The town had grown quieter by the time Sion made his way toward the guild.
The festival had not fully ended, but its liveliness had softened. Where there had once been music and laughter spilling into every street, only scattered sounds remained now. A few performers still lingered, a handful of stalls stayed open, and distant lanterns flickered like fading stars. It felt as though the celebration itself was slowly retreating, leaving the night to reclaim its stillness.
Sion walked through it without much attention. His mind was elsewhere, though he had not yet realized why.
When he entered the guild, the change was immediate. The halls were calm, almost empty, the usual bustle gone for the evening. Only a few remained inside.
Arch noticed him first.
There was a brief pause in his movement, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he composed himself again.
"Sion," he said, then gestured for him to follow.
Without further explanation, he led him toward the inner office where Cassian usually stayed. When they arrived, Arch knocked once and spoke through the door.
"Sion is here."
There was a short silence, then Cassian's voice came from within, quicker than usual. "Let him in."
They entered.
Cassian stood behind his desk, though something about him seemed… off. He looked at Sion, then at Arch, as if caught unprepared.
"What brings you here?" he asked.
Sion frowned slightly at that.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten," he said. "Today was supposed to be our day for tea."
That was when it happened.
Cassian and Arch exchanged a glance.
A faint crease formed between his brows. "What is it?"
Cassian hesitated, then let out a breath. "Give us a moment."
Before Sion could question it further, Cassian pulled Arch aside to the corner, lowering his voice.
"Should we tell him?" Cassian whispered. "Darius didn't say anything."
Arch's reply was quiet but firm. "We don't have a choice. If we don't explain it, he'll misunderstand."
Cassian clicked his tongue softly. "Still… why didn't he tell him himself?"
"Cassian."
His voice cut in, calm but edged now.
Sion was watching them, his gaze steady, no longer patient.
"Is something wrong?"
Cassian straightened, clearly uncomfortable. "Well… you see…"
He hesitated, then said it outright. "We don't have to continue the arrangement anymore."
Sion blinked, confusion settling in.
"…What do you mean?"
Then realization struck, and his expression hardened.
"Don't tell me you're taking back the land," he said, his voice sharpening. "You can't. We had an agreement. That was the condition for everything."
There was anger now, controlled but unmistakable.
Arch stepped forward. "Calm down. The land is yours."
Sion went still.
"You don't have to come for tea anymore," Arch continued. "Nor give a share of your harvest."
Sion's gaze moved between them. "Why?"
Cassian rubbed the back of his neck before answering.
"It happened the day before the main festival," he began. "Darius came to me."
Sion said nothing, but his attention sharpened.
"He offered to sell half of his private property," Cassian continued, "in exchange for the land you purchased. That includes removing all conditions tied to it."
The meaning settled slowly.
"No more tea. No share of the harvest. The land is entirely yours now."
Sion's expression did not change.
"…He did that?"
Cassian nodded. "At first, I refused. I value your goods, and…" he gave a small, awkward smile, "I didn't mind the tea either since I'm the one who suggested it. But the property he offered contains minerals we've been searching for. So in the end, we agreed."
There was a pause before he added, "I thought he would tell you. That's why I'm surprised you came today."
Silence filled the room.
Sion exhaled quietly and straightened.
"I see," he said.
There was no anger in his voice now.
That made it worse.
"I apologize for the trouble."
Cassian shook his head. "It's fine. We can still discuss you becoming a supplier for the guild."
"I will contact you," Sion replied, already turning.
And then he left.
By the time he stepped outside, the sky had darkened completely.
The night air felt colder than before.
Sion walked faster this time, his thoughts no longer calm.
So that was the reason.
Darius had not been quiet because of jealousy.
He had been quiet because of this.
Because he had already decided everything on his own.
Sion let out a breath, sharp and bitter.
He knew I would be against it… and he still did it.
The realization settled heavily in his chest.
He knew how much Sion despised such things decisions made without him, debts he never asked for, kindness that came with weight.
And yet…
He still chose it.
When Sion arrived, Darius was in the yard, practicing.
The sound of his blade cutting through the air stopped the moment he noticed Sion.
He lowered his sword and approached the gate, a faint smile forming.
"You're back."
Sion walked past him.
As if he had not spoken.
The smile faded.
Darius reached out and caught his hand. "Sion—"
Sion pulled away.
"Let's talk inside."
The moment the door closed, the air turned heavy.
Darius spoke first, his voice tight. "Sion—"
"Is it true?"
Darius did not pretend to misunderstand.
"…Yes."
Sion's eyes darkened.
"Why!?"
The question came sharper now.
"Did you pity me?" Sion continued. "Seeing me like this?....and thought I needed saving?"
"That's not—"
"Or is it guilt?" Sion continued, cutting him off. "For what happened before? For leaving? For breaking your promise?"
Darius's expression tightened. "No."
"Then what?" Sion demanded. "Or is this another order from the king? Something you followed like you always do?"
He stepped closer, placing his hands on Sion's shoulders, trying to steady him—but Sion pulled back at once.
"Don't. touch .me."
The words were cold enough to make him stop.
"…Then tell me," Sion said, his voice lower now but far more cutting. "What reason could justify this?"
Darius met his gaze.
"The reason is none of those things," he continued. "I did it because—"
He hesitated.
Then, softer this time—
"…because I love you."
The words hung in the air.
Sion's eyes flickered but whatever passed through them disappeared just as quickly.
"That," Sion said slowly, "is exactly why you shouldn't have done it."
Darius frowned. "What?"
"This isn't something small," Sion continued, voice tightening. "Do you really think I'll feel grateful?"
He let out a quiet scoff.
"No. I feel burdened."
Darius's chest tightened.
"It feels like I owe you something," Sion went on. "Like everything I have now isn't minebut something you handed to me."
"That's not what I—"
"I thought you understood me," Sion cut in, sharper now. "I thought you knew how much I hate things like this."
Darius clenched his fists at his sides. "I wasn't trying to bind you..I was trying to free you from it."
"At what cost?" Sion shot back.
Silence.
Then, colder—
"Love?" Sion echoed, almost mocking. "Don't mistake your guilt for love."
Darius froze. "That's not—"
"Get out."
Sion pointed to the door.
There was no hesitation this time.
Only finality.
Darius stood there for a moment, hurt clear in his expression, but he said nothing more.
He knew Sion would not listen.
Not like this.
So he turned and left.
The house fell silent.
Sion remained where he stood, unmoving.
He thought Darius had gone.
That he had truly left.
What he did not know…
Was that Darius never went far.
He remained outside, beneath the quiet night, waiting.
Not for forgiveness.
But for the moment Sion might be willing to listen again.