After saying goodbye, the queen waved at him with a gentle smile.

Edward bowed once more and then turned away.

As he left the palace gates, he glanced at his wristwatch again.

It was already six.

The sky had turned completely dark.

Winter nights fell early, unlike summer

evenings when the sky stayed light for a long time.

Now, thick darkness covered the sky, and only the lights of the city pushed it back.

Lanterns lined the roads, glowing softly, and the streets were filled with quiet movement as people returned to their homes.

Edward should have been worried about being late.

But strangely, his mood was light.

The queen's words echoed in his mind, and each time he remembered them, his steps felt easier.

Her approval had lifted a weight he did not even realize he was carrying.

He let out a slow breath, one he had been holding for a long time.

With his status and abilities, he knew it would not be difficult.

Still, permission mattered.

Now that the queen herself had accepted it, everything felt clearer, steadier.

He decided that once he returned home, he would speak properly with his family.

He would explain everything and ask for their blessing as well.

With the queen standing behind him, even if Count Harencross hesitated at first, things would work out in the end.

Thinking this far ahead, Edward allowed himself a small smile.

Then he quickened his pace, disappearing into the glowing streets, heading toward the person who was waiting for him.

After running for a while, he soon reached the third part of the capital city, Deldi.

Before entering, he slowed his steps and took a few deep breaths.

Then he raised his hand and pulled his hair back, trying to make himself look neat.

His hair was short, but not too short. It reached the back of his neck.

A few months ago, it had been long enough to fall down his back.

He had wanted to grow it like his brother's.

That plan did not last long.

When his mother visited, she had forcefully cut his hair, calling it indecent.

He had argued at first, but in the end, he could not win against her.

Even so, he did not give up completely.

Since then, he had continued to let it grow, though it could only reach this length now.

Edward let his hand fall and straightened his posture.

He began to walk calmly and crossed into the third part of the city, the area where common people lived.

The moment he entered, he saw many people moving around the streets, busy with their own work.

The area was lively and filled with noise and light.

Edward snapped his fingers, and a letter appeared in his hand from his subspace.

A name was written on it.

Salena Harencross.

He opened the letter and read the last part. It was clearly an address.

After confirming it once more, he folded the letter and started walking.

After some time, he stopped in front of a large restaurant.

"Beautiful Night Restaurant."

That was the name written on the board above.

The sign was big and bright, glowing under many lights and standing out clearly in the dark street.

Edward walked inside. As soon as he entered, he saw a receptionist standing at the counter.

It was a man wearing neat and clean clothes.

He looked up and spoke politely.

"Welcome to Beautiful Night Restaurant, sir. How may I help you?"

Edward stepped forward. "Is there a room booked under the name Salena Harencross?"

"Please wait a moment," the receptionist said as he opened a small booklet and began checking.

After a few seconds, he nodded. "Yes, Miss Salena Harencross has booked room number five on the second floor."

"Thank you," Edward said.

Before heading upstairs, Edward snapped his fingers again.

A gold coin appeared in his hand. He placed it gently on the counter and then turned toward the stairs.

"Have a good dinner, sir," the receptionist said with a smile.

Edward walked up to the second floor, scanning the hallway. When he found the room, he paused, staring silently at the door.

After a while, he moved his hand and–Knock. Knock.

He knocked softly. A few seconds passed, and he heard footsteps coming from inside.

Soon, the door opened slightly.

"Welcome, Mister Late D. Zenithara," a cheerful voice said the moment the door cracked open.

Standing there was a very beautiful girl.

She looked around fifteen or sixteen years old.

She had long blonde hair that fell smoothly over her shoulders and clear blue eyes that shone under the room's light.

A small mole rested just below her lower lip, making her beauty stand out even more.

Edward smiled when he saw her.

"I was caught by the queen," he said lightly. "So it took some time."

After saying that, he walked inside the room.

A table for two had been prepared near the window.

One entire side wall was made of glass, and from their seats, the whole city could be seen below.

Countless lights shone in the darkness, turning the night into a sea of soft glow.

Edward walked over and took his seat.

Salena stood quietly for a moment, as if thinking.

Then she looked at him and asked, "What did she say?"

Edward hummed lightly as he took off his coat and placed it aside. "She knows about us."

"Hmm," Salena nodded. She walked to her seat and sat across from him.

"You don't seem surprised," Edward said, watching her. "Did you tell her about us?"

Salena nodded again. "Yes. I gave her hints," she said calmly.

"So it's not a surprise that she knew. What did she say?"

"She said we shouldn't hide it," Edward replied.

"She also said I'm capable enough, so there's no need to act in secret. She told me to be open, just like my brother and my sister-in-law."

Hearing this, Salena nodded slowly, clearly agreeing with the queen's words.

After a short pause, she asked, "Did you meet your brother recently?"

Edward shook his head. As he did, he snapped his fingers.

A box appeared from his subspace, wrapped neatly in gift paper.

"No," he said quietly. "I haven't seen him for the past three years. My sister-in-law said he went to make her a wedding dress. He wanted to make it himself, so it will take time before he comes back."

"Oh," Salena softly said, understanding showing on her face.

Edward then placed the gift box on the table and gently pushed it toward her.

"I prepared this for you," he said. "It took me quite some time to find it."

His voice sounded sincere, even though only on the outside.

In truth, he had almost forgotten about this meeting.

The gift had been prepared for his mother, meant as something special for her.

He had planned to buy Salena something later.

But since he already had this with him, he brought it here instead.

Salena, of course, knew nothing about that.

Her eyes widened slightly, and a faint red color appeared on her cheeks.

"How… how thoughtful of you," she said softly, clearly touched.

She picked up the gift carefully and began to open the wrapping, her movements slow and careful, her excitement easy to see on her face.

After she removed the gift wrap, a luxurious glass box appeared inside.

She carefully lifted the lid.

Her eyes widened for a moment, then began to shine as she slowly reached inside.

When she pulled her hand back, there was a necklace resting in her palm.

The necklace was simple, yet it carried a quiet beauty that was hard to ignore.

She held it gently, her cheeks turning red as she looked at it.

"This is the first gift you've ever given me," she said softly.

Hearing that, Edward smiled. A small sense of pride flickered in his chest.

"And it's so beauti….eh?" Salena suddenly stopped.

Her gaze shifted to the small locket hanging from the necklace.

Four letters were engraved on it.

E. V. E. V.

She tilted her head slightly. "What does it mean, Ed?" she asked.

The moment Edward realized it, his smile froze.

He bit down on his tongue.

He had made a serious mistake.

Those four letters were meant for his family, Elena, Vivian, Edward, and Vined.

In his rush, he had completely forgotten about the engraving when he brought it here.

Salena's eyes widened with confusion, and a small frown appeared on her face.

She looked up at him again.

"What does it mean?" she asked once more.

Cold sweat formed on Edward's face as his mind raced, trying desperately to find a proper meaning for those four letters.

"Well…" Edward began, but his mind went completely blank.

His thoughts twisted into knots as he desperately tried to come up with a proper meaning. "…it has a very deep meaning," he finally said.

Salena's eyes brightened at once.

The confusion on her face faded, replaced by clear curiosity.

She leaned closer, resting her arms lightly on the table.

"Oh?" she said softly. "Then what does it mean?"

Edward swallowed.

"Well…"

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