The trial had ended. The judgment passed.
Alen and Lyra walked slowly through the quiet stone corridors of the academy's council hall. The buzz of nobles and elders had faded, replaced by the stillness that now weighed between them like a veil.
Lyra was silent. Her steps slow. Her fingers trembled.
Alen turned to her, unsure how to begin.
"It's over," he said, forcing a smile. "No one got hurt. We're safe. Isn't that… something to celebrate?"
But Lyra didn't respond. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, lips quivering. Then, quietly, her fist struck his chest—not in violence, but pain.
"You idiot… they were going to kill you!" she cried. "If my brother hadn't come in time… What was I supposed to do? I would've followed you—I would've died with you, Alen!"
Alen froze. The weight of her words shattered his composure.
He had known betrayal. Loneliness. Death in another world.
But never… had someone cried for him like this.
His arms wrapped around her tightly, as though if he let go, he would lose something eternal.
"Please… don't ever say that," he whispered. "Don't speak of dying. My love… I've just begun to live because of you."
"Then stop being reckless!" she said, voice muffled in his chest. "I can't go through that again."
He gently wiped her tears. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's go see your brother. You don't want him to see you like this, right?"
She sniffled and nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear. "He's scary when angry," she whispered with a hint of a smile. "But he loves me more than his own life."
---
Confrontation with Ryen & the Revelation
As they walked to the courtyard, they spotted Doren and Ryen standing side by side. The air around them was tense, warriors by nature, both in silent conversation.
The moment Lyra saw her brother, she ran into his arms.
"You're the best big brother," she said as she hugged him. "Thank you for saving him."
Ryen didn't smile. His aura flared like a sleeping beast awakened. Blue flames of dragon energy curled around his shoulders.
"I swear—on the name of the Northern Dragon Clan—I will crush their kingdom for making you cry."
His voice wasn't loud, but it shook the earth.
Lyra pulled back from him and said, "No, brother! Don't. Alen doesn't come from a powerful family. He's… just a merchant's son. If you strike, they'll destroy him and everyone he loves."
Ryen stared at her for a second, confused. Then… he laughed—a low, cold laugh.
"What are you talking about, little sister?"
He turned to Alen.
"He's not some merchant's son. He's the heir to the Crimson Lion Clan."
Silence. Dead silence.
Alen's face went pale.
Lyra turned to him, stunned.
"...What?"
Alen tried to speak, but no words came.
"You… lied to me?" she whispered, her voice cracking.
"I was going to tell you—I wanted to," Alen said quickly, stepping forward. "I didn't want my name or my clan to matter. I wanted… you to fall in love with just me."
She took a step back. Her face—so full of trust minutes ago—was now a canvas of betrayal and heartbreak.
And without another word, she turned and ran.
"Lyra, wait—please!"
He glanced once at Ryen, who said nothing but gave a single nod.
"It's my fault," Ryen said quietly. "But now… you have to fix it."
---
Alen's Confession (Private Garden Scene)
Later that evening, Alen found her alone in the academy's moonlit garden. She stood beneath the silver trees, looking at the reflection of the stars in the pond.
He approached slowly.
"Lyra…"
She didn't turn.
"I didn't lie to hurt you," he said. "I lied because I was afraid. I've been judged all my life by names, by power, by what people wanted from me. But with you… I finally felt like I could be myself."
"Then why didn't you trust me?" she asked softly.
"Because I didn't believe someone like you would stay if you knew the truth."
Silence.
Then, turning to him, she said, "You're a fool."
"I know," he said. "But I'm your fool."
He knelt before her.
"I'm not asking you to forgive me today. But give me the chance to prove that it was never about deception—it was always about love."
She looked at him long, her heart torn between pain and longing.
Then she stepped forward, lifting his chin gently.
"Idiot," she whispered. "Don't kneel for me. Just… don't lie again."
She pulled him into an embrace.
"This heart already belongs to you. Don't make it regret choosing you."
---
End of Chapter