The moment Himitsu uttered a single word—
"…You—"
Aira panicked.
Her heart slammed violently against her chest. Without thinking, she began struggling wildly, kicking and hitting him with all her strength.
"Let go!" she shouted.
Himitsu tightened his grip on her ankle, refusing to release her. But Aira wasn't weak—far from it.
She struck his arm again and again.
Then—
BAM!
Her foot slammed straight into his face.
The impact was brutal.
Himitsu's grip loosened instantly, and he staggered back. Aira didn't waste a single second. The moment she felt free, she turned and ran as fast as she could, disappearing into the streets.
Himitsu stood frozen.
Slowly, he raised his hand to his face, touching the spot where she had hit him.
"…Damn," he muttered.
Warm liquid coated his fingers.
Blood.
It dripped from his nose.
He let out a short, stunned laugh.
"That girl… how much strength does she even have?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, half in disbelief, half in awe.
"I've never seen a girl this powerful in my entire life. That kick…"
He wiped the blood away. "…It was no joke."
Meanwhile—
Aira ran without looking back.
Her face burned red with embarrassment, her thoughts spinning out of control.
What did I just do?!
I kicked him… right in the face!
Her chest felt tight.
What must he be thinking about me now…?
She clenched her fists as she ran faster.
At the Dark Castle—
Aura had been pacing the halls for quite some time.
Her irritation was clearly visible.
"Where does that girl go every single day without telling anyone?" she muttered angrily.
"Just wait till she comes back today. I won't let her off so easily."
Just then—
Aira rushed into the palace gates.
The moment she saw Aura standing there, arms crossed and eyes burning with anger, her heart skipped a beat.
I'm dead.
Aura marched toward her.
"Where were you?" she demanded sharply.
Aira quickly looked away. "I—I went to practice."
Aura scoffed. "Don't lie to me."
She grabbed Aira's shoulders firmly.
"I'm your mother. I know when you're lying. Tell me the truth—where did you go?"
Aira stayed silent.
Before Aura could say anything more, a calm but heavy voice interrupted them.
"What's going on here?"
Akitora approached, his presence commanding as ever.
Aura turned toward him immediately.
"Look at your daughter. She goes out every day without telling anyone. And when I ask her, she won't say a word. This is all because of you—you've spoiled her too much. Like father, like daughter."
Akitora sighed and looked at Aira.
"If you go somewhere, you should at least inform your mother."
Still—Aira said nothing.
Suddenly, something clicked in Akitora's mind.
That boy…
He remembered the day he had saved Aira—and the way her eyes had changed afterward.
Akitora's gaze sharpened.
"…You weren't with that boy, were you?" he asked coldly.
"Tell me, Aira."
Aura blinked in confusion.
"Boy? What boy?"
At those words, Aira turned her face away completely.
But her silence—and the faint nervousness on her face—said everything.
Akitora's expression darkened.
"You went to him, didn't you?" he snapped.
Aira finally exploded.
"Yes!" she shouted. "I went to him! So what?!"
Aura's anger flared instantly.
"Can someone please explain to me what's going on?!"
Akitora took a deep breath.
Then he spoke.
He told Aura everything—about that day, about Himitsu, and about the truth that Aira had begun to like him.
Aira, furious and trembling, shouted back,
"So what if I like him?! Why are you both so angry about it?!"
Akitora's voice turned cold.
"Because he is our enemy," he said firmly.
"He's trying to trap you. And besides—your marriage has already been fixed."
Aira froze.
"…What?"
"You fixed my marriage… without even asking me?" she said in disbelief.
"Are you out of your mind?!"
Aura stared at Akitora, shocked.
"You fixed her marriage? With whom? You didn't even tell me!"
Akitora replied calmly,
"Draven's son. I finalized it just yesterday. Our families share a strong alliance."
Aira clenched her fists.
"That boy?" she snapped.
"I've hated him since childhood! He's nothing but a headache! And you decided everything without me?! I'm still young!"
Akitora's tone hardened.
"First of all, you're not a child. You're twenty-two. And secondly, no matter what you say—your marriage will be with Draven's son. Their family is powerful, and our bond with them is important."
That was it.
Aira turned away, stormed toward her room, and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Silence filled the hall.
Aura and Akitora stood there, exchanging a tired glance.
"…What are we supposed to do with this girl now?" Aura muttered.
Akitora exhaled slowly.
The storm had only just begun.