[Leif’s POV — Thorenvald Estate—Later—Same Night]

"What do you think we should prepare, Nick?" I asked, strolling toward my chamber.

Nick hummed thoughtfully, shoving a hand into his pocket. Zephyy, perched on my shoulder like an opinionated cat, piped up. " Master, since it’s just a small victory... why not a simple token of appreciation?"

I blinked, turning to glare at him. "Simple? Zephyy, this is our first victory ! I can’t let them feel like a participation ribbon is enough."

Nick nodded solemnly. "Then I shall seek something traditional, my lord."

I smiled faintly. "Thanks, Nick. I knew I could rely on you."

He bowed slightly. "Then... have a good night, my lord."

I nodded and stretched my arms high. "Sure... good night..."

Then Zephyy jumped off my shoulder with surprising agility and landed on Nick’s. "I shall accompany Nick tonight, Master," he declared, crossing his tiny arms like a boss.

"Huh? What? Why?" I asked, incredulous.

He tilted his head toward the closed door of my chamber. "Well... I shouldn’t disturb him ."

Nick and Zephyy walked off together, leaving me standing there like a slightly betrayed statue. I muttered under my breath, "What the hell just happened?"

With a heavy sigh, I pushed open my chamber door... and froze.

Why?

Because there he was. My fiancé. Standing there, removing his shirt with the casual confidence of someone who clearly expected me to be surprised and faint. The firelight glinted off his skin, highlighting every impossible angle.

He glanced at me, grinning teasingly and just a little smugly. "Why are you frozen, my love? Come inside."

I muttered, trying to sound nonchalant, "Well... what a... pleasant shirtless surprise."

Alvar chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through the room like a warm melody. I closed the door behind me, my heart still thumping from the surprise.

"When did you arrive?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He slipped out of his pants with casual ease and let a night robe drape around his shoulders. "Just now..."

I frowned, confused. "But... why travel at midnight? Isn’t that... dangerous?"

He ignored the question entirely. Instead, he stepped closer, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead. "A husband should always stay close to his wife, shouldn’t he?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I could only nod, words failing me. My heart was betraying me with every beat.

He strolled toward the bed, moving with that effortless grace that always made my knees weak. "Come... it’s late," he murmured, voice smooth as velvet.

I obeyed without hesitation, sliding under the covers beside him. The warmth of his embrace wrapped around me like a shield against the cold night. I nestled closer, feeling his heartbeat steady and strong against my chest.

He rested a hand on my back, fingers brushing lightly, almost reverently. "Did... anything happen while I was away?"

I closed my eyes, the tension of the day melting under his touch. "Sir Roland went on a battle, but... he won without raising a sword. And... we found a stranger nearly frozen outside. Eryndor is taking care of him now."

Alvar was silent for a moment, listening. Then he murmured, "Alright... sleep now. I’ll handle everything from here."

I let out a small, content sigh, burying my face in the curve of his chest. The warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and the quiet confidence in his words wrapped around me like a lullaby.

"Goodnight, Alvar," I whispered.

"Goodnight, my love," he replied, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head.

And finally, under the safety of his arms, I drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep, my heart entirely his.

***

[Same Time—Alvar’s POV — Leif’s Chamber]

I stroked his hair gently as Leif snuggled closer, letting the warmth of his body seep into mine. Every rise and fall of his chest calmed a storm I didn’t realize I’d been carrying.

Yet my mind refused to rest. The Second Prince... Darian . Why—why did he run to Frojnholm of all places? Was it desperation? A plan? Or something far darker I couldn’t yet see?

I shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Leif, and studied his peaceful face. Innocent, unaware, and yet... I knew the chaos brewing outside these walls would not spare him. Not my love. Not the man who held my heart so completely.

I rose slowly, keeping my hands on him for a fraction longer, memorizing the curve of his jaw and the soft twitch of his lips in sleep. "Whatever brought him here," I murmured under my breath, "I have to find it and will protect you... always."

My gaze drifted—and froze. On Leif’s neck, the marble glinted in the dim firelight, red and unnervingly like a pulse, like a heart etched into stone.

I furrowed my brows and slid the silver chain closer, leaning over to study it. "Is this... the same marble...?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

My fingers hovered above the surface, hesitant. The moment I touched it—"SSHH!"—it burned.

A sudden, searing pain shot through my hand, forcing me to jerk back. My heart clenched in my chest. If something so harmless to the eye could burn like fire... then what power—or curse—did this mark hold? and why...it’s not burning, leif?

I glanced at Leif’s chest, at the steady rise and fall, perfectly normal, unthreatening. And yet... the marble, this strange heart-like gleam, seemed alive. Watching. Waiting.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. If it reacts to me like this... what does it do to leif?

I hesitated only for a heartbeat before gently lifting his shirt, pressing my palm against his bare chest. His skin was warm, soft, and unmarked—yet the moment my fingers touched the marble, a sharp sting lanced through my hand.

No burn on his body. Nothing outwardly wrong. And yet... my hand throbbed as though the marble’s fire had followed me through the air.

I drew back, heart pounding. Why am I so anxious? Why does a single touch make me feel like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff?

A thought clawed at me, insistent and unnerving. Something much bigger is happening... around Leif. And he is at the center of it.

The priest’s warning echoed in my mind: Your presence is needed where Lord Leif is... before he meets him.

I swallowed hard. I cannot— will not —leave his side. Not even for a moment. Who knows what could happen if I blink, if I look away? Leif is surrounded by mystery... an unseen current pulling him, shaping him, threatening him. And I have no idea whether that current is friend or foe.

I traced the outline of his jaw and the soft rise and fall of his chest and whispered against the quiet night, "Whatever comes, I’ll be here. Always."

Yet even as I said it, an icy knot of dread tightened in my chest. Something is awakening, and Leif... he is right in the eye of it.

***

[Leif’s Pov---The Next Morning]

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting golden stripes across my face. I groaned, half-buried in blankets, stretching like a very lazy cat.

"Ugh... morning already?" I mumbled, squinting at the warm glow.

Then my brain finally booted up. I was snuggled right into Alvar’s arms . Curled up like a tiny caterpillar glued to a very muscular tree.

My heart did a backflip. His chest. His jaw. His stupid, unfair, perfect face.

Wow... he is so damn handsome.

Carefully—like a thief approaching treasure—I leaned in to steal a kiss when— Without opening his eyes, his lips tugged into a smirk.

"It’s harassment to kiss someone while they’re sleeping, you know."

I froze mid-air. A statue. A busted statue. Alvar’s eyes were now open, a mischievous glint in them, his hands reaching for my waist.

"Why are you harassing me so early, my love?" he teased.

I blinked, completely dumbfounded. "L-leave me... leave me, you bastard!" I wriggled, trying to break free.

He laughed, that low, teasing laugh that made my chest tighten. "I’m just kidding... my love."

"Just leave me! I’m never kissing you again in this life!" I shot back, wiggling harder.

He pulled me closer, his arms firm around me. "I said... I’m just kidding."

I tried to wriggle free, gasping for air, when—

"LEIF!!!!!!!!!!!"

I blinked. What now?

I glanced at Alvar, who glared at me mock-jealously. I pinched him as hard as I dared, then slipped from his embrace and bolted to the door. He groaned dramatically.

Opening it, I found Thalion flooding my floor with tears, his arms flailing wildly.

"LEIF!!!!!! HELP US!!!!!!!!"

I froze for a second before throwing my arms around him. "Thalion... what’s wrong?"

Alvar’s voice came from behind me, annoyed but teasing, "Just... don’t hug him!"

I ignored him, squeezing Thalion tighter. Eryndor stood nearby, stone-faced as ever. "Leif... you have to come with us. To our elf village."

I furrowed, confused. "Elf village? Why?"

Thalion’s wails grew louder, almost shaking the walls. "OUR TREE OF LIFE IS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I blinked. Slowly.

"...A tree of life?" I mumbled, because apparently that’s a thing now.