"We're not done yet."
Elestia's voice trembled as she tried to push Kiel away before he could see the deep scar across her back. But it was too late. His crimson eyes froze on the sight—an ugly, long-healed mark running from her shoulder down to her waist. A wound no priest's light should have left behind.
"What… is this?" His voice was low, uncertain.
Elestia buried her face into the pillow, refusing to speak. Silence swallowed the room. The only thing he could hear was her trembling breath.
Kiel sighed, brushing her tangled hair aside."Well… we'll talk about that later. For now—" his tone shifted, darker, hungry. "—we have something more important to finish."
He leaned down again, and Elestia could no longer resist. She was consumed in warmth, in his maddening presence, until exhaustion finally pulled her into the dark.
When Elestia woke, the light filtering through the curtains felt too gentle. She found herself in Kiel's arms—his chest rising and falling against her cheek, his warmth steady like a heartbeat she never thought she'd crave again.
She blinked, and realization struck her.They were both still naked.
"Oh?" Kiel's voice was teasing. "Done scanning all the way down to my little brother?"
Her face exploded into red."There's nothing to see," she blurted.
"Oh, really?" Kiel's smirk widened, devilish. In an instant, he was hovering over her again, raining soft kisses across her face.
"Get off! We have the morning assembly!" she protested, struggling to keep her composure.
"Tch. Boring," he muttered, but obeyed—though not without brushing his lips across her temple before standing.
Elestia rolled her eyes, trying to hide the tiny smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks," she muttered and quickly dressed before heading out.
At the Great Wizard Association
The capital of Fiena Empire was a jewel of towering spires and magic-infused streets. And in its heart stood the Great Wizard Association, a monumental fortress of white stone and silver sigils. The Association was the continent's most powerful organization—neutral, unbound by any empire, yet headquartered within Fiena's walls simply because it was the center of the world.
When their carriage had arrived earlier, it drew whispers.It was rare—unheard of, even—for a foreign prince to enlist under the Great Wizard Association. And rarer still for him to walk hand-in-hand with a woman who looked like a fallen star reborn.
"Look, isn't that her?" one wizard whispered. "The new recruit with the Saint's aura?"
Elestia ignored the stares, though she could feel them crawling on her back."Tch," Kiel muttered under his breath.
"What's wrong with you now?" she asked nervously.
"I'm in the mood to gouge someone's eyes out," he replied flatly.
Elestia nearly tripped. "You—what?!"
He didn't answer, only glared at the group of apprentices openly admiring her.Unaware of his jealous storm, Elestia only sighed and kept walking toward the Association's entrance.
Then, voices reached them.
"Did you hear? A new Saintess has appeared! Black hair, blue eyes—the prophecy has begun."
Elestia froze mid-step. The words pierced her heart like shards of ice.'The Saintess… Lucia? Already?'
She frowned. 'No… this is wrong. Everything is happening too fast. Two years early, at least. Did my rebirth… cause this?'
The Saintess Lucia.A girl from another world. A name Elestia could barely recall—only the faint image of her cruel smile and the hollow warmth she shared with Carmila. Those two had played the world like puppets and made Elestia their villain.
"Can I blind them for you?" Kiel's low growl broke through her thoughts.
"W-what?! No! Let them talk," Elestia snapped, waving him off.
"Can I lock you up then?" he muttered darkly.
"Eh? Why would you—"
"You're mine." His breath brushed her ear, sending a shock through her.Her cheeks burned crimson, but her eyes turned sharp.
"Oh really? But I'm possessive too. What's mine stays mine."
"Then be good," he whispered, "or there'll be blood every day."
She laughed softly, masking the chaos inside her heart. 'I've done it again. Why do I always provoke the monster?'
Inside the Association, the atmosphere shifted as soon as they entered. Their aura—his fiery dominance, her quiet grace—commanded attention.
"Welcome, Lady Elestia and Prince Kiel," said an officer, bowing deeply. "Your enlistment has been approved. Here are your wizard tags and uniforms. As per your request, Lady Elestia, yours is a combat set—no dress."
Elestia blinked in surprise, then smirked. "Wow. My hubby's quite thoughtful. I was going to refuse if they gave me a dress."
"Well," Kiel said, resting his hand on her waist, "I am your hubby."
"Thank you, officer," Elestia said quickly, dragging Kiel away. The two left behind stunned staff and whispering mages.
"My gods," one whispered, "their presence… it's suffocating yet mesmerizing."
"Did you see the girl's poise? She moves like royalty."
"And that man—he's too handsome! That red-eyed prince looks like he could burn the world if she asked him to."
Their arrival completely eclipsed the gossip about the new Saintess and Duke Ronin's daughter, Carmila.
A Morning at the Association
By the next morning, Elestia tried to regain a sense of normalcy. After escaping Kiel's relentless teasing, she decided to visit the cafeteria.
"I'm so hungry," she muttered, rubbing her stomach and grabbing a tray.
As she searched for a seat, a faintly trembling figure caught her eye—a young woman with mousy brown hair and a timid presence, eating alone in silence.
'Rania?' Elestia nearly dropped her tray. 'No… this can't be right. She's not supposed to be here until next year.'
She approached."Hi. May I sit here?"
Rania nearly jumped, eyes wide. "O-of c-course… h-hik!"
"Are you scared of me?" Elestia asked while biting into her butter bun.
"Y-yes—n-no—hik!" The poor girl was shaking like a leaf.
Elestia chuckled softly. 'She's like a scared hamster.'
When she finished her meal and stood, a small tug stopped her.
"M-may I g-go with y-you?" Rania's voice was barely a whisper, her face pale but determined.
Elestia blinked—then smiled. "Sure."
She patted Rania's head gently, and the girl froze, blushing furiously.No one had ever treated her kindly before. For once, she felt… safe.
At the orphanage nursery, Elestia's demeanor softened. Despite her noble posture, her hands moved naturally—cleaning, organizing, holding children as though she'd done it her whole life.
"Miss Elestia, you're a natural," said the caretaker, Miss Monica, watching her cradle a baby. "Have you raised children before?"
"Maybe," Elestia replied with a quiet smile, brushing a lock of hair from the baby's forehead. 'I remember… I wanted to be a good mother, once.'
Nearby, Rania watched in awe. Elestia's presence was like sunlight—gentle but unyielding. The children fell asleep to the calm rhythm of her storytelling, and Rania soon dozed off as well, whispering,"She sounds like… a saint…"
But outside the nursery, two figures stood watching through the enchanted glass—Lucia, the Saintess from another world, and Carmila, Duke Ronin's cherished daughter.
"Her?" Lucia asked softly. "That's the one causing all this attention?"
Carmila's smile was sweet—and venomous. "Yes. Elestia Ronin. My poor, foolish sister."
Lucia's eyes glimmered. "Then I suppose it's time we test the limits of this 'saintly' act."
Their laughter faded into the wind as an invisible ripple of magic stirred through the halls.
Tomorrow, the Great Wizard Association would announce a trial of aptitude—a test so powerful it could expose even a soul that had been reborn.
And Elestia…had no idea the world was already closing in.