The final night of the month arrived quietly over House Asheville.
Moonlight poured across the estate like liquid silver, washing the ancient stone walls and the newly raised phoenix banners in a pale glow. The wind moved softly through the gardens, carrying with it the scent of night-blooming flowers and damp earth.
Inside the mansion, the halls were unusually calm.
Servants had finished their duties early.
Knights had returned to their quarters.
Tomorrow morning would mark something important.
A departure.
And somehow the entire estate seemed to feel it.
The Dining Hall
The grand dining hall glowed with candlelight.
Tonight, like many nights this past month, only two people sat at the long oak table.
Kel.
And Reina.
The silver dishes had already been served, yet neither of them had touched the food for several moments.
Reina's fingers rested quietly near her plate.
Her gaze lingered on Kel.
Kel, however, remained calm, cutting a small piece of meat and eating slowly as if the night carried no unusual meaning.
Finally—
Reina spoke.
"You're leaving tomorrow?"
Her voice was calm.
But beneath it lingered something softer.
Kel looked up slightly.
"Yes."
The answer was simple.
Direct.
Reina lowered her gaze briefly before asking again.
"Can I come with you?"
Kel did not hesitate.
"I already told you."
"No."
The candlelight flickered across Reina's face as she sighed faintly.
"I was just asking again."
She looked back at him with a small smile.
"Seeing if you changed your mind."
Kel's expression remained unchanged.
"I don't change my mind."
Reina chuckled softly.
"Yes."
She leaned back slightly in her chair.
"You don't."
The Gift
For a moment the conversation paused.
Then Reina reached beside her chair and lifted something wrapped in dark cloth.
She placed it carefully on the table.
Kel's eyes moved toward it.
Reina pushed the cloth aside slowly.
A sword appeared beneath it.
The blade reflected the candlelight like a thin stream of moonlight.
Its design was elegant but practical.
The guard curved slightly like the wings of a phoenix.
The grip was wrapped in deep black leather.
Kel picked it up.
His fingers moved across the blade.
Testing the balance.
Feeling the weight.
Reina spoke quietly.
"I selected it personally."
"It's capable of handling high-density mana and aura."
She paused briefly.
"And I asked the blacksmith to engrave your name."
Kel turned the blade slightly.
Near the base of the steel—
Small engraved letters glimmered.
Kel
He studied the weapon for several seconds.
Then nodded slightly.
"It's a good sword."
Reina smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you like it."
Kel slid the sword back into its sheath and placed it beside his chair.
Then he reached inside his coat.
Kel's Gift
He pulled out something small.
Something delicate.
A pendant.
It hung from a thin silver chain.
At its center rested a rare crystal that shimmered faintly under the candlelight.
But something about the crystal felt… alive.
Kel placed it gently on the table.
Reina's eyes widened slightly.
"This is…"
Kel spoke calmly.
"It's for you."
Reina lifted the pendant carefully.
The crystal glowed faintly between her fingers.
She could feel it.
A strange warmth pulsing from within it.
Kel continued.
"I enchanted it with magic."
Then he added quietly—
"And forbidden magic."
Reina blinked.
"Forbidden?"
Kel nodded slightly.
"As long as you wear it…"
"…no one will be able to approach you with harmful intentions."
Reina tilted her head slightly.
"And if someone tries?"
Kel answered calmly.
"The pendant will begin draining their life force."
The candlelight flickered softly.
Reina stared at the crystal.
The power within it was unmistakable.
Ancient.
Dense.
And strangely familiar.
Sairen's voice echoed softly inside Kel's mind.
You didn't tell her the full truth.
Kel remained silent.
Sairen chuckled quietly.
That pendant is practically a death sentence for anyone who touches her with bad intentions.
Kel responded calmly.
That's the point.
Reina's Realization
Reina studied the pendant carefully.
Then suddenly—
A memory surfaced in her mind.
That night she had entered Kel's room unexpectedly.
She had seen something then.
Drops of blood scattered across the desk.
At the time she had not asked.
But now—
She understood.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pendant.
"You used your own blood to make this."
Kel did not deny it.
Reina looked up at him.
Her eyes softened.
"This must have taken a lot of energy."
Kel shrugged slightly.
"It's necessary."
Sairen sighed in his mind.
You nearly drained yourself making that.
Kel ignored the comment.
Reina stood from her chair slowly.
She walked around the table.
Then stopped behind Kel.
The pendant chain rested in her hands.
She leaned slightly closer.
"Help me."
Kel turned slightly.
For a moment he simply looked at her.
Then he took the pendant.
His fingers brushed briefly against her hair as he fastened the chain around her neck.
The crystal settled gently against her collarbone.
Immediately—
A faint pulse of energy spread across her skin.
Reina closed her eyes briefly.
She could feel it.
Kel's aura.
His blood.
His magic.
All woven into the pendant.
When she opened her eyes again, she spoke softly.
"Then I'll wear it all the time."
Kel replied calmly.
"It's just for your safety."
Sairen spoke quietly in his mind.
You always say things like that.
Kel answered silently.
Because it's true.
The Quiet Moment
Reina returned to her seat slowly.
Her fingers touched the pendant resting against her chest.
It felt warm.
Almost alive.
She looked at Kel again.
"You made this tonight?"
Kel shook his head.
"No."
"I finished it earlier."
Reina smiled faintly.
"You were preparing even before leaving."
Kel nodded slightly.
"Of course."
Sairen hummed softly.
You really do plan for everything.
Kel's thoughts remained steady.
Almost everything.
The Final Dinner
The two of them finally began eating.
The food had grown slightly cold.
But neither of them complained.
The conversation slowed.
Sometimes they spoke.
Sometimes they simply listened to the quiet of the hall.
Outside the windows, the moon climbed higher above the estate.
Eventually Reina spoke again.
"You'll be gone for a while."
Kel nodded.
"Yes."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"Be careful."
Kel replied simply.
"I will."
Sairen whispered softly in his mind.
You're leaving her behind.
Kel answered calmly.
She needs to lead her house.
Sairen asked quietly.
And you?
Kel's thoughts sharpened.
I need to finish what I started in the south.
The Night Ends
After dinner ended, the servants cleared the table quietly.
Reina walked toward the doorway.
Then paused.
She looked back once more.
The pendant shimmered faintly against her chest.
"Good night, my lord."
Kel nodded slightly.
"Good night."
Reina left the hall.
Her footsteps fading into the quiet corridor.
Kel remained seated for a moment longer.
Sairen spoke again.
You gave her something very dangerous.
Kel stood slowly.
That's why it will keep her safe.
He picked up the sword Reina had given him.
The engraved letters glimmered faintly in the candlelight.
Kel slid the blade slightly from its sheath.
The steel reflected the flames.
Then he closed it again.
Tomorrow—
He would leave for the south.
But tonight—
The mansion of House Asheville slept peacefully.
Unaware that the quiet strategist protecting it from the shadows was already preparing for the next battlefield waiting beyond its walls.