Aira was just about to fall.
The edge of the circular arena crumbled beneath her feet, and for a split second, her body tilted toward the endless abyss below. Her mind went blank.
Is this it…? Am I going to die…?
But before gravity could claim her, a firm grip wrapped around her wrist.
Her fall stopped.
Aira's eyes widened as she looked up.
The one holding her hand was none other than Himitsu.
For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.
Lord Akitora, who had already risen from his throne, stood completely stunned.
He is our enemy…
Then why did he save my daughter?
Confusion flickered across his face, yet beneath it was undeniable relief. No matter who had saved her, the truth remained—Aira was alive.
Himitsu pulled Aira back with steady strength, bringing her safely onto solid ground.
Aira herself stood frozen in shock.
I… I didn't fall?
He saved me…?
She looked at Himitsu, still unable to process what had just happened.
"Why…?" she finally asked, her voice unsteady. "Why did you save my life?"
Himitsu replied calmly, his grip still firm around her wrist.
"I didn't come here to fight you," he said. "I came to tell your father one thing—stop attacking Lunaris. And I came to face him, not you. Until now, I have no enmity with you."
As he spoke, he didn't realize that he was still holding her hand.
Aira listened silently, her violet eyes locked onto his face.
Slowly, a faint redness spread across her cheeks.
At that very moment, Akitora rushed toward them—only to stop short when he saw the scene before him.
The two were standing close, staring at each other.
And his daughter's face was clearly flushed.
"AIRA!" Akitora shouted. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Startled, both Himitsu and Aira immediately let go of each other's hands.
To Himitsu, there was no trace of romantic feeling—his actions had been nothing more than instinct and principle. But Akitora saw it differently.
He stormed over to Aira and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded, his voice rough with anger and fear.
Inside his mind, suspicion boiled.
Is this boy trying to confuse her…?
Is this some kind of trick—using emotions against us?
His glare shifted toward Himitsu, ready to speak—
THUD!
Something struck the back of Akitora's head.
"OW!"
He turned around in shock.
Standing behind him was a woman with a terrifyingly calm expression.
It was Aura—Aira's mother.
Himitsu froze in disbelief.
What shocked him even more was the reaction of both Aira and Lord Akitora.
They stiffened.
They were… scared.
Aura crossed her arms and spoke in a cold, commanding tone.
"I sent you two to do your work," she said. "So why are you fooling around here?"
Her sharp eyes then moved to Himitsu.
"And who," she added, "is this third boy?"