The night had grown colder as Vael, Clied, and Kira finally returned home. The tension from earlier still lingered in the air. Vael sat by the window, shoulders heavy, his fingers loosely curled around a lukewarm cup of tea. The dim flicker of the streetlamps outside cast long shadows over his face. His expression was distant—burdened, almost lost in thought.
Clied and Kira noticed immediately.
"He still looks upset," Clied whispered, peeking around the corner.
Kira nodded quietly. "He hasn't said a word since we got home."
Trying to lift his spirit, Kira headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Meanwhile, Clied, always sensitive to emotion, approached Vael gently and sat beside him.
"Are you okay?" Clied asked, his voice soft.
Vael gave a weak smile, but the concern in his eyes was clear. His thoughts weren't just on Jack's insulting words earlier, but on something even more pressing—their rent was due, and he had no money to pay it.
After a moment of silence, Vael stood. "I'll go out for a bit," he said. "Make sure the doors are locked. Don't open it unless it's me."
Clied and Kira nodded. Vael gave them one last look before stepping out into the night.
---
While dinner simmered on the stove, Clied returned to his little space near the living room, where he had placed a stick. Inspired by the magician he'd seen in the park earlier, he raised his hand, trying to make the stick float just like before. But no matter how hard he focused, the stick only wobbled and fell. Still, Clied refused to give up. Again and again, he tried—his eyes glowing faintly, frustration building with every failed attempt.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
Knock. Knock... knock knock.
Kira paused, spoon in hand. Clied froze.
"That's... not the knock pattern Vael uses," Kira said, eyes narrowing.
Clied nodded. "Don't open it."
They waited in silence. The knocking eventually stopped.
---
Meanwhile, Vael had arrived at Seraphina's home—a humble place surrounded by spiritual charms and veils rather than walls and doors. As he stepped inside, a familiar laugh echoed through the room.
"Vael!" a voice called.
It was Lance—his old, energetic friend from long ago, practically throwing himself into Vael's arms like a child reuniting with family.
Seraphina, watching them with a soft smile, spoke silently in her mind. What a young soul in such an aging body.
"Vael," Seraphina asked, "why have you come?"
Scratching the back of his neck, Vael hesitated. "Actually... I came to ask for help—with rent."
But Seraphina's face changed immediately, her eyes growing sharp.
"Wait. Did you leave the children alone?"
Vael blinked. "Why?"
Lance stepped forward, his cheerful demeanor gone. "You know Kira, right?"
Vael's stomach dropped. "Yes… why?"
"There's a rumor," Lance said gravely. "The Vaelen family—the higher bloodline—they've sent hunters to assassinate her. When I heard she was with you, I rushed to Seraphina. I couldn't risk sending a message through nobles. My family already hates me for protecting that child."
Without another word, Vael's eyes widened, his instincts kicking in. He turned and bolted from the house like a bullet fired from a gun. Seraphina and Lance chased after him, but even at their speed, they couldn't keep up. Vael was already gone—racing through alleys, rooftops, and bridges, driven by the fear of losing his children.
---
By the time Vael arrived, the street was silent—but not empty.
Five bodies lay outside their home—hunters. All unconscious or defeated.
And standing in front of them, silver sword drawn and resting casually over his shoulder, was a tall man with long silver hair and a calm expression.
"Alcred…" Vael gasped, emotions overwhelming him. His old comrade—his brother-in-arms—had come.
Alcred looked back with a crooked grin. "You're getting slow, old man."
Seraphina and Lance arrived moments later, panting, hands on their knees.
"We weren't done talking, you know," Lance huffed. "Still fast as ever."
Alcred sheathed his sword with a smooth motion. "I heard your name mentioned in the noble's whisper circles. Knew something was wrong. Figured I'd get here before things got ugly."
Seraphina, teary-eyed, looked at all three of them and smiled. "After all these years… the Spade is whole again."
Vael dropped to his knees and bowed his head. "Thank you. You saved my family."
Alcred scratched the back of his head, trying to look indifferent, but the look in his eyes betrayed his care.
"After forty years," Lance said, chuckling, "who would've thought we'd all meet again like this? What a bond we've made."
Alcred stretched and turned. "I'll head out first. You old men can keep catching up."
"See you around," Vael said, standing.
Seraphina and Lance followed, waving. "It's late. We're heading home too."
---
Vael knocked at the door with a specific code only Kira and Clied knew.
Inside, ten long minutes passed. Kira pressed her ear against the door, confirming the pattern. Then slowly, she opened it.
"Pat!" Clied cried, rushing into Vael's arms, clinging to him tightly. "I was scared…"
"I'm sorry," Vael whispered, hugging both children. "I should never have left you alone."
Just then, someone knocked again—it was the landlady, coming to collect the rent.
Vael frowned, stepping forward, empty-handed. "I'm sorry, madam… I don't have the money right now—"
But then, Clied reached into his small pocket and handed Vael a tiny cloth sack.
Coins clinked inside—gold.
Vael blinked. "Where did you get this?"
Clied grinned proudly. "Remember the funny man at the park? The one with the big mustache?" He mimicked a curly mustache with his fingers. "He was bullying Kira. So… I took his gold. It was hanging from his belt."
Vael's eyes widened. Kira just stared at Clied, speechless.
"You… stole from Jack?" Vael asked, half-stunned, half-impressed.
Clied nodded innocently. "He deserved it."
The three of them burst into laughter. Vael ruffled Clied's hair.