The sunlight had grown stubborn.

It slipped past the curtain of leaves that hung across the window, scattering golden rays through the room like playful ribbons.

Evethra stirred beneath the sheets, her long lashes fluttering as her eyes adjusted to the light.

For a moment, she merely stared at the ceiling—then at the sunlight breaking through.

"…Oh no," she murmured, her voice still drowsy. "It's already this bright? I'm very late today…"

She sat up slowly, brushing her hair behind her ear as she glanced toward the window again.

'It's the first day I was supposed to oversee the new maid and butler recruits…' she whispered inwardly, 'and here I am still in bed.'

Stretching lightly, she turned—and froze.

Kael's face was inches from hers, his golden eyes half-lidded, and his dark hair a disheveled mess across the pillow.

Neither of them spoke for a few breaths. The silence between them was warm, not awkward—like the calm hum after a long, vivid dream.

Then Kael's lips curved into that familiar, lazy smile.

"Good morning," he said.

Evethra exhaled softly, smiling despite herself. "Good morning, my lord…"

Her voice carried that gentle mix of exasperation and affection she could never quite hide around him.

"I was supposed to give instructions to the new recruits today," she muttered, running a hand through her hair, "and now it's almost noon…"

Kael chuckled, propping his head on one arm. "Relax. I already took care of it."

Evethra blinked. "You… did?"

He nodded casually. "Told Alenia you were sick. She agreed to handle the orientation until you feel better."

Evethra sighed, though the relief that washed over her was obvious. "That was thoughtful of you… Thank you."

Kael smirked. "I thought so too. You'd just scold yourself the whole morning otherwise."

She looked at him, half-pouting. "You make it sound like I'm incapable of resting."

"Because you are," he said, deadpan.

Her lips twitched before she smiled faintly. "Perhaps you're right."

They both sat there for a moment longer, the distance between them comfortable now, no words needed to acknowledge what had happened the night before.

Whatever it was, it had changed something subtle but deep between them—an ease, a warmth, an understanding neither of them needed to name.

For a while, they lay there in silence before Evethra exhaled, muttering. "I need to freshen up now."

With those words, she got out of bed, not minding a bit how Kael stared at her naked body while her breasts and ass trembled with every movement she made.

But as she took out a new pair of clothes and walked toward the bathroom, Kael finally rose from bed. "What's the rush?" He asked, walking toward her, who turned to him with a raised brow.

"What do you mean, rush? It's late, and I have to get ready."

"Well, I can help you with that," Kael countered, walking behind her and hugging her cold body, his arms around her waist—one of his favorite things to do now. "So, just stay like this for a while."

Evethra didn't object, as Kael's warmth was addictive for her as well, but that was only for a while. Because soon, she heard voices from the village outside, and she realized that she shouldn't be doing this.

So, despite herself, she moved away from Kael and said, "My lord, I have to get ready…"

Kael frowned in annoyance. "But I want to stay in bed with you."

That made Evethra bashful but at a loss for words at once.

In the end, she came up with something and said, "W-We can do that at night, my lord…"

Hearing that, Kael's eyes brightened, and without a second's delay, he snapped his fingers once.

A soft, silvery glow rippled through the room like a gentle wave, and in an instant, the faint scent of dew and morning mist filled the air.

Evethra blinked, feeling the warmth wash over her.

"No matter how many times I feel it, it doesn't get any less fascinating," she muttered in amazement.

"Of course," Kael said, stretching as if he'd just woken from a long nap. "It's a short version of an hour-long bath, after all."

Evethra looked down at herself—her whole body was shining, her hair smooth again. "I… feel refreshed," she admitted.

And Kael just smirked. "That's why it's called magic."

Without delay, Evethra wore her clothes, much to Kael's dissatisfaction, but it was only because it was his first time. Once he got used to fucking Evethra and seeing her naked, he wouldn't have this intense reaction.

However, just as Evethra finished, she frowned slightly, clenching her fists as she felt strange.

"What's wrong?" Kael asked despite already knowing the answer.

And Evethra, still staring at her fists, muttered, "I feel stronger."

Kael smiled faintly. "That's because you are."

He could see clearly how Evethra's stats, which used to be E and F, had now gone up to C and B, so of course, she would feel stronger.

It was already strange that she wasn't wobbling around, being unable to control her body.

Evethra, however, looked at him, confused. "Because of the seal?"

He nodded. "When I broke it yesterday, your bloodline finally woke up."

Her brows drew together. "Bloodline…?"

Kael folded his arms. "You have Ancient-ranked Vampire blood. A pure strain, by the feel of it. But it was sealed—likely to keep your instincts and power suppressed."

She looked down at her hands, pale and elegant against the morning light. "So that's why I always felt like something was missing…"

Kael hummed thoughtfully. "The seal wasn't simple. I think there were some conditions one had to follow in order to break the seal. But I just brute-forced it."

Her cheeks flushed faintly as she recalled the scene from last night. "Certain… conditions?"

Kael gave her a knowing smile. "Maybe it's better I don't guess out loud."

Evethra groaned softly, but the embarrassment faded into quiet amusement. "You never change, my lord."

"Wouldn't want to," he said lightly, before rising and brushing off invisible dust from his shirt.

As they began walking toward the door, Evethra asked, "So this power I feel… what can I do now?"

Kael glanced back at her. "Your blood magic's evolved. Before, you could only use Blood Explosion by manipulating stored blood. Now? You can control your own blood freely. Shape it, harden it, and even heal with it. You'll learn the rest by instinct. It is blood manipulation, after all."

Her eyes widened slightly. "That's… remarkable."

He smiled. "That's what happens when you stop limiting yourself."

With that talk, they descended the narrow wooden stairs, the faint chatter of the villagers growing louder below.

The air smelled of river breeze and herbs.

When they entered the hall, they found only Lyra sitting at the long table, sleeves rolled up, carefully cleaning a fish.

A bowl of herbs and lemons sat beside her, ready for Selene when she returned.

Lyra looked up as soon as she saw them. "Oh—good afternoon!" She greeted, smiling brightly.

Evethra bowed her head slightly, still looking a bit sheepish. "Good afternoon, Lady Lyra. I… seem to have overslept."

Lyra's lips curved into a kind smile. "You must've needed it. Alenia told everyone you weren't feeling well, so no one bothered you."

Kael crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Told you she had it handled."

Evethra shot him a sideways look. "Yes, yes, you were right," she muttered softly, though her tone carried warmth.

Lyra's giggles, however, died down the moment they looked away from her, as her eyes followed their movements.

She could see the change. It was subtle but unmistakable.

A softness.

A quiet connection.

And of course, she could see it.

After all, last night, before Kael had put up the wind barrier to stop the sound, Lyra, who wanted to talk to Kael, as she was feeling that, despite being the first one to meet Kael, she hadn't talked much with him alone, had heard the moans.

She hadn't peeked inside, but she had heard their voices and talk, and that was enough to let her know what had happened.

Now, she didn't know what to feel about it.

Part of her wanted to be happy for Evethra, but another part felt sad that she was left behind.

She even felt angry that Evethra had taken away what could've been hers, but at the same time, she felt like she was thinking wrong, as Kael wasn't an item.

Lyra didn't even know if she loved Kael, but she knew that he wasn't someone she wanted to lose, and right now, seeing how close Evethra and Kael seemed, she couldn't help but feel devastated.

She wondered if this would have never happened if she hadn't told Kael to accompany the girls in the brothel street when they were in Veldera City.

But at the same time, she felt like this thought process was wrong.

Still, she didn't want to burden any of them with her thoughts, so she pretended to be normal, like usual.

"Would you like to help me, Miss Evethra?" Lyra asked cheerfully. "Selene said she'll be back soon, and we can start lunch."

Evethra smiled, feeling more at ease than she had in days. "I'd be glad to."

Kael hummed, his golden eyes drifting toward the window where sunlight spilled in.

He didn't know what was going on with Lyra yet, so the world outside felt still, peaceful—the kind of peace that only came after storms.

"Looks like a good day," he said quietly.

Evethra turned slightly to glance back at him. "Yes," she replied softly, "it truly does."

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