Ai clung to Shiki's arm like her life depended on it. Her cheek brushed against his sleeve every so often, but she didn't let go, not
even when the crowd's noise faded behind them.
She stayed quiet at first, lips pressed tight, her steps almost too small for his lazy stride. Shiki didn't say anything, just let her hold on, his hands sunk casually in his pockets.
Finally, Ai tugged his arm closer, her voice soft and uneven.
"Ne, Ne, Shiki…" She hesitated, puffing her cheeks before forcing herself to continue. "If… if someone like that—like that man
earlier—came to take me away… would you stop them?"
Her question slipped out fast, but her grip betrayed the nerves behind it.
Shiki actually slowed. For once, there wasn't a smirk on his lips. He turned, eyes dropping to her, steady and serious.
"Ai." His voice was low, serious, carrying none of the usual drawl. "No one—" he paused, drawing her closer, his hand brushing against hers "—and I mean no one, is ever taking you away from me."
Her heart skipped. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
He leaned down just slightly, enough that his breath brushed her ear, enough that the words sank into her skin like a vow. "Not
princes. Not monsters. Not fate itself. As long as I breathe, kitten, you're mine. And I'll fight the whole damn world if I have to."
The trembling in her fingers betrayed her. Her cheeks went pink, her lashes fluttered, and she turned her face away so quickly she nearly smacked into his chest. "I—I wasn't asking for such a cheesy line!"
Shiki let out a short laugh, softer than usual. "Not a line. Promise."
She didn't know what to say back, so she only held his arm tighter, refusing to look up.
Speaking of which—Seraphina and Lyra had walked a few paces ahead, too disciplined to eavesdrop but not deaf to the undercurrent of emotion behind them. Seraphina glanced back briefly, eyes narrowing just slightly at
Shiki before she turned away again. Lyra clutched her staff tighter, peeking between them curiously, though she said nothing.
"Come," Seraphina called over her shoulder. "We're heading
to the fountain."
Ai didn't release Shiki's arm even then, practically dragging him along when he didn't move fast enough.
The four of them reached the square where the lion fountain stood at its center. The soft splash of water filled the air. Seraphina sat on the edge of the stone, crossing her arms, while Lyra settled beside her quietly.
Shiki leaned against the fountain casually, Ai still stuck firmly to his arm.
Seraphina's eyes sharpened. "The next step is meeting the families of the missing girls. Their parents may recall details the guards
overlooked. Habits, routines, words said before the disappearance. Things grief
remembers even when reports don't."
Ai frowned, looking between them. "So… we're just going to knock on doors and talk to their parents?"
"Yes." Seraphina nodded once. "The families need to know someone still searches. It begins with them."
Lyra's hands curled on her staff. Her voice was soft but certain. "They'll want someone to listen. Even if it hurts."
Ai blinked at her, surprised by the quiet conviction.
Shiki tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly on Seraphina. "You're carrying this."
Her jaw tensed. "They are my people. Protecting them is my duty. Every day they remain missing is another day I've failed them."
The weight of her words hung in the air. Ai bit her lip, suddenly quiet.
But Shiki broke it with ease. "You haven't failed them yet."
Seraphina turned her head sharply. "What?"
"Failure's only when you stop trying." His tone was plain, steady. "You're still fighting. That means you haven't failed."
For once, Seraphina's stern composure faltered. She searched his face, expecting smugness, arrogance—but there was none. Just certainty. Slowly, her shoulders eased.
Lyra's gaze lingered on Shiki too, as if the words had shaken her more than she'd admit.
The knight stood abruptly. "Enough. The first family lives just beyond the western quarter. We'll head there."
Lyra scrambled after her, nearly tripping on her robe.
Shiki stayed back a moment longer, his arm still locked with Ai's. She tilted her face up at him, lips trembling.
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END OF CHAPTER : 37 : THE PROMISE BY THE LION FOUNTAIN!
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