As the sun slowly sank behind the mountains, the orange light spilling over the village road felt like a weary farewell from the gods. The dirt path lay silent—even the wind seemed to drag its feet.And upon that path, a boy walked.Wounded.Bleeding.But beside him… was the most precious thing in his world.
Elizabeth.
Zeoth's steps were uneven, his body tearing apart with every movement—but he kept walking.Because each step meant he was beside Elizabeth.
She had wrapped her arm gently around his waist, trying to support him.But her hands were trembling.Not from weakness—but from the weight in her heart.Each blow he had taken felt as though it had struck her instead.And with every step, her guilt deepened.
"Don't push yourself," Zeoth said softly, voice strained. "I can endure it.""You're limping," Elizabeth murmured, her eyes glistening."Yeah, but… didn't I look cool, though?""You got beaten to a pulp. How are you still joking?""If you're smiling, then I've already won."
She said nothing.Her smile came—but it was a bitter one.Laced with sorrow, anger, and guilt.
They walked in silence for a while longer, until finally they reached the small house just beyond the edge of the village.
A moss-covered mountain cottage.Runestones were scattered through the garden, and a glowing purple seal shimmered faintly over the doorway.This was where Elizabeth had been staying for the past few weeks.To her, it was more than a shelter.It was the only place where her heart had ever felt at ease.
"We're here," Zeoth exhaled deeply.
"I don't want to leave you alone," Elizabeth said.
"You know it's dangerous to be near me. Besides… this is the safest place for you."
She fixed her gaze on him.
And then—the door creaked open.
Standing in the doorway was a woman with violet hair tied neatly over her shoulder. Her eyes carried their usual impatience, and the runestone embedded in her cane trembled faintly.It was as though even the cane was annoyed alongside her.
"ZEOTH!"
"Master," Zeoth greeted her with a sheepish grin.
"What have you done this time? Your face is bruised, your clothes filthy—did you get into another fight!?"
Elizabeth stepped back instinctively.Lily turned her eyes to her, then scoffed.
"So you're still here, huh."
As Zeoth limped into the house, Lily moved aside just enough to let him in.
"What will you tell your parents?" she asked.
"I'll manage," Zeoth replied.
Elizabeth suddenly spoke up."I don't want to send him back alone. Let me escort him to his home."
Zeoth quickly stepped in.
"No.""You can't walk alone," she argued."I can.""But I don't want you to be alone."
Zeoth lowered his gaze.And smiled.But there was weariness in that smile.
"If someone from the palace sees you on the road, what will you do? They're probably already looking for you."
Elizabeth fell silent.
Zeoth turned away.He limped out the door without another word.
And for the first time, Elizabeth felt suffocated by her own heart.She could have followed him.Grabbed his hand.Told him to stay.But she didn't.
Because Zeoth had always chosen to walk alone… through his own darkness.
FLASHBACK – THEIR FIRST MEETING, DEEP IN THE FOREST
The squelching of footsteps in mud.The ragged breathing of a girl running for her life.
Elizabeth.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her silk dress drenched in mud.Yet still, she looked beautiful.Because her beauty wasn't on her face—it lived in her spirit.
Three hours had passed since she escaped the palace.The corridors, the throne room, the secrets of the royal family…None of it mattered anymore to the girl with silver hair.
And then—A voice from behind a boulder.
"Come on… just work already… please… fire!"
Elizabeth turned her head.
There, in the clearing, a boy knelt on the forest floor, desperately trying to cast a spell.
And then—Their eyes met.
Zeoth.
He froze.Stunned by her presence, by her beauty.But more than anything—He had been caught in the act of trying magic.
"Uhm…" Zeoth stammered shyly. "Someone like you doesn't usually wander these parts. Are you running from someone?"
Elizabeth looked down.Her face was dirty, her hair tangled.And yet… she smiled.
"Yes. I'm running from my family."
She told him everything.And Zeoth—he clenched his fists.
"That's… that's awful. Come with me. I'll protect you. I mean, I am going to be a great mage someday."
Elizabeth laughed softly.And said yes.
FLASHBACK ENDS – ELIZABETH'S DAYS IN HIDING
Zeoth didn't take her into the village that day.Instead, he led her to an abandoned mill just beyond the outskirts.
He hid her there for three days.Each night, he snuck through the bushes to bring food.He wrapped her in old blankets to keep her warm.
For the first time in her life…Elizabeth had someone to talk to.Not as a noble.But as a person.
But such peace could never last.
One day, Zeoth made a decision.He would bring her to his master.
Lily's House – Late Afternoon
When Zeoth knocked, a familiar harsh voice rang out from inside.
"Zeoth! What have you messed up now!?"
The door swung open.The woman set aside the parchment in her hands and narrowed her eyes at the two standing before her.
A girl with silver hair and a dirt-streaked face.She noticed immediately.
"This girl… she's noble."
Zeoth bowed his head.
"Her name is Elizabeth. We need to help her."
Lily's expression turned ice-cold.
"You… brought someone from the palace here!?"
Zeoth said nothing.
"Do you have any idea what you've done!?" the woman shouted, slamming her cane into the floor."I will not hide a noble! If they find her here, not just you—but I, this house, the entire village will burn! Do you understand the gravity of what you've done, Zeoth!?"
Elizabeth stood behind him like a shadow, her head lowered.Her eyes were filled with nothing but guilt.
But Zeoth…
He dropped to his knees.Genuinely, completely.
"Lily… please. Just for a little while. Just protect her.They don't treat her well at the palace.Not even close.And she has no one else.Please…"
Lily's rage paused—if only for a moment.Then it returned.
"Always playing the hero, aren't you? Don't be so naïve, Zeoth! Because of this girl—"
"Please…"
His voice cracked.
"Just once…Trust me."
Lily's eyes wavered.Then she turned her head away with a grunt.
"Ugh… what am I going to do with you?" she snapped.Then, she pointed toward the doorway.
"Get inside. But if she puts this village at risk, I swear… I'll throw her out myself."
Zeoth froze for a heartbeat.Elizabeth too.
Their eyes met.
And they smiled.
For the first time.