Currently, William and Emma were sitting inside Nana's room, perched on the edge of her bed.

They were holding each other's hands as they watched the little girl rummage through the wardrobe, her small frame almost disappearing behind the open doors. Clothes shifted and hangers clinked softly before she suddenly jolted, as if she had found treasure.

With a tiny gasp, Nana pulled something out.

Turning toward the two older ones, she hid whatever she was holding behind her back and bounced her way toward them, each step light and eager.

She was humming with joy, a bright tune without words, and the smile on her face never once faded.

Both Emma and William waited patiently, smiles stretching ear to ear. William tilted his head slightly and asked gently, "What is it?"

Nana giggled, a cute sound that filled the room and warmed it instantly. After making them wait just a second longer, she finally revealed what she had been hiding.

A hand-drawn painting.

There were three people in it, all holding hands.

Emma blinked in surprise before carefully taking the painting from Nana's hands. She leaned closer, eyes widening as she examined it.

"Waah… is this me?" she asked, pointing at the figure on the right.

Nana nodded enthusiastically. Then she pressed her finger against the figure on the left before pointing straight at William.

William chuckled, his chest feeling oddly tight as he reached out and caressed her small head. "This is really pretty, Nana."

The girl purred in joy, leaning closer and tiptoeing slightly as if trying to get more of his warmth.

Emma suddenly pulled Nana into her arms and said, "Always seeking your brother." She pouted exaggeratedly before asking, "Do you not love your sister?"

Nana panicked at once when she saw her sister turn sulky. Not knowing what else to do, she copied exactly what William always did when comforting her.

Pat Pat

She gently petted Emma's head.

The silver-haired girl blinked, momentarily stunned, before turning toward her lover and asking innocently, "Am I being comforted by a ten-year-old right now?"

William barely managed to suppress his laughter as he nodded. "Yes. Do you feel better now?"

Emma didn't know whether she should laugh or cry. In the end, she smiled helplessly as she held Nana's hand and said, "I am better now, little one."

Nana smiled back brightly before climbing onto Emma's lap and reaching out to hold William's hand as well.

Nana's days in this Tower had always been peaceful and fun. She laughed, played, and learned new things each day. But nothing could compare to this feeling—being surrounded by her brother and sister, held between them like she truly belonged.

…..

[A few hours later]

The little one had gotten so excited while showing them the things she made and the games she usually played that she eventually exhausted herself.

She fell asleep in William's arms.

Her breathing was slow and steady, her small fingers curled loosely against his sleeve.

Carefully, William stood up while Emma opened the door, making sure not to wake her. Together, they walked down the corridor, heading toward Emma's room.

Naturally, since they were going to stay here for the night, it was better for Nana to stay with Emma.

As they walked, Emma broke the silence.

"Is there really no way of bringing her along with us?" Her shoulders slumped as she added softly, "I… still can't get that memory out of my head. Seeing her cry…"

The image resurfaced against her will. Nana counting on her fingers, tears slipping down her cheeks as she tried to convince herself that tomorrow would come faster.

While Emma and William had a world to explore and things to achieve, Nana's world was much smaller.

It was them.

She spent each day expecting to see them again tomorrow, holding onto that hope like a promise.

William answered quietly, "In the past, I could have thought of a way. But now, with the sudden spike in Death Sinks… is there really anywhere safer than the Tower?"

Emma hummed in understanding.

The truth was harsh but undeniable. With the new training programme, they wouldn't be able to stay with Nana all the time. If anything, bringing her along would make her feel more lonely.

Here, at least, there were people she could interact with. Faces she recognized. Voices she trusted.

At the academy, they would most likely have to keep her hidden. And if she was discovered, she could be sent away.

So yes, despite what both Emma and William desperately wanted, it was better for Nana to stay here.

"How much did the teleportation cost?" William asked suddenly. "You paid for it, right?"

Emma hummed in confusion. "Why?"

William sighed. "There might come a time when you won't be able to visit her. I can, so…"

Emma tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "I'm sure a Count's son could afford a small sum like teleportation fees, no?" she teased.

William shook his head. "No, Emma. I told Father not to send me any allowance anymore." His gaze hardened as he added, "I've already caused him enough trouble by destroying that dungeon. He might be a Count, but he doesn't have infinite wealth."

It took thousands upon thousands of gold coins just to rebuild the outer structure of a dungeon. Even with the Tower Master contributing heavily, the burden on the Count would still be enormous.

Emma suddenly hugged his arm. "When you say things like budget management, I really feel like getting on my knees and proposing to you."

William froze. "What…?"

Emma grinned mischievously. "When you talk like that, it feels like we're already married."

Not many things could silence William Delimore.

But this did.

His heartbeat spiked, loud in his ears, and the words refused to come. He could only walk in stunned silence.

Emma chuckled softly before asking, "Have you thought of any way to earn money? If you want, I can always hire you as my personal chef."

William laughed quietly. "I'm hoping they pay us for this training programme and whatever comes after. If not…" He paused. "I might return as a hunter."

Emma's brows rose slowly. "You have a licence?"

William stopped walking.

So did Emma.

"I… never told you, did I?" he asked carefully.

She shook her head, waiting.

"I worked as a hunter for four years," William admitted. "So yes, I have a licence. I just need to renew it. I haven't used it in the past two years."

Emma stared at him, impressed. "My lover was a hunter too?"

William nodded. "I had too much energy as a kid. Kept breaking things at home. Father told me to use it somewhere useful." He paused, then added, "Ah, I also forgot to introduce you to my buddy."

"Buddy?" Emma tilted her head. "You have a friend too?"

William narrowed his eyes. "How rude."

Seeing her cheeky grin, he pinched her cheek lightly. "He's the only one who survived after all the things we went through."

Emma's curiosity deepened. "Did you take dangerous missions?"

William shook his head. "Not really. No matter how much I wanted to, they didn't give me anything too risky. I was just a brat back then."

Emma frowned slightly. "Then… how did your other partners die?"

William smiled wryly. "Most of them betrayed me. They met the same destiny they tried to push onto me."

Emma fell silent.

He said it so casually, as if it were nothing. But she could hear the weight behind those words, the kind that could easily break a grown man.

Yet here he was, walking forward, smiling.

She tightened her grip on his hand and said softly, "Don't worry. I would rather kill myself than ever think of betraying you."

°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Promises are made to be broken—not applicable here. Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.

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