Jax sat in the carriage. Eyes closed. Mind wandering.

The past day replayed in his head like a fever dream.

The battle. The blood. The revenge. The reunion with Maya. The Dark Lord performance that would have won him an Oscar in any world.

Everything.

It had been hours since he left Meridax. The kingdom was behind him now. Shrinking into the distance with every turn of the wheels.

His destination? Veldora. To see Adelina. To check if she was doing fine.

Beside him sat Sylvie. Combing her hair like she wasn't a queen who had just survived an invasion.

He recalled how this whole trip started.

After everything was settled, after the negotiations and the interrogations, Sylvie had casually suggested they visit Veldora together.

"To check on dear Adelina," she had said with that knowing smile of hers.

Roxana had lost her mind.

"You're leaving?! Now?! The kingdom is in ruins! We need reconstruction! Leadership! Your presence!"

Sylvie had waved her hand dismissively.

"Dump it all on the council. That's what they're paid for. Reconstruction is top priority, yes, but I don't need to hold a hammer personally. And the victory speech?"

She had examined her nails with supreme disinterest.

"It can wait until I return. The people aren't going anywhere."

Roxana had looked like she wanted to strangle her sister.

Jax was suspicious. He knew Sylvie had ulterior motives. Women like her always did. But it was fine as long as she remained useful. And honestly? He liked the vibe with her.

She didn't act like a queen. No formalities. No expectations. Just a woman who enjoyed chaos as much as he did.

Then his mind drifted to another matter.

The betrayal.

His own sister. His flesh and blood. The girl he had raised. Protected. Nearly committed a war crime over.

She had happily skipped off with the heroines the moment he introduced them.

'Skipped. Actually skipped. Like a child going to a candy store.'

When he suggested Maya join Thalia's group for protection and companionship, reactions had been... mixed.

Kiera had objected immediately.

"Absolutely not. We don't trust her. We don't trust anyone at this point. She could be a spy. A trap. Another God's champion waiting to stab us in our sleep."

Classic Kiera. Suspicious of everything that breathed.

Zinnia didn't care either way. She probably would have agreed with Kiera just to oppose Jax. But seeing her arch-rival objecting so strongly?

She did the opposite.

"I don't see a problem with it."

Just to piss Kiera off.

But there was another reason.

Maya had been... enthusiastic.

The entire time they were together, Maya had been praising Zinnia nonstop.

"Oh my god, your hair is so pretty!"

"That stance! So elegant!"

"The way you swing that hammer? Pure swag!"

"Can I touch your muscles? Please? Just once?"

Zinnia had been confused at first. Then flattered. Then slightly disturbed by the intensity.

But she liked Maya now. Hard not to like someone who worshipped you like a goddess.

And it wasn't just Zinnia.

Maya had bombarded everyone with questions. Comments. Excitement.

"Thalia! Can you tell me about yourself like how was life in your world, Tell me everything even about your family even your mother?!"

"Azara! You Look to damn cute?!"

"Kiera! Can you also tell me about your journey pretty please?!"

She was like an excited puppy meeting celebrities.

The heroines had been stunned. This was the leader of the enemy invasion? This hyperactive fangirl?

They exchanged glances.

Maybe Jax was right. Maybe she really had been possessed. Definitely not by the Dark Lord though. Something far less threatening. Like a sugar rush demon.

Jax might have known this and crafted that whole story just to protect her.

Azara didn't object to Maya joining. But she was clearly jealous.

'Why is he protecting her? Why does she get his attention? Why did he ask us to take care of her specifically?'

Her lightning crackled with irritation.

Thalia had been different. She had flooded Jax with questions of her own.

"Join us. We need numbers to win this. You're strong. You're smart. We work well together."

She had almost been pleading.

But Jax rejected the offer Saying every time that he will follow his own way of victory.

He paused.

"But I'll come to your aid whenever you need. Send a letter if anything goes wrong. I'm indebted for your help in that battle."

After that, the academy had interrogated the heroines too. Standard procedure for suspicious individuals who appeared during an invasion.

Their story was simple.

"We're adventurers. Our village was turned to ashes by those invaders. We came for revenge."

Believable enough. The academy let them go.

Jax watched them leave. Watched Maya walk beside them. Talking. Laughing. Asking more questions.

And his goodbye from his beloved sister?

The group turned right onto the main road. Maya's eyes met his for exactly one second.

She made a tiny wave. More of a finger wiggle really.

Then immediately turned back to her conversation with Zinnia.

'One second. I got one fucking second.'

Betrayed. By his own blood.

But he sighed.

He knew what would happen. Zinnia and Kiera would fill Maya's head with stories. Tales of her brother's true nature.

"He's a perverted dog."

"A horny bastard."

But Jax wasn't worried.

Maya wouldn't believe them. She'd think it was all an act. A performance to entertain himself.

She will be like 'That's just brother being brother. He's probably playing some elaborate prank on everyone.'

Everything was settled now. The war was over. The pieces were in place.

And now he was going back.

Back to the woman who had added something new to his life. Something he couldn't quite name yet.

The carriage came to a stop.

Jax opened his eyes.

In front of him stood the mansion. The same one he had left when he departed for Meridax.

Seris' aunt's house. Where Adelina had been treated.

He didn't wait for the driver to open the door. Didn't wait for proper etiquette.

He walked fast. Almost ran.

Behind him, Sylvie struggled to keep up. Her heels clicking rapidly against the stone path.

"Wait— Jax— slow down—"

But he had already reached the entrance.

The door was unlocked.

He pushed it open with more force than necessary.

'That bitch didn't even bother with basic security. How the hell was she supposed to protect Adelina?'

Inside the hallway, he spotted several figures.

Seris' aunt stood near a window, speaking with another woman.

And on the sofa, pulling up her socks, was Astrid.

Jax walked directly to her.

"How is she?"

Astrid jumped. Nearly fell off the sofa.

She looked up. Saw Jax standing over her.

Her panic doubled.

"I... I... why don't you ask the healer?"

Her face was red. She pointed toward the woman Seris' aunt was talking to.

Jax turned immediately.

"How is the Queen doing now?"

The healer hesitated. Looked at Seris' aunt for permission.

A subtle nod.

"She is completely fine now."

Jax felt something loosen in his chest.

"Her core has been fully restored. The distorted mana has stabilized. Health and vitals are all normal."

The healer continued professionally.

"There will be some weakness remaining for a few more days. But apart from that, she is more than fine."

Relief.

Actual, genuine relief.

Jax felt it wash through him. Something warm. Something he hadn't expected to feel this strongly.

His instincts kicked in. He needed to reward this woman. For her work. For saving Adelina.

His hand went to his pockets. Searching.

Then he found it.

The pin. The precious one he had stolen from Sylvie during the chaos. The one that had helped him convince those citizens about his fake royal mission.

Perfect.

He took the healer's hand and placed the pin in her palm.

"For your services."

Her eyes went wide.

"I— I cannot accept this. This is far too precious. I was just doing my duty. Saving lives is what healers do."

She tried to return it.

Jax closed her hands around the pin. Firmly.

"I insist."

Then a hand landed on his shoulder.

From behind.

"Professor, what a heart you have."

Sylvie's voice. Dripping with sarcasm.

"Giving away something as precious as starfall crystal. I bet you put all your sweat and blood into acquiring that."

She leaned closer.

"Only to hand it over for your love."

The way she said 'love' had seventeen layers of mockery.

Jax caught the game immediately. She knew that pin was hers. She was playing along.

Seris' aunt recognized Sylvie. Gave her a respectful nod. The kind reserved for royalty.

But Astrid was lost in her own world. Completely missed the bow. Didn't even register who this woman was.

"Love?"

Her voice came out higher than normal.

"Don't tell me this man and the Queen are—"

Sylvie smiled sweetly.

"Oh dear, what else could it be? A man going absolutely nuts for a woman. Risking his life. Waging war for revenge and that too alone."

She placed a hand over her heart dramatically.

"Isn't that exactly what love makes you do?"

Astrid's face turned crimson.

"That's... that's not—"

Jax put a hand on Astrid's shoulder.

"Ignore her. She's always in this mood. Loves to tease."

He looked her in the eyes.

"Guide me to Adelina. Now."

Astrid stared at the hand on her shoulder.

Then she slapped it away.

"How dare you touch me?!"

Her voice cracked. Face flushed. Eyes refusing to meet his.

Sylvie's smile widened.

"Don't tell me, Jax. You've charmed yet another girl?"

She raised her hand. Started counting on her fingers.

"First Adelina. Then my sister Roxana. And now her."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Three women. Impressive collection you're building."

Astrid whipped toward Sylvie.

"What did you just say?"

Sylvie ignored her completely.

"That's why you acted all defensive just now. When love was mentioned."

She gasped dramatically.

"You're jealous!"

Astrid hissed.

"Bitch, do you even know who I am?!"

Sylvie's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Oh, now we're playing the background game? I love this game. Go on then. Tell us who you are."

Astrid straightened. Pride overtaking embarrassment.

"I am Astrid Ren Aleris.. Daughter of Lord Veymar, the most influential business magnate connected to Astryx Academy. Our family controls half the supply chains and almost every business there, in the floating island. My father's word carries more weight than most nobles in this entire region."

She crossed her arms.

"I am, essentially, the princess of the Academy."

Sylvie nodded slowly. Processing.

Then turned to Jax.

"So let me get this straight."

She started counting again.

"You charmed Princess Roxana of Meridax. Then Queen Adelina of Veldora. And now the economic princess of the Academy itself?"

Her eyes narrowed with mock suspicion.

"Are you going for the girls? Or for the riches?"

She leaned closer.

"Because I'm sensing a pattern here. Her father probably adores her from the way of her talks. Would give everything to whoever marries her."

She smirked.

"Lucky bastard."

Jax shrugged.

"If your father is poor, it's not your fault."

He paused for effect.

"But if your father-in-law is poor? That's definitely your fault."

Silence.

Then laughter.

Sylvie. The healer. Even Seris' aunt cracked a smile.

Astrid stood there. Face red. Fists clenched. Surrounded by people laughing at her expense.

"Fuck you all."

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