Ellistra stopped walking.
Not suddenly.
Deliberately.
Aldric took two more steps before realizing she hadn't followed. He turned, confused, and found her standing there with her arms crossed, eyes sharp—not playful, not teasing. Assessing.
"Aldric," she said.
The way she said his name carried weight.
"Yes?" he replied.
She studied him for a moment longer, then spoke plainly, without hesitation.
"I find you interesting. And since you took my token… you are considered my man."
Silence.
Aldric's brain stalled.
His face heated instantly.
"H—hey!" he blurted out. "Don't just say it like that!"
Ellistra blinked.
Then smirked.
"Why? Is it not true?"
"That's not the point!" Aldric protested, scratching the back of his head. "You can't just—declare things like that out of nowhere!"
She stepped closer.
Then, casually, she drew her sword.
The blade sang as it left the sheath—clean, confident, perfectly balanced.
"But before I let you meet my family," she said calmly, "you must defeat me."
Aldric stiffened.
"…Defeat you?"
"I cannot be with someone weaker than me," Ellistra said. No arrogance. No cruelty. Just fact. "That is my family's rule."
Aldric exhaled slowly, shoulders rising and falling.
"…Is this really what it takes to find a wife?"
Ellistra smiled—genuine, bright, dangerous.
"Yes."
Aldric laughed under his breath.
"Alright then."
He reached back and unsheathed his katana.
Shadow slid along the blade like a living thing.
"Ready when you are."
Ellistra's eyes lit up.
They moved.
Not like two people sparring.
Like two blades recognizing each other.
Ellistra struck first—fast, precise, overwhelming. Her strength was immediate, shocking. Each swing carried force far beyond normal human limits. Noble blood surged through her veins, the legacy of the Scarlet Clan—one of the First Families, forged in martial dominance.
Her sword crashed against Aldric's katana.
The impact sent shockwaves through the clearing.
Aldric slid back half a step, boots digging into the earth.
"So you really are strong," Ellistra said, grinning.
Aldric didn't answer.
He stepped in.
Their blades danced.
Steel rang again and again, sparks scattering as shadow met crimson aura. Ellistra pressed relentlessly, her technique flawless—no wasted motion, no hesitation. Strength, speed, precision.
A prodigy.
Aldric adapted.
He stopped meeting her power head-on.
He redirected.
Used angles. Timing. Breath.
Shadow-Forged Swordsmanship unfolded—not violent, not wild, but controlled. Patient. Deadly.
Ellistra's eyes widened as Aldric slipped past her guard and tapped her shoulder with the flat of his blade.
She leapt back instantly.
"…Interesting," she muttered.
She attacked harder.
The forest shook.
Trees split. Ground cracked. Two figures soared, clashed, separated—again and again.
For the first time in her life…
Ellistra was being pushed.
For the first time—
She was losing.
A final exchange.
Aldric stepped inside her range, twisted his wrist, and disarmed her cleanly. Her sword flew, embedding itself into a tree trunk.
Ellistra froze.
Aldric's katana rested at her neck.
Silence.
Then Ellistra laughed.
A soft, satisfied sound.
"…I lost," she said.
Aldric sheathed his blade quickly, embarrassed.
"I—uh—I didn't mean—"
She stepped forward and lightly pinched his arm.
"Hmph."
Then she turned and began walking.
"Come," she said. "We're going to meet my family."
Aldric stared after her.
"…Women are dangerous," he muttered. "Impossible to understand."
He followed.
The Scarlet Clan gates rose like a fortress of elegance—crimson banners, black stone, ancient sigils etched into the walls.
Guards snapped to attention instantly.
"Princess Ellistra!" one exclaimed. "Please, come in!"
They noticed Aldric then—his rugged clothing, weathered blade, quiet presence.
"…And who is this?" a guard asked cautiously. "Young miss, is he your slave?"
Ellistra's expression darkened.
"He's my man."
Shock rippled through the gate.
Before anyone could react, she walked inside—with Aldric beside her.
The main hall was vast.
Five figures waited.
At the center sat Michael Scarlet, broad-shouldered, scarred, eyes sharp with wisdom and warmth.
Beside him stood Krishna Hue-Scarlet, elegant, composed, her gaze perceptive and calm.
To the sides:
Orian Scarlet, older brother, arms crossed, evaluating. Elias Scarlet, eldest sister, eyes keen, unreadable. Mak Scarlet, younger brother, barely containing excitement.
Michael stood and laughed heartily.
"Daughter! You've been gone so long—have you missed your precious father?"
Ellistra scoffed. "You're loud as always."
Michael's eyes shifted to Aldric.
"Hm. A warrior," he said. "Did you hire him as a guard?"
His gaze fell to the black pendant at Aldric's neck.
Michael froze.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Hey, babe."
Krishna glanced over.
"Yes, honey?"
"It seems," Michael said carefully, "our girl found her husband."
Every head snapped toward Aldric.
Aldric resisted the urge to step back.
Michael stepped forward.
"No matter your status or origin," he said, voice firm, "if my daughter chose you, then I accept you. Tell me, young man—what is your name?"
Aldric smiled politely.
"My name is Aldric Yagurah."
Silence.
Then—
Michael laughed loudly.
"So it's you," he said. "The blood of my old friend—Taro Yagurah… and Asaeir Iris."
Aldric's eyes widened.
"You knew my father?"
Michael nodded.
Then bowed.
"I am sorry," he said solemnly. "For what happened to your clan."
He removed his shirt.
A massive handprint scar marred his back.
"Leonard Kurami," Michael said grimly. "Patriarch of the Kurami Clan. He stopped me that night."
Aldric clenched his fists.
"Taro was not weak," Michael continued. "He was one of the few who ever defeated Leonard. But when he had you… he held back. He feared harming your growth."
Michael smiled sadly.
"Power attracts enemies."
Krishna spoke softly. "Asaeir Iris ran from her clan for love. The Iris are hidden… powerful. They know what happened."
Michael looked at Aldric.
"You carry two noble bloodlines," he said. "Yagurah and Iris. Fate will bring you to them one day."
Aldric exhaled.
The world was wider—and heavier—than he thought.
Ellistra glanced at him.
And smiled.