Eliza woke up to an unsettling emptiness. Her body, conditioned to Raen’s presence, felt cold without him. She reached out, but the space beside her was vacant. Confusion flickered briefly in her eyes before dissolving into an overwhelming sense of loss.

Where was he?       

She slipped out of bed, her long chestnut hair tumbling over her shoulders as she hurried through the dimly lit halls of the mansion. Every step echoed with growing distress. She didn’t question why she felt this way—thought was beyond her grasp now—but the ache in her chest grew unbearable.

She found the butler in his usual place, calm and composed as always. "Where is Raen?" Her voice was soft, trembling slightly.

The butler inclined his head, offering the same response he always did. "He will return soon, my lady."

Eliza should have been reassured. The ring ensured that once she received an answer, she would forget the question—but tonight, something in her resisted. Her delicate fingers clutched at her chest. "But… my heart hurts. He is not here. I need him."

For a moment, the butler hesitated. Then, with practiced ease, he devised a distraction. He fetched a silk scarf scented with Raen’s cologne, wrapping it gently around Eliza’s fingers. "This carries his essence, my lady. Hold it close, and it will feel as though he is near."

Eliza accepted it without question, pressing the fabric to her lips as warmth spread through her. The ache in her heart dulled. Her mind quieted. And just like that, the moment of unrest was gone.

***@@novelbin@@

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Raen was carving his path to victory.

The night was thick with the scent of blood and steel. His forces clashed with the king’s men under a moon shrouded by storm clouds, the thunderous roar of battle shaking the very earth beneath them.

Raen moved like a specter through the carnage, his golden eyes alight with ruthless intent. Every enemy who dared to oppose him fell before his blade. His men fought with unwavering loyalty, knowing that this was the war that would change everything. The king’s army, once mighty, was crumbling.

A bolt of magic tore through the field, aimed directly at Raen. He deflected it with a flick of his sword, the enchantments woven into its steel absorbing the energy. He advanced, striking down the enemy mage with a single decisive blow. Blood sprayed across the muddy ground as he pressed forward, never faltering, never hesitating.

At the heart of the battlefield, the king’s elite guard made their stand. Clad in black armor, their spears glowed with lethal enchantments. But Raen was unstoppable. He was a storm given form, a relentless force of destruction that would not be denied his throne.

One by one, they fell, until only the king remained.

The ruler of Luvein stood atop the last stronghold, his robes tattered, his face a mask of fury and desperation. "You think you can take my kingdom?" he snarled. "You are nothing but a mad dog—"

Raen silenced him with a thrust of his blade. The king gasped, crimson spilling from his lips as he stumbled back, disbelief frozen on his face. And then, with a final, shuddering breath, he fell.

Silence claimed the battlefield. Raen exhaled slowly, lifting his bloodied sword to the sky.

"Luvein is mine."

The war was over.

***

Back at the mansion, Eliza sat in the garden, still clutching Raen’s scarf. She did not know why she waited. She did not remember the butler’s words. But she knew, deep in the haze of her mind, that Raen would return to her.

And when he did, she would be here.

Always.

The first volume had come to an end. But their story was far from over.