Ethea stared at Soren for a long moment, her ice-blue eyes steady and unreadable.
Then she spoke, her voice quiet but clear.
"...You donāt have to do this. Thereās no cure for me."
Soren froze, stunned by her bluntness. Then shook his head.
"I know it canāt cure you. I just hope it would help ease the pain, even a little. Thatās all." He paused, meeting her gaze. "Besides, how can you give up without giving your all?"
Ethea continued to stare at him, her expression unchanged, seemingly unaffected by his words.
Sheād heard similar sentiments before. Empty encouragement from people who didnāt understand. People who thought willpower alone could overcome a ācurseā that had broken Seventh Circle Awakened like her.
Soren seemed to sense her skepticism. He exhaled slowly and continued.
"I know your family must have done everything to cure you, but couldnāt. I bet they hired Seventh or even Eighth Circle healers, tried every known remedy." His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "And I admit I canāt do what they did. Not yet, at least."
Etheaās fingers curled slightly in her lap.
He was right. The Morvain family had spent fortunes. Consulted the best healers on the continent. Even contacted famous figures from abroad.
Yet, nothing worked.
"But I have my own ways," Soren said, his tone shifting into something more resolute. "Although... I canāt promise that I will definitely cure you, but I can promise that I will do my best to do it."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady and sincere.
"So can you promise me not to give up until I do?"
Etheaās eyes widened a fraction.
For the first time in months, something flickered in those ice-blue depths.
Sheād heard many promises before. Healers who claimed they could cure her. Family members who spoke empty words of encouragement. Physicians who confidently declared theyād found the solution, only to fail like all the others.
But he...He was different.
He didnāt claim arrogantly that he would cure her. He didnāt promise miracles or act like he had all the answers. Instead, he acknowledged his shortcomings openly. Admitted he couldnāt do what her family or famous healers had failed to do.
And yet, despite thatāor perhaps because of itāhis words felt... real.
They didnāt give her false hope.
She stared at him for another long moment, searching his face for any trace of deception or delusion.
There was none.
Finally, she gave a faint nod.
"...Alright."
Sorenās expression softened with relief, and he smiled.
"Good. Now rest for a bit. The meal should help with the pain."
He stood and moved to adjust her wheelchair, positioning it near the window where the afternoon light was warm but not harsh. The sunlight caught her black hair, making it gleam faintly.
Ethea turned her gaze toward the window, but her mind was still on his words.
āHis own ways...ā
What could he possibly mean by that?
Heād just awakened a few days ago. He probably had no connections, no resources, no backing from powerful families or guilds.
Or did he... do something with the Bureau?
Sheād seen him leave this morning, and heād mentioned registering officially. Perhaps heād gained access to something through them? Resources? Information?
Whatever the case, she didnāt particularly care.
Well, as long as it wasnāt something bad or dangerous that would put him at risk.
Because...
While she didnāt want to have false hopes for herself, she also didnāt want him to suffer for her sake.
He was... a good man.
Better than most sheād known in her life. Better than those whoād claimed to care for her but abandoned her the moment she became a burden.
Etheaās gaze softened slightly as she watched the afternoon light filter through the window.
The warmth from the meal still lingered in her body, spreading through her limbs like a gentle current. It was a comfort she hadnāt felt in a long time. It wasnāt just physical or emotional, but something deeper...
Her eyes drifted from the window to Soren, who was moving about the room quietly, giving her space.
She watched him for a moment, this man whoād entered her life so suddenly. This stranger whoād become her husband through a contract neither of them wanted. This person, who, against all logic and reason, seemed determined to help her.
Maybe... just maybe, she could let herself believe in him.
Just a little.
_____ __ _
Soren finished tidying up the living room and glanced at the clock.
1:27 PM.
Lady Clara wouldnāt return until 4 PM. That gave him a few hours for training.
He pulled out his phone and opened the Hunter Network app, navigating to the party matching feature Administrator Veyra had mentioned.
The system loaded, analyzing his profile automatically: F-rank Hunter, First Circle, Ice and Wind affinity, and one Gate cleared(solo).
Several listings appeared, parties that matched his level and experience:
[Recommended Party Match - 87% Compatibility]
ā¢ Gate: Moss Hollow Cave (First Circle)
ā¢ Party: 4 members, seeking DPS
ā¢ Schedule: Tomorrow, 10 AM
[Recommended Party Match - 72% Compatibility]
ā¢ Gate: Iron Fang Ravine (First Circle)
ā¢ Party: 3 members, seeking Support/DPS hybrid
ā¢ Schedule: Day after tomorrow, 2 PM
[Recommended Party Match - 64% Compatibility]
ā¢ Gate: Crimson Wolf Den (Second Circle)
ā¢ Party: 5 members, Academy training group
ā¢ Schedule: Three days from now, 9 AM
ā¢ Note: Seeking experienced members
Soren scrolled through the options, considering each one carefully.
āThe Moss Hollow Cave looks manageable. First Circle and tomorrow morning. I could handle that.ā
He tapped on the listing to read more details.
The party had four members already: a tank, a healer, and two DPS.
They were looking for one more damage dealer to round out the group. The split would be equal, and the Gate was relatively close to the city.
āThis could work.ā
He bookmarked it and continued scrolling, checking a few more options before closing the app.
āIāll decide later after thinking it over.ā
He pocketed his phone and turned toward Ethea.
"Iām going to train outside for a bit. Want to come along? The fresh air might do you good."
Ethea blinked, then gave a faint nod.
Soren moved behind her wheelchair and carefully pushed it toward the back door, navigating through the narrow hallway and out into the small courtyard.
The afternoon sun was still warm but not harsh, filtered through the leaves of a small tree at the edge of the yard. He positioned her wheelchair in the shade near the bench, a safe distance from where heād be practicing.
"Comfortable?"
Another small nod.
Satisfied, Soren walked to the center of the courtyard and picked up his steel spear. He gripped the shaft, feeling its weight, and prepared to begin the basic drills Marcus had taught him.
Then he stopped.
An idea formed in his mind.
He lowered the spear and turned back toward Ethea, his expression hesitant.
"Umm... can you help me with my training?"
Etheaās eyes shifted to him, confusion flickering across her face.
Soren scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Donāt misunderstand. I meant in another way. Like... perhaps you could watch and then tell me where Iām making mistakes?"
He paused, his tone softening.
"Only if you want to, of course. No pressure."
Silence hung between them for a moment.
Then, slowly, her lips parted.
"I..."