Hours earlier…
The room was lit by a pair of lamps casting soft shadows on wooden walls, the air tinged with almond incense—an attempt by Lira to calm her own nerves.
Lira stood, arms crossed, staring at Kaira, who sat in a chair with one leg crossed over the other, twirling a strand of her black hair.
"I get that you're curious about Rian," Lira said, her tone striving for calm. "But, Kaira, I'm serious: be careful with him."
Kaira looked up, frowning.
"Careful? Why?" she asked, leaning forward. "Rian doesn't seem… I don't know, dangerous? He's a bit weird, sure, but he doesn't give me bad vibes."
Lira looked away, fixing her gaze on a lamp.
'I can't tell her everything,' she thought, a knot tightening in her stomach. 'Not until I'm sure.'
Lira took a deep breath and met Kaira's eyes again.
"Rian doesn't have a great reputation in the clan," she said, choosing her words carefully. "Let's just say… he's not exactly the leaders' favorite. Or anyone's, really."
Kaira blinked, clearly confused.
"But I haven't heard anything like that," she said, shrugging.
Lira let out a dry laugh, shaking her head.
"Of course not, because you're always training alone," she teased.
But then Lira's face grew serious, her eyes boring into her friend.
"If you hang out with Rian, your reputation will take a hit, Kaira. And I'm not talking petty gossip. I mean the leaders eyeing you with suspicion. Doors closing. Got it?"
Kaira scratched her head, visibly lost.
"Reputation…?" she repeated, puzzled. "What's that good for again?"
Lira slapped a hand to her face, letting out a long sigh.
'God, why's she so dense?' she thought, her patience fraying.
"Kaira, listen," Lira said, lowering her voice. "Rian's dangerous. Not just because of rumors. He could… hurt you. Physically or politically. He's not someone you want to get involved with."
Kaira went quiet, studying Lira.
'Dangerous…?' she thought, recalling how Rian had charged at Syris, engulfed in flames, refusing to quit. 'That's not dangerous. That's… brave.'
"I'll judge him for myself," Kaira said finally, her tone firm. "If Rian's as bad as you say, I'll figure it out. But I'm not staying away just because you tell me to."
Lira opened her mouth to argue but closed it, sighing.
'Another stubborn one…' she thought, shaking her head.
"Do what you want," she said, her voice sounding like surrender. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
Lira turned toward the door but added before leaving:
"And if you're gonna be around him, keep an eye on him. Don't leave him alone too long."
Clack!
The door shut behind her, leaving Kaira alone with her thoughts.
◇◆◇
Charles sat on the clan hospital's cot, wondering…
'What kind of favor does this girl want?'
'Is this another of Lira's schemes?'
The thought made him clench his fists, a sudden headache blurring his vision for a moment.
'Argh!' he thought, rubbing his temples. 'I'm sick of overthinking everything…'
Every word, glance, and gesture from Kaira and Lira put him on edge, like he was trapped in a strategy game.
Except this wasn't a strategy game—it was a fighting game!
'If things go south… I'll just fight,' he decided, straightening his back.
Charles smiled, trying to seem relaxed.
"Alright, Kaira," he said, crossing his arms. "What's up? What's this favor?"
Kaira looked away for a moment, fidgeting with her hands like she was suddenly nervous.
"When you're recovered…" she started, voice low, "I'd like… to train with you."
Charles blinked, completely thrown.
'Train?' he thought, braced for a trap.
That was it?
His mind started spinning again, searching for her motive.
'Is this an excuse to keep tabs on me? Or maybe…'
But then he stopped, recalling his own resolve.
'Stop overthinking, idiot, you're strong,' he thought, forcing a smile.
"Sure," he said, shrugging. "No problem. We can train together."
Kaira's eyes widened, clearly shocked.
'He agreed!?' she thought, a wave of excitement hitting her. 'I thought it'd be harder!'
She'd expected Rian, with his guarded and wary demeanor, to dodge or flat-out refuse.
But there he was, agreeing without hesitation.
"For real?" she asked, leaning toward him with a grin she couldn't hold back. "You're not messing with me, right?"
Charles let out a weak laugh, amused by her enthusiasm.
"Yeah, for real," he said, scratching his neck. "It's no big deal. Just training, right?"
Kaira practically bounced off the cot, giving a little hop of excitement.
"No backing out, Rian!" she exclaimed, pointing at him. "You promised!"
Her smile was so bright Charles couldn't help feeling a bit lighter, though his suspicion lingered.
'She's way too cheery,' he thought, but he couldn't deny her energy was infectious.
Kaira darted for the door but turned back, laughing.
"Wait here!" she said, vanishing down the hall.
'What the hell?' Charles thought, staring at the open door.
But before he could process it, Kaira burst back in, still laughing, holding a menu booklet.
"What do you feel like eating?" she asked, her smile lighting up the room. "Come on, pick something. You earned it after last night!"
Charles couldn't help laughing at Kaira's comment, his mind briefly misinterpreting it.
'She's pretty innocent, huh?' he thought, grabbing the menu.