CHAPTER 349: A DELIGHT NEWS

A delight News

It wasn’t delivered by airplane. It throbbed in Nova’s brain, warm and rich, slicing through the darkness like sunlight through thick clouds. It wasn’t dreamed. It was alive.

[Hey, my love. Where are you?]

Nova’s breath was caught. Her body froze, eyes opening wide with joy and disbelief crashing within her chest. Her lips parted, a murmur escaping before she could muffle it. Her heart pounded furiously, deafening her ears with its thud.

Each woman glanced over at her, eyes keen, picking up on the change at once. Curiosity flamed within their eyes, suspicion and questioning entwining like sparks.

But Nova hardly saw them. She held on to the voice, to the heat surrounding her mind.

[Darling... it’s you?] she whispered in her mind, the words shaking but tender, spilling out from her lips in a softly spoken breath.

Her smile gave her away. Soft, warm, unstoppable—the first real glint of happiness her face had sported in days. Those about her noticed it too, the unmistakable shine of a woman resonating with the return of something she’d yearned for too long.

Through the bridge of their minds, his voice insinuated itself, a bantering chuckle dancing across her thoughts. [Who else, if not your love?]

Nova nibbled on her lip, rolling her eyes though her heart leaped in surprise. ["Just you and your odd patter..."] she grumbled back, shaking her head as though she could conceal the flush spreading into her chest. But tension in her relaxed, like a tightly coiled knot finally working free. Relief flooded her—until suspicion struck in, biting and unwelcome. Her brow creased. ["By the way, where are you? Last I remember, you were supposed to arrive at Blackthorne City yesterday. You still haven’t arrived. Where are you, really?"]

Leon’s response was smooth, full of mischief. [Well... I picked up some good and sturdy friends along the road. Lost count of time a bit with them.]

Nova’s eyes went cold, perilous light dancing in their depths. Her fingers curled into fists against the sheets beside her. ["Your... friends?"]

[Mm. Yes.] His grin practically seeped through the connection.

She muttered a soft groan, running her hand down her face before pinching the bridge of her nose. A slow breath escaped her lips. ["Haa... tch. Fine. Leave it, then. Just tell me where you are. I need to see you—I have something important to tell you."]

His laughter swept past her once more, gentle but exasperatingly teasing. [Then come pick me up, sweetheart. The sooner you get here; the sooner you’ll have me in front of you.]

Her brow furrowed, mystification creasing her face. ["What are you even saying? Speak straight."]

His reply had a velvet finish, full of warmth and purpose. [What do you think I mean, my love?]

Frustration prickled at her chest. ["Don’t play riddles with me, Leon. Just tell me."]

At last, his voice settled, still bearing the soft echo of his smile. [I’m at the outer forest edge of Blackthorne City.]

She gasped. The words landed on her like an arrow, piercing directly through the armor that had been locked around her by self-will. Joy burst within her so powerfully it threatened to shatter her self-control. She stood so suddenly the chair scraped across the floor behind her. Her whole body shook, as if it could not contain the swelling of emotion rising in her chest.

"You... mean...?" Her voice broke, shaking with the emotion she could no longer keep locked away. She swallowed hard, imposing solidity into her tone even though her lashes sparkled with tears. "Wait—are you kidding? Stay put. I’ll come get you myself."

"Then I’ll be waiting," Leon’s response was warm, teasing but gentle, the type of voice that ensnared her heart. "Hurry, sweetheart."

The connection paled. His presence dissipated like a tide pulling out of shore, leaving only the heat of his words—an aftertaste like the specter of a kiss on her lips.

Nova’s eyelids creaked open. The room that had been a blur around her came into clear focus, and she knew each and every eye was watching her. The air was heavy, electric, with the heavy weight of their combined anticipation bearing down on her. She caught her breath, her heart skipping a beat in her chest.

Rias shifted forward, her red hair cascading like burning liquid, a smile that spread like a sunset unfolding her lips. ".So. You were talking to daddy, weren’t you?"

Nova let out a soft breath, her flush giving her away even as she struggled to compose herself. There was no use trying to deny it. She nodded once, tiny but undeniable.

Lira’s silver-white hair glistened under the chandelier, her blue-ice eyes focused, voice soft but with a hard edge of urgency. "What did he say? Where is he?"

Nova’s chest constricted as she replied, voice calmer now, though the quiver of happiness ran through every sentence. "He’s outside. At the edge of the city. I’m going to come pick him up—through the secret passage."

For an instant, silence took all of them in. Then, like a match that had ignited fire, the mood changed. Their faces changed at once—the shadows of uncertainty vanishing, replaced with openness of light. A thrill sparked, expectation thrummed, and love flowered on each face.

Syra’s green locks surrounded her radiant face as she near-bounced in excitement, her emerald eyes sparkling like mischief and joy blended together. She clapped her hands loudly together, her smile wide and unreserved. "Then get on with it, sister! Go fetch darling back already! The sooner the better!"

Nova’s lips twitched into something unusual—a genuine smile, unforced and radiant, relaxing her normal poise. She stood up elegantly, smoothing her dress, and straightened her spine with silent determination. "I’ll go now."

The women nodded in unison, their solidarity as automatic as breathing. Relief, love, and longing mingled across their faces, their eyes following Nova as she moved toward the doors. No jealousy dwelled there, no competition—just the mutual, searing expectation of his homecoming.

It had been too long. Too many days of emptiness. Too many nights tormented by the pain of his absence. That pain was ending at last.

Nova moved with measured steps, but her heart pounded wildly within her chest, every beat pounding with the rhythm of yearning. Behind her, the room shone in red light, the women’s gentle smiles echoing the same unspoken idea—

Finally. He’s returning to us.

They stayed in that room, their faces aglow with tender hope, their hearts beating the same silent truth. The waiting was almost done. Their darling was coming back.