from the very first time he met seira when he was a boy, baron had never cared about her background. not even her lineage mattered to him. even if she hadn’t manifested as an omega, baron wouldn’t have cared.

    he had planned it all in the beginning – running into every place where she worked as a mercenary and pretending it all to be coincidence. he just always wanted to be by her side.

    even if he abandoned his family, his life would unlikely be much different. wouldn’t it be more enjoyable?

    to become a mercenary and earn his own money. he thought there was nothing to envy from the rest of the world even if he had to share barracks and beds with other mercenaries. if he and aven stood by her day and night, her safety was surely guaranteed.

    ‘then, after cleaning up, finding the right person to succeed as family head would be a priority…’

    baron, who had been deep in his thoughts of the future, suddenly narrowed his eyes to the sound of footsteps coming from the opposite side.

    to his surprise, aven helford was walking towards him.

    “aven.”

    “why are you standing here?” aven asked him.

    “what about seira? i thought you were with her,” baron replied.

    he had a lot to say, but of course he needed to check first if she was safe.

    “she must be on her way home with duke franto,” came aven curt reply.

    “…franto?”

    “yes.”

    aven’s reply was brief. he didn’t intend to explain everything that happened before and after the incident at the terrace.

    in his mind, askan’s loyal vassal had many things to worry about. how did louis know where to find seira? did he use a special kind of tracking magic? or had seira been looking for him first?

    aven walked past baron, and asked in a low voice as their shoulders brushed, “have you met zion?”

    “…!”

    baron’s head whipped towards aven’s face and their eyes met in that instant.

    “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life. askan will exact its revenge on domina jeff and the marquis tellon.”

    in a way, it sounded absurd for him to say that he’d kill domina, a pureblooded alpha, and the marquis of tellon, a high-ranking nobleman. he was only a vassal of askan, however, baron didn’t disregard his intentions as something trivial.

    baron had worked hand in hand several times with aven during countless battles, and he knew roughly about his main power.

    “i am warning you,” aven said with not an ounce of warmth in his monotonous voice, “whether you tell them to be safe or send someone to guard them, do as you please.”

    baron was convinced of aven’s resolve. he knew that if he didn’t take care of it with his own hands, they’ll surely lose their lives.

    “yes.”

    baron didn’t bother to argue. as aven said, neither an excuse nor an apology was needed. he was going to prove himself with the results if needed be.

    his short answer was sufficient, and aven continued to walk in the opposite direction he was facing. baron stood silently until he lost the sound of aven’s firm footsteps, and then he went on to find his servant.

    even with the important people disappearing, the banquet hall’s music continued to ring through the empty hallway.

    * * *

    seira fell asleep as she waited for aven in his room to break the news about the dews estate. it wasn’t until the first rays of the morning light she found herself awoke. seira stretched her body which had been sitting on the rocking chair all night.

    ‘i told him to enjoy the party, and he ended up not coming home at all. i was a fool to think he’d be back by midnight at least.’

    did he meet an omega he liked? otherwise, there was no reason not to go home. who was it? which lucky lady took aven’s heart?

    seira shook her head.

    ‘whatever he does, whoever he meets, it’s aven’s freedom.’

    even pretending to be curious and asking would be a burden to him. she shouldn’t be invested in his private life now that she pushed him further away. as aven did, she had to keep herself in line.

    ‘i should probably leave before he arrives.’

    she had asked louis to visit early in the morning, so she needed to get ready. seira rose from the chair and paused without turning her stiff neck and back. something decorating the cabinet wall had suddenly caught her eyes.

    the wine she gave him a few days ago was placed in a box.

    ‘he didn’t even open the package.’

    come to think of it, aven didn’t really enjoy alcohol. she brought it back because she felt guilty to taste expensive and good things alone. she didn’t even consider aven’s preference if it was actually difficult for him.

    seira left the room as she looked at something that would soon lose its value where it was placed at an unsuitable place.

    even after she finished preparing and roughly guzzling down her breakfast of bread and soup, aven still hadn’t returned.