The Thorn Courtyard was transformed.
Silk banners flew in gentle waves. Lanterns floated above enchanted hedges shaped into blooming roses. A long U-shaped dining table stood beneath a silver archway of twisted vines.
It was elegant.
It was dignified.
It was Kael's personal nightmare.
---
The Guest List from Hell
Kael sat at the central seat, formal uniform pressed, hair tied back, composure immaculate.
Across from him sat:
Lady Virelle Oltara, still too confident.
Lady Elencia Farwell, holding a new collection of poems titled "Sonnet to a Sword."
Lady Mira Celthane, watching Kael like she was studying a dragon in a cage.
And—
—to Kael's immediate left—
Lyra.
Dressed not in armor.
But in a black-silver evening dress.
With matching gloves.
And a look of pure, quiet murder.
Kael whispered under his breath. "You're not supposed to be here."
"I was assigned this seat," she replied sweetly.
"You bribed the steward."
"I tripped him."
Kael almost choked on his wine.
---
First Course – Verbal Blades
The appetizers were light: citrus-pickled shrimp and rose-petal bread.
The conversation was… less pleasant.
Lady Virelle leaned in. "My lord, I hear your swordsmanship is legendary. Do you offer… private lessons?"
Lyra cleared her throat.
Kael answered flatly. "Only in wartime."
Elencia shyly offered a gift—a hand-painted bookmark. "For your next campaign journal…"
Kael accepted it awkwardly.
Mira said nothing.
She just reached across the table and touched Kael's hand.
Silence.
Lyra nearly broke her fork.
Kael gently, diplomatically, removed his hand.
"Thank you, Lady Mira."
---
Second Course – Tension Stews
As the meal progressed, so did the absurdity.
Each noblewoman tried harder to out-charm the others:
Virelle bragged about the size of her dowry.
Elencia quoted a romantic poem, clearly directed at Kael.
Mira just stared.
And Lyra?
Lyra sat there silently, sipping wine like it was poison, and making very direct eye contact with anyone who smiled too long at Kael.
Finally, Virelle turned to her with a sweet voice.
"And Lady Lyra… what exactly is your role here? Bodyguard? Chaperone? Or perhaps something more… personal?"
Lyra smiled.
Kael tensed.
Then Lyra said, too pleasantly:
"I stab people who get too close."
---
Third Course – Kael Breaks
Dessert arrived.
Lavender tarts.
Kael stared at them like they were about to explode.
Then he stood abruptly.
Everyone turned.
"I would like to remind this table," Kael said evenly, "that I did not organize this dinner."
Virelle blinked. "We know, my lord."
"I am not seeking marriage."
Mira tilted her head.
Elencia looked crestfallen.
Kael continued, voice firmer:
"And I am not interested in turning this estate into a matchmaking ground."
Virelle pressed her fan to her lips. "Then why did you accept our company?"
Kael looked at Lyra.
Longer than he intended.
Then back at Virelle.
"…Because refusing would've started a war."
---
After Dinner – Fireworks of Another Kind
The nobles left eventually—escorted politely by guards.
Kael returned to his chamber, exhausted.
Lyra followed him.
She shut the door behind them, hard.
"You stared at me for exactly six seconds," she said.
"What?"
"At the table. When you made that speech."
"It wasn't six."
"I counted."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And if I did stare?"
Lyra stepped closer.
Then jabbed a finger into his chest.
"Then don't go having noble dinners with girls who look at your hands like they're sacred relics."
Kael blinked.
"…Are you jealous?"
"I'm armed."
---
Final Scene – Rin's Observation
Meanwhile, Rin sat in the tower library, sketching in her notebook.
Next to a page of Vault diagrams, she scribbled:
> "Observation #12: Lyra sits closer to Kael when other girls are present."
> "Observation #13: Kael only gets flustered around her."
She paused.
Then added:
> "Conclusion: They're both idiots."
She underlined it twice.
---
End of Chapter 73