The temple was unusually quiet that morning, its serenity only broken by the faint ringing of distant bells and the soft murmurs of priests chanting their prayers.

The sun filtered gently through the tall windows, scattering pale gold light across the marble floors.

For a while, Kana allowed herself to breathe in the stillness, her sandals clicking softly against the polished tiles as she wandered through the long corridors.

Behind her, however, peace was the last thing that existed.

Lysera and Irielle followed closely, their steps perfectly in sync, their sharp gazes darting to every passing priest, servant, and shadow in the hall.

Their presence was heavy, protective to the point of suffocation. And if that wasn't enough, Evaya walked alongside Kana, her expression tight and growing more irritated with every passing moment.

Officially appointed as Kana's personal guard by High Priestess Jenna, Evaya had been tasked with staying by Kana's side at all times — something she was perfectly willing to do.

But with Lysera and Irielle constantly hovering around them, it felt less like guarding Kana and more like competing for control.

Evaya's patience was thinning. Every time Lysera's sharp gaze lingered on her, or Irielle stepped too close to Kana's other side, a faint crease deepened between Evaya's brows.

Kana noticed the tension almost immediately. The silence around her felt fragile, stretched thin, and she could practically hear Evaya grinding her teeth behind that polite composure.

Before anything could escalate between the three of them, she slowed her pace and turned, stopping just shy of the courtyard steps.

"Lysera. Irielle."

Kana said softly, offering them a small, almost apologetic smile.

Both women paused, their attention snapping instantly to her, concern flashing faintly in their eyes.

"You don't need to keep following me around today. I'll be fine on my own for a while… and I have Evaya with me, remember? She's more than capable of keeping an eye on me."

Kana continued gently, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Lysera frowned, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.

"That's not the point. Leaving you alone isn't an option right now."

She said flatly, her sharp gaze flicking to Evaya for just an instant.

"I agree. We don't know enough about what's happening to you. Staying close is the safest thing to do."

Irielle added, her voice carrying the faint edge of irritation she didn't bother to hide.

Kana hesitated, then stepped closer to them, lowering her voice as though confiding in them directly.

"I know you're both worried, but I don't want you missing work because of me. The temple is already keeping me under protection. I promise I won't wander anywhere unsafe. So… please."

She said softly.

For a moment, silence stretched between them, unspoken conflict simmering just beneath the surface.

Finally, Lysera sighed through her nose, pinching the bridge of it as though conceding a battle she didn't want to fight.

"Fine. But only because the High Priestess put wards everywhere. If anything happens, you send for us immediately."

She said at last, though her voice was heavy with reluctance.

Irielle, clearly less willing to yield, muttered something under her breath before finally nodding as well.

Before turning to leave, both women shot Evaya a hard look — sharp, warning, and unyielding.

"Take good care of Kana."

Lysera said, her voice clipped but calm.

"If anything happens to her, you'll answer to us."

Irielle added bluntly.

Evaya's brows twitched, but she didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she simply exhaled and waited until the two of them walked off before muttering lowly under her breath.

"As if I wasn't already doing my job."

Kana hid her laugh behind her hand, trying to diffuse the sharp edge in Evaya's tone.

"Don't take it personally. They only act that way because they care about me."

She said softly.

Evaya glanced down at her, then shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance.

"Oh, I understand why they're like that," she said dryly. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

Kana smiled faintly, shaking her head.

"Just… try not to let it get to you too much, alright?"

"Mm."

Evaya's sigh was soft but resigned.

They resumed walking together, their steps lighter now that the tension had eased a little. After a moment, Kana glanced up and said quietly.

"You can rest for a bit if you want. I can handle myself for a while."

Evaya blinked, genuinely startled, and stopped mid-step.

"Absolutely not. What part of 'personal guard' makes you think I'd just leave you alone?"

She said flatly, narrowing her eyes at Kana.

Kana laughed lightly at her reaction but didn't press the issue further.

Before Evaya could continue, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. A temple guard appeared, slightly out of breath, his expression tense as he bowed quickly.

"Lady Evaya! There's an emergency — your assistance is required immediately!"

Evaya's expression hardened as her hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her weapon. She turned toward Kana, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

"I…I shouldn't leave you alone."

She started, glancing back at the guard, then at Kana again.

Kana shook her head softly, offering her a reassuring smile.

"It's fine. Go. I'll stay right here — nothing will happen to me inside the temple."

Evaya's lips parted as if to argue, but she caught the sincerity in Kana's gaze and hesitated. Finally, she nodded reluctantly.

"…Stay here. Don't move from this spot until I get back."

Kana raised her hand in a mock salute.

"Yes, ma'am."

With a heavy sigh, Evaya turned on her heel and followed the guard down the hall, her long strides carrying her quickly out of sight.

The silence that followed was almost startling.

Kana exhaled slowly, letting her shoulders relax as she breathed in the quiet temple air.

For the first time that morning, she felt a strange sense of relief — lighter without everyone hovering over her. But alongside the freedom, a faint loneliness curled in her chest, soft and persistent.

She lingered there for a moment longer, her gaze tracing the delicate carvings along the temple's pillars.

Just as she turned to head back inside, she felt a sudden, gentle tug at her robes.

Startled, Kana spun around — and immediately froze.

A soft blur of pastel pink filled her vision.

Ruby's unmistakable hair caught the sunlight like spun silk as the girl tilted her head up, her eyes shimmering with quiet intensity.

Without saying a word, Ruby's fingers curled more tightly into Kana's sleeve, tugging her closer as though pulling her into her orbit.

Kana's breath caught, her heart skipping once.

"…Ruby?"

She whispered softly, her voice barely audible in the vast silence of the temple courtyard.

Ruby didn't answer — not yet. She only tugged Kana toward herself, her expression unreadable beneath the veil of her soft pink bangs.

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