The wooden terrace creaked as Jaemi stepped foot onto it. Auretta feared it would break, but Jaemi looked back at her, laughing softly. “I can think of different ways on how to break this right now, and stepping or jumping on this wouldn’t.”

He jumped a few times on the terrace, finally stopping when the door slammed open, revealing a girl with hair dark as ebony and eyes sharp like amethyst.

“Jaemi—you came late and what’s with the noise you’re making?!” “Relax Mel, just showing our guest here it’s far from cracking.” Jaemi responded, gesturing at Auretta. “Hello there,” Auretta smiled.

The girl furrowed her brows, brushing a strand of her hair aside—they were split in half, tied as pigtails below her nape. Auretta assumed she was his sister, however they didn’t share any resemblance—neither did their personalities match.

A sigh escaped her lips, shoving the wooden door aside. The girl stepped back in, leaving the doorway. Auretta felt the weight of her chest getting heavy. “Come in,” said Jaemi, holding the door for Auretta to enter.

Auretta gulped, stepping foot on the terrace. She took long steps as it continued making creaking sounds—it was unpleasant to her ears. Auretta passed through the door, sneezing as dust entered her nostrils. “Bless you and feel at home.” Auretta flinched slightly as he rested his hand on her shoulder again.

She tilted her head, locking eyes with Jaemi. “Is your sister comfortable with me staying here?” she mumbled. Instead, Jaemi slightly opened his mouth, letting go of her shoulder. “I do not see any resemblance.”

Auretta took a step backwards, squeezing her wrists as her shoulders tensed. “Oh… I’m sorry. I thought so—wait, are you even living together?” Auretta asked, following Jaemi as he sat on the sofa, resting on his arms behind his head.

“We are. Her father took me in some years ago.” he replied, yawning as Auretta sat beside him. “But don’t worry—her name’s Melione. She should get comfortable in a while.” Auretta blinked, rubbing her chin.

Her gaze explored the living room. There was a staircase next to the entrance of the kitchen, which was opposite of the sofa. A bonfire rested, near the sofa on Auretta’s left side.

“Right,” Jaemi sat up straight, resting his chin against his arm on his lap as Auretta stared at him silently. “What brings the royal guard and royal magician to have you locked up?” he asked. Sounding serious this time, Auretta felt the atmosphere become more suffocating, she thought she might pass out any moment.

One wrong word and he might kill her just like what he did to the cloaked man and truce. “I…” “Here’s your tea and some stew.” Auretta looked at Melione, placing a wooden cup and bowl on the table, walking away quickly.

Auretta picked the cup, flinching slightly at the heat. Perhaps it was best to drink it later. “Well… believe me or not I don’t know.” she muttered, staring at her boots. “How do you know they’re workers from the royal palace though?” “They mentioned ‘orders of the princess’—no?” Jaemi retorted. She lowered her gaze once more, looking at the bonfire. “Yeah… they did.”

She rubbed her chin, snapping back to her thoughts as she saw Melione leaning on the doorway, glaring at Jaemi. “Jaemi, we need to talk.” she uttered.

“All right,” he spoke, standing up, making his way to the kitchen as Melione entered. Auretta felt her stomach tie up into a knot. It was a discussion about her—but the girl still bothered to give her a drink and stew.

She held the stew, drinking it from the bowl—it tasted… spectacular. Her eyes enlightened, looking at the contents of the bowl.

Melione shut the door quietly, crossing her arms as she looked at Jaemi dead in the eye. “Bringing in Pyrilans isn’t our thing. Remember?” she sneered. “Your father did with me,” “That’s a different story! You were a child back then—she’s not! And how did you even find her?!” Jaemi took a deep breath, lips curling into a cheeky smile.

Jaemi leaned against the door, dazing at Melione in silence. “Well?” she muttered. “I saw a wagon in the woods. I thought its design looked familiar. So curiosity got the best of me.” he replied, rubbing his chin. “I unlocked its door.”

With eyes widening, Melione facepalmed in disbelief. “Cut it out with your curiosity.” Melione snarled, jabbing her finger at his chest. “So she jumped out of the wagon?!” she exclaimed loud enough for Auretta to hear, leaving her worried, all alone in the living room as she was finishing her food.

“Yes—and I met Truce and Sir Darkin there.” Jaemi added in a low tone. Melione’s brows furrowed, trying to recall who they were. “Your uncle’s guard and magician?” he shook his head, opening the door slightly as he took a quick glimpse at Auretta. “They’re dead though. I’ve dealt with them.”

Melione rubbed her chin, gazing on the wooden cupboards then on the floor. “I don’t know how to handle someone who’s probably involved with palace affairs.” she muttered, looking at Jaemi. “You should interrogate her. If she is an innocent citizen, then I could let her stay here.”

A grin formed on Jaemi’s face, leaning onto the dining table this time as he snapped his fingers. “I could always get rid of her if she’s a problem-” “Jaemi—no… not like that.” she retorted, opening the door.

She quickened her pace, leaving Jaemi in the room. Auretta tilted her head, watching Melione climbing the stairs without saying any words. “All right,” Auretta turned her head, looking at Jaemi as he leaned on the doorway.

“I have several more things to ask you.” he added, making Auretta feel her chest pounding faster. She nodded without protesting, keeping composure, hoping he wouldn’t raise any suspicions of her being a criminal.