The soft glow of morning sunlight streamed in through the open balcony, painting the marble floor in warm hues. Gentle birdsong drifted through the palace, the world outside waking to a peaceful dawn.
Kai slowly opened his eyes. His body felt heavy, like he'd been asleep for Night. As his vision adjusted, he realized he was lying on a grand, velvet-lined bed — Victoria's royal chamber. The scent of fresh roses lingered faintly in the air.
His gaze shifted slightly...
There, curled up on a nearby sofa, Princess Yuhi slept soundly. She had fallen asleep sitting upright, her arms crossed and her head resting awkwardly against the edge of the couch. Her usually elegant appearance was disheveled — strands of hair loose, cloak slipping off her shoulders — a clear sign she had stayed by his side the entire night, refusing to leave.
A small, strange warmth stirred in Kai's chest at the sight.
He sat up slowly, careful not to wake her. His sharp instincts immediately searched for his weapons —
There they were.
On the table next to the bed, laid neatly: his Twin Blades... and the ominous, dark Ruler Black Sword.
For a moment, Kai simply stared at them. A quiet reminder that even here — in the heart of a golden palace, with sunlight and peace around him — his life was still a battlefield.
He exhaled, almost soundlessly. His hand lightly brushed over the twin blades' hilts, then rested briefly atop the black sword, feeling the cold power humming beneath its surface.
Outside, a gentle breeze stirred the curtains.
Inside, Kai's mind remained still.
Kai's gaze drifted back to Yuhi.
Without thinking, he quietly walked over to her. The early sunlight brushed over her sleeping form, making her skin glow like porcelain. She looked so peaceful... so fragile, yet so strong.
A feeling stirred deep in Kai's chest — unfamiliar, unsettling.
He knelt beside the sofa, bringing his face closer.
Carefully, almost without touching, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face with his fingers. Her hair was soft, like silk slipping between his touch.
For a moment, he just looked at her — really looked at her.
The way the sunlight kissed her cheeks. The slight furrow in her brow even in sleep. The faint smile on her lips.
He didn't notice how close he had leaned until —
Yuhi's eyes fluttered open.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Her bright eyes widened in shock as she met Kai's cool, unwavering stare.
A heartbeat skipped. Then another.
Yuhi's face flushed a deep red.
"W-what are you doing?!" she stammered, quickly sitting up straight, her voice cracking slightly from surprise.
Kai, still calm, barely moved.
He shifted his gaze away and answered casually, as if nothing had happened:
"Nothing. I was just trying to get my coat..."
He pointed at the white coat that was trapped beneath her.
Realizing her mistake, Yuhi's face grew even redder. She scrambled up, flustered, brushing down her wrinkled dress.
"S-sorry!" she said quickly, avoiding eye contact. She grabbed the white coat with both hands and, in a rush, held it out to him.
Kai stood, towering over her without saying a word.
He accepted the coat with a slight nod, his fingers brushing hers for a brief second — a spark of warmth between them — before he turned away to put it on.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Only the soft songs of birds and the whispering breeze filled the silent space between them.
Kai slipped into the White coat.
It fit him perfectly — maybe even too perfectly.
The fabric was soft, heavy, and untouched by any battle scars.
He ran his hand along the sleeve, frowning slightly.
"This... isn't my coat," he said.
Yuhi, who was trying to calm her still-racing heart, smiled a little.
"I ordered a new one," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Your old one was full of scratches and holes... you know, from the fight."
Kai looked at her, surprised for a second, then gave a rare, soft smile.
"Thank you," he said simply.
Yuhi's cheeks warmed again, but she managed a steady voice this time.
"It's my pleasure... after all, you already saved me twice. And..."
Her voice dropped a little, eyes shining with emotion.
"...you fought for Victoria. For all of us."
The morning sun streamed into the room, making everything feel almost dreamlike for a moment.
But then, as Kai adjusted the collar of his new coat, a memory flashed sharply in his mind —
the final clash with Alexa,
the explosion of blood magic,
and then — blackness.
His expression turned serious.
He remembered now — he had fainted after defeating Alexa.
The weight of the battle. The exhaustion he had buried deep inside.
Kai glanced back at Yuhi, his voice low:
"...how long was I out?"
Yuhi, seeing the change in him, answered softly:
"One day... We were worried."
Before Yuhi could answer more,
a sudden knock echoed from the door.
"Come in," Yuhi said quickly, stepping back.
The door opened, and Lucious Fang — the loyal warrior — entered with a serious expression.
He bowed respectfully before speaking.
"My princess," Lucious said. "King Advert White calls for you... and the Dark Knight as well."
Kai and Yuhi exchanged a glance.
Without delay, Kai secured his swords — the Twin Blades and the Ruler Black Sword — at his side, and they followed Lucious through the sunlit corridors.
The palace garden was already bustling.
Banners of white and gold fluttered in the warm breeze.
Victoria stood proudly with her warriors and the Lumiya fighters — all lined up in formal ranks.
Nearby, Emma, William, and Boros stood as well, their faces brightening when they saw Kai and Yuhi arrive.
At the center of it all was King Advert White himself, regal and smiling warmly.
As they approached, he stepped forward and bowed his head slightly — a rare honor from a king.
"Princess Yuhi," Advert said, his voice strong but full of gratitude,
"thank you — not only for standing with Victoria... but for fighting alongside us."
His gaze shifted to Kai.
"And you, Dark Knight — once again, you've proven why your name carries fear among our enemies."
The garden filled with a ripple of respectful murmurs.
King Advert then raised his hand, his voice reaching everyone.
"Tonight — we celebrate!"
"There will be a grand party in the palace. To honor our warriors... and to give thanks for the victory over the Fallen angel."
Cheers erupted among the warriors and nobles.
For a moment, the heavy memories of battle lifted, replaced by a feeling of true triumph.