The moon was high above the Augustus estate, casting silver light over the world below. The soft hum of insects, the distant rustle of leaves, and the faint aftertaste of burned mana still lingered in the air.
Layla sat alone on the edge of the rooftop, her long black hair catching the wind, fluttering like a ribbon in the night. Her legs dangled freely, and her amber eyes watched the gardens below where Noah had just returned inside after walking Lyra back to her room.
She smiled.
A beautiful, soft smile.
The kind that would fool anyone.
"Such a gentleman, isn't he?" she whispered to herself, hugging her knees.
He had fought everyone today… and still had enough strength to smile at her like she was the only person that mattered.
But he didn't see the slight tremble in her hands.
He never saw her when she woke up breathless at night, dreams clawing at her throat.
He never saw her when her magic pulsed violently beneath her skin, demanding to be released.
He only ever saw her smile.
She lowered her head.
"Good," she muttered. "That's how it should be."
She didn't want him to see the ugly parts—the madness, the fear, the constant storm inside her that whispered:
"You're too much."
"You'll scare him."
"He'll leave you."
"They will steal him, from you."
"Kill them before its too late."
Layla looked down at her reflection in the glass pane beside her. Her amber eyes have turned dark like Abyss absorbing everything in the moonlight, her smile had faded.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, silver chain with a cracked gemstone—her old mana stabiliser. It no longer worked. Too unstable. Too broken.
Just like me.
She closed her fingers around it.
"Why can't I be more like Scarlett? Or Lyra?" she muttered bitterly. "They're calm… elegant… worthy."
She paused.
"No. That's not true."
She forced a laugh, but it came out dry.
"I don't want to be like them. I want to be me."
Her grip tightened on the chain.
"But what if... The 'me' isn't good enough for him?"
A sudden spike of mana surged through her body—uncontrolled. Wild.
The air around her shimmered.
The stone beneath her feet cracked slightly.
No… not now.
She shut her eyes, focusing on her breathing. She clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the what was swirling inside her.
One deep breath.
Two.
Three.
The magic stilled.
She exhaled shakily.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
But the tears on her cheeks betrayed her.
"He won't leave me."
She sat in silence for a while, wiping them away as the stars slowly scattered across the sky.
Then, she heard a familiar voice call her name from below.
"Noah…"
He had sensed her. Of course he had.
She stood quickly, brushing her hair behind her ears, putting on that perfect smile again—the one that said I'm fine. I'm always fine.
She took a deep breath and whispered to herself—
"Don't let him see. Just a little longer."
★★★★★
Layla landed quietly outside the window hall, brushing the strands of hair away from her face. The moonlight danced over the gentle smile on her lips.
Noah stood by the hallway, waiting.
"Hey," he greeted her casually. "What were you doing all alone up there?"
She blinked, caught off guard for a moment—but recovered quickly. "Oh, nothing much. Just… taking in the fresh air." Her voice lilted with that familiar playful tone, effortlessly slipping past his question like a cat weaving through trees.
Noah didn't press further. He simply nodded, turning. "Come on."
She followed him quietly. The path was familiar by now—the way to his room. The large, silent corridors of the estate stretched long, moonlight pouring through the arched windows.
Neither said much.
When they arrived, Noah opened the door and gestured for her to step inside.
Layla cocked an eyebrow. "My, my. Inviting a lady into your room at this hour?" she teased, that signature sly grin forming. "What do you want, honey? Another good night?"
She leaned in, fingers tracing his collar.
But this time, Noah didn't tease back.
He closed the distance between them—not sudden, but sure.
And gently took her hand.
His crimson eyes softened.
"I would love to," he whispered, "but only when you want to… truly."
Layla blinked.
Her heart skipped a beat.
He pulled her hand to his chest, over his steady heartbeat. "Actually, you see… this bed is too big for just one person. And thanks to all of you…" he chuckled softly, "I've picked up some bad habits."
She tilted her head, confused.
"I can't sleep alone anymore," he admitted.
"Lyra and Scarlett are out doing late-night training."
He looked at her, earnest. "So… you're my only hope tonight."
Then, his voice dropped to a gentle murmur.
"Please. Stay with me."
"Don't go."
And just like that—
All the swirling doubt, the storm inside her chest… calmed.
Those four simple words echoed in her mind.
He needs me.
I'm his hope.
He doesn't want me to go.
The girl who smiled through every emotion now felt something new—
Relief.
She nodded slowly, her playful expression melting into something warmer. "Alright," she said softly, "I'll stay."
The room was quiet.
Layla lay curled in Noah's arms beneath the soft covers, her back resting against his chest. His arms held her gently—possessive, protective. His breathing was steady, calming her nerves.
The moonlight spilled in through the tall windows, casting silver threads across the floor.
For the first time in a long while, Layla felt… safe.
No more teasing.
No masks.
No pretending.
Just this warmth. This comfort. This love.
She felt herself drifting off.
And then—
Suddenly her body shivered.
Violently.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her mana flared—wild, unstable. It pulsed through her core like fire and lightning, leaking through her pores in invisible waves.
No—no, not now.
Don't wake him. Don't disturb him.
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to stay silent even as pain bloomed in her chest.
The chaotic mana surged wildly, threatening to spiral out of control.
Tears welled in her eyes—but she didn't cry out.
Then—
Warmth.
A golden glow enveloped her like the soft embrace of sunlight.
The chaos was muffled—calmed.
She felt a gentle hand cradle her head, guiding it softly to rest on a firm chest.
Another hand patted her back in steady rhythm—slow, comforting.
The golden aura wrapped around her body completely.
She felt…
Safe.
And for the first time in weeks—months, maybe—
She slept.
Peacefully.
No nightmares. No choking.
Just quiet.
Just love.
Just as Layla finally fell asleep, Noah opened his eyes slowly, still patting her back.
The golden aura—Protector's Flame—burned gently around her like a living will, his own desire made real: to shield the ones he loved.
He looked down at her sleeping face.
So beautiful. So strong.
And yet—
So fragile inside.
His heart ached.
"I'm sorry, Layla…" he whispered. "For not noticing."
"For not helping you sooner."
"I thought you were okay. You always smiled. Always teased. I thought your magic was just hard to control… I didn't realize you were carrying so much."
His voice was soft, full of guilt.
"You were scared."
"Of yourself. Of losing control. Of losing me."
He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
"But not anymore."
"No more hiding. No more pretending."
"I'll walk through this with you."
"Just hold on a little longer."
He bent down and kissed her forehead, his golden aura gently pulsing around them both.
Then he closed his eyes, his arms tightening protectively around her.
The night was still long.
But they were no longer alone.
To be continued...