A full week had passed since the demon had been sealed and peace had finally returned to this region of the continent, which had been almost completely devastated by the stone puppet army over the past months. The land that had once been swarming with puppets forming everywhere had become quiet once again, and the threat that had cast its shadow over the area now lay imprisoned within the sealed stone.
Hinako's village organized a rotating guard to watch over the cave where the demon had been sealed, taking shifts regularly to ensure that the sealed stone was never left unattended. Everyone understood the importance of what that stone contained and what it would mean if it were left unguarded.
Thorn remained in the village after the battle, continuing to oversee Hinako's and the warriors' training just as he had before. His daily routine had not changed much. However, beneath his outward calm, his mind was anything but peaceful.
Ever since the battle ended, countless thoughts had accumulated within him, demanding a decision he could no longer postpone indefinitely. He felt that his journey into the outside world had accomplished its purpose and was nearing its end.
From the very beginning, he had left the family headquarters to understand human nature in all its aspects. During this time, he had learned more than enough, gaining the experience he needed at this stage of his life. In his opinion, it would be best to return to his family and devote himself to the training that had been delayed far too long because of this journey, which had lasted much longer than he had originally intended.
Yet at the same time, he found himself unable to leave. And he knew exactly why. He had become attached to this warm village, to its people, its atmosphere, and its simple, sincere way of life. More than that, he had become attached to the girl named Hinako, who no longer made any effort to hide her feelings from him, the very person who had torn down every wall he had tried to build around himself.
His father had also openly approved of her without the slightest ambiguity and had even sent her a gift as a sign of that approval. But Thorn had no idea how to bring up the matter with her directly. Although he appeared cold, serious, and decisive in everything he did, this particular subject filled him with embarrassment.
Today, however, he decided to settle the matter once and for all and put an end to the distraction that had been occupying part of his thoughts in a way that did not suit his nature. He would ask her directly, just as he handled everything else in his life, because he simply knew no other way.
So after finishing her training session, he spoke in his usual straightforward manner, without any introduction or preparation.
"My family has told me that they approve of our marriage. What do you think?"
Hinako froze where she stood as though struck by lightning. She remained motionless, speechless, and utterly unable to react for several long moments. Only then did she slowly begin to process what she had just heard.
She lowered her head little by little, and her face flushed all the way to the tips of her ears. In that moment, none of her usual courage, endless curiosity, or nonstop chatter remained. All of it vanished instantly, leaving her standing in silence, staring at the ground without saying a word.
Thorn looked at her, feeling embarrassed himself. Nevertheless, he maintained his composed expression and continued.
"I may be too direct, but... I don't know a better way to ask you."
Silence settled between them for several seconds. A gentle breeze drifted through the air while Hinako continued staring at the ground, her face still burning red.
Then she murmured so softly that it was almost inaudible.
"Yes."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them. It belonged to one of Hinako's uncles, who had been standing not far away and, judging from his tone, had heard everything.
"Come on, little girl. Show us that usual courage of yours."
His comment immediately broke the heavy atmosphere of embarrassment hanging over the two of them and eased the awkward tension between them.
Having regained her composure, Hinako answered in a voice much louder than the whisper she had spoken only moments earlier.
"Be quiet, you old man."
Soon afterward, everyone gathered around them with genuine smiles on their faces. They had all felt that things would end this way eventually . that it had only been a matter of time. Gentle laughter and warm exchanges filled the area, celebrating the happiness of the young couple-to-be.
After a while, the atmosphere settled down. Thorn and Hinako sat together somewhere quieter, and he said,
"Two days from now, I'll take you to meet my family... and my father."
Hinako remained silent for a moment as she absorbed what those words truly meant. Then she replied,
"Alright. I'm curious to meet them too."
During the time she had spent with Thorn, she had noticed that whenever he spoke about his father, his tone would subtly change. It would become filled with a sense of reverence, profound respect, and even unwavering devotion. That alone was enough to ignite a genuine curiosity within her toward this man, whom she knew only through Thorn's occasional remarks and the respect reflected in the way he spoke of him.
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