When

When Neonidas returned to the old man, two child girls were waiting, tears streaming down their faces. They had a bag with them, and it seemed that everything they owned could fit inside it. Seeing Neonidas approach, the old man embraced the girls one last time, tears welling in his eyes as he reluctantly let them go.

Neonidas, accompanied by Soren and Solara, approached the children. Cirenna and Erylia stared back at them with fear and desperation. Calm and composed, Neonidas crouched down to their eye level and spoke in a steady voice:

"Don't worry. I mean you no harm. You'll have a new life. A better one. I promise."

Cirenna and Erylia seemed slightly reassured by the conviction in Neonidas's voice, though tears still streamed down their faces. Neonidas glanced at the old man once more. His face was deeply sunken, and his eyes were filled with sorrow.

"If you've said your goodbyes, I must continue my journey," Neonidas said calm. The old man nodded weakly but said nothing. His gaze lingered on Cirenna and Erylia as they walked away with Neonidas, tears still glistening in his eyes.

As they exited the marketplace, Soren and Solara followed in silence, while the girls stayed close to Neonidas. Cirenna, despite her young age, gripped her little sister Erylia's hand tightly as if to protect her. Neonidas noticed this small but meaningful gesture and smiled faintly.

"I know your names," he said as they walked. "Cirenna and Erylia. It might take time to adjust to your new life, but in the end, you'll understand it's for the best."

Cirenna hesitantly looked up at Neonidas, wiped her tears, and mustered the courage to ask,

"Will you really take good care of us? Grandpa... he loved us."

Without hesitation, Neonidas replied,

"Of course. You are under my protection now. You'll have everything you need, receive the best education, and be safe. This is an opportunity for you two."

Erylia peeked out from behind her sister, trembling. Noticing her fear, Neonidas softened his tone and added,

"Don't be afraid, little one. No one will hurt you. You're under Duke Neonidas's care now."

Soren, observing how Neonidas interacted with the children, took a deep breath.

"My lord, I'm seeing a different side of you," he murmured.

"Ah, if only you saw me with a boy, I wonder if you'd say the same thing. If I had a son, I'd probably throw him into the forest to fend for himself," Neonidas remarked with a wry smile.

At this, Soren chuckled lightly. "Perhaps you'd be waiting for the day that boy returns from the forest and surpasses you," he replied, his tone teasing.

Neonidas turned to look at Soren. "Perhaps," he said with a hint of amusement.

Meanwhile, Solara quietly noted Neonidas's words. For reasons she couldn't fully understand, she began imagining how she would protect a hypothetical son from Neonidas in the future. The thought brought a small smile to her face—perhaps finding joy in such simple musings was enough for her.

As the group walked toward the imperial palace, the sun began to set. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes watched from a distance. Avelina, who had coincidentally encountered Neonidas, was surprised to see him with two young girls. Curious and slightly puzzled, she decided to observe him discreetly. The man she had bumped into at the academy—Duke Neonidas—seemed far different from she had imagined. As questions swirled in her mind, she turned away and headed toward the fair.

After a while the two young girls following Neonidas were awestruck as they entered the vast expanse of the imperial palace. The sheer size of the place was enough to frighten them. Solara, noticing their unease, quickly held their hands and reassured them that there was nothing to fear. Fortunately, the girls were quite docile—or perhaps they had already warmed up to Solara—because they soon caught up with Neonidas and entered the palace together.

Once inside, Neonidas led them to the guest palace and directed them to one of the rooms allocated to him. He then instructed Solara to summon the servants to take care of the girls. After all, they were too dirty to roam the palace and wore clothes that were far too shabby. Giving Solara detailed instructions on what to do, Neonidas retired to his own chambers.

---

Hours Later

Neonidas dressed himself in a suit made of the finest fabric, fastening his ducal cufflinks adorned with his coat of arms. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he realized he appeared much better than he had in recent times, even his old soulless face looked much better. His daily exercise and a high-quality diet had significantly improved his physique over a short period. Considering Neonidas's penchant for meat, all it had taken was a bit of discipline to achieve such results.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of his room and encountered royal guards. Nodding to them, he walked down the corridors with them by his side. After a while, they arrived at a room on the upper floors of the empress's palace. The guards knocked respectfully, and a sweet voice responded,

"Enter!"

Neonidas entered alone, hearing the door close behind him. He was slightly surprised to find the room empty. It resembled a well-decorated dining room, but despite the lit candles, there was no one there—not even food on the table.

"I'm on the balcony! Come here," a voice called.

Pulling aside a crimson curtain, Neonidas revealed the balcony doors and looked into the balcony. In the center of the balcony, there was a small dining table waiting for him.

As Neonidas stepped onto the balcony, he paused momentarily, taking in the breathtaking view before him. Despite being attached to the princess's dining room, the balcony exuded the elegance of a miniature royal garden. Intricately carved marble columns framed arching stone railings, adorned with climbing ivy and white blossoms. Nearby, a slender fountain softly trickled water, adding a serene ambiance to the setting.

In the distance, the city lights began to twinkle on the horizon, and a gentle breeze wafted up from the garden below, lending a coolness to the evening air.

The table before him was set with immaculate precision: two place settings arranged atop a red velvet cloth, crystal wine glasses, and gleaming silver plates. At the center, an elegant floral arrangement of white and purple roses added a subtle touch of charm, reflecting the princess's refined taste.

In one corner of the balcony sat a rocking chair adorned with plush cushions, accompanied by a small table. Neonidas noted this detail, suspecting it was where the princess often spent her moments of solitude. The balcony's grandeur and tranquil atmosphere left no doubt—this was Allea's personal sanctuary.

Princess Allea stood at the far end of the balcony, leaning against the railing and gazing out over the cityscape. She wore a flowing, pale blue gown that danced softly in the evening breeze. When she noticed Neonidas, her expression didn't change. She turned gracefully and walked toward the table, her demeanor cold but regal.

Neonidas remained silent as he observed Allea's composed yet detached steps. She took her seat at the head of the table and, lifting her wineglass with practiced elegance, fixed her eyes on him.

"You're late," she said, her tone so neutral that it bordered on indifferent. Yet, Neonidas detected a hint of sarcasm hidden in her words.

He approached the table and seated himself across from her, picking up his own glass of wine. In the reflection of the crystal, he caught a glimpse of his own face, steady yet contemplative. Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze to Allea.

"There is nothing that could delay me from meeting with you, my dear fiancée," he said, with faint irony laced in his tone. "Though, at times, matters tend to stretch longer than anticipated."

Allea didn't break her stare as she took a delicate sip of wine. "Yes, I'm well aware of how busy you are. Even two little girls have managed to find a place in your crowded schedule, haven't they?"

Neonidas raised an eyebrow at her perceptiveness. "Are you having me followed, or do you have heightened senses to know everything that's going on?" he asked.

Placing her glass on the table, Allea leaned forward slightly, her fingers interlocked. "I'm simply observant. But I can't help wondering—what is the Duke Neonidas doing, bringing children to the palace? Have you become a philanthropist?"

"It's less about charity and more about practicality. They may prove useful to me. Consider it an investment in the future," he replied calmly.

A faint smile broke through Allea's typically icy exterior. It was a rare moment when her façade softened, as though she appreciated his reasoning. "An investment in the future... An intriguing perspective. But when you say they'll be useful to you, are you sure that's all you're thinking of? Or am I supposed to believe it's not something... more unorthodox?"

Neonidas froze for a moment, He put down the fruit in his hands, looking at her in amazement. "I didn't realize you had a sense of humor... I already feel like I've aged a year."