they were now neatly patched and stitched, and that simple transformation made her heart race.

Her pulse quickened further as she took in the color and life that had returned to his eyes, his posture. The moonlight spilling through the window cast his figure in sharp relief, freezing her in place for a moment.

So handsome—bad, Acier! She gave herself a mental slap, forcing her errant thoughts aside. Instead, she schooled her expression into something darker, a vein throbbing in irritation as she finally found her voice.

"What did you just say to me—"

Before she could finish, Sebastian stepped forward and clamped his hand firmly over her mouth, silencing her.

"I said be quiet. It's my turn to speak," he repeated, his tone cold and unyielding.

Acier winced, but her reaction wasn't purely from pain. A confusing mix of emotions churned within her, ones she struggled to untangle.

By Lux's actions alone, I should hate anyone touching me like this. So why don't I feel that way toward him?

She didn't dwell on the thought for long. After a tense moment, she gave him a stiff nod.

Sebastian removed his hand, mirroring her nod with a curt one of his own. "Good."

He folded his arms behind his back, clearly preparing to speak, but Acier wasn't ready to let him lead the conversation entirely.

"Aren't you scared I'll scream?" she asked, her tone sharp with defiance.

Sebastian paused, his expression shifting into one of deep irritation. Rubbing his temples, he let out a long, weary sigh, as if addressing an obvious fool.

"You're free to scream," he said finally, his voice laced with exasperation. "But you won't."

Acier tilted her head, raising a brow. "What makes you so sure?"

Sebastian heaved another sigh, this one heavier, as though he were debating whether it was even worth explaining. But, in the end, he did.

"Because if you do, the guards will come rushing in, and I'll be hauled off to the gallows for defiling Prince Acier of House Silva. And you don't want that, do you?"

Acier shook her head, though her defiance flickered faintly in her eyes.

"So," Sebastian continued, his voice quieter but no less firm, "you'll stay quiet and let me speak."

She opened her mouth again, unable to suppress her curiosity despite herself. "How'd you get in here?"

The question hung in the air as she composed herself, the challenge evident in her gaze. How had he slipped past the guards? Evaded the barrier mages?

Sebastian's response was a withering glare that sent a shiver down her spine.

"I spent a year as a street rat," he said flatly. "That's synonymous with pickpockets. I know how to sneak around."

It was clear he wasn't willing to elaborate, at least not yet. Acier recognized the warning in his tone and wisely chose not to press further. Instead, she bit her tongue, letting him finally have his say.

Sebastian inhaled deeply, steadying himself before speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. "Since you ran out on me ten days ago, I've had a lot of time to reflect on our relationship."

Acier bit her lip, guilt pooling in her chest. She fought back invisible tears as she listened to the young man before her—no, he wasn't her friend anymore—continue.

"I realized I was being selfish," he admitted, his voice calm but cutting. "I was only thinking about my side of our friendship, focusing on my own needs without giving any thought to how my actions might affect you."

His tone sharpened, the words weighted with bitterness. "I was a hypocrite, demanding that you treasure yourself while showing blatant disregard for my own health."

Acier trembled, her emotions threatening to spill over. But just as her tears began to surface, she stiffened, startled by the look of pure disdain on Sebastian's face as his gaze lingered on her frail frame. He pinched the bridge of his nose, his disgust plain.

"But let's not pretend you held up your end of the deal, either," he said coldly.

Acier froze, her smile shaky and forced. "W-we're not friends anymore. It d-doesn't matter to you how I treat myself."

Sebastian nodded, but his agreement came with an edge that made her stomach churn. "That's true. And that—" his voice dropped into a low, furious growl—"fucking pisses me off."

Acier tensed as Sebastian crouched to her eye level, his sudden proximity making her breath hitch. But it was the fury burning in his eyes that left her speechless.

"Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights I've endured, haunted by your hypocritical audacity?" he asked softly, the restrained anger in his voice sending chills down her spine.

She swallowed hard, shaking her head. "What do you mean... by hypocritical audacity?"

Sebastian's lips curled into a dark smile, one that mirrored her earlier expression. He parted his mouth to speak, his words deliberate and sharp. "You said you care about my health and my life. You said you were scared I'd die because of you—because of our friendship. Isn't that right?"

Acier nodded weakly, her voice faltering. "B-basically."

He held her gaze, his smile unwavering. "And you don't see how counterintuitive that is? You were the one who forced your way into my life, despite knowing what kind of psychotic monster your grandfather is. You knew the danger you posed to me, and yet you still pushed your way in."

Acier froze, her face falling as the truth she'd tried to avoid came crashing down around her. Like a scolded child, she nodded. "Yes…"

She'd hoped, desperately, that her worst fears would never materialize. But ten days ago, reality had proved her wrong. She had underestimated her grandfather's madness, and Sebastian had paid the price.

Sebastian pointed at her, his frustration boiling over. "And that, right there, is what drives me insane."

He stood, towering over her as he began to pace, his fingers running through his silver hair in agitation. "Before you, I was nothing. An empty shell. I was alive, but I wasn't living. I went through life like it was a series of logical steps, devoid of meaning, devoid of spark."

Acier's throat tightened as his words stirred memories of the hunchback void she'd seen in the past. His pacing stopped abruptly, and he pointed at her again, his expression fierce.

"But then you came, Acier. You forced your way in, even when I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with you. And in just a few hours, you made me feel something. Nothing intense at first, but I felt something. You made me feel alive."

Acier's eyes burned as unshed tears blurred her vision.

Sebastian knelt before her, the gesture painfully reminiscent of when he'd asked her to dance. He reached out, taking her clenched hands into his own.

Acier trembled, her instinct to pull away half-hearted at best. In her current state, resistance was meaningless; she was far too weak to fight him. But his touch wasn't forceful. His grip was gentle as he rubbed slow circles on the backs of her hands, his eyes softening as he looked up at her.

"Even before I admitted we were friends, I wanted your company every day," he said quietly. "Despite knowing the danger you brought into my life, I couldn't help it. You became a constant—a norm I didn't realize I'd taken for granted. And when you came to me that day, broken and bruised, I knew I couldn't let go of you anymore."

His voice softened further, the raw vulnerability in his tone cutting through her defenses. "You were my light, Acier. The one bright thing in my dark, cloudy world."

Acier trembled harder as the steady stream of tears she'd been holding back finally spilled over, flowing down her cheeks in quiet surrender.

Sebastian didn't wipe away her tears as he continued, his voice steady and unwavering. "Each day, that light grew bigger until there was no shadow left, no darkness left—only you. And that terrified me as much as I loved it."

Acier shrank further into herself, but his words cut through her defenses.

"And then, on the day you left to prepare for your ceremony, I felt that light slipping away. It left me with nothing but a fragile flicker of hope, one that could die out at any moment. So, like a moth drawn to a flame, I chased after it—after you—despite knowing the danger."

He paused, his gaze softening for a fleeting moment before continuing. "And somehow, miraculously, I succeeded. I got you back. Even more miraculously, you shone brighter than ever. You were dazzling. Radiant."

Sebastian reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. His touch was tender, but the undisguised hurt in his eyes churned Acier's stomach, making her want to recoil, to vomit.

"But then, ten days ago, you left again," he said, his voice cracking. "This time, you didn't even leave me with hope. And that's unfair."

Acier's breath hitched as his fingers brushed against her skin.

"You forced yourself into my life," he continued, his voice rising slightly, "gave me warmth, love, happiness, and companionship. Fine. That was your choice—your right. But if that's the case, it's also my right to chase after that light and take it back when it tries to leave me."

His tone hardened as he leaned closer, his eyes blazing. "If you could force your way into my life, despite knowing how much it might hurt me, then I have every right to do the same to you—even if it hurts me in the process. That's my choice. That's my right."

Acier blinked, struggling to process his words. Her tear-streaked face twisted in disbelief. "Bwuh??!!"

"You heard me," Sebastian snapped, clutching her hands tighter. "I get to be your friend if I want to, and nothing you say matters."

"What do you mean, 'it doesn't matter'?!" Acier hissed, incredulous. "You can't just—"

"I can, and I will!" Sebastian cut her off, his voice ringing with the fervor of a petulant child. His gaze burned with a passion that made her throat tighten.

"After my parents killed themselves and my home was taken away, I was left with nothing—nothing in body or soul. I wanted to give up. I wanted to jump off a cliff and end it all!"

Acier flinched, her trembling hands growing colder.

"But I didn't," Sebastian continued, his voice dropping to a low, seething growl. "I had one reason to keep existing. One goal I needed to fulfill before I ended it all. Do you know what that was?"

Acier gulped, shaking her head weakly.

"Vengeance," Sebastian spat, the word laced with venom. "Against your dear old grandfather."

Her pupils dilated, her breath catching in her throat as she hung on his every word.

"I don't remember how many nights I saw my parents barricade themselves in my room, cursing your grandfather to sleep. I don't remember how many times I caught other branch members or servants doing the same." His voice cracked slightly but steadied as he went on. "I didn't know why at first. But as my parents grew worse—unrecognizable—I realized that old dog was the cause. And after they finally ended everything, I set my sights on him."

Sebastian's eyes burned with raw intensity. "I dreamed of making him bleed, of watching him suffer. And I still do. I lived a lowly life as a street rat, hounded by debt collectors, working in a rickety shack instead of living under the Silva name—all so I could prepare for that day."

His words hit her like a thunderclap.

"And it wasn't just him I wanted to destroy," Sebastian admitted, his voice chillingly calm. "I wanted your family, too. I wanted you—his pride and joy—to suffer, to lose everything, just as I had."

Acier's body trembled violently, her pale skin going whiter as chills ran up her spine.

"W-why are you telling me this now?" she stammered, her voice shaky. "How is this supposed to 'rekindle' anything?"

Sebastian exhaled, releasing her hands as he stood. "Because if we're going to start again, you deserve to know the truth. I had to come clean."

Sebastian's expression softened. His voice, for the first time, was gentle. "There's something more I need to tell you."

Acier tilted her head up to meet his gaze, her heart pounding. "W-what else is there to say?" she asked weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian placed a hand on his chest, his voice steady yet laced with vulnerability. "All that fury, the years of pent-up anguish and hatred I held for that man—it didn't melt away, but it became meaningless when compared to you."

He took a step closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "At your birthday ceremony, when that bastard walked you down the stairs, when my 'archenemy' finally entered my sights after a year of ruthlessly daydreaming about ending him, do you know what happened?"

Acier didn't respond, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at him, waiting.

Sebastian answered his own question. "He didn't even register. I was transfixed on you. There was only you, and I couldn't look away. Even if I had acknowledged his presence, no hate, no bloodlust stirred in me—not when it was overwhelmed by how much I care for you."

Acier flushed crimson, her heart racing as Sebastian reached out and made a small pinching motion with his thumb and index finger.

"If this is how much I care about my parents…" he began.

Then he opened his hands, separating them by about two feet. "And this is how much I hate Nicklaus Silva."

Finally, he spread his arms wide before letting them fall to his sides. "For me, it's impossible to quantify how much I like you—how much I value your presence in my life. The scores I want to settle with your grandfather are nothing more than drops in the ocean that is our friendship. And because of that…"

His gaze softened, a gentle smile playing on his lips—the softest she had ever seen from him. "No matter how much I hate that man, no matter how much more I may come to hate him, I can set it all aside and forget about it, as long as you're still in my life."

Acier didn't blush this time. She trembled, her lips parting in a hoarse stammer. "W-why…?"

Sebastian crouched down to meet her gaze at eye level. "Because just like me—who still holds a sliver of love for the trash I call parents—you still hold affection for the monster you call grandfather, don't you?"

Acier's entire body shook. Shame burned in her chest as she averted her eyes and nodded weakly. She couldn't deny it. For all the pity, disdain, disgust, frustration, anger, and even hate she felt toward her grandfather, there was still love.

Hating someone didn't mean you stopped loving them entirely. Nicklaus Silva, with all his selfishness and cruelty, could diminish that love with his actions. But he would never fully extinguish the flame or uproot the enduring plant of affection Acier still held for him deep in her heart.

Her gaze lingered on Sebastian, something unreadable flickering in her purple eyes.

Well maybe not anymore.

Sebastian nodded as if he understood her unspoken thoughts. He reached out, gently guiding her face so their eyes met again.

"That's fine," he said softly. "Love doesn't have to make sense. It's hard to let go, and that's okay. But hate is much easier to. That's why, as your friend, I'll be the one to let go. When you came into my life, I started to see beyond vengeance—to see the possibility of a life after it. And that life only exists with you in it. I won't hurt your grandfather, nor anyone you love. I'll put down all the hatred I hold for the Silva name because now, I only live for you."

He paused, his voice wavering slightly before he continued. "But because of that, things can't go back to how they were before we met. If you still turn me away, I won't even be in the mood for vengeance. I won't be in the mood for anything. I'd rather end it all… so please, let me be your friend again."

Acier choked on a sob and buried her face in her hands. "T-that's not fair…"

"I know," Sebastian replied softly.

"Y-you're threatening me with your life!"

"I know."

"Y-you're being so selfish and entitled!" she cried, jerking her head up. Her flushed face was a mix of exasperation, embarrassment, and fury as she glared at him.

Sebastian smiled gently. "I know."

Acier felt the urge to pull her hair out in frustration. But then, her gaze met his again—sincere, unyielding—and her heart began to melt. She wanted so desperately to reach out, to tell him it was okay, that she'll give in.

But she didn't. She couldn't.

I'm not deserving of his love, she reminded herself.

Acier looked at him, shaking her head resolutely. "We can't. This is wrong. You need to find a way to keep living without me. You have patients now—so many people who depend on you. You have Count Vardy, someone who truly cares for you. You don't need me anymore, Sebastian. So please… leave."

Sebastian didn't flinch. Instead, he shook his head firmly. "If you want me to leave, you'll have to give me a reason. I need to know why this is wrong."

Acier paused, biting her lip. The thought of being hated by the person she had come to terms with loving was terrifying. But the thought of him dying because of her? That was worse.

Despite the dreadful churn in her stomach, she opened her mouth to explain.

Her gaze dropped to her lap, unable to meet his eyes as she confessed. She told him the truth about her grandfather's actions and her role in it. She revealed the insane plot to make her queen, forcing her House into shameless acts that ultimately turned his parents into abusive monsters, leading to their tragic deaths.

She explained the presence of Lux in all this, how she'd been promised to him, and why their friendship was impossible. "Being friends with me would make you the enemy of two royal houses. You'd be marked for death. If I defy the Kira Prince and my grandfather, you could die any moment, Sebastian," she choked out.

Acier's voice broke into sobs as she described the glorified farce of the succession war. "It's all a waiting game for Lux to come of age. You'd be dragged into forces you can't contend with or even understand."

She trembled as she spoke, her words spilling out in choked whimpers. When she finally fell silent, she kept her gaze fixed on her lap, waiting for the inevitable silence to shatter with his condemnation.

But the silence dragged on.

Minutes passed before she dared to raise her head, trembling. To her astonishment, Sebastian was watching her calmly, his expression unreadable.

Then he spoke, and his words sent her reeling. "None of that matters to me."

Acier blinked, her lips parting as she gaped at him in disbelief.

Sebastian continued, his voice unwavering. "You had no part in this. You have no part in this. This is just another case of adults making decisions for children under the guise of care—when really, it's for their own selfish gratification. Their hearts. Their egos."

He pointed at her, his gaze resolute. "You are not to blame. And because of that, I have no reason to hate you."

Tears threatened to spill once more as Acier shook her head. "Still… we can't be friends! You'll die!"

Sebastian fought the urge to roll his eyes. It's like talking to a brick wall.

Instead, he softened his tone. "I won't die."

Acier glared at him, her frustration boiling over. It's like talking to a brick wall!

Her politeness shattered as she yelled, "How many times do we have to go over this?! You're a nobody—a nobody! Lux is the Prince of House Kira, and my grandfather is the former patriarch of this House! They have a thousand ways to make you disappear without lifting a finger!"

"Actually… they don't," Sebastian countered, his tone calm.

Acier blinked, raising a skeptical brow as he explained.

"That clown prince has no real power. It's all borrowed from his brother. And I highly doubt Augustus would lend his younger brother any resources or subordinates while he's busy clearing his name and competing for the throne."

Sebastian's voice grew more assured. "Nobles and royalty care about reputation as much as their wealth. Augustus wouldn't risk another scandal—not unless he's a fool. And from how you described Lux's relationship with his brothers, I'm sure the feeling is mutual. I doubt Augustus has any love or care for Lux, especially with the crown on the line."

Acier froze, speechless, before shaking her head. "Even so, my grandfather is the former patriarch—"

"'Former' is the keyword here, Acier," Sebastian interrupted smoothly. "All of his authority and influence come at the behest of the current Patriarch. That's your father, isn't it?"

Acier nodded hesitantly. "Yes, that's right."

Sebastian smiled, mirroring her nod. "Then your father could strip your grandfather of everything—his power, his influence—anytime he chooses."

Acier hesitated before shaking her head. "You're right, but my father would never do that. He lets my grandfather get away with everything. He's never stepped in, never defied him. He just ignores it all with those cold, distant eyes of his. He's like a stranger in his own home—"

"Acier."

Sebastian's voice cut through her tirade. He looked at her with gentle eyes, but there was a sly teasing edge to his expression.

"How exactly do you think I'm here?"

Acier blinked, her body tensing. "Pardon?"

Sebastian leaned forward, elaborating. "How do you think I, a nobody, managed to slip past the most skilled guards and barrier mages in the land to enter the supposedly heavily guarded room of the eldest princess of House Silva?"

Acier blinked again, biting her lip. "Didn't you say you were a skilled pickpocket—"

She stopped mid-sentence as Sebastian gave her a look like she'd just missed the obvious.

He sighed, exasperated. "Don't tell me you actually believed that half-baked excuse."

Acier flushed red, shaking her head vigorously.

Sebastian smirked, reaching into his side bag to pull something out. He handed it to her with a knowing gleam in his eye.

Acier took the envelope with trembling hands. The floral fitchy seal—the one her father reserved for private matters—was stamped on the front. Her heart clenched when she noticed the envelope was already open.

With a gulp, she carefully pulled out the letter inside. Her hands shook as she unfolded it, immediately recognizing her father's distinctive, elegant handwriting. Her eyes began to water as she read:

Dear Sebastian,

My daughter is sad, so do something about it.

11:30, Southside walls of the Castle, be there.

Best wishes,

Nathaniel Silva.

What followed was a crudely drawn map of the estate, showing the path to her private terrace and marking the location of her window. Tears spilled onto the expensive parchment. She hurriedly set the letter aside, wiping her eyes to focus on Sebastian, who was still kneeling before her, smiling softly.

He tilted his head toward the windowsill and the rope tied securely to it. "I don't even own a grappling rope. That was already there when I got here."

Acier blinked, rubbing her eyes. Suddenly, she understood Lux's cryptic words from before:

"A plot, crafted by none other than your grandfather. And, in some ways, your father too."

Father too.

She repeated the phrase in her mind, piecing together its hidden meaning. Her father had always seemed passive in the scheme compared to Lux and her grandfather, neither fully complicit nor entirely innocent. He ignored it, let it unfold under his watch, and pretended not to see. But now… now, it was clear.

Her father had been waiting. Waiting for the right moment to make a choice.

And he had.

Her eyes welled with tears again, but this time, they were tears of joy. Father chose Sebastian over Grandfather and Lux.

Sebastian reached out to her, his hand brushing against her cheeks to wipe her tears. This time, she didn't flinch or push him away. Instead, she let him. His smile grew even brighter.

Acier couldn't help but adore that smile.

Sebastian gazed at her tenderly. "So… are you done making excuses? Done running away?"

Acier bit her lip, struggling to hold onto her last argument. "But… What if Lux or Grandfather take matters into their own hands? What if they try to kill you themselves?"

Sebastian smiled, his tone calm and reassuring. "I doubt that clown prince has the gall or the courage. And as for your grandfather—he can't risk killing me. If he did, he'd lose the only leverage he has over you. Without me, there's no reason for you to follow along with his whims."

Acier opened her mouth to argue, but Sebastian held up a hand, shaking his head.

"I know what you're going to say: 'They could kidnap me, haul me off to some undisclosed location, and keep me prisoner to use against you.'"

She froze, stunned by how accurately he had read her thoughts.

"But you and I both know Nathaniel Silva is no fool," Sebastian added with a reassuring grin. "He's already accounted for every possibility. Nothing like that will happen."

Acier fell silent. Her gaze locked with his, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Finally, she let go of her doubts and smiled wide. "Okay!"

That single word carried a world of meaning.

Sebastian's heart leapt at her smile, but he held back his glee, keeping his expression composed. Shifting his posture to one knee, mirroring the way he had asked her for a dance before, he reached into his bag.

"I actually have something for you…"

Acier raised a curious brow. "You do…?"

Sebastian nodded, his fingers brushing the black leather metal box in his bag. With a slight hesitation, he pulled it out and held it in front of her.

Acier's eyes widened as he flipped it open.

Her pupils dilated at the sight of the ring inside. A flush crept up her neck as her thoughts spiraled into chaos.

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!

A RING! A RING! A RING! A RING! A RING! A RING!

HE'S GOING TO PROPOSE TO ME! HE'S GOING TO PROPOSE TO ME!

I'M NOT READY! I'M NOT READY! I'M NOT READY!

Acier felt dizzy, barely suppressing her rising panic as Sebastian spoke, his tone soft and sincere.

"Acier Silva, will you make me the happiest man in the world…"

He trailed off, and her heart raced faster. Then, gritting his teeth, he looked at her with newfound resolve.

"Will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my friend?"

Acier froze. Then blinked. Huh?!

Sebastian nodded, adding with an earnest smile, "Not just a friend, but best friends forever! Will you be my BFF?"

Acier blinked again, clarity dawning on her. Blue hyacinths… they represent love. But not just romantic love—platonic love between close friends.

Her face turned crimson as embarrassment surged through her. Did I misunderstand this whole time?!

She resisted the urge to pull her hair out or curl into a ball. Her imagined romantic drama dissipated, replaced by the realization of Sebastian's nervous expression and the slight tremble in his hands.

And then, she noticed the faint blush on his cheeks, making her heart beat faster.

As the silence stretched, Sebastian bit his lip and lowered his head, speaking softly.

"Originally, I bought this for your birthday, but I didn't dare give it to you with all those eyes around. Afterward, well… it's kind of embarrassing to give a girl a ring, you know."

His voice softened further. "So… although it's a month late, happy birthday, Acier."

Her eyes widened as she saw the blush on his cheeks deepen. At that moment, she understood: It's mutual. He feels the same way. He just needs a little more time to come out of his shell.

That was fine with her. She wouldn't push him. They were only 14, after all. All that mattered was that there was progress.

Smiling softly, Acier extended the back of her hand and gestured to her ring finger. "Okay, I'll be your BFF!"

Sebastian's face lit up as he beamed, gently taking the ring from the box. Holding her slender hand, he prepared to slide the ring onto her finger, only to pause.

Her outstretched hand was her left.

In the Clover Kingdom, a ring worn on the left hand symbolized marriage or engagement.

Sebastian blinked, looking up at her. She met his gaze with a calm, knowing expression, though a faint blush dusted her cheeks.

His heart pounded, his own cheeks flushing in embarrassment. How am I supposed to play this off as nothing? He thought, knowing full well he intended to wear a matching ring in the future—even if it wasn't on his left hand.

People will talk. They'll target me. But that's not what scares me most.

What truly terrified him was the uncertainty—What if I let her down? What if I betray her trust someday?

A perfect man would clarify this was simply a friendship ring and suggest wearing it on her right hand. But Sebastian was far from perfect. He was human, and humans were prone to weakness and temptation.

So, against his better judgment, he slid the ring onto her left-hand ring finger.

Acier looked at him, and he looked back.

She smiled, and so did he. Then, she lifted her hand to admire the ring with quiet delight.

It was a plain brass ring, engraved with BFF. Likely the cheapest piece of jewelry in her collection and possibly the cheapest she'd ever own—or at least own and actually wear.

But it was from the man she loved. For that simple fact, it was the one she loved the most. She didn't hide her feelings as she smiled that same dazzling smile.

"I love it."

Sebastian blushed furiously, fumbling slightly as he handed her the black box as well and stood up. "T-that's good."

A moment passed. With the heavy conversation behind them, the atmosphere turned awkward as they fumbled for small talk.

Acier scratched her cheek, hesitating before asking, "D-did you fix your house…?"

"Not yet," Sebastian admitted, shaking his head. Her shoulders sagged, but before she could respond, he hurriedly added, "But I used that coin you hit me with to buy a brand-new tent."

Acier let out a mixed sigh of relief and guilt, a comical blend of emotions crossing her face. Sebastian smiled proudly, gesturing to his stitched and patched clothes.

"And I used the rest to fix these up."

Acier froze, staring at him in surprise. "You didn't have to do that. You could've bought new ones."

Sebastian scratched the back of his head, sheepish. "B-but you gave me these. They're my favorite."

Her cheeks flushed, and she nodded repeatedly. "I-I see…"

Another awkward pause lingered before Sebastian gestured back toward her windowsill with his thumb. "I should probably get going. We both need some sleep."

Acier paused, her reluctance masked by a forced smile. "Y-yeah… s-see you tomorrow?" She blushed as she asked, her voice tinged with hope.

She braced for his usual flustered reaction, but instead, Sebastian frowned and shook his head.

Acier blinked, startled. "W-why…?" Her voice trembled with desperation. I thought we were friends again… Panic swirled in her mind.

Sebastian crossed his arms, looking at her sternly. "Look at you. In your current state, you can barely walk. How are you going to make it across and back to the noble realm? Unless you're planning on coming in a carriage?"

She froze, his scolding tone catching her off guard.

Sebastian pointed at her, his voice firm. "Take a few days to heal and get back in shape. Don't bother showing up in front of me until you do. If you do, I'll just tell you to get lost and go back."

He softened slightly, adding, "Now that we're friends again, the old deal is back in place. You, Acier Silva, shall treasure yourself and your health once more. Understand me?"

Acier flushed deeply, nodding meekly. "Mmm-hmm."

Just as Sebastian was about to leave, he paused, glancing at her side table. A vase of Madonna lilies sat by her bed.

Acier's heart sank as she followed his gaze, guilt pooling in her chest. "L-Lux took your flowers away, a-and I didn't stop him."

Sebastian strode over to the table, grabbing the lilies with swift decisiveness. He turned back to her, his expression serious. "I'll get rid of these for you."

Acier blinked, then nodded.

Sebastian started back toward the window but stopped to look at her again. "I'll get you new ones. Make sure to guard them with your life this time."

He hesitated, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Hyacinths suit you best."

Acier's cheeks flushed once more, and she nodded shyly. "Mmm-hmm."

Sebastian smiled warmly before beginning his descent down the rope. "See you in a few days, Acier. And have a good night."

Acier returned his smile. "Goodnight, Sebastian."

As he disappeared from view, Acier didn't mind. The ring on her finger felt like he was still with her.

She backed into her bed, lying on her pillow and pulling the covers over herself. Under the blanket, she gazed at the ring on her finger, bringing it to her lips. With a soft kiss, she whispered, "I love you."

Acier would give love a second chance. She wasn't done yet. Resolute, she let herself drift into a peaceful sleep, filled with pleasant dreams.

—

When Sebastian dropped to the ground, he glanced to his right. Two Silver Eagle guards stood by the terrace wall, their cold stares locking on him. After a moment, they closed their eyes, silently pretending they hadn't seen a thing.

Turning left, Sebastian's gaze swept across the terrace to a dark room two stories high. Through the expansive windows, he made out the broad silhouette of a figure watching him intently.

The patriarch's office, he realized, recalling the map on the letter.

Sebastian bowed deeply toward the figure, murmuring, "Thank you."

Only when the figure turned away and walked into the shadows did Sebastian allow himself to move, hopping the wall and strolling under the starry, moonlit sky. The biting cold of midnight didn't bother him.

His soul was warm, and so was his body.

Sebastian smiled, but his thoughts faltered.

Did I just get married?

He shook his head, trying to dismiss the idea. There's no way.

He and Acier were just friends. Just very… intimate, touchy-feely friends.

That was all they were.

He then looked at the crushed up lilies in his hand and narrowed his eyes.

Now, what sort of critters would like these?

Author's Notes:

[1] Two chaps in one day huh? Get on your knees and praise me mongrels!

Just kidding to all who felt a bit uncomfortable 2 chapters ago, I hope this brought some relief and closure to your soul. 

[2] Don't ask me how many more chapter's is this arc, because it's a long one, just know you're in for a doozy. 

There are more tears to shed, and smiles to beam. 

Remember this is 20 years of life being condensed, things will flow much faster after we get to the point Lucius gives our MC a poke on the head, but until then, the pacing will be similar to what you've seen so far.

[3] Feel free to join the discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar