* * *
The owner of that familiar kindness was none other than Daniel.
I looked up at him blankly, my gaze landing on the hand that held my wrist.
It was a reunion that didn’t feel real—not just because I hadn’t expected it.
Even though it had only been a few days since I last saw Owen at the temple, and Ruen often sent word of his whereabouts, and I still met Sehir from time to time because of Kaindel…
Daniel was the exception.
Maybe it was because his homeland wasn’t the Hadelber Kingdom.
This was the first time I’d seen him since the Great Calamity was vanquished.
“Have you been well?”
“…Yeah. I’ve been doing fine. What about you, Daniel?”
“I’ve been well too. You look healthy. I’m glad.”
“…I’m glad to hear that.”
It really was a relief to show him only my better side.
In a way, I was grateful I hadn’t met him when I was at my lowest.
Daniel was the type to pick up on even the smallest changes in my state of mind, and if he’d seen me then, he would have worried himself sick over me.
As I let my thoughts wander, my gaze slowly traveled over him.
Daniel looked exactly as I remembered.
It was as if time had chosen to pass him by, leaving him untouched.
His jet-black hair and dark eyes gleamed like obsidian, unchanged from the last time I had seen him.
He looks well.
That’s good.
Back when we were fighting the Great Calamity, he seemed weighed down by a million concerns.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
I didn’t want to look awkward in front of my long-time companions.
Greeting them with a stiff expression would only dampen the mood.
No matter how they got here, the fact that they hadn’t forgotten me and had come all this way was enough to be grateful for.
Just as I finished exchanging greetings with Daniel, someone peeked out from behind Owen and Ruen.
“It’s been a while, Isa. Sorry for coming so late. I just couldn’t find the time.”
“Sehir. Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well. Are you finished with your urgent work?”
“Yeah, I’m wrapping it up now. Thanks for understanding.”
He smiled at me, his eyes curling into crescent moons, before nodding toward the doorway behind me.
“Anyway, can we come in? If it’s not a bother. Talking about personal matters out here isn’t exactly ideal.”
“Oh—right. Of course, come in. I wasn’t expecting guests, so I didn’t prepare much, but…”
At least I cleaned.
Hurriedly, I nodded and stepped aside.
I had been so caught off guard that I’d kept them standing at the entrance.
It would be strange to leave them outside any longer.
People were already starting to take notice.
With how famous my companions were as the Hero’s Party, it was only a matter of time before passersby began recognizing them.
We could catch up inside.
As soon as I made way, Sehir murmured a quiet “Thanks” and stepped inside.
Ruen, Owen, and Daniel followed behind him.
I waited until Daniel had entered before closing the door.
Out of habit, I glanced outside one last time, but the familiar figure I was half-expecting wasn’t there.
…For some reason, that felt a little disappointing.
Shaking off the feeling, I turned back to my companions, now gathered in my living room.
“So… how exactly did you all end up here?”
This wasn’t even close to the capital.
And yet, they came all the way here together.
It was both surprising and a little heartwarming.
Even if it was for Kaindel and Kerlona’s wedding, I would have expected them to go to the capital, not near the village where I was staying.
Sehir, who had been glancing around the living room, gave a faint smile as if he had anticipated my curiosity.
“Oh, that.”
“Yeah?”
“Kaindel told us.”
“……”
His casually spoken name landed in my ears.
Kaindel.
The name of the man whose shadow I had been chasing just moments ago.
I smoothed out my twitching brows and pushed aside my wandering thoughts.
This wasn’t the time to get lost in useless distractions.
“How did you end up meeting Kaindel?”
“Well, that guy’s getting married soon, isn’t he? So we came to congratulate him. Can you believe he’s marrying a princess? Lucky bastard.”
“Ruen.”
“…Well, we only just found out that things aren’t exactly as they seem. Still, it’s annoying. It’s not like just anyone can be engaged to a princess.”
Ruen, who had been idly examining a vase, finally cut himself off when Sehir called his name.
It seemed Ruen had also learned about what was happening in the capital.
He had clearly caught on to the real reason behind Kaindel and Kerlona’s marriage.
“You’re as thoughtless as ever.”
“What?”
“Why? Did I say something wrong?”
“Can’t you watch your mouth? You’re a priest, for god’s sake. If you keep running your mouth, divine punishment’s gonna hit you one day.”
“I’m a priest, so I’ll be fine. And watch your language—no need for crudeness.”
“It’s hard to use nice words when I’m talking to you. What do you want me to do about it?”
“What else? Just a little disappointed, that’s all.”
“Hah.”
For once, Ruen and Owen’s usual bickering ended quickly.
When I caught sight of the slight smirk on Owen’s lips, I immediately realized he wasn’t truly annoyed at Ruen—his remarks were closer to playful jabs.
Back at the temple, Owen had always been worn out, his complexion dark and exhausted.
I compared the Owen I had known back then to the one in front of me now.
He definitely seemed brighter.
Even though he spoke sharply to Ruen, it was clear he was comfortable around her.
Sehir, who had been silently observing them from beside me, finally spoke again in a calm tone.
“Anyway, since everyone had gathered for Kaindel’s wedding, Ruen and Daniel wanted to see you. When they asked Kaindel, he told them where to find you without hesitation.”
“Don’t spread nonsense, Sehir. When did I say I wanted to see him? I just asked if the kid was doing well.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“No, it’s not.”
Ruen, who had bristled at Sehir’s words, grumbled but didn’t press further.
She stole a glance at me and then fell silent, as if admitting that she had been at least a little curious.
So that’s how it was.
Ruen wanted to see me.
For some reason, that made me happy, and I couldn’t hold back a small smile.
Just then, Daniel, who had been quietly looking around the house, approached with steady steps.
“You’ve made your home quite lovely.”
“Oh, I just cleaned today. Does it look okay?”
“Yes, it’s very nice. Cozy.”
“It suits you.”
Daniel added the remark with a small, dimpled smile.
Suits me?
I wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that.
But seeing the look in his eyes, it seemed like a compliment, so I decided to take it that way.
Just as I was about to nod, Ruen nudged my shoulder.
A light touch, with no strength behind it.
“So, did you work things out with Kaindel?”
“Hmm?”
“You two had a god-awful relationship. Even where I was, the rumors were everywhere.”
“Rumors?”
“What else? That Kaindel lost his mind when you disappeared.”
Ah.
A quiet sigh escaped me at Ruen’s words.
So the rumors of Kaindel’s madness had even reached Ruen.
I had assumed that, since she lived in such a remote village, she wouldn’t have heard.
But now, I had no idea just how far those rumors had spread.
It wasn’t even a pleasant rumor, but it made me realize once again just how much weight the title of “Hero” carried.
“Well….”
I blinked slowly.
I didn’t know how to explain my relationship with Kaindel to Ruen.
It wasn’t better, but it wasn’t worse either.
Right.
What exactly were we now?
* * *
