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? Really heavy."
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.
"Ne, Ne, Shiki…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Do you really mean it? That… no one can take me away?"
He brushed his knuckles lightly against her cheek. "I meant every word, kitten."
Her cheeks went crimson, and she puffed them in protest. "Y-you can't just say things like that when we're supposed to be serious!"
Shiki's smile turned faint, softer than usual. "You asked, didn't you?"
Ai groaned, burying herself into his arm again. "That's not the point!"
Her muffled voice made him laugh as they finally started walking after Seraphina and Lyra.
The lion fountain's splash echoed behind them—along with the sound of someone else's presence.
The stone streets stretched ahead, the evening sun painting them gold. Ai hadn't let go of Shiki's arm once, and at this point, she probably couldn't even if she tried. Her cheek brushed against the fabric of his sleeve every so often, each tiny touch making her heart skip.
Her lips curved up into a smile she couldn't hide. She wanted to stay like this forever—her fingers locked on him, the warmth of his arm steady beneath her grip, the lazy drag of his stride carrying her along as though the world belonged only to them.
"Ne, Ne, Shiki…" she mumbled under her breath, her voice soft and girlish.
"Hm?" He didn't look down, but she could hear the smirk in his tone.
"I like this." She nuzzled into his sleeve shyly. "Just walking like this…"
Shiki's eyes flickered sideways, a faint warmth breaking through his usual smugness. "…Yeah. Me too."
Her cheeks burned, but before she could press into him further—
A carriage rolled past, its polished black wood gleaming like obsidian, drawn by two pristine white horses. The sound of hooves against cobblestone echoed sharply as it slowed. Then, without warning, the driver tugged the reins and the carriage came to a halt just ahead of them.
Ai blinked. Shiki stilled.
The door swung open.
And out stepped the man from the rooftop. Blond hair that caught the sun like strands of gold. His stride smooth, measured, every movement calculated to exude confidence. Even before he spoke, the crowd began to notice.
"Oh my gods, isn't that—?!"
"It's him, it's him!"
"Sir Marcous Malavo!"
"The actor! He's even more handsome in person!"
Women swarmed the sides of the street, some clutching their dresses, others fanning themselves as squeals broke out.
"Marcous-sama!"
"Please look this way!"
"Marry me!"
Ai stiffened at the sudden rush of energy, clutching Shiki's arm tighter. Her eyes darted up to him nervously, but Shiki didn't move. His gaze simply followed the blond man, flat and unimpressed.
Marcous walked as though the world parted for him, his cape swishing lightly with each step. His eyes locked on Ai instantly, ignoring the crowd, ignoring Shiki entirely.
And then—he smiled.
"A vision…" His voice was smooth velvet, designed to melt hearts. "Even among a thousand roses, you would stand unmatched, my lady."
Ai's lips parted in shock. "Eh—?!"
Marcous stopped before them, lowering his head slightly in a refined bow. "Forgive my intrusion. But beauty such as yours cannot be ignored."
Her grip on Shiki's arm turned desperate. "S-Shiki…" she whispered, puffing her cheeks in panic.
Shiki remained perfectly still.
Marcous, ignoring her fluster, went down on one knee right there on the street. Gasps erupted from the women watching.
"By the stars above, she deserves to be worshiped, not hidden at the side of some commoner." He reached a hand out toward her, palm up. His voice lowered, dripping with charm. "You, angel, deserve a life of adoration. Not… this." His gaze flickered dismissively toward Shiki.
"Oi." Shiki's voice finally cut in, lazy, but edged.
Marcous pretended not to hear. Instead, he pressed on, leaning closer to Ai. "Come with me. I can give you palaces, stages, the world's admiration. Why cling to a boy who has nothing? Leave behind your broke, unworthy lover. Choose me."
Ai's face burned crimson. Her eyes darted, wide and worried, up to Shiki—her entire body trembling with the conflict of being addressed so forwardly. Her hands clung tighter to his sleeve like a lifeline. "Shiki…"
Shiki finally moved.
He tilted his head, his usual grin returning. "You done rehearsing your lines, blondie?"
The crowd went still for a moment, then murmurs rippled.
"Wait… that guy with her…"
"Isn't that—? No way, that's him."
"Shiki? The GOD-Class adventurer?"
"Holy—he's even more handsome in person!"
Women who had screamed for Marcous suddenly shifted, squeals splitting again—but now for Shiki.
"Shiki-sama!"
"Kyaaa, it's really him!"
"He's even hotter than Marcous!"
"God-Class Shiki, look at me!!"
Marcous's smile faltered just slightly. "Ah… so this is the man."
Shiki's smirk sharpened. "Man, actor, clown—you're loud either way."
Marcous straightened from his kneel, but his eyes stayed locked on Ai. "You cannot be serious. A girl like you belongs on a stage, adored by millions. Not… wasted on someone who doesn't appreciate you."
Shiki chuckled low. "Appreciate her?" He leaned down, lips brushing Ai's ear, making her squeak. "Kitten, should I list the ways I appreciate you?"
Her face flared red. "S-Shiki!!" she squeaked, burying her face into his arm.
The crowd erupted in squeals, women clutching their faces.
Marcous's jaw twitched. "Such vulgar displays—"
"Vulgar?" Shiki cut him off, grin wide. "You just begged another man's wife to dump him in the middle of the street. On your knees." He tilted his head. "Who's vulgar again?"
Ai yelped.
Marcous froze. "Wife?!"
Shiki's hand came up, stroking Ai's cheek possessively, his eyes never leaving Marcous. "Yeah. Mine. So here's your one and only warning, sunshine." His grin vanished, voice dropping cold. "Never show your face to her again. Or I'll break that preety face of yours."
The crowd went wild. Gasps, squeals, a mix of disbelief and excitement.
"He called her his wife!!"
"Gods, he's so cool!"
"Shiki-samaaa!!"
"Marcous looks pissed, hahaha!"
Marcous's confident mask cracked, just slightly. He inhaled sharply, regaining composure, and forced a smile. "…A bold claim. We'll see if she agrees when she realizes what she could have."
Ai clung tighter to Shiki's arm, cheeks burning, her voice tiny but firm. "…I already chose."
The words stunned Marcous.
Shiki's grin spread slow, smug and satisfied. "Hear that? Curtain's closed, actor. Go perform somewhere else."
The blond noble stiffened, his jaw flexing as the cheers now tilted fully toward Shiki. He turned sharply, cape swishing, and strode back toward his carriage with as much dignity as he could salvage.
The women who had screamed for him earlier barely paid him attention now—their eyes were all on Shiki, their voices calling, crying, swooning.
"Shiki-sama, look this way!!"
"Please smile again!!"
"You're too handsome!!"
Ai puffed her cheeks, pressing herself firmly against his side, glaring faintly at the crowd.
Shiki chuckled. "What's wrong, kitten? Jealous?"
"I-I'm not!!" she squeaked, burying into his sleeve again. "…But they can't have you."
His grin softened into something warmer. "…Exactly. Just like they can't have you."
Her heart skipped as the roar of the crowd faded into background noise. All she could hear was him.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 37 : THE PROMISE!
---