Chapter 631: You Look...Happy

Carmela turned toward the voice, only to find Julie standing there like she was ready for battle.

For a moment, she looked surprised. Then, ever so slightly, the corner of her lips curved up.

"Sure."

In the blink of an eye, she moved.

Julie smiled—and lunged forward as well.

The clang of steel erupted instantly.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flashed, and the air filled with the sharp music of steel colliding at impossible speed.

But to everyone watching, it was more sound than sight, because neither fighter could be seen clearly anymore.

They moved too fast.

Only blurs and shifting shadows darted across the field, their silhouettes crossing like flashes of light and wind.

The only evidence of their existence was the ringing of blades and the gusts brushing against the onlookers faces.

The recruits were speechless.

"She’s—She’s keeping up with the Captain?!"

"No way! Captain Julie’s the Whispering Blade! Nobody can match her speed!"

"Are they even human?!"

Julie’s name wasn’t for nothing—the Whispering Blade, famed across the continent for being so fast that the only sign of her attack was the soft whisper of the sword slicing through air before the enemy even realized they were dead.

And yet, Carmela was keeping up—every move fluid, every parry perfect.

"Go, Captain! Go!"

Shouted some of the trainees, while others cheered.

"Come on, mysterious lady, you can do it!"

The whole field was alive with excited shouting as the two women clashed again and again.

Julie had a bright grin on her face, the kind that only came from meeting an opponent who could push her.

Carmela, though as ever, had a faint gleam in her eyes—not bloodlust, but satisfaction.

For several minutes they moved in perfect rhythm, until at last both women stepped back at the same time—panting lightly, blades still at the ready.

Then Julie chuckled and lowered her sword.

"I’m thirsty." She said between breaths. "Drink?"

Carmela twirled her dagger once before slipping it back under her cloak.

"Sure."

The two women walked side by side toward the water barrels at the edge of the field, the cheers and chatter of the recruits fading behind them as everyone returned reluctantly to training.

Julie took a long sip from her cup, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Ah, that hits the spot!"

Then, glancing at Carmela from the corner of her eye, she said,

"You should join the Holy Guard, you know. We could use someone like you."

Carmela raised a brow. "The Holy Guard?"

"Mm-hm." Julie leaned casually against the barrel, swirling her drink. "We’re always looking for strong female warriors to help protect the realm. You’d be an ideal candidate—just look at them."

She nodded toward the field where the young recruits were still sneaking glances their way.

"They’re already your fans."

Carmela’s lips quirked faintly. "I prefer to work alone."

"Sure, but this—" Julie gestured to the laughing trainees and sparring pairs around them. "—this is better. Fighting side by side, trusting someone to guard your back, celebrating victories together."

"That’s what makes the Holy Guard special."

She leaned forward a little, smiling mischievously.

"And if it’s the paperwork stopping you, don’t worry. I’ll even fill out your application myself. You’ll get a uniform, armor, new clothes...and some seriously nice weapons too."

"The budget’s gotten better lately."

Carmela didn’t respond. She simply looked at her with that quiet expression that said more than words.

Julie sighed again, holding up her hands.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Lone wolf, got it."

But then her tone softened, her teasing smile fading into something more genuine.

"You’ve changed, you know."

Carmela blinked, taken aback.

"...What do you mean?"

Julie smiled faintly, setting down her cup.

"I don’t mean your appearance, you’re a vampire, after all. You’ll look the same for decades. What I mean is...you."

Carmela raised a brow but stayed silent.

"When I first met you, you were different." Julie said quietly. "You were cold. Distant. Like a predator, all instinct and bloodlust, always on edge, always ready to kill."

"You didn’t live, Carmela. You hunted and were hunted in return."

Carmela’s eyes softened slightly.

"But now..." Julie continued, smiling warmly. "Now you’re calmer. More gentle. Almost...happy."

"Happy?"

"Yeah." Julie said, meeting her eyes. "Happy. Like someone who’s finally found a place to belong. Or maybe someone worth belonging to."

Carmela looked down at her reflection in the water barrel, then back up again, but this time with the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"I’ll take that as confirmation." Julie chuckled softly.

But just as the air between them began to settle into something peaceful and pleasant, Julie’s mischievous streak decided to make an untimely return.

She turned her head toward Carmela, who was calmly sipping her water beside her, and asked with an almost too-casual tone.

"So, what about you, Carmela? Have you fallen for Cassius already?"

The words had barely left her lips when—

PFFT!

Carmela immediately spat the water straight out of her mouth, coughing and choking in disbelief.

Her eyes went wide, a mix of shock and fury spreading across her face as she glared at Julie.

"W-What did you just say?" She demanded, her voice sharp, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Julie blinked innocently.

"What? What’s wrong? It’s not some crazy question, right? I mean, come on—given how often you’re around him, and the way you’ve changed lately, it’s only natural for people to wonder."

She tilted her head playfully.

"You probably feel something for him already. And don’t you dare lie to me about that."

Carmela’s face darkened, a faint flush creeping across her usually stoic features.

"You—! You’re out of your mind."

"Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you haven’t at least felt something." Her grin turned teasing. "You can’t lie to me about that—I can see it all over your face. You blushed, Carmela."

"I did not." Carmela snapped immediately, crossing her arms and looking away

Julie chuckled. "Mhm. Right. Totally not blushing."

Carmela let out a low growl of frustration—a sound far more animalistic than usual—before turning on her heel and striding away, her cloak fluttering dramatically behind her.

"Hey, where are you going?" Julie called after her, still laughing.

"Anywhere that’s not near you." Carmela shot back curtly without turning around.

Julie just sighed, shaking her head with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say at first." She murmured. "But it won’t be long before she falls too."

She chuckled softly to herself, then glanced around the field again—her smile fading into mild curiosity.

"Now that I think about it...where’s Aqua?" She muttered. "She came with Joy and Carmela earlier, didn’t she? Said she wanted to see Aisha."

Julie’s lips curved into a small, amused smile.

"Oh boy...I wonder how that reunion’s going."

—

Meanwhile, on the other side of the headquarters—in the large building that housed the Holy Guard’s living quarters, lounges, and training halls—the hallways buzzed with chatter and movement.

And walking through those halls was none other than Aqua, humming lightly to herself with a spring in her step.

She was practically radiating glee, the kind of giddy anticipation only someone about to meet their favorite person could have.

"Ahh, my adorable Aisha." She whispered to herself with a dreamy sigh. "It’s been far too long."

She wasn’t just happy—she was thrilled.

She was going to meet Aisha again, the little prodigy she adored like her own younger sister.

Their first meeting years ago had been nothing short of fateful.

Julie had brought Aisha to the capital once for a special case, and when Aqua visited their place to see Julie, she’d met her for the first time—a small, fiery young mage with bright eyes, an intelligent mind...and the personality of a cornered kitten.

Aqua had taken one look at her and practically squealed.

"You’re adorable!" She had exclaimed back then, scooping her into a hug before Aisha could even react.

"W-What are you doing?!"

Aisha had cried, thrashing and turning red all over.

"Let go! I said let go!"

But of course, Aqua had only hugged her tighter, cooing.

"You’re so tiny! So cute! I could just eat you up!"

That was the start of everything.

From that day on, Aqua had completely fallen for Aisha’s combination of shyness and fiery temper—she found it irresistibly fun to tease.

The way Aisha flustered so easily, the way she puffed her cheeks and stomped her foot when annoyed.

It was all so precious.

And the best part?

They had common ground—both were mages, and Aqua had taken Aisha under her wing, teaching her everything from basic spell reinforcement to complex mana flow manipulation.

Of course, she hadn’t taught her for free.

Every lesson came with a "reward."

Sometimes it was Aisha giving her a shoulder massage—which usually ended with Aqua dramatically sighing in delight while Aisha grumbled under her breath.

Other times, Aqua would make her cuddle together on the couch afterward, claiming it "helped with focus retention."

The most infamous of all was when Aisha had to call her "Big Sister Aqua" after completing a difficult spell—something Aisha hated more than anything.

But, begrudgingly, she’d done it. Every time.

And Aqua had treasured every moment of it.

So naturally, when she returned to the estate, the thought of seeing her favorite flustered little mage again filled her with joy.

Still, that wasn’t entirely why she’d come here.

As she walked down the hallway, her cheerful hum faltered slightly, and she sighed softly.

The truth was...after everything that had happened that morning with her brother, she needed some air—and distance.

Her cheeks grew hot at the memory.

"Ughhh..." She groaned, covering her face with her hands as she walked. "Why did I do something like that?!"