Ren stood at the upper corridor's railing, half-hidden behind a marble pillar, looking down into the lounge where Yumi and Eliott sat.
No one noticed him.
He preferred it that way.
His eyes softened — just a little — when Yumi flopped on the sofa again, face buried in a pillow like a grumpy cat.
She groaned loudly, "Everything is comfy but suspicious!! I don't trust!"
Eliott: "My Lord, it's just a cushion—"
Yumi: "NO. IT HAS BAD VIBES."
Ren's eyebrow twitched.
Vibes?
Suspicious cushions?
Was this truly the same soul that once changed his fate?
Yumi sat up suddenly, accusing the air:
"And that prince—ugh—he has ancient energy! Way to old not my taste!"
Eliott burst out laughing.
Ren froze.
…Ancient?
…Disturbing?
A quiet sigh escaped him.
"He still speaks nonsense,"Ren muttered under his breath.
But the corner of his lips tilted upward — the tiniest smile — despite himself.
He hadn't changed.
Not even after everything.
Not even after the last cycle.
His fingers relaxed on the railing as he watched her complain, gesture wildly, sneeze out of nowhere, and accuse the castle wind of having anger issues.
And then—
He heard it.
Hir soft, vulnerable voice slipping through the joking:
"…It's comfy… but it feels like I should go somewhere to relax.
Like someone's watching me… for reasons."
Ren's expression tightened.
He feels it already.
The connection.
The pull.
The past He didn't remember.
Alaric stepped beside him quietly.
"You're watching again," he whispered.
Ren didn't look away.
"He's too restless."
"…You worry for him."
"No," Ren lied instantly.
"He's unpredictable. That is all."
Alaric didn't argue.
Downstairs, Yumi suddenly pointed at the ceiling.
"I swear someone is watching me! I can FEEL IT!"
Eliott sighed. "My Lord, nobody is—"
But Yumi's head snapped toward the balcony above them—
straight toward Ren's location.
Ren stiffened.
He sensed me? Already?
But then—
Yumi squinted at the shadows.
"…Probably just a bird," she muttered.
Ren exhaled quietly in relief.
Alaric's shoulders dropped.
But then—
Yumi added loudly:
"—an ugly bird."
Ren choked.
Alaric slapped a hand over his mouth to hide his laugh.
Ren whispered darkly, "He hasn't changed at all."
But he couldn't stop watching him.
His laughter.
His confused frowns.
Hus way of hugging pillows like they were his shields.
His sudden seriousness, disappearing just as quickly as a breeze.
Everything about her was the same.
Everything Ren fought for…
Everything he lost…
Everything the cycle reset…
was sitting on a couch, chewing snacks, and calling him an "ancient grandpa prince."
Ren looked away, his expression tightening.
"…I won't lose this time."
Alaric glanced at him. "You really believe the cycle can change?"with a smile
Ren closed his eyes for a moment.
"…He is here again, isn't he?"
That was his answer.