But once the words were out, they couldn’t be taken back.Raina pressed her fingers firmly to her brow and silently warned herself: Next time, keep your mouth shut. Maybe she hadn’t even realized it herself—she had been acting strangely all day.At that moment, Leif spoke.He seemed to exhale lightly and said in a calm voice, “No particular reason. I just kept it to remind myself of a few things.”So, the scar had a special meaning to Leif.Was it related to the person he liked?Raina’s thoughts ran wild for a moment before she snapped back to reality. ‘Ugh, how childish am I, thinking about something so pointless?’ She shook her head and turned around to grab a clean towel, beginning to help him wash.After a while, Raina suddenly asked, “Was it from the girl you liked?”Leif replied, “What?”Raina coughed. “I mean, the talisman.”Leif asked instead, “Is this something you care a lot about?”Well… she wasn’t just curious about that. She also wanted to know why Leif would risk his lif
Raina couldn’t help but glance again and asked, “A protective talisman?”She instinctively reached out to touch it, but recalling that Leif didn’t like being touched, she restrained herself and turned her gaze away... The charm hung just over his chest, the skin there unusually tan.So tan that it made one want to reach out and feel what it was like to touch it.While being supported as he walked, Leif answered, “Yes, it’s a small custom from my hometown.”“Oh,” Raina responded.After that “oh,” she said nothing more. Leif couldn’t help but glance sideways at her and asked, “Aren’t you curious what kind of custom it is?”Raina did want to ask, but she forced herself to stay silent.She didn’t quite understand why. When she first met Leif and moved into Wexford Lane, she hadn’t had all these complicated feelings. But somehow, the more she interacted with him, the more restrained and self-conscious she became. She could no longer act as carefree as before.She found herself quietly cari
Rael dragged Leo out of the Wexford Lane, slammed the car door shut with a ‘bang,’ and Leo, panting heavily, shouted, "Why... why are we running?! Why?! Sister-in-law didn’t even say we had to stay!"Still catching his breath, Rael turned to look at him. After a long moment, he blinked in realization. "Yeah? Why are we running?"Leo: "..."Rael pressed a hand to his forehead and waved the other. "Forget it, whatever. It’s late anyway. Let’s just go back first."Leo didn’t seem the least bit worried. Smiling, he said, "Okay, then let’s go back quickly."Rael couldn’t figure out what he was so happy about. He restarted the car and drove away from the Wexford Lane.After the two of them left, Raina returned upstairs.Gale had already gotten ready for bed on his own, so Raina didn’t disturb him. She stood in front of Leif’s door for a long while before finally raising her hand and knocking.She asked softly, “Mr. Vexley, are you resting?”Leif’s voice came from inside. “No. Come in.”Taki
Tessa leaned lazily against a pillar, a half-smile on her lips. “Just good friends?”After a pause, Rocky pressed a hand to his chest and said, “Honestly, we barely spoke back then. It was a long time ago. She even beat me up once… Maybe… maybe she’s already forgotten all about it. Maybe she wouldn’t even recognize me anymore.”Ever since he found out that Raina had returned to the country, he’d been fighting the urge to rush to her side and spill everything he’d held in for years—his happiness, his sorrows, the good and the bad. He wanted to tell her it all.But he couldn’t.Aside from that absurd encounter at Elaris Hall, where he watched her from afar, he didn’t dare appear before her. So many excuses, so many reasons—he’d delayed it again and again. But deep down, it was all because he was afraid.He knew in his heart that Raina might not remember him at all. But thinking about it was one thing. Hearing her say it aloud… was another.He was terrified.Tessa said, “Maybe… she does
Estravia, Croft Family’s ResidenceThe Training Grounds.These training grounds had once been used for the physical training of all descendants of the Croft family. It also served as a gathering place for significant family events, such as clan assemblies and the prestigious Banquet.However, ever since Rocky’s elder brother, Rayden, passed away two years ago, the training grounds had been sealed off. No unrelated individuals were allowed to step foot inside. Violators would be immediately expelled from the family.All around the grounds fluttered countless colorful flags, embroidered with the Croft family’s crest—a silvery-white frost flower.The flags were edged in gold and masterfully stitched, so lifelike from a distance that the frost flowers seemed to bloom directly from the fabric.The long night was still, the lights endless.By the edge of the grounds, someone was lazily sprawled across the white marble steps. At his feet were dozens of empty wine bottles, strewn in disarray.
Leo’s expression froze for a moment, the smile on his face abruptly halting. After a long pause, he gave a low chuckle, then turned his head to gaze at Rael. The corners of his mouth tugged slightly as he said, “How could I not be worried?”His voice was hoarse, ever so slightly — completely different from his usual carefree and unrestrained tone.Rael was stunned.Leo’s lips trembled, his eyes bloodshot, as if he had finally reached his breaking point. He buried his face in his hands and choked out, “...I just want him to live, that’s all. Really, Rael, do you know? I truly, just want my brother to live. Missing an arm, missing a leg, loving whoever he wants — none of that matters…”After a pause, he suddenly lifted his face, tears streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks.Amid the torrent of emotion, he spoke each word slowly and clearly, “As long as my brother is alive, that’s enough — that’s enough…”After a moment of silence, Rael reached out and wiped away the tears on his face,