(A large tip left the author too ashamed to slack off, so here is an extra update. These two chapters are slice of life and do not affect the main plot.)
On the surface, at Caria Manor.
Rellana stood with her arms folded, leaning in the shadow of a colonnade pillar. Her gaze seemed to rest on a pair of knights sparring in the courtyard, but her eyes were slightly unfocused.
It had been days since that fellow had gone through the portal, and he had not even sent a message back.
She knew he had gone to the dangerous underground world, and her sister had said the portal was one-way and unstable, making contact impossible for now, but... it still felt as though something hung suspended in her heart, unable to settle.
Training, handling official business, making inspections... she tried to keep herself busy, but her thoughts always wandered off against her will.
Where had he gotten to? Had he run into danger? Would those ancient Nox give him trouble?
Had he made any progress researching that "blood moon" of his? And... would his dark red hair at the temples stand out even more in the gloomy underground?
"Tch." Rellana shook her head irritably, suppressing those jumbled thoughts.
She decided to take a walk outside the manor for some air.
As she strolled along the lakeside path, Liurnia's breeze carried moisture and the fresh scent of plants, easing some of the agitation in her heart.
She walked aimlessly.
Ahead, a tall figure stood with his back to her, carefully wiping down his knight's sword.
It was the Carian knight Moongrum (you're throwing matches again, Mr. Moneybags), renowned for his valor and meticulousness.
Rellana softened her footsteps, not wanting to disturb him.
Yet when she was still seven or eight