As Han and Seraphina reached the grand castle gates, the guards at the entrance saluted her before stepping aside, allowing them through. Inside, the halls bustled with servants and knights, each busy with their own tasks. Seraphina walked ahead with her usual confident stride, barely acknowledging the others as she made her way to her quarters.
Upon reaching her room, she stopped in front of the door and turned to Han, arms crossed. "Hey, don't you see that I need to change my clothes? Get out."
Han raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so now you acknowledge my presence?" He smirked but quickly flew outside before she could throw something at him.
Leaning against the hallway wall, he waited until Seraphina finished changing. Moments later, the door creaked open, and she stepped out dressed in more casual attire—simple trousers, a fitted tunic, and leather boots. Her usual armor was nowhere in sight.
Han tilted his head. "Are you going somewhere?"
Seraphina adjusted the strap of the sword at her waist. "Yeah, I have patrol duty. Can't exactly go around town in full armor all the time—it makes people uneasy."
She made her way toward the stables, where a brown stallion awaited her. Mounting it with ease, she urged the horse forward, trotting toward the town. Han followed, effortlessly floating alongside her as she made her way through the streets.
As they entered the bustling town square, Han noticed how different Seraphina seemed from the cold, stoic knight he had met earlier. She greeted the townspeople warmly, stopping occasionally to help an elderly merchant lift a heavy sack or assist a child in retrieving a lost toy. The people, in return, showered her with smiles and gratitude.
Han observed quietly. For someone who claims to have no interest in love, she sure is popular.
As they continued their patrol, Seraphina spotted a young man standing beside a wooden wagon, checking off items on a parchment. His tall, lean frame was dressed in a simple linen shirt and trousers, his dark brown hair slightly disheveled.
A small smile appeared on Seraphina's face as she called out, "Ronan!"
The young man looked up and grinned. "Seraphina! You're on patrol today?"
She nodded, dismounting from her horse as she approached him. "Yeah, figured I'd check on the marketplace while I was at it. How's work been?"
"Busy as ever." Ronan chuckled, tapping the parchment in his hand. "Another shipment came in today. I swear, the merchants are working me to death."
The two continued chatting, their conversation flowing naturally. They laughed, exchanged stories, and for a brief moment, it seemed like nothing else existed in the world except for them.
Han, who had been hovering nearby, suddenly saw a glowing notification pop up in front of him.
[Potential Partner Found.]
His eyes widened. Huh? Already?
As Seraphina wrapped up her conversation with Ronan and bid him farewell, Han floated beside her, giving her a knowing look.
"So," he drawled, crossing his tiny arms, "what was that about? I didn't know you already had a partner in mind."
Seraphina shot him a glare. "Tch. It's not like that. He's just a childhood friend."
Han smirked but held back a laugh. "Right, right. Just a 'childhood friend.' Got it."
Seraphina rolled her eyes and continued her patrol, but Han couldn't shake the thought from his mind. Maybe he's considered a 'potential partner' not because she already loves him, but because there's a strong chance those feelings could develop in the future.
After finishing her patrol, Seraphina returned to the castle, giving her report to her superiors before finally heading back to her quarters for some much-needed rest. Han followed her inside but, just as she was about to settle down, he turned to her.
"I've got something to take care of," he said casually.
Seraphina, already half-distracted, merely waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah. Do whatever you want."
With that, Han vanished, leaving behind only a faint golden shimmer in the air.