The morning sun peeked gently over the skyline of Silverhaven, casting golden light over its bustling streets. Red's party, comprising Red, Selena, Lio, and Hina, strode toward the North Gate with fresh energy, ready to begin the orc scouting quest near Ironspire Hold. Rika and Yuzu flanked them, having happily joined the group again after the hilarious chaos Sarah had caused.
Rika leaned toward Hina, whispering,
Rika: So… is it true? You and Red… engaged?!
Yuzu bounced eagerly on Hina's other side.
Yuzu: Yes! Yes! We weren't at the banquet! Tell us everything!
Selena, walking beside Red, twitched as her ears picked up the conversation. She scooted a bit closer to Red, slipping her arm around his in dramatic slow motion.
Selena: Hmm? I didn't hear anything. What was that? Engagement?
Selena smiled innocently while pulling Red just a step further from Hina.
Hina blushed, fiddling with her fingers.
Hina: W-Well… it's… technically true, but it's just a cover so I could cancel the arranged marriage. Red helped me..."
Selena: Ohh...?, just a fake engagement" Selena grinned smugly, loosening her grip.
Selena: Nothing to worry about then.
Hina: I didn't say I was unhappy about it..." Hina muttered under her breath.
"What was that?!" Selena's eyes flared.
"Nothing!" Hina puffed her cheeks and turned away.
Behind them, Rika and Yuzu squealed like gossiping squirrels.
Rika: So romantic!
Yuzu: And she gets to sleep next to him at the banquet night~eeeee!
Meanwhile, Lio walked a few paces behind, trying to pretend he wasn't part of the commotion. His sword jostled on his hip, and his face looked like a perfect blend of "I'm happy for them" and "Why am I here?"
Lio: Man…" he whispered to himself,
Lio: I need more guy friends.
Far away on a secluded rooftop above the streets of Silverhaven, two shadowed figures stood watching the party's departure.
The first figure was draped in an elegant black cloak, her face veiled beneath a silken hood. Her lips curved into a sly smile.
"My my," the Mysterious Woman whispered. "Look at them… a whole parade of girls trailing after my son. That Hina girl, she's quite the polite one. Selena, on the other hand, like a tiger guarding her mate."
She sipped a delicate tea from an engraved porcelain cup, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Mysterious Woman: So full of life. It's almost time… maybe one of them will finally become a proper bridge between our bloodline and another."
"Bridge, my lady?" the man beside her asked, the same one who always brought tasks to Red, Mysterious Man, his face hidden in a cowl, his voice low and respectful.
Mysterious Woman: A bride, But let's keep it poetic.
Mysterious Man: Shall I deliver another message to the boy?
Mysterious Woman: No… let him have his journey. We'll see how strong the bridge becomes.
Back on the road, the party had reached the city's North Gate.
Red, as always, walked with a quiet confidence, his eyes scanning the trail ahead while everyone else chattered behind him. His new black coat flared in the wind, catching some admiring glances from passing travelers and one nearby merchant woman who sighed, "What a man…"
Selena shot her a deadly glare. "Look somewhere else, lady."
Yuzu and Rika waved cheerfully at the guards.
Rika: Bye~! We'll be back after killing some orcs!
"Don't worry, we've got Red with us!" Yuzu added with a grin.
"Technically he's not the only guy," Lio mumbled from the back.
"No offense, Lio!" they chirped in unison, which somehow made it worse.
As the road led them farther from Silverhaven and toward the rougher terrain near Ironspire Hold, the party's atmosphere began to calm. The jokes faded to quiet hums, and the crisp wind rustled through the trees.
Red kept to the front, focused as ever, but his ears occasionally picked up bits of girl-chatter behind him.
Yuzu: I wonder how orcs really smell
Rika: Hopefully not like boiled socks
Hina: They say some of them wear armor made from dead adventurers…
"Yikes." Lio tried to sound brave.
Lio: Well, we'll take care of them, don't worry.
Behind the trees, a pair of pale green eyes narrowed in amusement. The Mysterious Woman remained perched somewhere higher, always watching.
Her voice, carried by magic to her companion, said softly,
Mysterious Woman: They've grown. Especially Hina. Her heart is changing."
The mysterious man replied with a curious note. "You think she's falling for him? For Red?"
Mysterious Woman: Of course she is," she said, sipping more tea.
Mysterious Woman: It's natural. The real question is, who will reach him first?
She looked over to the red ribbon Hina wore in her hair, the one she tied that morning with care.
Mysterious Woman: Perhaps this little healer girl might become more than a bridge. We'll see.
The wind carried their silent laughter away.
Meanwhile, Red halted the group near a rocky outcrop overlooking a mining path, Ironspire Hold's shadow already visible in the far horizon.
He raised a hand.
Red: We'll camp here for a bit before moving to the ridge line. That area will have more signs of orc activity."
Everyone nodded, grateful for the short break.
As Rika, Yuzu, and Lio chatted nearby, Selena plopped down beside Red and leaned her head dramatically on his shoulder.
Selena: Haaaah… what a peaceful start to a deadly mission.
"You're exaggerating again," Red said calmly.
Selena: It's the truth! You never know when a goblin or orc might pop out of a bush.
Red said nothing.
Selena: I mean, maybe they could also fall in love with you," she added.
Red blinked slowly.
Selena: Just saying… it wouldn't be the weirdest thing that's happened.
Red: Please stop talking.
Selena: Make me.
From a few feet away, Hina watched them quietly, pressing her hands to her chest with a warm, puzzled smile.
She wasn't sure what to call this feeling, but it felt like something important was about to begin.
A new journey.
A new rival.
And perhaps…
A new reason to stay by his side.
As the sun climbed higher, casting long shadows toward the north, Red's party prepared to resume their march. Far above, unseen and unacknowledged, the Mysterious Woman stood watching still, eyes gleaming with curiosity, pride, and amusement.
Mysterious Woman: Go on, Let's see which heart leads you home.