"Odelie, I should head back. Silay will worry." After breakfast, Sophie prepared to leave. A night apart had made her realize how much she missed him.
"Why? Is his place more comfortable? His food better? Or... do you hate me now?" Odeli pouted.
"Of course not! You can visit me anytime—you know where the branch office is, right?" Sophie smiled reassuringly.
Odelie saw the determination in Sophie's eyes but had to make her reluctance known.
"Fine," she sighed, then brightened. "But you must accept my gift first!"
Gifts were Sophie's weakness, though she tried to appear reluctant. "Alright, what is it?"
"Emma, is it ready?" Odelie's tone shifted to regal aloofness—a stark contrast to their earlier intimacy.
The head maid bowed. "Prepared as you instructed, my lady."
Two servants carried in heavy golden chests encrusted with gemstones.
Sophie's jaw dropped. She'd expected trinkets, not treasure chests.
"Do you like them?" Odeli beamed. "I keep my promises. Everything you admired is inside."
"Th-thank you!" Sophie considered stashing them in her Phoenix Bag but decided against revealing it. Better to have them delivered openly.
---
The crystal carriage ride back was blissful.
*What's Silay doing now? Has business started?* Her thoughts raced ahead of the horses.
At the branch office, most were out—even Brook and the others. After tipping the chest-bearers, Sophie locked her door to transfer the loot.
The chests barely budged. When she pried one open, her breath caught—it held every jewel she'd admired at Odeli's.
*How do I repay this?* She pushed the thought aside, too busy grinning as gems vanished into her Phoenix Bag.
A familiar voice interrupted. "Sophie... got any food?"
Belindak poked his head out, eyeing the new treasures with disappointment. "Just more shiny rocks? I'm sick of fruit!"
His scrunched-up snake face sent Sophie into giggles.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, just remembered a place with amazing food! Next time I'll bring you a feast." She patted his head, careful not to offend the creature who'd once leveled a bandit fortress in her defense.
"Wait!" She stopped him from retreating. "Help me with these last chests."
*Now no thief would dare steal my bag—not with Belindak inside.*
---
A knock. "Sophie? You in there?"
After hastily straightening the room, she opened the door to Hulda.
"Just checking if you're back," he said awkwardly. "Silay asked me to. Said if you weren't here by noon, I should check Rose Pavilion."
Warmth flooded her. "Where is he?"
Hulda hesitated. "Out... somewhere."
"Tell me." Sophie's voice turned steely.
After extracting the truth—Silay had gone to see Camilla, Princess of Nepeldon, his former love—Sophie calmly shut the door.
Then collapsed.
Tears fell like hailstones as realization struck: she'd fallen for him without noticing. All those meals cooked under the desert sun, just to see him smile.
*When did it happen? That first glance in the sands? Surviving bandits together?* Love needed no reasons—only to be.
But it was unrequited. He'd never promised her anything. She had no right to this pain.
Curled on the floor, she hugged her knees, the hollow ache in her chest unbearable.
*How long have I been here?* The scattered ice-tears glittered accusingly.
**Would she gather the pieces of her heart—or let jealousy consume her?**