Her name spoken from both of their lips felt strange. She was rarely called by her name.
Memories of her family echoed in her mind, their voices still fresh as if they had just spoken. She should have stepped through that door, into their arms, allowing Death to fulfill its task.
Yet, she faltered. And now, she was back in the world of the living.
Her mind threatened to spiral into sadness, the pain pressing like needles against her skin. Clenching her fists, she felt her nails dig into her palms, forcing herself to sit calmly on the bed.
'Deep breath in... deep breath out.' Her mind repeated the mantra as his scent filled her nostrils, her heart slowing to a steady rhythm once more. Conflicting emotions warred within her.
Relief that something seemed to calm her and anger that it was him. She wanted to reject his presence, yet she couldn't deny that it anchored her in a way she didn't understand.
Yuri cleared her throat, drawing their attention.
"First and foremost, I congratulate Young Master Shin Soma and Miss Laverna for completing a hidden mission set by the Guild Master. Sir Davis has already informed me of what happened. On paper, the mission will be marked as a failure due to the inability to protect the Lichtenstein Family. However, since this mission was covert, you will appear to be punished accordingly, but in reality, you are being summoned by the Guild Master for a special meeting."
She waved her hand and a short incantation, a small wormhole forming in the air. With a slight wiggle of her fingers, she reached inside and retrieved a scroll. As she unrolled it, the words confirmed what she had just said, both Shin and Laverna were to receive their Gold Badges.
Laverna only caught fragments of the conversation. Gold Badges? What exactly did that mean?
She knew Shin belonged to a guild sent to kill the Lichtenstein family, but from the sounds of it, he was new. That meant their rapid promotion would stir admiration and resentment in equal measure.
The weight of this revelation settled in her stomach. Did she even want this? Recognition for a mission that left her bound to another person, a fate she had fought so hard to escape?
"Congratulations, you two. You have earned titles and honors. As for the full details, Master Davis will explain everything in your special meeting. He mentioned that due to a certain someone, his schedule has been completely disrupted." Yuri smirked.
Shin felt a twinge of guilt at that. He had done his best to delay this meeting, hoping to buy himself more time to prepare, but it seemed the Guild Master had caught on. Now, there was no escaping it.
"He will meet with you two in five weeks, just in time for the Harvest Festival. So please, be on your best behavior."
Shin could hardly believe his ears. His rank had jumped from G to C faster than anyone in the history of the Hunters Guild. And now, it seemed, Laverna was receiving the same status.
If word of this got out, the guild would either idolize them or resent them. They would be the subject of endless gossip, questioned on how they had acquired such high standing in such a short time.
Laverna, however, cared little for prestige. Freedom was all that mattered. She tucked the name Master Davis away in her mind, making note of the man who held power over their fates. Shin was about to respond when Yuri raised a hand, signaling for him to wait.
"So, you know your mission was to protect the Lichtenstein family, right? Well..."
She reached into the wormhole again, retrieving a newspaper. Shin sighed, already expecting what it would say. But for Laverna, this was new information. The headline read: Lichtenstein Manor Burned to the Ground – Entire Family Perished in the Flames. Own Pets and Beasts Blamed for the Tragedy.
Yuri shrugged. "I'm pretty sure you two had a hand in this, but I don't know the details. That's above my pay grade."
Laverna's curiosity deepened as she watched Yuri pull something from the dark portal. 'A pocket out of nowhere? How odd,' she thought, fascinated by the wormhole.
As she released her clenched fists, she felt the sting of her nails against her palms but paid it no mind. A quick glance at the newspaper title confirmed her suspicions. The family's murder had been covered up, their own beasts taking the blame for her and Shin's actions.
Relief settled over her. No innocents would be punished for what she had done. The guilty had received the justice they deserved.
Yuri giggled before tucking the newspaper away. This time, she retrieved clothing from her mysterious portal, formal attire for both of them.
For Shin, a traditional Hakama Gi, and for Laverna, a Kimono Gi. The fabric was unlike anything she had worn before. The colors were a striking contrast to her usual rags, and she wondered how it would feel against her skin.
As curiosity flickered in her eyes, she absentmindedly curled her tail around her waist, stroking it in a soothing motion, a habit she had developed while in captivity.
Shin took the clothes, hanging them neatly in the closet.
"Let me guess," he said dryly, "there's a formal event after the special meeting, isn't there?"
Yuri winked. "You catch on quick, my Lord."
She then pulled out two envelopes and handed them to Shin.
"You two are invited to a ball. The special meeting will take place at the Royal Palace, just before the event begins. That's all I needed to tell you."
With a smile, Yuri deactivated the mute spell and dismissed her pocket dimension.
"Alright, I'll see you both soon. Make sure to get some rest tonight."
She unlocked the door, but before stepping out, she turned back to them.
"Any questions before I go?"
Shin shook his head. He assumed Yuri was merely a messenger for Guild Master Davis, delivering only what she had been instructed to say.
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing inwardly. This meeting could be troublesome. After all, they were the ones responsible for the deaths of the Lichtenstein family, under the Guild Master's orders.
And with the original job order destroyed in the fire, there was no evidence to prove it.
When Laverna remained silent, Yuri nodded and bowed her head.
"Alright. I'll be off then. And remember, this conversation never happened."
Shin chuckled. "What conversation?"
Yuri giggled and shook her head. She bid them good night, and Shin nodded in return. As the door clicked shut, he turned back to Laverna, who had been lost in thought but now seemed fully present again.
"She fancies you," Laverna noted casually, watching how Yuri's heart fluttered the moment Shin was near, only to settle when she stepped out of the room.
Shin laughed, shrugging. "Nah. She's naturally flirty. I've seen how she interacts with the other patrons she handles. But maybe she's extra flirty with me because she knows who I am. Who knows?"
Laverna smirked, her playfulness flickering before vanishing. "Or it's because she fancies you."
Shin shook his head, amused but dismissive. He was grateful to Yuri. She had helped him when he first arrived in this part of the world, guiding him through its unfamiliar ways.
She knew the city and its secrets better than anyone, and she had taken care of Laverna when he could not. For that, she had earned his trust.
She tried to rest, but the weight of everything gnawed at her. The upcoming meeting, the unexpected promotion, the ball, it was all too much.
She had spent so long fighting just to survive, and now, she was being pushed into a world of power and politics she barely understood. Her chest tightened as doubt crept in.
Shin, sensing her unease through the crest, glanced toward her. "You're anxious."
Laverna didn't respond immediately, pressing her face into the pillow in frustration.
"You can try to hide it, but I can feel it," he continued, his voice steady but gentle. "Talk to me. What's on your mind?"
She hesitated, gripping the sheets tightly. Finally, she exhaled, her voice barely above a whisper. He remained silent, waiting for her to continue, knowing that whatever she said next would change everything.