Chapter 47: The Night She Stole His Breath
The soft crunch of gravel echoed beneath Kael's boots as he stepped onto the narrow road leading out of Velhart's main town. A quiet path, familiar and worn, winding toward their mansion on the outskirts.
The evening breeze whispered—
Then—
Whoosh—
A sudden gust rushed past him, lifting the hem of his shirt and tousling his hair.
Kael blinked, taken off guard.
And when his eyes adjusted again—
She was there.
Seraphina.
She stood a few meters ahead, as if carved from moonlight, motionless. Her long silver hair fluttered in the wind, strands catching the moonlight and gleaming like threads of silk spun from stars. She wasn't looking at him—yet somehow, her presence pierced sharper than steel.
The air seemed to hush. Even the insects went quiet.
Kael's lips curled into a soft, knowing smile. He stepped forward, slow and casual, hands in his pockets, the way he always did when he felt smug.
"Good evening, honey," he said lightly, voice warm, teasing, like a line from a romantic play.
Seraphina's expression didn't shift. Not even a flicker of warmth. Her blue eyes remained cold, her brows drawing into a faint scowl.
"Shut up," she said.
Kael only grinned wider, tilting his head. "Now, now... That's no way to greet your beloved husband. I missed you all day, you know."
She turned her gaze to him—briefly. Then just as quickly, she looked away, eyes trailing the road ahead as if he were nothing but a mild inconvenience.
"You're heading home early today," Kael said, catching up to her, his steps now syncing with hers. Their shoulders brushed for a moment. She instinctively pulled away, and instead of a gentle touch, Kael felt a firm bump from the metal of her shoulder guard. He reached for his own shoulder, gripping it lightly.
"There wasn't much left to do," she replied curtly, arms folded, her voice flat. "So I came back. That's all."
"Aww..." He leaned sideways toward her, his smile playful, deliberately annoying. "So you came back early... just to see me, huh? That's cute."
She didn't look at him. Didn't stop. But the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth gave her away.
"Don't be stupid. Why would I?"
"Well," Kael said, drawing the word out. "You did stop walking when you saw me. That's rare. Could it be... you missed me?"
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice into a dramatic whisper. "Is your heart secretly racing?"
Seraphina clicked her tongue sharply. "Tch. As if. You just looked strange."
"Strange?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.
She side-eyed him briefly, then let out a faint sigh. "You're wearing a shirt outside the mansion."
Kael blinked. "...So?"
"That's not normal," she stated. "You always wear that half-worn, ugly leather armor."
"Oh, that?" He laughed. "Even Celeste said the same thing today. Said she didn't recognize me at first."
Seraphina's stride slowed for just a second. Just enough for him to notice.
"…Celeste?" she repeated, quietly.
He smirked. "The guild receptionist. You know—sweet, polite, kind of cute—"
Lies, of course. Celeste was loud, sarcastic, and always gave him that pitying look.
"I don't care," Seraphina said, her voice flat as stone.
"Aww, don't be jealous. You sound like you're jealous, honey."
"I'm not. I just don't care about who praises your fashion failures."
"Ouch. Such a cold woman I married." Kael clutched at his chest like he'd been shot, stumbling a little for dramatic effect. "So tell me—do I really look that different without the armor?"
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, then looked straight ahead again. Her reply came sharp, clipped.
"Yes. Let me explain. When you wear the armor, you look below average. Actually—no, even worse. Below below average. But when you wear a shirt..." She paused as if pondering deeply. "You're still below average."
Kael stared at her, mouth slightly agape. "So you're saying... it's the same?"
She gave a slight shrug, eyes cold. "Exactly."
"But—but you can't deny I looked handsome!"
"I can. And I will. Now shut up and walk."
Kael chuckled softly, unfazed. "Alright, alright... So, are you gonna cook dinner tonight? For your beloved, charming, hardworking husband?"
"No," she snapped. "That's your job. We agreed—I make breakfast, you make dinner. Stop trying to weasel out."
"I see, I see... But maybe—just maybe—you're addicted to my delicious, handmade cooking?"
"If you call edible 'delicious,' then sure."
"Such cruelty," he gasped. "I slave over a hot stove, pouring my love into every dish, and all I get is 'edible'?"
"Drama queen."
"But a cute one, right?"
Seraphina turned her head slowly, her eyes locking onto his with quiet intensity. The moonlight above caught in her gaze, turning her eyes pale and glinting like ice.
"No," she said coolly. "Just annoying."
Kael placed his hand over his heart again, feigning another fatal blow. "You wound me. Deeply."
She didn't reply. Then—
The two walked on, side by side, their footsteps soft against the cobblestone path. It was quiet, the kind of quiet that blankets the world after sundown—when the birds have gone silent and only the whisper of wind through the leaves remains.
A thin breeze stirred the trees lining the path, brushing cool air against their faces.
Kael lowered his gaze to the ground, watching the shadows dance at their feet under the moonlight, stirred by the wind and the rustling leaves of the trees. The silence stretched between them—not heavy, but unfamiliar. It slipped into his thoughts, and before he realized it, he could hear it:
Thump... Thump... Thump!
The steady beat of his own heart—only it wasn't steady. It raced with an unfamiliar rhythm, one he didn't recognize. It felt strange, almost foreign—because never in his life had he experienced a sensation like this.
"Why is it so loud all of a sudden?"
It was strange. The air around him felt a little heavier than it did back in the mansion. Something in his chest tightened. Not pain, not quite, but a discomfort he couldn't name.
"What should I talk about now? At home, words just come out on their own. But here… outside… it's like the air is different. Thicker. Awkward. Why does it feel like this? My heart's acting weird too… could it be that headache I've been getting lately?"
Then he looked at her.
The moonlight, pale and quiet, slipped through the canopy above, catching her face in a gentle embrace. It painted her skin with a soft glow, almost translucent—so pale it seemed sculpted from porcelain. Her skin was smooth and flawless, carrying a natural radiance that gave her an almost otherworldly presence.
And her hair—long and weightless—danced in the wind. The strands, silver as the moon itself, flowed like water touched by moonlight, fluttering with a rhythm as though responding to a silent melody only the night could hear. Each motion was slow, almost dreamlike.
Her silver armor shimmered faintly, catching the moonlight as if it belonged to the stars themselves. A quiet radiance clung to her—not bright, not boastful—just enough to make her look like a figure stepped out of an old story.
He didn't understand why, but in that moment… something inside him stilled.
For the first time in his life, he felt it. A flicker. A quiet, unfamiliar thing. Stranger than any pain. More foreign than any fury.
The moonlight swayed as the wind shifted, casting soft ripples of blue across her face. Her expression didn't change. She walked, yet remained still—eyes fixed ahead—but he…
He couldn't look away.
He had always known she was beautiful. People said it—whispered it, believed it. And he accepted it like a fact. Logical. But now... it wasn't beauty he saw. It was something else entirely.
Then, for the first time, he noticed the details.
His gaze lingered on her face. He couldn't help but see how perfectly symmetrical it was—refined, with a soft, oval shape that, from his side view, carried a subtle triangular grace. An elegance both delicate and deliberate.
Her forehead was partially hidden beneath wisps of hair, adding a quiet mystery to her presence. Her eyebrows—thin, gently arched—blended seamlessly with her pale hair, shaped with a precision that felt too perfect to be human.
But it was her eyes that truly held him captive.
Wide and ice-blue, they shimmered like frozen lakes beneath the moonlight. Clear and still, like water locked under a frozen sky. Her pupils—dark, deep—gave the illusion of seeing through everything… into the soul itself. Framed by long, black lashes, her gaze was both ethereal and commanding. The upper lashes curled upward in thick, graceful arcs, while the lower ones were fine and delicate—yet still noticeable.
And then—
Her lips.
Delicate.
A soft, natural pink—untouched by paint or pride. The light kissed them faintly, making them gleam like the last bloom of a flower touched by frost. They didn't move, but they held something. A silence. A stillness.
He couldn't move his eyes. Couldn't pull them away.
Thump...… Thump...… Thump...… Thump...…
His heartbeat changed. Slower now. As though the night itself had leaned in to listen. As though time had thickened, stretching each moment through silence.
Her movements—
Even the small ones—
Felt slower to him now, as if the world had paused to give her space to exist… and him the time to finally see her.
"She's so beautiful..." he thought—unaware the words had slipped from his lips.
He exhaled. A quiet sigh. Mist curled from his mouth, fading into the cold night air like a forgotten breath.
"What's wrong with me?" he whispered—
too soft for her to hear, even himself.
"What's wrong?" Seraphina's voice cut through the silence, calm but curious.
Kael blinked and looked up. Her expression hadn't changed—still cool, still unreadable—but her eyes flicked toward him briefly.
"Nothing," he said too quickly, eyes darting away. Then, with a soft chuckle, more awkward than amused, he scratched the back of his neck. "Just thinking… it's our first time walking together outside the mansion. It feels kind of awkward, doesn't it?"
Seraphina blinked. For a moment, she just stared ahead, and Kael wondered if she'd heard him at all.
Then, she spoke. "What are you talking about? There's nothing to feel awkward about."
She looked at him this time, almost annoyed. "Did you forget? You sleep with me every night. So, tell me, don't you feel awkward then?"
Kael turned toward her, surprised. "No, actually… I've never felt awkward sleeping beside you," he said honestly. "I guess I'm just… used to it."
She scoffed softly. "That means you're pathetic."
Kael laughed, eyes softening as he looked at her. "That's my darling."
"I'm not yours."
"Well, legally you are."
"Shut up."
He smiled again, more faintly this time, and let out a quiet sigh as they passed beneath a patch of darkness, where the trees blocked out the moonlight.
"Alright, alright. No more teasing. For now." He let his voice drop to a more sincere tone. "So… what do you want to eat tonight, my queen?"
Seraphina didn't look at him. "Make whatever. I don't care."
"Lies. You always eat every bite."
"That's because I hate wasting food. Not because it tastes good."
"So cold. But why do you always give me that cold answer?"
Seraphina's arms were already folded, her expression unreadable under the faint glow of the garden lamps. She didn't stop walking, but her voice carried a sharp chill.
"Isn't it obvious? I hate you." She paused, just slightly. "Sometimes... I wish I could kill you."
Kael chuckled, tilting his head as if enjoying her cruelty like a fine glass of wine. "We're talking about killing again, huh? Well, if you really wanted to, you could've done it a hundred times by now. So—why the hesitation?"
"No reason," she said dryly, eyes still forward. "I just hate wasting energy on weaklings. Especially you."
"Ouch. Cruel and specific," Kael replied with a half-smirk. "You wound me again."
She turned her head, her long silver hair shifting slightly in the breeze. "I'm walking faster."
"No! Wait for your loving husband!"
He picked up his pace to match her, half-jogging with exaggerated effort. But she didn't stop, didn't even glance his way.
The street stretched out ahead of them, empty and quiet, bathed in moonlight. The silence returned—but it felt a little softer this time.
---
They reached the gates of their mansion. Kael stepped forward, opening the door with an overly dramatic flourish, bowing low like a butler from a romantic tragedy. "Welcome home, my dear, ice-hearted sweetheart," he said with mock reverence.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and sighed. "You never change, do you?" she muttered under her breath and stepped inside without waiting.
"Nope. That would ruin the charm," Kael grinned as she ascended the stairs without another word.
He watched her disappear at the top of the stairs before slowly heading in the same direction. He could've teased her—thrown out one of his usual lines or followed just to get under her skin. But tonight, something felt off. At least to him.
---
A Few Moments Later...
The mansion was quiet. Too quiet.
Kael made his way down the staircase, shadows dancing beside him in the flickering glow of the magic lamps. He stepped into the main hall, the cold marble floor chilling beneath his feet.
"What should I make today?" he murmured, slowing his steps. "For some reason, making something she likes feels right, but…"
He paused, frowning, then kept walking.
"What does she even like…?" he muttered to himself, his brows knitting together. "I don't have a damn clue. But if I want to impress her—even just a little—I need to make something she actually enjoys."
He scratched the back of his head as he passed the lounge, his eyes flicking briefly to the empty sofa.
"Ugh… what should I even make?"
But then—it hit.
His vision blurred suddenly, as if the room had twisted on itself. He stumbled, nearly collapsing, but grabbed the edge of the table with a violent jerk. His fingers gripped the wood so tight his knuckles whitened.
"What the hell..."
His knees buckled slightly. Each breath came harder than the last. He forced himself toward the sofa and dropped into it, gasping as if he'd just escaped drowning.
"This thing... whatever it is... it's making me crazy. I just want to fuck the shit out of this headache."
He grit his teeth, his hand trembling as he pressed it against his temple. "No healing magic works. What the hell is this?"
The pain eased for a brief moment—enough to let him catch his breath.
He sat up, rubbing his forehead and glancing toward the stairs. "It's good she hasn't finished her bath yet," he whispered.
Dragging himself to the table again, he grabbed a glass of water and drank it all in one go. His hands still shook slightly.
"I've got to find the source of this—and fast. It's getting worse. The pressure... it's like something is trying to claw into my mind. But what? If it's a ritual, or a curse, why me? For that kind of magic... they'd need something of mine. A belonging. Hair. Blood. Something."
"But I've been playing the fool for three years—just a weak adventurer, unnoticed, unimportant. Perfect. Not a single mistake."
His jaw clenched.
"Well... except saving Arienne. That was the last flaw. But even then—this headache started before that. So what is it? Who's behind it?"
He stood beside the table, lost in thought, staring at nothing.
Unaware of the quiet presence behind him.
A soft step. Barely audible.
Seraphina stood there, fresh from her bath, damp hair clinging to her shoulders. Then, a familiar sharp voice pierced the quiet.
"What are you doing standing here? When are you gonna make dinner? I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything yet."
Kael blinked. The world refocused. He turned slowly to his side there she stood.
"Ahh... Well, nothing. Just waiting for my darling," he said with a half-dramatic bow, a crooked smile curling on his lips.
Seraphina blinked, her brows creasing. "Hey… your eyes… why are they pale and dark?" She stepped a bit closer, her voice a little less sharp now. "Do you have a fever or something?"
Kael laughed lightly. "No, I don't. Maybe just because of exhaustion." He gave her a smile.
But something was off.
That smile—it didn't reach his eyes. It looked too still. Too strained. It sent a subtle chill down her spine.
Seraphina didn't reply. Her expression hardened again. She pulled out the chair beside her and sat down with slow, deliberate grace. Crossing one leg over the other, she picked up a book and held it in one hand as she opened it.
"Well, then hurry up and make dinner. I'll be reading here. Not like there's anything better to do," she muttered without meeting his eyes.
Kael nodded silently and turned toward the counter. His movements were slow—almost too careful. Without a word, he began gathering the vegetables and ingredients, his back to her. His eyes hadn't returned to normal, but at least the pain had faded. Still, there was an unease about him—something unfamiliar, as if he didn't quite know what he was doing, or worse, as if he couldn't seem to find the thread of his own thoughts.
Meanwhile, Seraphina flipped another page. Her eyes didn't move. She was watching him from the corner of her gaze.
"Why is he acting like that all of a sudden? He said he doesn't have a fever. Is he just trying to mess with me? Trying to make me worry on purpose? A-as if that would work! Idiot," she frowned and glanced at him again. "No. That look… it didn't feel like acting. Dammit, get a grip, Seraphina. Even if he did catch something, he could just heal himself. But if… if he really is sick… maybe it's my fault? I was too hard on him this morning…"
She sighed softly, turning a page too forcefully.
"But what choice do I have? I'm a Knight Captain now. I can't always look after him like before. He needs to get stronger. Weak people always break."
She didn't notice that her hand was trembling a little on the book.
Then—
Within a short time, Kael had finished cooking. Despite the strangeness in him, every dish was prepared with care and balance—no excess, no laziness. He brought the plates over, one by one, and gently placed them in front of her.
She didn't say anything at first. Just picked up her spoon, took a bite… and paused. Then glanced up.
He was sitting across from her now, eating quietly, slowly, as if every movement cost him something.
A silence stretched between them.
Seraphina finally set her spoon down and asked, "Do you think you're okay? If you're not, use healing magic already."
Kael met her gaze with a soft grin. "Don't worry, honey. I'm fine."
She frowned. "I-It's not like I'm worried or anything, okay? I'm just being cautious. What if you get sick and try to use it as an excuse to skip training? That's all."
"No, I won't do that," he said, voice steady. "I told you—I won't slack off anymore. Okay?"
She stared at him a moment longer. Then muttered, "You're really strange. You definitely don't look okay." She returned to her food, not looking up again.
Kael didn't respond.
The rest of the meal passed in a heavy quiet.
After they'd finished, Kael reached out to grab the plates, but Seraphina stood up quickly and moved in.
"Just sit there for a moment," she said flatly, gathering the dishes with practiced hands. "I'll wash them. I'll also make some tea. You want to, right?"
He blinked. "…Okay, honey."
She walked past him to the counter. As she began scrubbing the dishes, a thought crossed her mind:
"Why's he so quiet now? Just a hours ago he was being so dramatic. What changed him so sudden?"
She finished the plates and began boiling water, the soft whistle of the kettle filling the room. Kael remained seated at the table. Not teasing. Not talking.
The silence was unfamiliar. And uncomfortable.
When she finally returned, she placed the teacup in front of him without a word and sat down—not across from him, but next to him.
Kael's head turned slowly, surprised. He stared at her for a moment.
She didn't look at him. Just lifted her cup and took a quiet sip.
Kael blinked once, then chuckled softly and raised his cup.
"Ah~ Finally, fresh tea made by my beautiful wife," he said dramatically, voice light but quieter than usual.
Seraphina turned sharply. "Shut up." She looked away immediately, but a smile briefly flickered across her lips.
Kael stretched his arms and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
"Hey," she said suddenly, eyes narrowing on him.
He raised an eyebrow. "What is it, darling? Something wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with mock affection as he tried to gauge her mood.
She didn't respond right away. Her fingers tapped lightly against her arm, as if weighing her thoughts. Then she exhaled sharply, turning her eyes toward him—piercing, cold, calculating.
"It's about your training," she began, her tone flat, almost accusing. "I've been thinking. I don't know anything about healing magic. At all. So it's going to be nearly impossible for me to help you train it."
Kael blinked. "Oh... okay?"
She leaned forward slightly, frowning. "But what really bothers me is the fact that you've had healing magic this whole time. That doesn't make any sense."
Kael opened his mouth, but she cut him off.
"You're a coward. And a liar," she said, voice like ice. Her gaze lingered on him, but something in her expression wavered—just barely.
Kael forced a chuckle. "Don't worry about it. I'm totally fine sticking with swordsmanship, you know? You're the best swordsman in the entire region. You cut down a wyvern with a single strike without even drawing your sword. That's badass. Who needs magic?"
"Tch. Flattery again." She turned her face away. "Idiot."
Kael smiled to himself but said nothing. She was impossible to read as always.
"But even so," she continued, her voice a touch softer, "you need to upgrade your mana core. You can't stay stuck at C-Rank forever. You'll need more mana—what you have now won't be enough in the future. Since you don't want to become a healer and just aim to be an adventurer, you should still focus more on your healing magic. It can be a huge advantage in battle. Do you know who has the best chance of surviving a fight against a monster? Someone with a strong healing ability and extraordinary power."
Kael scratched the back of his neck. "I guess…"
A beat of silence passed.
Then Seraphina's eyes widened slightly. A thought surfaced—uneasy and persistent. "Wait… why didn't I think of this before? I've never sensed his mana. Not even once. I should've noticed... right? Especially if he's a C-Rank?"
She slowly turned her eyes toward Kael. He was still sitting there, drumming his fingers against the table, his head slightly tilted like a clueless dog.
She frowned. "Hey," she said quietly, almost too quietly.
He blinked, noticing the change in her voice. "What's wrong?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she closed her eyes, took a slow, deep breath, and focused.
Calm. Steady. Focus.
Her world fell into silence. The crackle of the candle, the breeze, even Kael's heartbeat—all vanished.
And then she saw it.
In her mind's eye, a faint green glow—no bigger than her palm—hovered within Kael's core. Gentle, pulsing, alive. But faint. Unremarkable. The kind of aura she'd overlook… if she wasn't paying attention.
Her eyes opened slowly, confusion swirling in their depths.
"He really is C-Rank... but why didn't I ever notice it before? Was I that dismissive? Did I never bother to actually look?"
She swallowed, the thought leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Is it because I never thought of him as anything more than... useless?"
Her fingers clenched into fists beneath the table.
"No, that's not true. I just... didn't want to see. I avoided it. It's my own fault."
She glanced at him again. "Why am I even doubting him? This is such a bad habit... for a wife..."
Kael stared back, still oblivious to her internal storm. Though… something felt off to him now. The room felt heavier. Her gaze had changed—more distant, more calculating. It made him squirm, though he didn't understand why.
Still, he tried to lighten the air.
"Oww~ look at that," he said with a teasing grin, leaning forward and resting his chin on his palm. "My darling wife's trying to picture me in her head. I didn't know you cared that much. You could've just told me~"
Her eyes snapped to him. Her expression hardened instantly.
"Idiot," she muttered with a long sigh. Then she crossed her arms. "Forget it. I was just thinking... maybe I should add sit-ups and squats to your training. What do you think?"
His eyes widened. "Huh... Huh... HUUUUHHHH?! No, no you can't! Absolutely not! I'm fine with push-ups and running, thank you very much! Please! Don't do this to me!"
She didn't respond, just gave him a side glance, amused but masking it well. "Is that so? I'll think about it. But I'm not promising anything."
"Okay, okay, I'll behave!" he said, standing from his seat and theatrically dropping to his knees beside her. "I'll beg if I have to. But please, not squats. Anything but that. Please, honey. Have mercy. Aren't you my beautiful, gentle, kind-hearted wife?"
"Gentle?" she scoffed. "You're clearly delusional."
"No, you can't just say that! Just tell me what you want me to do! I'll do anything. But not that. Please, I'm begging you."
She smirked. Barely. But it was there.
"Fine. I'll consider it," she said at last, letting him breathe again. Then she added, "Anyway, about your healing magic… Arwyn mentioned she might ask you to train with her. She told me earlier."
Kael sat up suddenly, his theatrical panic fading into genuine confusion. "What? Why? We barely know each other. Why would she want to train me… I mean, a total stranger?"
"I don't know." Seraphina's tone was clipped, like she'd answered that question a hundred times already in her head. "Whatever her reason, you should give it a chance. She's got experience with healing magic. It might help."
He folded his arms, glaring slightly. "No thanks. I don't want to be trained by anyone but my wife." His voice softened, almost pleading. "Besides, didn't you call her a psycho yesterday? You also said she changes boyfriends like she changes clothes."
"I did say that. How unfortunate," she murmured dryly. "But that has nothing to do with her skills. She's a good mage—far better at healing magic than I am. Honestly, I don't have a clue how healing magic really works. It's harder than most other types. With elemental or attack magic, you just need to imagine the spell's shape, structure, and form—everything depends on willpower and visualization. But healing magic is the opposite. It demands more than just will or imagination."
She paused for a moment, then added:
"You're a healer, so you know this already—healing magic requires deep knowledge. You have to understand the human body, the nature of wounds, internal damage, even how mana flows through someone else's system. Just picturing a spell isn't enough. That's why, despite everything I said about her... she could actually be helpful to you."
"Still, I don't care." Kael waved his hand dismissively. "Only you can train me. That psycho girl has nothing to do with me."
Seraphina sighed heavily. Her fingers curled around the edge of her cup, holding it tighter. "Why are you so stubborn? Like a kid…" she muttered under her breath, barely audible.
Then suddenly, she set the cup down with a soft clink, gripped the hem of her gown, and turned her face away. "Fine. Listen carefully," she said, her voice trembling slightly even though she tried to sound composed. "I lied about Arwyn."
Kael's expression twisted in disbelief. "You lied? Why would you even…? No, that can't be right." His expression didn't change because of the shock from her words—but because she actually admitted she had lied about Arwyn.
"It is right." Her voice was harsh, almost bitter. "I lied because I didn't want my best friend involved with some useless weakling." She looked directly at him now, but her eyes shimmered—anger and something else hiding beneath.
"Don't even think I was jealous," she snapped before he could speak. "Let me be clear—I don't care what you do. Date someone else. Go sleep around. I don't care. Not a bit. You can do whatever you want. I have nothing to do with it, okay? Nothing."
But under the table, her hands trembled in her lap. She bit the inside of her cheek, pretending it didn't hurt to say those words.
Kael looked at her, baffled. "What are you talking about? I never said you were jealous. And I never planned on cheating on you. I mean…" He scratched the back of his head, awkwardly. "Even if you hate me, I'm still your husband."
"Shut up!" Her voice cracked like thunder. "You don't understand anything! Just like I said—I don't want to get in your way. If you want to be with someone else, then go ahead."
Kael leaned back in his chair. The weight in his chest felt heavier than before. He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, then muttered, "Fine. Whatever. Don't worry. I guarantee I won't cheat on you. You can rest easy."
His words were calm, but his voice was distant, hollow.
Seraphina's lips parted slightly. She wanted to say something—but the words caught in her throat. Still, something in her heart eased. Just a little. It felt like she had been holding her breath for days, and now, something let go inside her. Even if only for a moment.
Kael ran a hand through his hair and stood up slightly, resting his hands on the back of the chair. "We shouldn't talk about this anymore." His tone shifted, lighter but still firm. "You're my wife. I'm your husband. That alone means you have a say in my life. If you want something, ask. That's all. I'm not some overly dramatic guy all the time."
She looked at him from the corner of her eye, but her voice was cold. "There's nothing to talk about. You should still train with her. It'll help you so much."
Something in him snapped.
She looked at him for a moment, her arms folded tightly across her chest, eyes hard like flint. Then she said flatly, "There's nothing more to say. You should still train with her."
That was when Kael's expression hardened.
"I never asked you to train me. So why are you interfering in my life like it's your right?" His voice dropped into something cold. Sharp. "I never asked for your help. Who the hell do you think you are?"
He stared at her — his usual gray eyes, always carrying a mischievous light, now dull and pale like faded steel. Lifeless. Then, without a word, he stood and walked past her.
But the words hit her like a slap.
Seraphina froze. It wasn't the coldness that shocked her—she had seen that side of him before. But it had been a year since he spoke to her like that. The tone—the sharpness—it stirred something deep and painful in her chest.
She clenched her fists, jaw trembling. Her voice burst out like thunder, "YOU SON OF A—. Do you know how much I hate this cold version of yours? I swear I'll kill you now!"
With rage burning in her eyes, she stood up in one violent motion. Her fists trembled with fury. She looked around, then grabbed the nearest object — a porcelain cup — and without hesitation, hurled it at him with enough force to dent metal.
Whoosh!
Kael's eyes widened. Reflex kicked in. He slipped, dramatically flopping onto the sofa like a fish out of water — completely ungraceful but definitely alive. He stayed seated, dazed, as his thoughts raced.
Crack!
The porcelain cup shattered into pieces as it slammed against the marble floor
"It's for the better. What does she think she is? That fucking bitch."
Then, a flicker of regret crept in—because, in that moment, he realized his personality had shifted. "What the hell is going on? This isn't right. How the hell did I lose my temper like that? That fucking headache... it has to be connected."
Seraphina smirked, lips twitching with a deadly sort of amusement. "How dare you talk to me like that? YOU BASTARD! Let me just grab my sword."
She turned toward him.
"Wait… Honey, I didn't mean to talk to you like that. It's my fault. You see, my head's been hurting for a few days now… I just lost my temper, that's all! Sorry!" he said, suddenly abandoning all pride and shifting into desperate begging mode.
Her footsteps didn't pause.
"Sorry? Screw your sorry!" she snarled, her voice sharp and venomous. "It doesn't mean a damn thing now. You showed him again—that other you. That bastard I hate with every fiber of my being. I don't even want to lay eyes on him. And you know it. Damn well."
She loomed over him, standing at the edge of the sofa like a shadow of judgment. Her face darkened, and her glowing blue eyes shimmered with fury — like the calm before a magical storm.
"Hey—hey, please! I'm really sorry, okay? I didn't mean to!"
She didn't even blink. "Of course you didn't. But that doesn't change the fact that I saw him again. That man I swore I'd erase."
Then she raised her hand, fingers glowing faintly. She tilted her head with a smirk.
"Go ride to hell."
Zzzt!
Zzzt!
Zzzt!
"AAGHHHH—!!" Kael's scream tore through the room like a dying cat choking on chili.
Blue lightning danced violently through the air, crackling with supernatural wrath. Bolts coiled around his body, jolting him like a rag doll being electrocuted in a divine prank show. His hair puffed out in every direction like a traumatized hedgehog. Sparks flickered off his ears. Smoke curled from his shirt collar.
Seraphina's arm still hung in the air, glowing faintly as she lowered it with a sigh. She turned around like nothing happened, heading toward the bedroom with the grace of a goddess and the menace of a mafia boss.
"Don't come to sleep with me today. It's possible I might kill you in your sleep."
"…Understood, ma'am," he croaked, still twitching.
As she vanished upstairs, Kael slumped further into the sofa.
"Phew… I thought I was done for a moment." He stared at the ceiling like a man who'd just met death and been rejected. "She's usually scary, but that rage mode? That was scarier than death itself. I still can't believe she actually shocked me! I mean, I know she hates my cold side—but that was brutal…"
He blinked, still slightly smoking.
"Looks like I've got to sleep here tonight. Who the hell is gonna risk going up to the second floor now? It's best for me anyway.
As he stood, his eyes darkened—the light fading into something heavier. A flicker of dread, a trace of sarcasm, and just a hint of fear for women who wield lightning. Then the grey turned steel—cold, unreadable. He smirked, voice low and steady.
"Time to hunt a true demon."
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(Chapter Ended)
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A/N: Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that my board exams are coming up in about a month, so I've been really busy with studying and classes lately. Because of that, I'll probably be updating just one chapter per week for now. If I happen to miss a week, please understand—it's because of my studies. Well… I guess that's what I get for spending the whole year reading novels, manhwa, and watching anime! Still, I'll do my best to keep up with the updates. Thanks so much for reading!
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To be continued...