Sébastien followed Franz in silence, heart thudding in his chest. They walked through the grand halls of the Adelhart estate, past portraits and stone pillars, until they reached a tall glass door leading out to the garden.

The late afternoon light spilled over trimmed hedges and flowering paths. The air smelled faintly of lavender and wet earth. And there she was—Elaine—sitting under a tree, knees tucked in, eyes glued on the book she was reading, her hair swaying lightly in the breeze. The sunlight hit her through the leaves, and though her presence was quiet, it was steady, almost calming.

She didn't look up right away, too focused on her book. But something in her posture shifted—her hands stilled, her shoulders tensed slightly. She'd sensed their presence, even if her eyes hadn't left the page.

Franz stopped at the edge of the stone path and turned to Sébastien, his voice low and final. "This is your only chance. If she says no, don't come here again."

There was no threat in his tone—just certainty, the kind that came from a man who had weighed every risk and decided this was the limit he would allow.

Then he called out, "Elaine."

She finally looked up. Her gaze shifted from her father to the stranger beside him.

"This is Sébastien Durant," Franz said. "He's the one who's been bothering me for months."

Elaine blinked once, then stood slowly, dusting off her skirt. Her expression didn't change, but something in her posture straightened. She gave her father a small nod.

Franz lingered for a breath, then without another word, turned and walked back toward the house, leaving them alone.

"I'm Sébastien," he said, offering a small smile. "I've... been speaking with your father."

Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her sleeves. "I know. He said someone kept coming." Her voice was soft, almost too soft to hear.

"I suppose that was me," he chuckled.

"Papa doesn't talk about people much. But he mentioned you. Said you were persistent."

He stepped closer, giving her space to move away if she wanted, but she didn't. "I saw you back during the quake. Healing people with your bare hands. You were incredible."

She looked down, clearly embarrassed. "I was just... doing what I could."

Sebastien crouched a bit so their eyes met at the same level. "Elaine, I've come here because I believe you're meant for more than standing in the shadows of your family name. I want to offer you a place in the team I'm building. It's dangerous, yes. But..."

He paused, searching for the right words—honest ones, not rehearsed.

"But it's purpose, not just duty. Out there, every choice you make matters. Every life you touch is because you chose to be there, not because someone else told you to be."

Elaine's gaze flickered, uncertainty and curiosity warring in her eyes.

"I didn't ask for you because of your name," Sébastien continued, voice quiet but firm. "I want people who care. Who stand their ground. Who show up even when they don't have to. That's what I saw in you."

She was silent for a moment, then finally said, "You don't even know me."

"Not yet," he admitted. "But I'd like to."

Elaine blinked, the words unexpected, yet... they struck something inside her. She didn't know how to respond. She didn't even know what to say.

"But I'm not strong. What if I can't do well? I...I have no experience. I don't know how to fight," she whispered, the fear creeping into her voice before she could stop it. The thought of failing others...it terrified her.

Sébastien's expression softened, and he stepped a little closer, his voice calm and reassuring. "You won't be alone," he said, his tone unwavering. "We'll guide you, teach you. We'll have each other's back."

There it was again. His confidence, his belief in her. And for some reason, even though she was still so unsure of herself, something about him made her want to believe him.

Maybe it was his sincerity. Or maybe it was the way he looked at her—not like a child, but like someone capable of far more than she realized.

Her heart beat faster, and for a moment, she forgot to be afraid. She thought back to all the times she had quietly wished for something more, something bigger than the life she knew. To step out from the shadows of her family's expectations and into something of her own.

And suddenly, she wanted to say yes. She wanted to prove to herself that she was capable of more.

But the fear still lingered.

"Are you sure?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sébastien didn't hesitate. "I'm sure," he said with complete certainty.

Sébastien was still watching her, waiting patiently.

"You'll learn," he tried to reassure her. "And I'll make sure you're safe as you do. You don't have to answer now. Just... think about it."

She finally looked at him fully, her eyes a little brighter now. "Why me?" she asked quietly.

Sebastien smiled gently. "Because I see what you could become. And I think you deserve to see it too."

She didn't say anything, but he noticed how her fingers stopped fidgeting. How she stood just a little taller. For someone so shy, she was already starting to find her footing.

"What if I say no?" she asked.

"Then I'll walk away," he said honestly. "You won't see me again. But if there's even a part of you that wants this life... then I'll fight for you to have it. Every time."

Elaine stared at him for a moment longer—measuring him, maybe. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper:

"I'll think about it."

Sébastien nodded once. That was enough

***

"He actually did it," Xander said with a crooked grin, arms crossed as he watched Sébastien stride through the gates—head high, a rare triumphant smile tugging at his lips.

Sébastien didn't speak at first. He just walked up to Xander and let out a long breath, like he'd been holding it for months.

"You got her?" Xander asked, brow raised.

Sébastien ran a hand through his hair, his grin refusing to fade. "I finally spoke to her. And she listened."

"She said yes?"

"Well...not exactly," Sébastien admitted with a half-shrug. "But... she didn't say no. She asked for time to think. I'm giving her that. But she's curious. I could see it. She wants more than what she has. I'll go again tomorrow to get her answer."

"Close enough," Xander chuckled. "That's more progress than your last, what—seventy-four visits?"

Behind them, Pablo stood with his arms folded. He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing—not skeptical this time, just measuring. Then, as if catching himself, he scoffed lightly. "Took you long enough."

Xander glanced back. "You gonna admit you're impressed?"

Pablo scoffed, but there was no bite in it this time. "If anyone's stubborn enough to convince a mountain to move, it's Séba."

He crossed his arms, trying to hide the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Still think you're insane, though."

Martus arrived just then, a steaming mug in hand. One look at Sébastien's face and he groaned. "Damn. I owe Xander a drink."

"Damn right you do," Xander said with a huge grin.

Xander clapped a hand on Sébastien's shoulder, solid and approving. "I knew you'd get her eventually. That look in your eyes—you don't give up."

Sébastien turned his gaze to the horizon, where the sun was sinking low, shadows stretching long and golden.

"No," he said softly. "Not when I know it's the right piece."

***

Sébastien returned the next morning, just as he said he would. Elaine was clearly waiting for him this time. She was sitting by the same tree as yesterday, the same book in her hands, though it was clear she hadn't been reading.

"I've thought about it...a lot, actually," she said, voice steady despite the flicker of nerves in her eyes. "And I want to join your team."

He didn't smile right away—just took a moment to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Then, slowly, he nodded. "You won't regret it."

As Elaine walked Sébastien back toward the estate's entrance, Franz was waiting.

He didn't speak at first, only watched Sébastien with a gaze so sharp it could cut stone. His posture was imposing, as always, but there was something about his stillness now that felt different—less like a barrier and more like a silent judgment. Then he turned to Elaine, his gaze softening just slightly.

"You've made your choice, then. I trust you know what it means."

Elaine nodded, her chin lifting slightly in a gesture of quiet defiance. "I do."

Franz's eyes flicked back to Sébastien, his gaze hardening again, though not with hostility. "Promise me one thing, Sébastien," he said, and for the first time, he used his first name.

Sébastien met his eyes. "Anything."

Franz's voice was low, grave. "Promise me you'll never leave her behind."

Sébastien didn't hesitate. "I swear it."