KNOCK KNOCK—
I barely had to wait. Sara opened her door almost immediately, probably sensing me beforehand.
"Good morning, love. You look as beautiful as ever," I said, leaning casually against her doorframe.
She wore a simple coffee-colored dress with a bow in her hair, pulling it neatly backwards.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, face blank, no hint of affection in her eyes.
Something felt off.
Did something happen? Did I do something? I wondered, noticing she didn't even invite me inside.
"I just felt like visiting you, meeting you. It's been quite a few days—"
"Months," she corrected sharply, her gaze daring me to argue like I usually would. 'So she's counting in those six months as well, huh?
But not today.
I sighed. After the long self-reflection session I'd had — and the talks with Sia and Arcane — I wasn't in the mood to explain myself, or apologise like some guilty child.
"I came by because I missed you. Because you're my girlfriend," I said. "I'm heading toward the Guild Association, got some work there. Wanna come? We can take the longer route, spend some time together before and after the meeting."
I wasn't really expecting a straightforward 'yes' — not after the coldness she just showed.
Sara stood there, silent, contemplating her options like I'd given her some impossible riddle to solve.
"Fine," she said at last. "I'll tag along. Only if you feed me something along the way."
Her terms were non-negotiable.
I chuckled and nodded. "Deal." This girl and her mood swings...
She finally invited me inside while she got ready. I helped her a bit, fetching small things here and there, before we both headed toward the Guild.
"Yesterday was quite memorable, wasn't it?" Sara asked, clinging to my arm, her head resting against my shoulder as we headed through the crowd, towards the main city road, one near the market road that has all the famous street food stalls.
"Maybe for you," I replied honestly. "But for me? Just another day."
It wasn't arrogance. Just the unfortunate reality.
Sara caught the meaning beneath my words and changed the subject.
"So... Arcane. Tell me more about him," she said.
"To start off," I said, "Arcane is a made-up name. His real name's similar, though. I haven't seen his powers yet. He's got a nature like mine — loves travelling, exploring, maybe fighting strong enemies. He protects the empire from the shadows. Doesn't belong to any organisation, doesn't serve anyone. A lone wolf."
"He's quite handsome, too," Sara noted with a playful grin.
I smirked, nodding. "Yeah. He's good-looking, no denying that."
"Lucius... I wanted to ask him something yesterday, but didn't get the chance." She sounded excited. "Do you know if Arcane ever met Andromeda Skydagger?"
I raised a brow. "What's up with you and your obsession with Andromeda?"
"You haven't even seen her," I added. She said nothing, only pouted, "I've only read stories or glanced at rumours in newspapers, yet I'm drawn to her, somehow... I don't know, a lady can have an idol to look up to, right?" She questioned as her grip tightened around my arm.
I shrugged. "Fair enough. And no, Arcane hasn't met her. He mostly travels near the border regions."
"Shame..." she muttered, her sudden drop in energy catching me off-guard.
"She's the sole heir of her family. Won the Warriors' Championship like it was a casual spar. Reached the Saint Stage, being only a year or two older than us. Of course, I admire her! I've also heard she treats everyone kindly. Even the Nmanas!"
Well, I thought, that'll save her some enemies if the Nmanas ever rebel against us.
"And now she's about to become the Saintess, replacing the current one after gaining her approval!" Sara said, her eyes shining. "That's so cool... so admirable!"
I blinked, surprised.
Wait. The current Saintess? That woman?
Saintess Cita.
Known across the empire as The Emperor's Sword.
The Empress.
The War Deity.
The master of all weapons, all forms of combat. She ruled the battlefield itself.
If Andromeda had gained her approval... that meant she was the real deal.
Though I couldn't help but wonder — why would the Empress step down?
She was still young, and with a Saint rank, her ageing would be slowed by decades, perhaps centuries if she were in the high-ranking saint stages. She could easily continue ruling alongside Emperor Ashoka...
"She's crazy strong, that's clear," I said at last. "More capable than I thought."
"Oh, by the way," I added, remembering, "Arcane did mention something. Said that Andromeda becoming the next Saintess is basically guaranteed. No one else even has a shot. Not even that warrior from Rodan Dukedom... What was his name... Aragon or something."
Sara smiled faintly, a rare glimmer of pure admiration crossing her face.
And for a moment, just a moment, the heavy knots in my chest loosened — if only a little.
"How about this, one day, we'll visit the capital city, together. Once all these issues in hand are dealt with, solved... what do you say?"
Sara's eyes answered even before the words left her mouth—
That sparkle in them. That inner child is lighting up, happy and excited.
Even though I knew how rough the imminent future would be... I still made the promise.
Not just for her.
For me too.
As a reminder. As motivation.
This woman deserves all the love and affection I can give. And somehow, no matter what it takes... I'll fulfil that promise.
"And we'll also meet this Andromeda," I added, smiling, "who by that time would've ascended—officially becoming the Saintess."
That would fulfil the only two wishes I've ever heard from her.
"Really? You promise?" she asked, even though her eyes already believed me.
It wasn't a doubt. Just the kind of ask you make when something means the world to you.
"I do, love," I answered. "Though... it'll be tough figuring out the details on how to meet and greet your idol. But I'll manage something…"
Last I heard, Andromeda's appointment as Saintess was only a few months away.
Maybe the current one is training her replacement—nurturing her heir.
I don't know the full reason.
What I do know is that meeting someone of that status won't be easy.
Not when the Saintess and the Saint of Verdun are considered pillars of the empire, rivalling even the emperor in strength and influence, to some extent.
"It's a deal then… future husband," she said.
The last part came out soft. Almost a whisper.
We both froze, a subtle blush burning on our faces as our heartbeats betrayed us.
We glanced away, pretending the moment hadn't happened.
But it had.
Leaning closer, keeping my voice low and calm, I whispered into her ear,
"A deal indeed… my future wife."
"May death do us part," she whispered again, this time, barely with a hint of doubt or shyness.
Then she pulled me close. Closer than ever.
Her arms wrapped tight around my ribs, as if trying to bury herself in me.
I looked at her.
Her eyes overflowed with love, warmth… and most of all—hope.
And I pulled her into a kiss.
Right there. In the middle of a busy street.
With people all around us, and yet for us, they didn't exist.
'May only my death do us part.'
I promised myself.
And I promised the love of my life… standing right in front of me.