Chapter 8
“Let’s just pretend this never happened!”
“What?”
Luna blurted out quickly, trying to ignore the mouthwatering aroma in the room. Hearing the servant’s voice outside, she knew what she had to say first.
“What just happened—let’s call it a misunderstanding. I’ll pretend nothing happened, so I’d appreciate it if you did the same. Issuing a gag order is nothing to you, isn’t it? Right?”
From the man’s lips came a soft hiss of breath. She couldn’t tell what it meant, but what mattered most was protecting herself. She didn’t want strange rumors, and that… unforgettable experience—one she would never go through again—was something she wanted buried deep in her heart.
She stole a glance at him, waiting for his response. Somehow, he was already seated beside her, holding out a steaming bowl of cream soup, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint smile.
“If you finish every last bit of what I’ve prepared, then we’ll consider it as such.”
“Really? You won’t go back on your word?”
Instead of replying, he gave a clear nod. Relief flooded her.
Wait… could it really be this easy? This man… he’s surprisingly reasonable!
She had been sure he would latch onto her like a dog with a bone, but contrary to her fears, her client was refreshingly straightforward.
Luna relaxed at last and scooped the soup into her mouth. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday, and the taste was so good it nearly brought tears to her eyes.
The bread, freshly baked, carried the rich flavor of butter and was soft in texture—a taste worthy of a high-class restaurant.
“Sir… about Captain Raven. What exactly happened?”
Still chewing, Luna couldn’t contain her curiosity. He had been staring at her so intently, she had to ask.
“You needn’t concern yourself with that.”
“Oh… alright.”
The answer was disappointing, but since even the captain himself had said this man was someone important, she figured she truly didn’t need to worry.
She finished the soup, tore at the remaining bread, and ventured another question.
“Um… if you were able to talk with the captain, then does that mean the purification worked?”
“It failed.”
“O-oh, I see.”
Luna forced a weak smile. She had suspected as much—it must have gone wrong halfway. The bread in her mouth suddenly felt as tough as leather.
Then… why bring me here? Did the captain hand me over after the failed commission? Isn’t this dangerous?
Her eyes widened as she studied the muscular man carefully. Her throat felt dry.
“What is it? Do I look like I’d harm you? There’s no poison in your food—eat the rest without worry.”
Her thoughts had been read too easily. He passed her a glass of water, his casual tone making her chest tighten.
Luna hurried to stuff the rest of the bread into her mouth. Even if it no longer tasted good, she had to eat it all for the sake of the promise.
Watching her with satisfaction, Khalid finally spoke his true intention.
“The purification may have failed, but it still had some effect.”
“Oh…”
Only then did Luna drink the water without fear. Even a partial success explained why he was unconcerned. The cool drink was sweet as honey.
“That is why I wish to undergo purification again. How do I arrange to meet you?”
“You can just commission me again. And…”
Luna tilted her chin slightly, mimicking him.
“There can’t be any rude behavior like earlier, understood?”
Khalid was silent for a moment. Then, with his long fingers, he traced lightly along the smooth line of his jaw—exactly where she had struck him.
“I don’t know what you mean. Did I do something rude to you?”
“N-no! Next time I’ll succeed for sure!”
“The schedule won’t take long. So make sure you recover quickly.”
“Yes, sir…”
Luna’s face twisted in dismay. She felt as if she’d fallen for one of his tricks. She turned her head aside, lips twitching.
Boom, boom, boom! Knock, knock!
Suddenly, heavy footsteps and urgent knocking filled the air.
Khalid’s demeanor chilled instantly, as if welcoming unwelcome guests. He strode lazily to the door and opened it.
“Hast, have you finished the investigation?”
“Yes. But… my lord! Is what the servant said true? I can hardly believe it. She’s still here? Did you really spend the night with a woman for once—urk!”
Before he could finish, Khalid’s fist sank into the man’s solar plexus. The blow was swift and crushing, leaving Hast coughing and struggling for breath.
“I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting,” Khalid said calmly, his voice almost bored.
Luna realized then that he wanted to keep what happened just as secret as she did. She prayed he would enforce silence properly.
Swallowing hard, she walked over with feigned composure. It was time to leave.
“Good morning, sir,” she greeted politely.
“Hast, keep that mouth shut.”
Is it morning already?
Luna dipped her head in thanks and moved to step out. As an illegal purification magician, she couldn’t risk being further exposed.
But as she crossed the threshold, a hand blocked her path with a firm thud.
She tilted her head up, glaring at the towering man who stood in her way.
“Now what?”
“I’ll have a servant fetch clothes for you to change into before you leave. And I’ll add extra to your payment.”
At the mention of money, Luna immediately turned back inside. Meeting his eyes, she offered a bright smile.
“Of course. One should take what’s rightfully theirs, shouldn’t they?”
The door to the temporary office of the Grand Duke of Bahir closed softly behind Khalid. Inside, Hast now stood with his hands clasped behind his back, unusually serious.
“Report.”
The moment the command left his lips, Hast recited every detail he had gathered on Luna Aderet—her family, her connection to Raven, even her dire financial situation.
Khalid listened with complete composure. So she wasn’t part of Raven after all—no surprise there.
A skilled and striking purification magician.
“Brave… or foolish.”
She had agreed to meet him again, which meant stepping back into a den of predators. Such a woman wouldn’t live long. She’d be troublesome, too. But letting her die wasn’t an option either.
Khalid’s lips curved. She was the first magician whose spell had shown any effect on his accursed curse. Until he tested it again, he would have to keep her safe.
“My lord, why did you let her leave?” Hast asked bluntly.
“Make sure the coin purse reaches her. Not too heavy.”
But Hast, unusually stubborn, stood his ground. This woman was too important to risk.
Khalid crossed his arms, narrowing his sharp eyes.
“Do you want another beating? She can’t be treated carelessly—especially now that we know she’s of noble birth.”
“Then… are you truly letting her go? She didn’t look completely recovered.”
“Assign guards. Keep her under watch day and night without her noticing.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Indeed, she was the key. The only one they had found, even after scouring the Empire. Yet keeping her locked up for his own gain wasn’t an option either.
But when Hast pressed on, Khalid felt an irritating spark flare.
“No. I’ll go myself.”
“My lord?”
“I’ll remain by her side.”
“But… the paperwork awaiting you—”
Khalid’s lips stretched slowly into a smile as he cut him off.
“What nonsense is this? The Grand Duke of Bahir is supposed to be buried in paperwork, isn’t he?”
Hast froze, realizing too late what was coming.
Khalid pulled open a secure drawer, retrieved Bahir’s official seal, and pressed it into Hast’s palm. Folding the man’s fingers around it one by one, he flashed a dazzling smile.
“The rest is up to you, my loyal aide.”
It wasn’t even a problem. Any documents arriving during his absence could be processed at Bahir’s residence anyway. The real problem was that his knight—and de facto aide—pretended not to know it.
“…I’ll fetch the gold purse. But, my lord—”
Smiling bitterly, Hast couldn’t contain his question any longer.
Khalid gestured for him to speak. The irritation from earlier had melted away, replaced by calm anticipation.
“Well, it’s impossible, of course, but… did the young lady happen to strike you? One cheek looked suspiciously red and swollen—”
“Hast.”
Clack.
Hast slammed the door shut in a flash, fearful his own cheek would soon turn red to match.
