(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The atmosphere between Ben and Mereoleona become even more intense.
Their lips clashed again,
A storm of heat and urgency,
As though both had been holding back far too long.
Mereoleona's breath was hot against his cheek,
Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer with a fierceness that made Ben's pulse pound.
He answered her fire with his own,
His hands steady at her waist before sliding up her back,
Drawing her into him until there was no space left between them.
The steam rising from the spring wrapped around their entwined bodies, making the world outside disappear.
Every sound—
Splash~
"____"
"____"
The splash of water, the echo of their ragged breaths—
Felt magnified in the stillness.
Ben pulled back just enough to look into her eyes,
And for a heartbeat the fiery lioness seemed disarmed,
Her gaze softened by something she rarely showed anyone.
It was not just hunger in her eyes, but trust, the kind that burned even deeper.
"You're… dangerous,"
She whispered, her lips brushing his as she spoke.
"And you love it,"
Ben murmured, before claiming her mouth again.
Smmoooch!!!
The kiss deepened, slower now, more deliberate, like two flames winding together until they became one.
Her nails pressed against his shoulders,
His hands traced the line of her spine,
And the heat between them rivaled the volcano beneath their feet.
The night stretched, the steam rose higher, and the passion between them only grew, spilling past the point of no return.
Vermillion Castle...
Fuegoleon was enjoying his tea while looking out of the window at the sky.
Then his eyes moved towards the family tree of their Vermillion family on the wall.
"____"
The porcelain teacup slipped in Fuegoleon's hand, clinking back onto the saucer as his usually composed face cracked into utter disbelief.
He leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing at the glowing family tree.
There it was—
Unmistakable.
His sister's portrait, forever etched with that wild grin of hers, now bore a connection that had shifted.
The once burning red line of Vermillion blood had softened into a faint, pulsing pink.
A color that spoke not of kinship, nor of duty… but of love.
Blink~ Blink~
"____"
Blink~ Blink~
Fuegoleon blinked rapidly, almost convinced fatigue was playing tricks on him.
But no—
Magic never lied.
The family tree was woven with the Vermillion bloodline itself, an ancient enchantment that recorded truths no one could hide.
"Mereoleona…?"
He whispered, his voice uncharacteristically unsteady.
His fingers brushed over the wall where the faint pink line shimmered, tracing its path across the sprawling branches of their lineage—
Connecting his tempestuous sister to… someone.
But the tree revealed no names until the bond was fully acknowledged.
For now, it only showed her side, glowing faintly as if waiting for its counterpart.
Fuegoleon sat back heavily, his tea forgotten.
"____"
His disciplined mind raced—
Who could possibly tame the lioness of their house enough to stir such a thing in her heart?
And more importantly…
What chaos would follow when the crimson lion squad learned of it?
A rare smile ghosted his lips despite himself.
'So, even you… Mereoleona.'
The sound of a teacup shattering echoed through the Vermillion castle halls.
Leopold burst into his brother's office, his usual fiery grin plastered on his face.
Grin~
"Brother! What's with that expression? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
Fuegoleon remained silent, his stern eyes fixed on the sprawling Vermillion family tree.
"____"
"____"
Leopold's grin faltered.
He followed his brother's gaze,
And the moment his eyes landed on the glowing thread of pale pink, his jaw dropped.
The vibrant image of his sister—
Wild grin, sharp eyes, blazing presence—
Now had a faint pink line drifting away from her.
"No way…"
Leopold froze.
His voice cracked into a shout,
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
The word echoed off the stone walls.
As if on cue,
Mimosa opened the door, holding her grimoire proudly.
"Cousin, I've perfected my new—"
She stopped mid-sentence, startled by Leopold's outburst.
Her eyes flicked to the tree.
The moment she noticed the delicate pink line tethered to Mereoleona's portrait, her own face drained of color.
"Th-That can't be right,"
She whispered, stepping closer.
"Lady Mereoleona… in love?!"
The three of them stared at the enchanted family tree on the wall as if it were some kind of cruel joke.
Leopold, trembling with disbelief, muttered under his breath,
"Whoever managed to… tame her… are they even human?!"
Fuegoleon finally exhaled a long, heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Sigh~
"That is the very question, Leopold."
The office fell into silence, save for the flickering of the enchanted ink on the family tree, glowing faintly pink—
"____"
"____"
"____"
As if mocking their stunned disbelief.
Leopold was the first to break the silence,
Gripping his head as though it might explode.
"It doesn't make sense! Sister hates nobles who slack, she hates men who brag, and she definitely hates cowards! Who could survive even a day around her, let alone win her heart?!"
Fuegoleon kept his composure, sipping the remnants of his tea with deliberate calm.
"Speculating won't help."
But Leopold was already pacing in frantic circles,
Voice rising with each name he threw out.
"Was it Captain Yami?! He's crazy enough to fight her barehanded and laugh about it once! Or—wait—what about Fanzell Kruger, the bald training nut? No, no, no, she'd burn him alive before even looking at him! What if—"
Leopold froze, eyes wide.
"____"
"What if it's some foreign warrior from another kingdom?! Some mysterious beast-man with dragon blood in his veins!"
Mimosa's cheeks flushed pink at her cousin's dramatics.
She wrung her hands, whispering nervously,
"Whoever it is… if Lady Mereoleona accepted him… he must be terrifying…"
Fuegoleon set his cup down with a sharp clink.
Clink~
His gaze returned to the family tree, eyes narrowing.
"Whoever he is, we will find out. And when we do, I only hope… he's strong enough to shoulder the flame my sister carries. Otherwise…"
The faint pink glow of the enchanted line pulsed softly, as if mocking them all over again.
Leopold groaned, collapsing into a chair.
Meanwhile,
Near Hage Village...
The old man's legs pumped faster,
Each step sending sharp jolts of pain through his battered body,
But he pushed through, driven by a desperate urgency.
The baby in his arms stirred, a soft whimper escaping its tiny lips, and he muttered under his breath,
"Hold on… just a little longer."
The shadows flickered at the edges of his vision, moving with a sinister purpose.
He could sense them closing in—
Silent, relentless, like smoke weaving through the night.
Gritting his teeth, he surged forward, forcing himself faster, ignoring the ache in his limbs and the sting of blood seeping through torn clothing.
Every instinct screamed at him to survive, to protect the child, to not let them fall into the hands of whatever hunted him.
The village lights were still faint in the distance,
But they represented hope, a fleeting sanctuary.
He whispered to the baby,
"Almost there… we'll be safe soon,"
And with one final burst of strength,
He dashed toward Hage, shadows dancing just behind him, relentless and unyielding.
Finally he came across a orphanage.
He hurried and kept the child at the door steps and banged the door.
And hurriedly hid behind one of the pillar.
The door creaked open, revealing Father Orsi, his eyes widening as they landed on the small bundle at his feet.
"____"
The baby stirred slightly, letting out a soft whimper, and Orsi's brow furrowed with concern.
Frown~
Gently, he scooped the child into his arms, murmuring under his breath,
"Who could abandon such an innocent one?"
From his hiding spot behind the pillar,
The old man let out a quiet sigh of relief,
Sigh~
Though his body still trembled from exhaustion and pain.
Shadows lingered at the edges of the alley, flickering like dark flames,
But he forced himself to stay low, holding his breath.
Every muscle was coiled, ready to spring if danger approached.
Once he was sure the baby was safe inside,
The old man slipped silently into the shadows, limping but determined.
"____"
His mind raced—he had to find a place to hide, to recover, to plan his next move.
The baby's life depended on it, and he could not fail.
The wind whispered through the narrow streets of Hage Village, carrying the faint rustle of movement behind him.
Whoever—or whatever—was watching would have to wait.
He had done his part… for now.
Meanwhile Father Orsi looked at the innocent child in his hand.
"If it really is love… then gods help that poor fool."
Every shadow that had flickered along the edges of the path seemed to pulse with intent,
But the old man kept himself pressed against the pillar, muscles coiled and senses alert.
His wounds throbbed with each shallow breath, but the weight of the baby's life on his conscience drove him forward.
He muttered under his breath, teeth gritted,
"I can't… I won't let anything happen to her."
Once he was certain the child was safe, he eased away far from the orphanage, his movements careful, almost ghostlike.
Somewhere, somewhere quiet, he needed to vanish—heal, rest, and wait.
Somewhere the hunters wouldn't find him… not yet.
Above, the wind whispered through the alleyways, carrying with it a chill that promised the shadows had finally caught with him.
The man's eyes flickered into the darkness one last time, silently swearing.
He would survive.
He had no choice.
Not while that child's life still hung in the balance.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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