After the hearing, Serenil walked the cold garden paths, shadowed by mixed emotions.
He had survived, but only because of Hestia's intervention. And now… he owed her.
He found her in the greenhouse, tending to a pot of rare frost lilies.
"Why?" he asked softly. "You didn't have to go that far."
She didn't look at him. "Maybe I did."
"Hestia—"
"I'm not a fool," she said, finally turning to him. "I know this engagement was meant to be political. A shield to avoid war. But that doesn't mean I don't value you, Serenil. I don't want to see someone I care about destroyed by cowards hiding behind rules."
Her cheeks were red—not just from the cold.
Serenil felt a strange ache in his chest.
"I'm not good with emotions," he said. "But I understand duty. I'll protect you. Not because I was told to—but because I want to."
They stood in silence, snow falling around them like feathers.
And somewhere unseen, Voidrender pulsed softly in its sheath, whispering of darker days yet to come.