Promised Hug....

"I... am... not... worthy... of... your... love..."

Noir hugged her even tighter.

So tight… it felt as if he wanted to erase the space between them.

As if he wanted to carve her into his very being, mold her into his flesh, become one with her—so he would never have to let go.

His breath trembled. His grip was desperate.

His entire body… was trembling.

Though Shyamal was tall, Noir was still taller. He held her so close that her forehead rested against his chest, just beside his heart—

A heart that pounded so loudly she could hear it.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

It wasn't steady. It wasn't calm.

It was wild.

Raging.

Crying.

Her face was pressed into his chest.

If it had been anyone else in her place, they would have been suffocated.

Ahh… she was suffocating too.

But not because of discomfort—

Because of the overwhelming warmth that wrapped around her.

This suffocation… in his arms…

This suffocation… in his scent…

This suffocation… in his love…

It was divine.

She was melting.

She didn't understand.

She didn't know why he was holding her like this.

Why he was shaking.

Why his heartbeat was erratic, like a caged beast clawing to break free.

But she didn't care.

She didn't want to care.

She just wanted to stay like this…

Forever.

She didn't know why his heart was racing so much.

But she was happy.

Because it meant something.

Because it proved something.

Because she had read about this.

In novels, they said—

When the one you love holds you close, their heart races uncontrollably.

And his heart was racing.

That meant… that meant…

She mattered to him.

Didn't she?

Her heart pounded just as fiercely,syncing with his,as if their souls were trying to communicate in a language beyond words.

But then—

"I... am... not... worthy... of... your... love..."

And in that instant—

Her world cracked.

The warmth in her chest twisted.

Her heart, which had been fluttering just moments ago—

Now ached.

Her entire body stiffened.

"Why…?"

Her mind whispered.

"Why is he saying this?"

"Why does it sound like a farewell?"

"Why does it feel like he's about to leave me?"

Her breathing became erratic.

A single thought clawed its way into her mind.

A terrifying, unbearable thought—

"He's pushing me away."

But why?

Why would he do that?

Why was he saying things like this?

We just met today.

For two years,she held on to hope, wishpering his name in her prayers,wishing for the day he would return.

Then why did it sound like he was saying goodbye?

"Why… why… why… why… why?"

"What did I do wrong?"

"Was waiting for you for two years… a whole two years… not worth it?"

"What do you mean… you're not worthy?"

"If you're not… then...then....?"

Her eyes widened.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

She felt something inside her break.

And then—

A fire.

A fire ignited in her chest.

Her eyes, still hidden against his chest, glowed—

A deep, eerie red.

Raw emotion, raw pain, raw love—

They burned inside her like an untamed storm.

But Noir didn't see it.

He didn't see the storm brewing within her.

He was too lost in his own torment.

Too lost in his own suffering.

And then, in the softest whisper, in the quietest voice—

She felt his breath against her ear.

"Even… even if I am not worthy of your love…"

"I promise… I'll protect you…"

"Forever… and ever…"

"Even… even if I have to make a deal…"

"With… him… himself…"

And then—

He let go.

The warmth vanished.

The arms that had held her so desperately—

Were now gone.

And then… he walked away.

He just walked away.

Leaving her alone.

Leaving her heart alone.

Leaving her with her broken thoughts.

Her trembling hands reached out—

But she didn't move.

Her lips quivered—

But she couldn't speak.

All she could do was watch—

Watch as he disappeared from her grasp.

Just like that.

Like a dream slipping through her fingers.

And it hurt.

It hurt more than anything in the world.

Outside the Academy

Noir had just passed through the massive white gates of the academy, guarded by vigilant sentries.

He was walking forward, lost in his thoughts, when—

"Young Master!"

A voice rang out—soft, yet stunned. A little high-pitched, like someone calling from a distance, yelling just enough to be heard.

Noir turned his head to the left.

There, he saw a girl dressed in a maid outfit running toward him.

He recognized her.

Lara… something…

Noir raised an eyebrow. "Lara?"

She halted before him, bending at a perfect 90-degree bow.

"Yes, Young Master," she answered softly.

Straightening herself, she met his gaze and continued in a formal, emotionless tone.

"Young Master, your carriage is ready."

"Please come with me."

Her voice was flat, her face unreadable.

Noir blinked. Since when… was she like this?

He distinctly remembered her being cheerful—bright, lively, full of energy.

But now… looking at her…

She had changed.

Still, Noir wasn't in the right state of mind to dwell on it. His thoughts were too tangled, too heavy.

He simply followed her.

When they reached the carriage, she opened the door for him.

He stepped inside, expecting her to follow.

But instead, she climbed into the coachman's seat.

And then—

She grabbed the reins and started driving the carriage.

Noir frowned.

Wait… shouldn't there be a coachman for this?

And more importantly… didn't she fear horses?

Or am I remembering wrong…?