A new guest arrived in the North. The carriage bearing the Count's family crest rolled into the grand courtyard of the Northern mansion. From it stepped Lady Lilly, elegant and poised, one of the noblest ladies of the capital.
"Welcome, my lady," Alwin said as he helped her down from the carriage.
"Where is Aria?" Lilly asked without delay.
"She's in her room," Alwin replied.
"May I see her?"
Knowing that Lady Lilly and Aria shared a close friendship, Alwin didn't hesitate. He guided her through the mansion to Aria's chambers.
"Aria…" Lilly called softly as she entered, rushing to hug her friend.
"Thank the heavens you're alright," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
"You didn't have to come all this way, Lilly," Aria said, touched by her concern and offering a gentle smile.
"How could I not?" Lilly said firmly. "As soon as I heard you were in trouble, I had to come. I'll let you rest for now, but once you're feeling better, we should go out together. A change of scenery will do you good."
Aria nodded, grateful. "I'd like that."
When Lilly left Aria's room, she ran into Icarus in the hallway.
"You're here too, Icarus?" Lilly asked.
"Yes, my lady," he replied politely.
She frowned. "Why are you being so formal with me? We were always friends."
She reached out and lightly touched his hand.
"It wouldn't be appropriate now. You're a noble lady," Icarus said, gently removing her hand.
For a moment, disappointment flickered in her eyes—but it disappeared just as quickly.
"Will you write to me sometime?" she asked.
He only nodded.
Lilly knew he never would. He was always like that—distant, especially when his heart belonged to someone else.
Still, she chose to stay in the North for a few more days.
That night, Abigel quietly entered Aria's room. He'd been avoiding her ever since they returned.
"How are you feeling?" Abigel asked.
"I'm fine," Aria replied with a soft smile.
He hesitated, then said, "Can I hold you for a moment?"
She nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her gently, exhaling as though a weight had lifted from his chest. Her hand rose to his hair, comforting him with slow, soothing strokes.
"I should've gone with you," Abigel murmured.
"It's alright. It already happened. Icarus took care of everything. And I know you would've done the same," she said.
His embrace tightened around her.
"Ah—let me breathe," Aria joked lightly.
Then, he asked the question she wasn't prepared for.
"Was it painful?"
Her throat tightened. She hesitated, then whispered, "It wasn't."
A heavy silence fell between them.
"Then maybe it'll be easier next time," Abigel said, looking directly into her eyes.
She blushed and looked away, but he gently turned her face back to him.
"Don't look away. I won't be patient forever," he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.
"…Okay," she breathed.
Abigel left quietly once Aria had fallen into a deep sleep. But something began to haunt her dreams.
"Aria… help… please," a voice whispered—a familiar one.
Without thinking, she stood and walked toward the door.
"Open the door," a different, deeper voice commanded.
As she passed the window, her hand reached for the handle.
"No, Aria—don't… step back!"
Duke Raelin's voice echoed in her mind, pulling her back.
"Please… help me… Aria, open the door…" the familiar voice pleaded again. But as she hesitated, the tone turned sinister.
"OPEN THE DOOR!"
The door began to shake violently.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared in front of Aria, grabbing her wrist tightly.
"Umbros, catch it!" Abigel's voice rang out.
Without a moment's hesitation, Umbros emerged from the shadows, binding the creature in his inky tendrils.
"Who sent you?" Abigel demanded.
The creature laughed mockingly.
Without waiting for a response, Umbros crushed it—his master's rage was clear.
"Aria, wake up," Abigel said urgently.
"What… happened?" Aria asked, clutching her head in confusion.
"You were… sleepwalking," he answered gently.
"Was I...? I thought I…" Her voice trailed off. She couldn't bring herself to explain what she had seen—or heard.
"I'll stay until you fall asleep again," Abigel said softly.
That night, he lay beside her, holding her close to keep the darkness away.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land
"May the gods forgive their sins," Immanuel whispered, kneeling before the altar in prayer.
Suddenly, a shadow spread across the church. A chilling presence entered, casting the sanctuary into darkness.
Immanuel's hands trembled.
"My Lord," he said, bowing low before the figure.
"How much longer must I wait?" the figure asked coldly, stepping into the candlelight.
"The plan is in motion. The Soul-Binding Dagger has been delivered. It won't take long now," Immanuel replied.
"Good… I grow tired of waiting."
With that, the figure vanished into thin air, leaving the air heavy and cold.