Chapter 18
‘Did I… kill someone?’
Luna’s eyes froze as she stared at the sharp shard that had pierced flesh.
She only wanted to escape and survive—never had she intended to kill Arne.
Drip. Drip.
The metallic stench filled her nose as sticky drops of Arne’s blood splattered onto her blackened cheek.
“Ugh!”
Luna let out a suffocating scream and staggered back, putting as much distance between herself and Arne’s body as she could.
Her stomach lurched at the sight of the man’s broad back riddled with jagged shards.
“I told you… you’d lose everything. Why were you so greedy, not even knowing the side effects…?”
Luna gasped for breath, forcing herself to think that it was his own fault. After all, she had almost died too. But her reddened, bleeding hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
The wounds hurt less than the whole wretched situation—it was enough to drive her insane.
The flames weren’t merciful either. With Arne’s protective magic gone, the fire spread rapidly.
Her hollow gaze stretched toward the iron door in the distance. Even if she ran right now, survival was unlikely. The heat alone felt like it was melting her lungs.
“Young Lady!!”
Through the blaze appeared a tall, solid figure.
Hearing that voice call for her, Luna’s brows trembled pitifully.
Since when had that man’s voice been so reassuring?
When her eyes met the pale-blue gaze beneath those silvery locks, tears threatened to spill.
Luna stepped toward her contractor instinctively.
At that very moment—
Thud.
A heavy grip clamped down on her shoulder.
“Ah!”
Her entire body stiffened, every nerve on edge.
The bloody hand of the man she thought dead clutched her clothes, staining them crimson.
Something sharp and cold pressed against her back, then withdrew—like a warning. Harsh, ragged breaths hissed into her ear.
Luna turned her head slowly, stiff and creaking like broken gears, to face Arne.
Slash!
Just as their gazes were about to lock, a blade sliced clean through.
His head rolled away, spraying blood across Luna as his body crumpled to the floor.
Her jaw dropped. She couldn’t comprehend what had happened in the blink of an eye.
“Don’t look.”
“…?”
Khalid was suddenly before her, covering her weary eyes with his hand.
“This is not something you should see.”
“….”
With her vision blocked, Luna felt the warmth of his palm. Amid her ragged breaths, that warmth washed over her like a lie too comforting to resist.
The fact that he had come to save her, that he had killed Arne completely, made her feel such overwhelming relief that tears fell freely.
She buried her face against his chest, shoulders shaking. The only thought left in her was that she was safe—because he was here.
“….”
Khalid’s throat bobbed as he swallowed something raw and heavy. He quickly checked her injuries, then swung his sword at the wall blocking their way.
A deafening boom shook the air as the sword aura cleaved into the charcoal-like barrier. Cracks split wide, rubble crashing down until a massive hole yawned open in the glasshouse wall.
The poisonous smoke rushed out through the gap.
“My lord! Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine. Bring the priest here. Contain the rest so no more damage spreads.”
“Yes, sir!”
Khalid issued orders to Haast, who had been waiting outside, all while pulling Luna closer into his arms.
Her ears rang, vision hazy, consciousness slipping away. All she could vaguely make out were the black-uniformed men moving busily around them.
“The ledger… I have to… hand it over…”
She mumbled, oddly at peace, as she clung to the solid warmth of the man holding her. His muscular body was unexpectedly comforting, and her eyelids grew heavy.
Khalid brushed back her sweat-damp pink hair, his surprisingly delicate touch the last thing she remembered before slipping into sleep.
Luna lay on her side, hair disheveled, hand stretching as if reaching for something even in her dreams. Her slender fingers trembled faintly before clenching the top edge of a half-open book.
“….”
Khalid tightened his hold, unwilling to give the book over.
But even in sleep, she tugged insistently. When it didn’t move the way she wanted, she pulled his entire arm into her embrace, rubbing her face against it.
He clicked his tongue, frowning. Her bizarre sleeping habit almost sent him tumbling off the bed. Yet despite the tear stains on her cheeks, she wore a small, satisfied smile.
‘She should be happy I let her cling… so why is she crying?’
As he tried to pull away, she sniffed loudly in her sleep, like she’d caught a beloved scent.
“Why don’t you lick my hand while you’re at it? You’re just like the wolf cub I raised as a child.”
He muttered in disbelief—then froze.
Her tongue had brushed his palm, followed by the sensation of teeth lightly biting down.
“….”
“Mmm… tasteless…”
Why isn’t it sweet? Not crunchy? And it’s warm too.
Luna blinked awake groggily, her swollen eyes searching. She had been expecting a fresh, crisp apple, not the warm, firm skin of a hand.
“Strange… I could’ve sworn I smelled a freshly picked apple.”
Still rubbing her hungry belly, she yawned, then froze.
The presence beside her was anything but ordinary. Memories of the night before flooded back, making her eyes snap wide open.
“Th-thank you for saving me.”
Khalid’s gaze lingered on his damp hand, unreadable, before he finally curved his lips in a smile that was neither pleasant nor kind.
“You’re awake.”
But his tone was sharp, cutting into her.
Luna, recalling that he had stormed out of the Keone Merchant Guild because of her, tried to soften her voice.
“Um… what about Obis?”
“It turned out the way you wanted.”
His indifferent tone made it clear: was that really the first thing on her mind upon waking? He still seemed angry.
“The ledger’s been delivered. Obis was captured and is standing trial. The fire from the Shadow Flowers has been fully extinguished with minimal losses. Satisfied?”
“….”
She almost nodded, but his pointed question made her glance up. In his eyes, she thought she saw blue flames burning like before.
She quickly looked away—she was sick of fire. The modest, unfamiliar bedroom gave her something safer to focus on.
“Where is this?”
“A lodging provided by that fool from the Keone Guild.”
His biting tone made her pout. Couldn’t he say it more kindly, just once?
After a long look, Khalid sighed. He brushed a tired hand over his face, voice softening slightly.
“You’ve slept for three days straight.”
“What?”
Her eyes widened. Three days?
“I’m sorry, but… do you know how my grandfather is?”
“The Guild explained you’d been caught in the fire and would stay with them until you recovered. Haast said Baron Adereit visited several times in broad daylight.”
“So Keone’s been taking good care of him.”
“Think whatever you like.”
“….”
It wasn’t equal to Khalid saving her life, but for someone like her with nothing, she thought she’d done decently well. Why was he still like this?
She frowned at his lingering, heavy gaze—it was uncomfortable.
“Then why are you still here, my lord?”
Her irritation finally slipped out.
Khalid looked at her for a moment, then smirked faintly as though amused.
He leaned back, exuding leisurely arrogance, as if mocking her memory.
“You told me not to leave.”
