The city had a way of pretending the world wasn't breaking.
Near the gardens, where stone paths curved through trimmed hedges and softly glowing lanterns, the sounds of war felt distant—almost unreal. The air carried the scent of flowers and water, and the evening sun painted everything in warm shades of orange and gold.
Reider walked with his hands in his pockets, gaze forward, posture relaxed but alert as always. Mei stayed close beside him, her steps lighter, her shoulders easing with every quiet moment that passed.
"It's nice…" she said softly, a gentle smile forming. "To just walk like this."
Reider glanced at her briefly. "You wanted to come here. So I brought you."
She laughed quietly, turning her head away to hide the heat creeping into her cheeks. "Still so blunt."
He didn't deny it.
Unseen behind a cluster of bushes a short distance away, two figures crouched low.
Eryndra peered through the leaves, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, well. What's this? A secret date?"
Vael stood beside her, arms crossed, expression tight. "He's just walking her. Nothing special."
They followed as Reider and Mei stopped by a small fountain, water shimmering under the fading sunlight. Mei leaned slightly forward, watching the ripples, her expression soft.
"Do you think…" she began, voice hesitant, "when all this is over, we could do this again? Without the war hanging over us?"
Reider watched her quietly for a long moment. "If that would make you happy."
Her blush deepened—but her smile was warm, sincere. "It would."
Behind the bushes, Vael's jaw tightened. Eryndra nudged her, smirking. "Jealous, Lady Vael?"
Vael shot her a glare. "Of course not."
Reider sat on the edge of the fountain, and Mei joined him, their shoulders almost touching. She glanced up at him, nervous but curious.
"You know… when you saved me, you called me your wife."
"Yes," he said simply. "You are. Aren't you?"
Mei froze, covering her mouth. "I—I mean—yes, but—!"
From the bushes, Eryndra grinned. "He just says it like it's nothing. That's dangerous."
"He's not smooth," Vael muttered. "He's just blunt."
Reider tilted his head. "You don't want to be?"
Mei shook her head slowly, smiling. "No. I do."
He nodded, as if that settled everything, and gently brushed a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Then you are."
Mei's thoughts scrambled. Why does he say things like it's so simple?
Vael suddenly stood. "That's enough. I'm stopping this."
Eryndra yanked her back down, laughing. "Down, dragon."
"It's improper," Vael muttered. "He should be focused on the war."
Reider stood and extended his hand. "You wanted to see the gardens too, right?"
Mei took his hand immediately. "Yeah."
They walked on together.
Vael and Eryndra followed, crouched low.
"So," Eryndra whispered, "if he asked you out, would you say yes?"
Vael flushed. "Don't be ridiculous."
"So yes."
"Shut up."
They stopped at a garden filled with softly glowing blue flowers. Mei gasped. "Reider… it's beautiful."
"If you like it, that's what matters."
She turned to him, eyes shining. "You really care about me, don't you?"
"I do."
Eryndra glanced sideways at Vael, smirking. "He's taken."
Vael said nothing.
Later, Mei leaned against Reider on a bench bathed in blue light. "I used to think I'd never feel safe again after Dain."
"You're safe now," Reider said. "With me."
"You say that so easily…"
Behind them, Eryndra frowned. "Why is he so gentle with her…"
Vael smirked. "Jealous?"
"Shut up."
Mei cupped Reider's cheek. "You don't know how much you mean to me."
"I don't think about that," he said calmly. "But I know I want to protect you."
A tear slipped down her cheek. "That's enough."
He wiped it away. "Don't cry."
When she leaned closer, whispering, "Can I…?" he nodded. "If you want."
They kissed—soft, slow, sincere.
Eryndra snapped a branch in half without realizing it. Why does this bother me?
Vael smirked. "Want me to hold your hand too?"
"Shut up."
Reider and Mei rested forehead to forehead. "Thank you," she whispered. "For making me feel alive again."
"I'll always be here," he said. "Even if I have to fight the world."
As they walked on, hand in hand, Mei leaned against him, heart full.
Behind them, Vael and Eryndra stood in silence—watching, understanding too much.
At the cliff's edge, Reider stared out at the city.
Soon… I'll end this war.
Mei squeezed his hand tighter.
And from the shadows, two women watched, each carrying feelings they hadn't yet admitted—to him, or to themselves.