The wind played gently with Rena's fiery hair as she sat alone on the stone bench beneath the crimson-leafed tree, her hands gripping the ancient mana textbook tightly, knuckles pale against the worn leather cover. She hadn't turned a page in five full minutes—her golden eyes were unfocused, her thoughts adrift in a storm of doubt, jealousy, and confusion. Her chest still burned from her heated exchange with Sarafina. That damned Frost girl…
She was still replaying every smug word in her mind when she heard footsteps—calm, unhurried, like they belonged to someone who had no fear of consequences.
"Hello, my dearest wife."
The familiar voice, soaked in playful mockery and veiled affection, made her snap her head around.
There he was.
**Jin Rotschy.**
Leaning casually against the garden arch, his raven-black hair falling over one crimson eye, boots of polished obsidian leather catching the soft sunlight. His all-black attire hugged his form with effortless elegance—his long coat swayed slightly in the breeze, and a shadow of a smile curled his lips as he stepped toward her.
"You look so serious. Is it because your face is red like a tomato?" he asked, feigning concern. "Shall I start calling you that now? Princess Tomato?"
Rena stood up, fists clenched. "Jin…" she said with barely restrained anger, her golden eyes blazing, heat rippling from her skin. "Where the hell were you? I was looking for you everywhere!"
Jin tilted his head, the edge of his smile sharpening. "Didn't you tell me *not* to follow you around like a puppy? I was just giving you your precious space, like a good little husband."
She froze.
Damn it. She *had* told him that.
Seeing her caught in her own contradiction, Jin's smirk deepened as he took a step closer. "So?" he said, voice dropping to that familiar low, teasing tone. "What's the matter, Princess Tomato? Missed me?"
She looked away. "You're unbearable."
"I've been told that," he said nonchalantly. "But I've also been told I'm addictively charming, especially by stubborn redheads with explosive tempers."
Her fingers twitched. "Stop teasing."
But he didn't. Of course he didn't.
Instead, his smile faded, slowly, replaced by something else—something steadier, more sincere. His voice dropped its theatrical edge, softened as he looked at her directly.
"I saw what happened between you and Sarafina," he said. "I also spoke with her."
Rena's breath caught. Her golden eyes lifted to meet his. "And?"
"I'm not going to lie or pretend to take sides." His tone was clear now, like cut glass. "But let me say this once, and only once. I don't cheat. I may be cruel. I may be twisted. I may enjoy pushing people to their limits—but I'm not disloyal."
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "I'm yours, Rina. That's what this marriage means—even if you didn't choose it. Even if you hate me half the time. I won't betray you, no matter who throws themselves at me."
Something inside her wavered. Her anger was still there, still simmering like a volcano, but beneath it… something gentler. Something warmer. She hated how his words made her heart pound. How his eyes—those maddening red eyes—seemed to speak more truth than his mouth ever did.
"We Rotschy," he continued, "don't care about people's opinions. Not about what they say, not about how they look at us. We live in the shadows, by our own code. You'll learn that soon enough."
He reached out, gently cupped her chin, and leaned in—close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath, smell the faint trace of whatever dark, alluring cologne he wore. Their lips were only inches apart.
"But you," he whispered, "need to focus now. My mother and Sion will be training you. This isn't just politics anymore. You're part of our house. Act like it."
Then, just before their lips touched, he pulled away, leaving only ghost heat behind. That same maddening habit—drawing her in, only to leave her wanting.
She stood there frozen, lips parted, eyes wide. A thousand words fought to reach her tongue but none made it past her lips.
Jin stepped back, hands in his pockets, and turned to go. "I'm heading home."
"Home?" she repeated, blinking. "School's not over yet."
He glanced at her over his shoulder, flashing a grin. "I don't need to stay. The headmaster already assessed my abilities. Mentally. Magically. Physically. I've passed all the requirements. I just come for Eleanor's class because… well, mana theory is kind of fun. And I enjoy watching you pretend to ignore me."
He raised a hand, summoned a portal—a shimmering veil of light and shadow—and tossed her something.
Rena caught it reflexively. A silver artifact stone with a glowing rune etched into its center.
"That's a Grade S teleport crystal," Jin said. "Linked to the coordinates of House Rotchi. If you ever need to come home, or just want to see me… use it."
Then he was gone, swallowed by the portal, without another word.
Rena stared at the spot where he vanished. Her hands trembled slightly, her heart uncertain. She looked down at the crystal, then at the textbook she still held.
**Why… why does he always leave me like this?**
On edge. Confused. Flushed.
But never… truly angry.
Never truly alone.
.........
What do you think of the cover photo? It looks beautiful. It's a photo of Naoko.
Sorry I can't put character images I don't have this feature I think I need a contract with an editor this is sad but no problem I will give you a link to the images after I finish designing all the character images well the only problem is that I know how to use some applications but the problem is I don't know how to color the image color degree I am a failure at it to the point of death