Chapter 9: Embers of Vengeance

Han Seohan turned around, startled by the voice calling out to him. The mysterious man standing there was none other than Ronan. His breath reeked of alcohol as he swayed slightly, a half-empty bottle in hand.

"Wait… are you talking to me?" Han asked, his voice cautious.

Ronan let out a loud burp before replying, "Who else is here besides you?"

Han felt a cold sweat forming on the back of his neck. He took a step back, his mind racing. Wait… wasn't I invisible to everyone except Seraphina? He didn't have time to think about it. Instead, he bolted, leaving Ronan behind in his drunken stupor.

After putting some distance between himself and Ronan, Han stopped to gather his thoughts. Wasn't I supposed to be unnoticeable? Maybe I should ask that demon about this when I return… but then again, maybe it's better this way. If Ronan can see me, I can guide him directly. I can help him win over Seraphina.

Letting out a small chuckle, Han decided not to overthink it. He made his way back to Seraphina's quarters, but when he arrived, she was nowhere to be seen. He figured she'd return soon and decided to rest.

The next morning, he woke up expecting to see Seraphina back, but her room remained empty. Another day passed. Then another. By the third day, anxiety clawed at his chest. Where is she?

Han searched the palace, asking around discreetly, but no one had seen her. He ventured into town, scanning the streets for her familiar figure, but there was no trace of her. As the sun began to set, he heard the distant sound of hooves against the stone roads. Turning toward the palace gates, he saw a group of soldiers on horseback returning. Relief flooded through him as he spotted Seraphina among them.

She looked unharmed, though her usual stern face carried a deeper weariness. Han hurried to her quarters and waited impatiently for her to arrive. When she finally did, he couldn't contain himself.

"Where have you been?! You have no idea how much I've been looking for you!"

Seraphina paused for a moment, a faint smile flickering on her lips, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. She folded her arms and gave him a sharp look.

"There was no need for you to worry about me. I am a knight. I have duties." Her tone was firm, almost dismissive.

Han sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I get that. But you just vanished for days without a word."

"I was on a mission," she said flatly, removing her armor piece by piece. "A bandit hideout needed to be dealt with."

Han raised an eyebrow. "You really don't like bandits, do you?"

Seraphina's eyes darkened. "Who in their right mind would? They are beasts in human skin, preying on the weak, stealing from those already suffering because of this war." Her voice was laced with fury, her hands clenched into fists. "If I had the power, I would wipe every last one of them off this earth."

Han hesitated. He had never seen her this enraged before. "Alright, alright, I get it."

"No," Seraphina muttered, her voice lower now, but just as sharp. "You could never understand."

For the first time, there was something in her expression—something deeper than just anger. A wound buried beneath her fury. Before Han could say anything, she turned her back to him.

"Go," she said coldly. "Don't waste your time here. Don't waste my time."

Han took a step back, unsure of what he had said to upset her. Realizing that pressing further might only make things worse, he nodded and left, deciding to give her space.

As he walked toward town, he couldn't shake the feeling that Seraphina's hatred for bandits wasn't just about justice. There was something personal hidden in her fury—something painful.

And he intended to find out what it was.