19:00 PM. The Grand Imperial Hotel.
The Winter Solstice Banquet was the most exclusive event of the year. The red carpet was swarmed by thousands of reporters, flashing cameras, and screaming fans.
Every major power in the world was here. The Guild Masters of the "Burning Spear," the "Iron Wall," and the "Arcane Sanctum" walked the carpet like movie stars.
But the crowd was waiting for one person.
A sleek, white limousine with the Frostfall crest pulled up. A hush fell over the chaotic street.
The door opened.
First, a polished black shoe stepped out. Then, Kael emerged.
He wore his midnight-blue tuxedo, but unlike the other aides who looked nervous, he looked bored. He scanned the crowd with cold violet eyes, his hand resting casually on the hilt of the sword concealed beneath his coat (magical concealment).
He reached a hand back into the car.
"Ready, Princess?"
Seraphina took his hand and stepped out.
The crowd erupted.
"THE EMPRESS!"
"LOOK AT HER DRESS!"
Seraphina wore a gown made of "Starlight Silk"—a fabric that shimmered like the night sky. It was backless, revealing the flawless skin that used to be covered in black veins. She looked radiant. Powerful.
But Kael felt her hand trembling slightly in his grip.
"Breathe," Kael whispered, leaning close as they walked past the blinding flashes. "I have your back."
"I hate this," she whispered back, smiling fake-ly for the cameras. "I'd rather fight three Hydras."
"Just think of them as goblins in fancy clothes," Kael smirked. "If they bite, I'll hit them with a newspaper."
Seraphina let out a small, genuine laugh, which the cameras captured instantly. The image of the Ice Empress laughing with her "Mad Dog" aide would be on every front page tomorrow.
The Ballroom
Inside, the atmosphere was suffocatingly expensive. Crystal chandeliers, fountains of champagne, and an orchestra playing soft classical music.
As soon as they entered, the room went quiet.
Hundreds of eyes—predatory, jealous, calculating—locked onto them.
"Lady Seraphina!"
A man approached them. He was massive, wearing red armor-plated formal wear. It was Ignis, the Guild Master of the "Burning Spear" and Seraphina's biggest rival.
"I see you survived the scandal," Ignis boomed, his voice rough. He looked at Kael with disdain. "And you brought your... pet."
Seraphina's smile vanished. " careful, Ignis. My pet bites."
"Hah! A cleaner who got lucky," Ignis sneered, stepping closer to intimidate Kael. "Boy, fetch me a drink. Maybe I'll give you a tip."
Kael didn't move. He looked at Ignis's neck.
[Target: Ignis (Rank S)]
[Threat: High]
[Weakness: Pride.]
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Sir Ignis," Kael said smoothly.
"Why? Are you deaf?"
"No," Kael smiled politely. "But my contract says I only take out trash, not serve it."
The nearby guests gasped. Ignis's face turned crimson. The heat radiating from him began to wilt the flowers on a nearby table.
"You dare—"
"Ignis," Seraphina stepped forward, her mana flaring icy blue to counter his heat. "Touch him, and I will turn this ballroom into a skating rink."
For a second, it looked like a war would start right there. Then, Ignis laughed—a harsh, barking sound.
"Feisty! I like it. Enjoy your night, Empress. It might be your last."
He walked away, shoving past Kael.
Kael watched him go.
"He knows something," Kael murmured.
"Ignis has always been an idiot," Seraphina sighed, relaxing her shoulders. "But you... you really have a death wish, don't you?"
"I'm just doing my job," Kael said. "Come with me. We need a moment."
He pulled her toward a secluded balcony, away from the prying eyes.
Once they were alone in the cool night air, Seraphina slumped against the railing.
"I can't do this for four hours, Kael. The pressure... I can feel the Dragon scratching at the door. The noise, the mana signatures... it's overwhelming."
She was hyperventilating again. The stress of the event was weakening her mental barriers.
"I know," Kael said softly.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box Alfred had prepared.
"Close your eyes."
Seraphina blinked. "What?"
"Trust me. Close them."
She hesitated, then closed her eyes.
Kael stepped behind her. He opened the box and lifted the necklace. The [Silent Night] pendant glowed with a deep, calming violet light.
He draped the silver chain around her neck and fastened the clasp.
CLICK.
The moment the stone touched her skin, the effect was instant.
[Artifact Active: "The Silent Night"]
[Effect: Nullify Mental Interference.]
[Effect: Soul Anchor.]
Seraphina gasped.
The noise in her head—the constant, low growl of the Dragon—vanished. The anxiety of the crowd faded. It felt like she had just stepped into a soundproof room wrapped in a warm blanket.
"Kael..." she opened her eyes, touching the pendant. "What is this? The voices... they stopped."
"It's a jammer," Kael said, standing beside her. "I made it last night. It blocks external signals and stabilizes your core."
He looked at her.
"As long as you wear that, the Cult can't trigger you. No frequency, no spell, no prophecy can touch you."
Seraphina looked at the jewel, then at him. Her eyes filled with tears.
She realized what this meant. He hadn't just bought her jewelry. He had built her a shield for her soul.
"You spent all your points on this, didn't you?" she whispered. "The crystals... the all-nighter..."
"It was cheaper than a funeral," Kael shrugged, looking away.
Seraphina didn't say anything. She grabbed his lapels and pulled him down.
She kissed him.
It wasn't a tentative kiss like before. It was fierce. Desperate. A mix of gratitude and something much deeper.
Kael froze for a second, then melted. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
[System Notice: Relationship Status Updated.]
[Status: "Bound".]
[Warning: Host heart rate elevated.]
They broke apart, breathless. Seraphina's lipstick was smudged. Kael looked dazed.
"Consider that your tip," Seraphina said, her face burning red but her eyes defiant.
"Best tip I've ever gotten," Kael touched his lips.
DONG.
The giant clock tower in the distance struck 23:00 PM. One hour left until midnight.
Kael's expression hardened.
"The necklace will protect you," he said, turning back to the party. "But they won't stop. When they realize the remote trigger doesn't work... they will come for you directly."
He fixed his tie.
"Let's go back inside. I want to be front and center when they make their move."
Seraphina nodded, touching the pendant one last time. She looked fearless now.
"Ready, Mad Dog?"
"Ready, Empress."
They walked back into the light. The trap was set. But the Cult didn't know that the prey had brought a bomb of their own.