The streets of the capital bustled with life. Merchants shouted their prices from colorful stalls, the calls of hawkers mixing with the clatter of wagon wheels and the scent of freshly baked bread drifting through the air. Children darted between legs, chasing each other in laughter, while nobles strolled past in finely embroidered cloaks, their guards trailing close behind.
Among the crowd walked Vael and Reider.
Vael kept her head low, her dark cloak pulled just enough to shield her features. But even so, she could feel the stares. She didn't have to guess why—they weren't looking at her. They were looking at him.
Reider's new form stood out like a beacon among the masses. His tall, muscular frame, the unnatural calm in his movements, and that striking silver hair gleaming in the sunlight—he looked more like a prince out of legend than a traveler. The whispers followed them wherever they went.
Vael's lips pressed into a thin line. Why are they staring? …Oh. Right. Because I look like I'm escorting a damn prince.
Reider didn't notice—or rather, he didn't care. His expression remained unreadable as he walked beside her, each long stride steady and unhurried.
At a fruit stall nearby, a group of women whispered among themselves. They giggled behind their hands, their eyes shamelessly fixed on Reider.
Vael's brow twitched. For some reason, it irritated her. Why are they looking at him like that?
Then, as if sensing their gaze, Reider turned his head. His red eyes locked onto them. The women gasped, their faces flushing as they quickly turned away, giggling even harder.
"...Why do they react that way?" he asked flatly, his voice cutting through the noise around them.
Vael choked on her own breath. She waved a hand frantically. "D-Don't worry about it! Just—keep walking!"
He obeyed without question, though his gaze lingered on her a moment longer before shifting back to the road.
Vael forced herself to look forward, but her eyes kept betraying her, flicking back at his towering figure. Every step he took was unnervingly composed, as though this crowded street didn't exist to him at all.
A vendor suddenly spotted them. "You two!" he called, clapping his hands. "A fine couple like yourselves should try this new wine!"
Vael froze. Her entire body stiffened before she spun on her heel, glaring. "WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!"
The vendor only chuckled, undeterred, lifting a bottle high. "Ahh, my mistake! But surely a lady walking with such a fine young man should at least have a drink with him, eh?"
Vael's face went pink. Her eyes darted from the vendor to Reider, then back. Why does this feel like I'm being peer-pressured into a date?!
"Do you want a drink?" Reider asked, calm as ever.
Her head snapped toward him. "NO—!!"
The vendor laughed louder. "Hoho! She's shy, lad! Treat her well!"
Mortified, Vael grabbed Reider by the wrist and yanked him away, her cheeks burning hot. "WE'RE LEAVING."
Reider didn't resist. He simply allowed himself to be dragged along, his gaze fixed on her with mild curiosity.
They hadn't gotten far before a young noblewoman passed by. She slowed, her eyes catching on Reider immediately. A coy smile curved her lips.
"Oh my…" she murmured, openly admiring him.
Vael's jaw clenched. Not this again—
But before she could react, Reider looked directly at the woman and said, in the same flat tone as always, "You're in my way."
The noblewoman froze, her mouth falling open.
Vael snorted before she could stop herself. …Okay, that was kinda satisfying.
They pressed on, the crowd thinning as they reached a quieter stretch of street. Here, the chatter was softer, the air calmer.
"You get flustered often," Reider said suddenly.
Vael nearly tripped over her own boots. "I—WHAT?!"
He watched her stumble, his face unreadable. "You reacted the same way this morning."
Vael clutched her face with both hands, groaning. "You—YOU CAN'T JUST SAY STUFF LIKE THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE—"
"Did I say something strange?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Her groan turned into a loud, dramatic sigh as she threw her arms in the air. "I CAN'T DO THIS."
But Reider had already turned back toward the road, completely unfazed.
Vael peeked at him from the corner of her eye. He didn't even realize how much of a mess he was making her. …This idiot. He's gonna be the death of me.
They walked in silence for a while, Vael grumbling under her breath about needing another drink. That was when a cloaked figure nearly collided with Reider.
The impact was small, but the figure stumbled back, their hood falling just enough to reveal a familiar face.
Vael's eyes widened. "…Mei?"
The woman's head lifted sharply. Mei's eyes locked onto hers—wide, glassy with emotion, and filled with a relief that nearly broke her voice. "Vael…"
Reider stood perfectly still, but his gaze sharpened, flickering toward Mei.
Mei grabbed Vael's wrist with both hands, her grip desperate. "Is he—? Is that…?"
Vael hesitated, then gave a small nod. Mei's lips trembled. Her eyes welled with tears, but she quickly glanced over her shoulder, paranoia etched into her features.
"We can't talk here," she whispered, hurried, frantic. "They could be watching."
Reider tilted his head. "...Who is watching?"
For the first time, Mei looked at him properly. Her breath caught. The boy she once saw—fragile, quiet, small—was gone. In his place stood a young man, broad-shouldered and tall, his red eyes cold and unreadable.
"The knights," she breathed. "They came for me."
Reider's hand twitched faintly at his side. "Why?"
Mei's voice cracked. "Because of you."
The words dropped into silence like stones into water.
Reider didn't move. Vael's shoulders stiffened.
Finally, Mei lifted her tear-stained eyes and forced herself to say it. "Dain and Ren… they're gone."
The street noise seemed to vanish. For a moment, there was no market, no chatter, no sound—just the three of them standing in a void of silence.
Vael glanced at Reider, whispering softly. "Reider…?"
Mei's lips trembled as she forced the truth out. "Lucian… he killed them."
The air shifted.
It was subtle at first, like the faint drop in pressure before a storm. Then it thickened. The temperature seemed to sink, the sound around them stilled, and a heavy, suffocating weight pressed into the street.
A pulse of unseen force radiated from Reider's body.
Nearby civilians faltered mid-step. Some instinctively backed away, their voices falling silent. Fruit spilled from a merchant's basket as he dropped it in fright, the clatter startling the entire square.
Vael felt a chill seize her spine. Her breath caught. This… this is anger?
Mei staggered back a step. Though Reider's face hadn't changed—still calm, still blank—the aura rolling off him was suffocating.
For the first time, Reider spoke. His voice was low, calm, and hollow, yet it struck deeper than a scream.
"Who is Lucian?"
Mei's lips parted, but no sound came. Vael swallowed hard, her stomach sinking.
Mei finally managed to whisper. "He's from the church… The one who—"
Reider's eyes closed for the briefest moment. When they opened again, they were colder than before.
"…Where is he?"
Vael's chest tightened. She knew instantly what that question meant. Oh, shit.
Mei hesitated, but the word slipped out anyway. "In the castle."
The pressure thickened further, rolling outward like wildfire. Civilians now backed away in earnest, murmuring anxiously, sensing danger without knowing why.
Vael seized Reider's arm, her grip tight. "Reider. Don't do anything reckless."
He turned his gaze to her. For a moment, she braced herself for defiance, for anger, for something unpredictable.
But he only stared.
"…I will find him," Reider said, his voice absolute, final.
Mei pulled her cloak tighter, trembling. Vael clenched her jaw. Around them, whispers spread as people tried to make sense of the unseen dread filling the square.
And there Reider stood—motionless, his aura spreading like smoke through the streets, his eyes empty yet terrifying.
The city had no idea what had just awakened.
To be continued…