Inside the luxurious car, Aria sat frozen in place—
hands on her lap, staring out the window, trying not to even breathe.
Beside her, Kai Rehito rested his chin against his palm,
his cool blue eyes lost somewhere far away, as if his mind existed in another world.
The air in the car was silent, heavy.
Only Aria's faint, shaky breathing filled the space.
Then the silence was broken—
by a smooth, teasing male voice from the front seat.
"Quite an eventful day, isn't it, sir?"
"High school girls never seem to tire of chasing you—they truly adore you."
The driver smiled through the front mirror.
He was strikingly handsome in a mature way—
black hair tied neatly, soft gray eyes filled with warmth and mischief.
Unlike most drivers, he wore an elegant black kimono embroidered with silver threads.
There was something playful—and knowing—about his gaze.
"Haha… what a charming pair you two make. Oh, forgive me—
I haven't introduced myself yet."
"I'm Shin Miyazaki, personal chauffeur to Kai Rehito."
"Though… you might say I also advise him on certain personal matters."
He chuckled lightly, glancing at Kai—
who remained utterly still, staring blankly ahead,
his noble cold aura unshaken.
Then Shin added with a grin:
"By the way, sir… who might this adorable young lady be?"
Kai slowly shifted his gaze toward him—
that calm, majestic stare that could freeze blood.
A long pause.
Then, in a low, unhurried voice, he said:
"My fiancée."
💥 "W—WHAAAAAAT?!" 💥
Aria screamed, leaping like a startled cat,
clamping both hands over his mouth in panic!
"Shhhhhhh! Don't say thaaaat!!!" 😱
"I'm not your fiancée, not your girlfriend, not anything like that!!"
Kai stared at her through her fingers, eyes half-lidded with tired indifference.
"Remove your hands… or I'll bite."
"Just try it!"
From the front seat, Shin chuckled quietly, amused.
"Haha! Incredible—
I haven't seen anyone touch Mr. Kai like that in years!"
"I think I'll enjoy driving you two around from now on."
Aria kept shouting, flailing in embarrassment,
while Kai returned to his elegant silence—
running his fingers through his silver hair and murmuring without looking at her:
"I said you're my fiancée… for my own reasons."
"Your stupid reasons don't concern me!!"
"They will soon."
Aria froze, staring at him in confusion.
"Huh? W–What do you mean by that?"
But Kai turned back toward the window,
his calm voice fading into the soft hum of the engine—
leaving behind a trail of mystery thick enough to make her heart race.
Inside the car, silence still reigned.
But Shin Miyazaki, the ever-smirking chauffeur, couldn't hold back his sly grin.
He raised an eyebrow, peeking through the mirror at Kai and the stiff, panicking Aria in the back seat.
"Hooooh… fiancée… sweetheart… lover…"
"Am I hearing this right, sir? Don't tell me… you've finally fallen in love?"
Kai stayed perfectly silent, eyes half-lidded, expression unreadable.
Aria gasped.
"NOOOOOOO!!! Nobody fell in love!! There's no love happening here!! I'm innocent!!! "
But Shin just chuckled, gripping the steering wheel with dramatic disbelief.
"Lord Kai Rehito—the Ice Prince himself—who's never shown interest in a single girl before—suddenly says 'my fiancée'?!
Impossible…! Is this a dream? The end of the world? Or—"
💥 SCREEECH!! 💥
The car jerked violently as Shin slammed on the brakes!
Aria screamed as her forehead collided with the seat in front of her.
"AAAAAAHHH!!! I see STAAAAAARS!!! ✨✨"
Kai didn't even flinch. Not a single muscle moved.
He simply lifted his eyes, calm and composed.
"...Shin."
"Y–Y–Yes, sir?"
"Was that dramatic realization of yours *absolutely necessary*?"
"B–But you said fiancée! Do you realize what that MEANS?! That's like—an emotional earthquake!! A tsunami of romance!! A hurricane of LOVE!!"
"I said it for reasons… not feelings."
"But even reasons come from a heart, don't they?!"
Aria, clutching her forehead and on the verge of tears:
"What I need right now is a hospital, not a heart…" 😭
Shin gave her a playful, pitying look through the mirror.
"Oh, poor girl. Don't worry, falling for Master Kai is a bit like falling off the second floor—painful, but inevitable."
"Close your mouth before I jump out the window!"
Shin laughed loudly, pure amusement in his voice.
Kai, meanwhile, turned his face toward the window—
and for the briefest moment… a small, nearly invisible smile crossed his lips.
"Drive."
"Ah, yes, yes, of course, my Cold-Cloud Prince!"
"Drive, Shin."
There was a short pause… then Shin muttered under his breath, pressing on the gas pedal again:
"Still, I can't ignore that I just witnessed the birth of a fated bond… My goodness, I'll definitely write this in my diary tonight."
"Shin."
"Okay! Okay!! Silent mode—activated!! "
Aria leaned her head back with a long, defeated sigh, eyes closing.
"This is the most chaotic day of my life…
It started with a piece of bread…
and ended with a fake engagement."
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of gold and rose. Its warm light gleamed off the surface of a sleek black car speeding recklessly down the road leading to the royal district.
Inside, Kai Reihto sat in his usual composed silence, face expressionless as if the chaos outside didn't concern him in the slightest.
Meanwhile, Aria was clinging to her seatbelt for dear life, screaming as though she'd been thrown into a time vortex!
"STOP! STOP YOU MANIAC!! WE'RE FLYINGGGG!!!"
"Oh, don't worry, Miss Mizuha—or whatever your name was—today's flight is free of charge!"
At the wheel, Shin Miyazaki, the ever-smirking royal driver, laughed like a madman, phone pressed to his ear as he spoke at lightning speed.
"Hellooo! This is Shin, the royal chauffeur!"
"Prepare Mansion Reihto immediately! Yes, yes—clean everything, roll out the red carpet, prepare the finest tea, and the backup clothes for the master, and also—"
"CLOTHES?! WHAT CLOTHES?! I DON'T WANT ANYTHING! STOP THE CAR!!! 😱"
"Ah, and make sure the maids are ready! It's a historic day—Master Kai is bringing a girl to the mansion himself!!!"
Screams erupted from the maids on the other end of the call:
"W-WHAAAAAAT?! A GIRL?! TO THE MANSION?! WITH THE MASTER?!"
"Yes, yes, you heard me! His fiancée! "
From the back seat, Kai slowly opened his eyes, his voice cutting through the chaos like ice:
"Shin…"
"Y-Yes, sir?"
"Lower your voice… or I'll have you driving a horse carriage for the rest of your life."
"Y-Yes, sir!! Right away!!"
Of course, he didn't slow down at all. In fact, he pressed harder on the gas, trembling with excitement.
The speedometer's needle shot past the limit.
The car trembled violently.
Aria clung to Kai's arm with all her strength.
"Kaaaaaaiii!! SAY SOMETHINGGGG!!! "
"You're the one holding onto me, not the other way around."
"I'm gonna fall!!!"
"Then fall. Maybe Shin will finally learn what caution means when he sees a flying passenger."
"KAAAI!!! "
Shin's laughter echoed through the car as if he were on a roller coaster, while in the mansion, pure panic unfolded.
One maid shouted:
"Finish cleaning the windows—NOW!"
Another cried:
"Polish the floors! Not a single speck of dust before his fiancée arrives!"
The chef yelled from the kitchen:
"Do we prepare a royal dinner or just fine tea?!"
Outside, the gardens lit up with golden lanterns, and the fountains burst to life as if welcoming a princess from another world. 🌹✨
Meanwhile, the black car raced down the path so fast even the birds scattered out of its way.
Aria screamed. Kai stayed stoic. Shin sang out of pure excitement.
Finally, they reached the grand gates of the Reihto estate—
the massive iron doors creaked open, reflecting the dying light of the sunset and the proud crest of the Reihto family.
After that terrifying ride, the car screeched to a halt in front of the mansion, sounding like it had just finished a Formula 1 race.
Aria was barely alive — her hair a total mess, her eyes spinning like a whirlpool.
Meanwhile, Kai quietly opened the door, stepped out with his usual calm grace, and didn't even glance back at her.
As for Shin Miyazaki… he had what he called "a brilliant idea." (Spoiler: it was absolutely catastrophic.)
"Haaah… wait a second, this poor little girl's parents must be so worried about her, right?"*
"W–What? Don't you dare touch my phone!!! "
But before she could even blink, Shin had already snatched her phone like a professional thief, flashing a mischievous grin.
"Relax, relax. Leave it to the professional! I've got this!" 😎
He tapped the contact labeled "Mom 💗" and confidently put the phone to his ear.
📞 The line rang…
Then came a sweet, gentle voice:
"Aria? Sweetie, where are you? You're so late!"
Shin cleared his throat, then — incredibly — switched to a perfect girly tone:
"Ah~ Moooom~ 🌸 I'm totally fine! Don't worry at allll~!"
"Your voice… sounds a bit strange, honey?"
"Oh, hehe, just a tiny cold~ Anyway! I'm spending the night with… a friend from school! We're gonna study together!"
Aria stood beside him, frozen in horror, watching this *alien impostor* mimic her voice in front of her actual mother.
She tried grabbing the phone, yelling:
"GIVE IT BACK! YOU'RE RUINING MY LIFE!!!"
But Shin spun around, dodging her like a dancer circling the car.
"Mom, Mom! Don't worry, I ate dinner! Yep! I'm a responsible girl now!"
"Oh my, my little girl is finally growing up~ ❤️ Have fun, sweetheart, but don't stay up too late!"
"Yes yes, promise! Love you, Mom!"
Click.
He ended the call and slowly turned toward Aria, face glowing with pride and triumph.
"See? Didn't I tell you? My acting skills are top-tier. Your mom didn't suspect a thing!"✨
Aria just stared, mouth wide open:
"You're… an actual voice criminal!!! 😭"
"Criminal? No, no, I'm your savior! Imagine if your mom called again while you were in the mansion—what would you even say?"
"That I was kidnapped, maybe?!!"
From a distance, Kai rubbed his forehead, sighing deeply.
"Shin… sometimes I regret not firing you the day you first showed up."
"Sir, that's not regret. That's called loyalty." 😌
"No. That's called stupidity." 😐
At that exact moment, a group of maids appeared at the mansion gates, standing in perfect formation and bowing deeply.
"Welcome… to the future lady of the house!!" 👑
Aria froze completely.
Shin leaned toward her, whispering with a smug smile:
"Ohhh, your mom's gonna be so proud when she finds out you're engaged to the master."
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, SHIIIIIINNNNNN!!! "
The moment Aria stepped inside the grand hall,
a high-pitched, elegant scream echoed through the mansion:
"The fiancée has arrived!!!"
And suddenly—ten maids, exactly ten, appeared from *every possible direction* like a pastel-colored army of chaos!
They all rushed toward Aria with shining eyes, as if she were a long-lost treasure finally rediscovered after a thousand years!
"Welcome, future lady of the mansion~!!" ✨
"H–Haaa?! What's happening?! "
Before she could utter another word, she was officially kidnapped and dragged off to the royal dressing room.
Fabric flew through the air, ribbons twirled, hairbrushes sparkled—one maid styled her hair, another tied a giant pink bow on her head, and a third shouted passionately:
"MORE lace!! She's not cute enough yet!!"😭
"S–Stoppp!! I'm not—agh! This ribbon's choking meeee!!! "
The maids all smiled like holy devotees on a sacred mission.
They circled her faster than light, and in just ten minutes...
Aria stood before the mirror, speechless.
Her light-brown-pink hair was braided perfectly, decorated with tiny flowers.
Her sparkly pink dress shimmered like something straight out of Cinderella's ball.
Her white stockings had silky ribbons that swayed gently as she moved.
"I… I look like a sugar doll!!! 🍰"
"Exactly how Master Kai likes it~!" one maid said, her eyes sparkling with way too much admiration.
"I'm suffocating… from perfection!!! "
Meanwhile, Kai Reihito had quietly retreated to his private suite.
He removed his luxurious jacket with composed grace, his calm voice echoing through the elegant room as he spoke to one of the servants:
"Prepare dinner. I'll take a bath first."
He stepped into the spacious bath, steam filling the air with the scent of white roses.
The servants assisted him in silence and respect as he sat there, water cascading over his silver hair, eyes closed — like a prince carved out of serenity.
"A fiancée, huh…", he murmured under his breath, voice low and cold.
Then, slowly opening his piercing blue eyes, he continued:
"If fate truly claims she's the one it dropped on me… then let's see just how long she can survive."
Aria sat in the grand dining hall,
before her stretched a table so long it seemed endless, lit by massive crystal chandeliers that sparkled like stars.
Her heart pounded wildly — as if she were about to be judged, not have dinner.
"Oh no… all this because I fell on him?! "
She nervously fiddled with the hem of her glittery pink dress,
while the maids whispered excitedly from afar:
"She's really beautiful! Just like we imagined his fiancée would be!"
"But… she looks terrified, doesn't she? "
Suddenly—
the heavy golden doors creaked open, their sound echoing through the hall.
Kai Rihito walked in, his steps steady and calm,
dressed in a dark kimono adorned with delicate silver patterns.
His silvery hair shimmered with each movement, and his serene expression radiated an almost lethal grace.
He walked barefoot on the plush carpet,
followed closely by Shin Miyazaki, his ever-loyal driver, smiling as if enjoying the whole show.
Oh my god… even his feet look elegant—NO, this is NOT the time for compliments, Ariaaaa!!!
Kai took his seat at the head of the table.
His cold blue eyes lifted briefly toward her—
a calm gaze… sharp as a blade.
"Bring the dinner."
"At once, sir!"
The maids rushed as if racing time itself, setting the elegant dishes before them with perfect precision.
The air was so silent, only the faint clink of silverware could be heard.
Then, in a level, icy voice, Kai said:
"Everyone. Leave."
Time froze. The maids exchanged shocked glances.
"S-sir… even we—?"
"I said… everyone."
They bowed deeply and hurried out.
Only Kai, Aria, and Shin remained—
Shin standing behind his master with a strangely amused smile.
Without looking at him, Kai said coldly:
"Shin. Stay close."
"As you wish, sir~ 😌"
Meanwhile, Aria sat stiffly at the far end of the massive table,
staring at her untouched plate as if it might explode.
"Is this dinner… or an interrogation? 😰"
Kai slowly lifted his gaze toward her, resting his chin on his hand, eyes half-lidded.
"Tell me, Mizuha Aria…"
"Do you often fall on men the first time you meet them?"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! "
Behind him, Shin stifled a chuckle, whispering under his breath:
"Ah… what a sweet start to a great love story~"
Aria glared at Kai from across the long table,
while he sipped his tea with absolute calm, each movement deliberate, as if the world itself meant nothing to him.
The faint clink of his cup on the saucer was quieter than her trembling breaths.
This coldness… it's driving me CRAZY!! 😤🔥
Then… 💥
Aria slammed her hand down on the table with all her strength!
"Kaaaai Rihito!!"
The glasses jumped on the table, and the spoons leapt as if they had witnessed a crime!
Kai lifted his gaze toward her, his blue eyes icy and unmoving, without changing his posture.
He studied her for a second, then lifted the teacup again and took a slow, cold sip.
"You've lost your manners quickly, my fiancée."
"Fiancée?! Fiancée, you say?! Are you even sane?! 😡"
Aria spun around sharply toward Shin Miyazaki, who was standing beside him with a disturbingly calm smile.
She pointed at him sharply:
"You! Check your master immediately! There's no doubt something is seriously wrong in his brain!! How does he meet a girl in the morning and decide she's his fiancée?!"
Shin chuckled lightly, placing his hand on his chin, pretending to ponder deeply:
"Hmmm… now that you mention it, you might be right, Miss Aria… perhaps…"
"Perhaps what?!"
"Perhaps it's not a lapse of memory… but a fulfillment of a will! "
"A will?!"
"Exactly!" Shin said with exaggerated excitement, gesturing like he had just uncovered a century-old secret.
"His late mother once told him: My dear son, when a girl falls from the sky onto you, know she is your destiny!"
Aria froze on the spot.
"..."
Kai sighed quietly, taking another sip of his tea, and said with deadly calm:
"Fool, as usual, Shin."
Then he fixed Aria with a cold, emotionless gaze:
"But since it's a reasonable explanation… I won't oppose it."
"Whaaaaaaat?! That is NOT reasonableeeeeee!!! 😭💢"
Shin chuckled softly, trying to soothe her:
"Calm down, Miss Aria. No one escapes the charm of the wills of wealthy families~"
"It's not charm… it's insanity!!"
Kai set his teacup aside with composure,
stood slowly, making the air around him tremble,
his piercing blue eyes glowing with a mysterious cold as he took one step closer to her…
"Since you've already fallen onto me, Mizuha Aria… there's no escape.
My mother believed that fate never errs."
"This man needs urgent psychological help! He's insane—"
But Shin quietly raised his hand, stopping her mid-sentence.
His tone shifted completely — no longer teasing, but calm and eerily serious.
"Miss Mizuha… watch your words."
Aria froze in place.
"H-huh?"
"You're not speaking to an ordinary student… or even a school prince."
"You're speaking to a member of the Amakagura Family."
The name hit her ears like a thunderclap.
"A… Amakagura?!" 😨
Shin smiled softly, then continued:
"Yes… the highest-ranking family in all of Japan.
He's the sole heir to their wealth, their legacy, their rare, pure bloodline.
And what's more…"
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if revealing a dangerous secret:
"Kai's late mother was the Head of the Grand Family until her passing.
Since then… he's become the rightful heir."
Aria's mouth fell open.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! 😱"
And then—
The gentle smile vanished from Shin's face the moment he felt a dark shadow behind him.
He slowly looked up… to find Kai standing there, his expression frozen in ice, his voice low but terrifyingly calm:
"Shin."
"Ha… ha-ha, y-yes, Master? 😅"
"Close. Your. Mouth."
"Wha—wait, I didn't mean—"
Before he could finish, Kai grabbed the collar of Shin's kimono and *flung him toward the door* with stunning precision! 💥
Shin hit the wall, slid down, and sat there dizzy, laughing faintly:
"Ah… you haven't changed, sir… still expressing affection through violence… 😵💫"
Kai took a slow breath and rose from his seat.
His footsteps echoed through the vast hall — heavy, but steady.
He approached Aria until he was standing right before her.
She froze in her chair, clutching the hem of her dress, her wide eyes trapped between fear, confusion, and disbelief.
And suddenly—
Kai Amakagura bowed.
He truly bowed — deeply, respectfully.
Aria's whole body stiffened.
"H-huh…? W-what are you… doing?!"
His voice came out calm and deep — nothing like the arrogant boy from before.
"I apologize."
"Y-you… apologize?!"
He lifted his head slightly, his blue eyes steady — honest, in a way she hadn't seen before.
"For yelling at you… and for being rude earlier.
You didn't deserve that."
In the corner, Shin, who had just regained consciousness, was holding a kettle of hot water to prepare tea—
but the sight before him was so shocking that he accidentally poured the entire kettle over himself!!
"He's apologizing… M-Master Kai… is apologizing?! 😱"
Meanwhile, Aria stared at Kai in disbelief.
Her face flushed a deep red, her heart pounding for no reason,
and for the first time… the grand, cold dining hall felt just a little warmer. 🌸
After Kai finished his apology, silence filled the air for almost a full minute.
Even Shin, standing in the corner, couldn't hold it in anymore.
He stood there, absolutely stunned — melting in place — munching popcorn like he was watching the greatest drama of his life.
"I want more! MORE of this masterpiece!!" 😆
Meanwhile, Kai kept his head slightly lowered, his voice so soft it could barely be heard unless you were close:
"I only did it… to keep those jealous girls away from you."
The quiet honesty in his tone hit Aria harder than she expected.
For someone so cold and distant, those words carried a strange warmth.
Her heart fluttered — a warmth she couldn't fight back anymore.
She gave him a small, shy smile and spoke softly but firmly:
"Alright… I'll accept your apology.
But on one condition—don't call me your fiancée again.
I… I don't want to get married." 😳
Kai looked at her for a long moment,
his blue eyes unreadable, calm as the surface of still water…
…but he didn't answer.
Shin, still holding his popcorn with a huge grin, leaned forward like a live commentator:
"Haaaaah~ the tension here could slice through steel!
So, Mr. Kai, are you going to answer the lady's condition?
Or should I assume your silence means acceptance?"
But Kai didn't even glance at him.
He simply set his cup down with a soft clink, his voice low and icy:
"Shin… shut up before I throw you into the back garden."
Shin froze instantly, lifting both hands in surrender.
"O-Oh, that tone means he's thinking about it… or maybe—planning something terrifying!"
Aria looked back and forth between them, frustration clear on her face.
She hit the table lightly, cheeks flushed:
"Hey! Say something! You can't just ignore me!
I'm *not* your fiancée and I'm definitely not yours!" 😤💢
Then—
Kai stood up once more.
He walked toward her with quiet, deliberate steps, until his breath brushed gently against her forehead.
"You said you don't want to get married… right?"
Caught off guard, she stammered, her voice small:
"Y-Yes…" 😳
A faint smirk curved his lips—barely visible, yet enough to send her heart racing.
"Then don't worry… marriage isn't happening yet.
But escaping from the man you fell on?"
"That, Miss Mizuhara… I won't allow." 😌🔥
Aria's eyes widened as she suddenly turned toward Kai, her voice echoing through the grand hall:
"I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING!!!"
Kai stopped mid‑step, turning slowly, one eyebrow raised.
Meanwhile, Shin paused mid‑bite, a kernel of popcorn frozen halfway to his mouth.
"Oh no… don't tell me she's gonna—"
But she did.
She grabbed Kai by the shoulder, spun him around, and SLAPPED him across the face—
so hard that the sound bounced off the marble walls like thunder. 💥💢
Silence.
Total, absolute silence.
Even the tea… seemed to freeze in its cup. 🍵❄️
Behind the doors, the maids whispered in horror:
"Did she just… slap the heir of the Amakagura family?!"
"She's literally writing her will right now!!" 😱
Kai didn't move.
He simply touched his cheek slowly, his head tilted slightly, his voice soft but deadly:
"That… hurt."
He ran his fingers over the faint red mark, then tilted his head a bit more,
his icy blue eyes narrowing into a stare that made **Aria's knees almost give out**.
"Was that… your idea of revenge?"
Aria forced a nervous smile, stepping back.
"Umm… yes? Fair's fair, right? We're even now?" 😅
His lips curved into a faint smile—
*the dangerous kind.
He took a slow step toward her.
She took two back.
He advanced again.
She stumbled back three more until she nearly tripped over the chair.
In the background, Shin whispered to himself as he quietly opened the window:
"Ahaha… lovely weather tonight, huh?
I think I'll… get some fresh air!" 🌬️😰
He climbed out in record time.
A distant thud followed—
"Aaagh! I'm okay! Continue without me!" 🙃💥
Kai kept his gaze fixed on Aria.
She was trembling, laughing nervously:
"Hahaha… you know, maybe it wasn't that strong…
Soft! Very soft actually!" 😬
Kai tilted his head slightly, his voice calm but laced with quiet amusement:
"Hmm… I'll confirm that later."
And then—
he smiled.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!! NOOOOO!!" 😱💨
Tears flying, Aria clutched her frilly dress tightly and dashed toward the **door of the hall**…
She tried the handle.
Click—click—
"C-Closed?! CLOSED!!! Who locks the palace door from the outside?! 😭"
Behind her, the sound of slow, steady footsteps approached…
Step… step… step…
A calm, chilling voice echoed:
"Why are you running, Aria? Weren't we just fixing our… relationship?"
She spun around, nearly in tears:
"Fixing?! You nearly killed me with your stare two seconds ago!"
He smiled—
a terrifyingly soft smile that made her wonder if she should melt or run straight to the South Pole.
"Oh… I was just joking."
He took another step forward.
Aria stumbled back, then whipped her head around frantically, searching for *any escape*.
Her eyes landed on the open window.
The night air brushed softly against her face.
"Freedom!!" she screamed, racing toward it.
But she froze.
Looking down… the drop was dizzying, endless.
"H-How did Shin jump from here and survive?! Is he… a ninja?! 😱"
Then, heart pounding…
"I'll risk it!!!"
She leapt without a second thought.
In the very next instant—
Kai's voice shifted entirely:
"Aria!!!"
His hand shot out, gripping her wrist before she could fall.
He leaned forward, almost toppling with her.
The wind swirled around them, her brown-pink hair flying wildly,
her golden eyes locking with his deep, anxious blue ones.
She hung there, suspended, his hand holding tight, face dangerously close.
Their breaths mingled, hearts racing.
Aria stammered, her face flushed strawberry-red:
"Th-Thank you… for saving me…?"
He didn't answer.
His gaze remained fixed below the window, scanning the garden, as if his mind had decided to leave the words unspoken.
But at that very moment…
something snapped inside Kai's mind.
A fleeting, strange image flashed — a woman's unknown face, shadows of fire, a voice whispering:
"Stay away from her… Kai… don't approach any girl who looks like her!"
His eyes widened. His breaths quickened abruptly.
His body trembled for a moment, then suddenly he shouted—a voice so loud and unexpected it shook the hall:
"Get away from me!!!"
Without thinking, he shoved her with all his strength.
Aria's eyes went wide, everything happening in the blink of an eye.
Her back hit the edge of the open window — and she lost her balance.
"K-Kai?!" she screamed in shock and terror, reaching for him.
Time seemed to slow down.
The wind howled, her hair flew wildly, her gaze frozen in disbelief and tears, while Kai's inner scream echoed in his mind:
"Ariiiiiiiiiiiiiia!!!"
His hand shot out at lightning speed, fingers brushing the tips of hers…
But she slipped.
She vanished before his eyes in an instant.
A complete silence fell over the grand hall.
Kai froze.
His face pale, eyes wide as saucers, breaths ragged.
Shock painted every line of his face — as if he had awoken from a nightmare that was real.
"What… have I done?"
He staggered toward the window, each step uneven.
The night air slapped his face.
Far below, between the trees, he saw Aria's small body lying among the green leaves.
Time froze around him.
Everything went soundless, colorless, meaningless.
Only the wind whistled softly through the open window.
Kai stood motionless, his hand still stretched into the empty space where Aria's had been a moment ago.
His blue eyes were wide, unblinking. His body trembled as if the shock had unlocked every memory he'd tried to bury over the years.
His lips moved barely, his voice a raw whisper, breaking into pieces:
"I… I killed… someone else…"
His eyes widened further. He staggered backward, unsteady, his back hitting the table — but he didn't feel it.
Breaths came in ragged bursts. His hands shook uncontrollably; the veins in his neck throbbed with a terrible pulse.
Fragments of the past began to crash into his mind —
a little girl falling to the ground, his hands stained with blood, a woman's face screaming his name, his father's furious voice:
"You destroyed everything, Kai!"
He clutched his head with both hands, a muffled scream pressed into his chest as he squeezed his temples:
"Stop… stop… not again… please…"
A single tear slipped from his eye before he even noticed.
He sank slowly to the floor, his back against the wall, eyes glassy and distant.
He whispered in a small, trembling voice like a lost child:
"I was only trying… not to hurt anyone anymore…"
He looked down at his trembling hand — the same fingers that had pushed Aria — and murmured:
"But I… did it again…"
Silence stretched for long, heavy seconds.
The grand hall that had felt majestic minutes ago had become a cold tomb.
Then a short, broken laugh escaped him — pale, joyless.
The laugh of a man who has lost himself… twice.
"I… really am a monster, aren't I?"
His voice echoed through the empty space.