Episode _5

It had been a few days since the store incident. Hiyoura still hadn't told Kawaki or Roha the full truth — not about the blood, not about the strange man who saved her, and definitely not about who she really was or where she really came from. Every time the topic came close, she changed the subject with a nervous laugh.

Hiyoura _ she thought to herself while helping Kawaki set the table if they knew I'm not even from this world they would think I'm insane or worse

That morning, she was quieter than usual, staring blankly at her plate.

Roha _ he noticed and frowned slightly oi .. you didn't finish your food are you sick or something

Hiyoura _ she looked up surprised no no I'm fine just thinking

Roha _ he crossed his arms, trying to sound like he didn't care much but his eyes gave him away if that mafia guy did something to you that night just say it I might annoy you all the time but I'm not blind I saw how pale you looked when you came home

Hiyoura _ she blinked at him, touched by the unexpected concern Roha .. are you actually worried about me

Roha _ he turned his face away quickly, ears slightly red who said I'm worried I'm just saying don't go getting yourself killed it'll be annoying to deal with the police again that's all

Hiyoura _ she smiled softly, more to herself than to him thank you Roha

Roha _ he grumbled and shoved a piece of bread into her hands here just eat something you talk too much when you're hungry it makes you say weird things

Later that day, Kawaki sent her out to deliver some stitched clothes to a customer near the market. She was walking through the crowded street, balancing the folded clothes in her arms, when a familiar voice stopped her.

Xenii _ he was leaning against a wall like he had been waiting the clumsy queen wandering around alone again didn't your uncle teach you it's dangerous out here

Hiyoura _ she nearly dropped the clothes in surprise you .. what are you doing here were you following me

Xenii _ he smirked, pushing off the wall don't flatter yourself I have business in this area you just happened to be in my way

Hiyoura _ she narrowed her eyes at him then why are you still standing here talking to me instead of doing your business

Xenii _ he tilted his head, studying her face for a moment longer than necessary maybe I wanted to see if the girl who almost got arrested for murder learned to be more careful turns out the answer is no

Hiyoura _ she huffed and started walking past him rude as always I don't need your opinion

Xenii _ he fell into step beside her, hands in his pockets, unbothered by her annoyance you're going the wrong way you know that right the market is behind you

Hiyoura _ she stopped mid step, cheeks turning pink I .. I knew that I was just testing this street

Xenii _ he let out a short laugh, the first genuine one she had heard from him sure you were

They walked together for a while, Hiyoura muttering under her breath about how annoying he was, Xenii saying nothing but staying close enough that no one in the crowd could bump into her. Neither of them mentioned it, but neither of them walked away either.

When they reached the customer's house, Hiyoura turned to say something sharp back at him, but he was already gone again, disappearing into the crowd the same way he always did.

Hiyoura _ she stood there for a second, staring at the empty street why does he keep doing that

That night, back at the house, Roha caught her smiling at nothing while washing the dishes.

Roha _ oi why are you smiling like an idiot did something good happen

Hiyoura _ she jumped, quickly wiping the smile away n.. nothing happened nothing at all

Roha _ he squinted at her suspiciously but let it go, muttering under his breath as he walked away weird girl

But even as he left, he glanced back once, quietly making sure she was really okay — the same way he had been doing every night since the incident, without ever saying it out loud.

Far from the house, in a dim room lit only by candlelight, Xenii sat alone, turning a small object between his fingers — a piece of frozen crystal, unnaturally cold to the touch, the kind that didn't belong anywhere in this world.

Xenii _ he stared at it for a long time before speaking quietly to himself so clumsy queen .. what exactly are you

He said it to no one. Not even his own men knew what he was starting to suspect. And he intended to keep it that way, until he found out the truth for himself.

END OF 5TH EPISODE.......

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