⊙---Eudoxia

Eudoxia's silver mask concealed her expression, but behind it, her mind was racing. A Varkane never ignored a life debt, and Kael had saved both her and Morvaine from certain death. Leaving him untreated was unthinkable.

Yet, duty called. They had quests to complete, obligations to fulfill, and a scheduled meeting with a client they couldn't afford to miss.

She exhaled softly, shaking her head. "Is there a place where he can be treated? We'll cover the cost. But we can't linger too long—we have an important appointment today."

Her gaze flicked to her brother. Weighing their options, she made a decision. "Brother, why don't you meet with the client while I stay to ensure our savior receives proper care?"

Morvaine gave a curt nod. "I'll check the system again to confirm the meeting location." With a flick of his wrist, his interface flared to life, holographic text scrolling across his vision as he reviewed his most recent messages.

Then he froze. His brows furrowed, and he scratched his head—a rare display of uncertainty from someone usually so composed.

"Eudoxia… we have a problem."

She turned to him, tilting her head slightly. "What is it? Did the client cancel?"

Morvaine hesitated, lips parting as if to answer, before he simply gestured toward Kael's unconscious form.

"No. In fact…" He let the words hang for a beat. "We've already met with the client." A pause. Then, with quiet finality, he added, "Our client is Kael."

*********

Kael lay motionless in bed, exhaustion anchoring him to the mattress. The first thing he saw upon waking was Lira, seated beside him with worry etched into her features.

The moment their eyes met, her tension melted into relief. She exhaled shakily, offering him a small, fragile smile.

"You're awake. Do you feel any pain?" she asked, her voice gentle but strained.

Kael blinked, his mind sluggish as he tried to piece together his last memories. He recalled the clash—the rush of battle, the searing pain as steel bit into his flesh. He remembered the moment his blade found the Aetherwarden's throat—his final act before darkness swallowed him whole.

He had been stabbed. He was sure of it. But… before he collapsed, he had activated his healing skill. His wounds were gone now, the pain dulled to a lingering ache.

He shook his head slightly. "The Auction Exchange people… are they alright?" His voice came out hoarse, rough with disuse. Guilt gnawed at his insides.

They wouldn't have been ambushed if not for me.

"We're fine. Thanks to you, savior."

The unfamiliar voice drew his attention. Kael turned toward the doorway, where a silver-masked woman stood, poised yet unreadable. Beside her, another masked figure—her silent counterpart.

They stepped inside, moving with the composed grace of those accustomed to command. Their presence filled the room, their measured steps carrying a quiet authority.

Kael frowned. Something about the way they addressed him—savior—felt unsettling. He shook his head, voice edged with guilt.

"You don't have to call me that. If I hadn't come to trade, you wouldn't have been ambushed."

The masked duo exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, as if reaching an unspoken agreement, they lifted their hands to their masks.

With a fluid motion, they removed them.

Kael's breath hitched.

They were young. Far younger than he had expected.

He had braced himself for older merchants—seasoned, hardened by years of dealing in the trade. Instead, he was met with two strikingly youthful figures, their silver hair catching the dim light of the room.

Morvaine, the young man, had the kind of aristocratic handsomeness that would turn heads in any court. Deep-set purple eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, his high-bridged nose and well-defined jawline adding to his refined, almost regal aura. His silver hair, pristine and silky, cascaded to his shoulders in effortless waves. He radiated an air of effortless confidence—yet Kael barely spared him more than a passing glance.

Because his attention, almost involuntarily, was drawn to her.

Eudoxia.

She was breathtaking. Not in an ordinary way, but in a way that made time slow, as if the world itself had paused to acknowledge her presence.

Her silver eyes shimmered like polished moonstone, holding a quiet intensity that was impossible to ignore. Beneath long, dark lashes, they carried an otherworldly depth—captivating, enigmatic, and far too perceptive.

Her skin was flawless, smooth as the finest porcelain, yet alive with a soft, radiant glow. A faint blush kissed her high cheekbones, enhancing the delicate perfection of her features—elegant brows, a refined jawline, and lips the color of ripe peaches, naturally curved into a knowing, effortless smile.

And her hair—Kael had never seen anything quite like it.

Silver, impossibly soft, cascading past her waist in long, flowing waves. It caught the light as she moved, a waterfall of molten starlight shifting with every motion. There was something almost unreal about the way it shimmered, the interplay of silver and white creating an ethereal effect, as if she belonged to a realm beyond his own.

Yet, it wasn't just her beauty that left an impression—it was the way she carried herself.

She moved with the effortless grace of someone who knew she was being watched but remained utterly unaffected by it. Poised, confident, self-assured without the need for words. She was the kind of person who could command a room without ever raising her voice.

For just a moment, Kael forgot to breathe.

Then, realizing he had been staring, he quickly tore his gaze away, scolding himself.

What the hell am I doing?

He wasn't the type to be swayed by appearances. Yet, something about Eudoxia made it difficult to look away. He pushed the thought aside, forcing himself to focus.

This wasn't the time for admiration—or whatever fleeting fascination had flickered in his mind.

Eudoxia, seemingly unfazed, stepped closer. "Allow me to introduce myself properly." Her voice was smooth, refined, yet warm. "I am Eudoxia, and this is my twin brother, Morvaine. We are from the Varkane merchant lineage, representing the Ascension Auction Exchange."

Kael blinked, momentarily thrown. "Twins?" He glanced between them. Aside from their silver hair, they looked nothing alike.

Morvaine smirked slightly. "Yes, though we get that reaction a lot."

Eudoxia continued, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Usually, we don't reveal our faces to clients. But as Varkane, we have a rule—those to whom we owe our lives, we do not hide from. You saved us, Kael. It is our honor to show you our true selves."

The way she said his name sent an odd sensation curling in his chest. It was the first time she had spoken it aloud.

Her gaze lingered on him, unreadable. There was admiration there, something bordering on reverence. Even Morvaine, standing beside her, wore an expression that held something more than mere gratitude.

Kael shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't used to being looked at like that.

And the word savior… it still didn't sit right with him.

Because, in the end, he hadn't fought for them.

He had fought to protect his sister.

And that was all that mattered.