The sound of vegetables being chopped filled the small kitchen, blending with the faint laughter of children playing in the garden outside.

Seraphina flinched slightly when Val's arms slipped around her waist from behind.

"Ahh… come on, Val," she murmured, half laughing, half scolding. "There are kids here."

"It's their playtime," he whispered near her ear, his breath brushing her skin. "No way those brats will come running into the kitchen now."

Seraphina smiled despite herself, her cheeks warming. "I'm not so sure about that," she said, turning just enough that her cheek brushed against the stubble on his jaw.

Val was leaning in, ready to steal a quick kiss..

"Brother Val!"

The small voice froze him mid-movement. He jumped back, nearly knocking over a bowl of onions.

"W-what is it, Emily?" he said, turning to face the little girl standing at the doorway, a wide grin on her face and a paper roll clutched in her hands.

Seraphina's ears turned pink as she returned back to chopping carrots, trying to act casual.

"Look at my drawing!" she said proudly, holding it up like a trophy.

Val crouched down to her level, the awkward moment quickly melting away. "Wow," he said, patting her head, "that's wonderful!"

"Right?" Emily beamed, her missing front tooth showing as she grinned.

"So, tell me," Val said, pretending to study the odd mix of shapes and colors. "What's this… slime-looking thing here?"

"Dummy!" Emily said with mock indignation. "That's our home!"

"Oh, of course," Val said, chuckling. "And these cucumbers.. I mean, structures?"

"These are us kids," she said proudly, then pointed to two brinj... shapes near the "door." "And these are you and Sister Seraphina!"

"Me?" Val asked, eyebrows raised.

"Yes! Don't you look handsome in it?"

From behind, Seraphina chuckled softly, pretending to stay focused on the chopping board.

Val smiled, but something in it faltered for just a second. "But… I don't work here anymore, remember?" he said gently.

Val now works as Sinclair patrol officer, after getting promoted from a regula guard, recently. He is currently off duty.

Emily shook her head so fast her short hair bounced. "No way! Sister Seraphina says it's because of you we're all safe. You bring us food and gifts and even play with us!"

Seraphina's hands stilled, her face turning slightly pink.

Val sighed quietly, his expression softening. Then he grinned again and scooped Emily up effortlessly. "Guess who's getting extra meat tonight?"

"Me!" she shouted, laughing.

"You little schemer," Val teased, spinning her once before setting her down. "So, who's getting this masterpiece of yours?"

"Oh, Sister Sera! When she comes back from visiting her relatives."

Seraphina froze for half a heartbeat, her knife resting motionless on the cutting board.

"I see…" Val said softly. He crouched to meet Emily's eyes again. "Why don't you show it to Gin? I'm sure he'll love it."

"You think so?" Emily asked, covering her pink cheeks with her hands.

"Of course. He should be in the study as usual."

Emily nodded eagerly and ran out, her footsteps fading down the hall.

"Be careful, don't run too fast!" Val called after her, shaking his head with a smile.

When the kitchen fell quiet again, Seraphina was still standing by the counter, the knife idle in her hand.

"Hey, Val…" she said softly. "Do you think they're safe? Sera and Rune?"

Val walked up behind her, resting a steady hand on her shoulder. He gently tilted her chin until her green eyes met his.

"They'll be fine," he said quietly. "They have to be."

"Sera said she was going to visit her relatives with Rune and left…" Seraphina murmured, her eyes on the knife as she sliced another carrot, her movements slow and unfocused.

"And the next day… Vorrak was found dead in the cattle house." She paused, her fingers trembling. "Now they're blaming Rune and Sera. What if she comes back now, Val?"

Her voice broke at the end, the question trembling in the air.

Val sighed and held her tighter, gently letting her sink into him. She was tense, her shoulders drawn in, but she didn't pull away.

"Your worries are unnecessary," he said softly, his chin brushing the side of her head.

"Trust me, I was there during the investigation. They found a torn piece of Sera's cloth near the body."

Seraphina froze.

"In other words," he continued, "Sera and Rune knew what they were doing. They must have realized Vorrak was dead and ran before things got worse. Sera probably said she was visiting relatives just so you wouldn't worry."

Her breath hitched. She turned around, her green eyes glassy with moisture. "Val… they're innocent," she said, voice trembling. "They could never hurt anyone."

A small hiccup escaped her, and Val smiled gently. "I know," he said. "They're not the type to commit a crime."

She lowered her gaze and leaned into his shoulder, her hands clutching his sleeve as if afraid he'd disappear. The scent of smoke and herbs lingered faintly on his shirt.

"Can you help them?" she asked after a pause, her voice quiet but full of hope. "You're a patrol officer now, right? You could… you could do something."

"I'll try," Val said. "I still know a few good people in Sinclair's ranks. It's just that…" He hesitated, his tone tightening. "Vorrak's father handed the case to the SBV. We still have permission to investigate, but he made it non-exclusive. That means they'll interfere whenever they please."

Seraphina looked down, her shoulders slumping. "Oh…" she whispered.

"Hey," Val said, pulling back slightly so he could see her face. "Come on. If you're down like this, how will the kids enjoy their day? Then they'll start sulking too, and guess who'll have to fix that?"

That earned him a faint, tired smile, small but real. "You always know what to say," she said softly.

Val grinned. "Of course I do."

He reached out and lifted her chin gently so her eyes met his. The closeness made her breath hitch for a second. She expected a kiss but his brown eyes were warm, steady. The kind of look that could quiet a storm.

"Just leave the heavy lifting to me, alright?" he said. "I made you a promise once, and I don't plan on breaking it."

Her eyes softened. For the first time since the conversation began, some of the worry faded. "You always keep your promises," she said, her lips curving faintly.

she chuckled under her breath. "Do you remember when Rune and Sera were ten? They caught us kissing and thought that's what best friends do."

Seraphina's laugh came out light and nostalgic. "And now they copy it every time they make up after a fight."

Val's grin widened. "Not my fault the doors in this place don't close properly."

"Still, nine years," he said after a pause, his tone softening. "Nine years since we started feeling this way."

Seraphina tilted her head, her eyes kind. "Val…"

"When will you finally marry me?" he asked with a half-smile that didn't quite hide the seriousness in his voice.

She sighed gently, resting her palm on his cheek. "We've talked about this," she said. "Just a little longer, alright? Once I finish my service as a sister at the cathedral, we'll have our marriage. We'll look after the children together."

Val caught her hand, holding it against his chest. "You've been saying that for three years," he said quietly. "When does the contract end?"

Her lips parted, but she couldn't answer. Not the truth, at least. Even she didn't know when it would end.

Father Brehn, who works for SBV and pretty much the reason he got the post, always told her "soon," never giving a date. If she told Val that, he'd march to the cathedral without a second thought. He'd make it a fight. And she couldn't risk that, not when the orphanage depended on her post.

If you work at cathedral or an ex-employee with good record, the donations for charity work will also pour in high.

Before she could think of an excuse, Val's expression changed. His body stiffened, his eyes shifting sharply toward the kitchen window.

"What is it?" Seraphina asked, following his gaze. The cobblestone street beyond looked ordinary, quiet, empty except for a few fluttering leaves.

Val didn't answer right away. His jaw tightened. Then his voice came out low and firm.

"Seraphina."

The sudden seriousness in his tone made her tense. She'd never heard his voice like that before.

"Take the kids inside," he said. "Stay with them."

"B-but, what—"

"Now."

The single word carried weight.

Seraphina didn't argue. She hurried to the doorway, calling out to the children who were still laughing in the garden. Her voice trembled slightly as she guided them back inside, one by one.

Val waited until she was gone, then grabbed the knife she had left on the board. He slid it behind his back, tucking it between his belt and shirt.

The faint sound of children's voices faded behind the closed door.

Val's expression hardened. His hand lingered over the knife handle as he moved toward the entrance, every step silent and deliberate.

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