Chapter 36 The Hero and the Court Mage, Bound Together

The streets were quieter now as Rein and Liora walked side by side through the capital’s dim lantern light. 

“I wasn’t just looking for you to scold you, Rein. It’s Kael. The king has sent him on a monster extermination mission without you leading the charge."

 “What? Why Commander Kael? Isn’t he needed here with the front lines on standby?”

“I asked the same thing. But the order came directly from the King. No reason given, just... 'Handle it.'”

 “That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know. That’s why I want you to go with him. Watch his back. Keep him safe.”

“Kael has made too many decisions lately that Arthur didn’t like. And now, conveniently, he’s being sent off to handle a mission that could’ve easily been handled by a squad of regular knights and few scouts. Somethings not right.” Liora thought to herself.

The cobblestones shimmered faintly as Liora traced a circle with her hand. Light rippled outward, and in a blink, they appeared at the capital’s eastern gate.

Empty.

Only the fading glow of ward sigils remained, the marks of Kael’s unit having already departed. The guards glanced their way nervously but said nothing.

“They’re gone already… Liora, can’t you teleport us to him directly?”

She shook her head, fixing her glasses.

“No, unfortunately, I can't. Teleportation isn’t tracking, Rein. I can lock onto a place I’ve memorized, or a beacon, but not a moving target. Not across half the realm.”

“But today you moved an entire army across the continent like it was nothing.”

“And it nearly broke me. That was a fixed point. A stable anchor. If I tried to cast again without preparation—without a lock—I’d collapse before we even left the circle.”

“So that's it then, we can’t reach him.”

“It’s alright. I just… wanted to be sure. Kael said he would handle it. He always does. So, I’ll trust him this time too. There’s nothing more we can do tonight. I'm sorry for dragging you like this. But that's not all, Rein. There’s another matter… Come. We have something else to discuss.”

“Something else? What is it?” 

Liora glanced around at the empty street, then toward a small café tucked into the corner — one of the few still open at this hour. 

“Not here. Let’s sit down first.”

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The two of them sat opposite each other at a narrow wooden table, steam curling from the cups between them. 

 Liora set her cup down.

“The King… He brought up something. A matter he expects us to… accept.”

“What matter? What is my grandpa up to now?”

“He intends for us to marry.”

Liora kept her gaze lowered, tracing the rim of her cup.

 “I wanted to tell him that it was not my place to— But he doesn’t care for what I want. To him, it’s… practical. The Hero and the Court Mage, bound together. A symbol. Highest Royalty."

She paused for a moment.

 "I know you loved Aura. You still do. Even if you tell yourself she’s gone. I know asking you to accept this is… cruel. Preposterous. I know very well what it's like to be forced to marry someone you don't like. Forcing you into something like this—it’s wrong. But I thought you deserved to hear it from me first... before it becomes an order you can’t refuse.”

Rein didn’t answer at once. He sat back in his chair, eyes lingering on the steam rising from his cup.

“I see. So, it’s come to that, huh. Honestly… I’m surprised it took this long. I grew up in that palace, remember? I knew sooner or later they’d use me like a pawn on the board. Marry this noble, forge this alliance, produce an heir. That’s the way the royal family works.”

“You’re… not angry?”

He picked up his cup, swirling the dark liquid idly before taking a sip. Then he set it down with a soft clink and looked at her again.

“No, not really. If I had to marry someone, I'm lucky it was you, Liora. You’ve always been close to me. Familiar. If I’ve got to live with a crown weighing me down, I’d rather face it with someone I trust at my side. Strongest mage in the kingdom. The one who’s been keeping my reckless head attached for years. And a beautiful woman to brag about. Doesn’t sound like such a bad deal when I think about it.”

For the first time since they sat down, Liora’s expression faltered. It was only the faintest shift — her lips parting, then pressing into a thin line as though she was in pain. Her hands, folded neatly around her cup, tightened slightly.

“...Beautiful. Once I was,” she repeated softly, almost to herself.

 A faint laugh slipped out, brittle around the edges.

 “You always did have a way with words, Rein. I should warn you — if you keep saying things like that, people might start to think you actually mean them.”

Her tone carried its usual composure, but the faint tremor in her voice betrayed her. She tilted her head, letting the light of the lanterns catch her glasses, the illusion masking her closed eyes.

Inside, her chest twisted.

"If only you knew, Rein. If only you could see what’s underneath this glass and spellwork. ‘Beautiful’ is the last word anyone would use."

But outwardly, she forced the smallest smile, graceful as ever.

“You’re kinder than you should be. But… thank you.”

She lifted her cup, hiding behind the steam, letting the warmth disguise the faint crack in her calm.

Rein leaned back in his chair, smirking faintly as he lifted his own cup.

“Come on, once? What? Liora, you look pretty. Always have. Don’t act like you don’t know it.”

He set the cup down, gesturing lightly toward her with a smile.

“You could get any guy you want, and not just because of your looks either. You’re smart, reliable… half the time, you’re the one keeping this whole kingdom from falling apart while the rest of us are swinging swords and setting things on fire. So don’t roll your eyes at me when I say it. You’re not only a pretty face — but it doesn’t hurt that you’ve got one.”

She let out a faint laugh — almost like she was laughing at herself more than at him.

“…Thank you, Rein. You’re kinder to me than I deserve.” 

She lifted her cup, sipping delicately before adding, “And don’t forget... I’m older than you. Much older. Hardly fair for a seasoned woman like me to hear compliments from the boy who was still running around the academy courtyard when I was already a kingdom's diplomat.”

Rein leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the armrest with a teasing smile.

“Older, huh? You make it sound like you’re ancient. Few years isn’t much, Liora. And besides, I don’t care if you’re older than me. You could be ten years older, and it wouldn’t change a thing. You’re still Liora.”

Outwardly, his tone was simple, casual. But inside, his thoughts carried a different weight.

"Older? She doesn’t know the half of it. I’ve lived almost twice the years she thinks I have. In my old life, I was already past nineteen. Add this life… put together, it’s closer to forty. If anything, she’s closer to my age than anyone else here. She’s worried over nothing."

Rein met her gaze again and smiled faintly.

“You don’t get to play the ‘too old’ card with me, Liora. Not buying it.”

“Rein… is it really alright with you?” she asked, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of the porcelain.

 “To marry me, just because the King commanded it? I don’t want to become… a chain around your neck. You’ve already sacrificed more than anyone could bear. If this feels like just another burden, another duty… then you don’t have to say yes. I will accept the punishment for defying King's orders.”

“If it comes down to it, I’ll accept the marriage. I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me. And honestly… I don’t see it as the bad thing you think it is. But not now. Not like this. The war isn’t over, and the Demon Lord isn’t going to wait while we figure out how to be husband and wife. We’ve got bigger things to focus on first. When it’s done—when the world isn’t burning anymore—we’ll talk about it. Then I’ll have the time to think about marriage properly.”

"It's understandable, Rein. When the Demon Lord is defeated. I think that would be acceptable to your grandfather."