Inside, it was a breathtaking scene as she sat by the window, gazing outside absentmindedly. Her beauty was truly something outside of this world. Even after visiting the academy, he hadn't found a single girl as beautiful as her.

He stepped inside, "Hey, how have you been during the day?" he softly asked.

She neither replied nor reacted, making him shake his head. He took a step closer and pulled a chair, sitting directly in front of her on the opposite side of the table.

"You know, I went to the academy today and had to give this test to see my potential…" he began talking to her idly, sharing some interesting things that happened during the day.

The two of them sat in the room—one talking, the other listening in silence.

From outside, the golden rays of the setting sun came through the window, enveloping the entire room in warm light. The peaceful atmosphere lasted a while longer as Orion simply continued to speak.

He told her about the orb test, about Arya's awakening, and even poked fun at himself for being called an "Elemental Freak" by the students.

Seraph said nothing, but she didn't turn away either.

That was enough.

"…and then the orb almost lit up the ninth ring. I don't know what would've happened if the ninth ring lit up. Maybe the dean herself would have come to see me?" he finished with a chuckle, scratching his cheek.

Still, silence.

But her ears twitched.

He caught that.

Orion leaned back in his chair, gazing at her quietly for a moment. Her posture was graceful as always, with her long green hair falling loosely over her shoulders. There was a certain elegance to her, even now, when she was doing nothing but staring out at the sky.

He exhaled softly and pulled open his inventory with a thought. But he made a gesture with his hand as if he was pulling something out of his storage ring.

From inside, he brought out a small wooden tray holding ten gently glowing, pale-blue fruits.

Moonberries.

They shimmered faintly, as if infused with starlight, their sweet aroma subtly mixing into the air.

"I asked around after I headed out this morning," Orion began, his voice softer than before, "to see what elves usually like to eat."

He gently nudged the tray toward her.

"They told me moonberries are one of your favorites. So, I looked around the market for them. Wasn't easy, but I managed to find some."

At that, she stirred—ever so slightly.

Her gaze flickered toward the tray for the briefest of moments before returning to the window. A nearly imperceptible motion… but to Orion, it was the same as a full sentence.

A small acknowledgment.

He smiled faintly, not pressing further. "You don't have to eat them if you don't want to. Just thought you might like to have them nearby," he said casually, leaning back again.

For a few more minutes, he continued talking.

Not about the academy this time, but about random things. The look on Lucan's face when he exaggerated his compliments. The way Selene kept smiling at him today like she was planning something.

He even made up a few stories, like a strange old woman in the market who tried to read his fortune with fish bones.

It was… peaceful.

Eventually, the sun dropped below the horizon. He slowly stood up from his seat, pushing the chair back without making a sound.

"I'll let you rest," he said, his voice quiet. "If you need anything… you can ask. You don't have to say anything. Just knock on my door."

He turned to leave but paused at the door. His hand rested on the frame for a second.

"Oh, and Seraph…" he said without turning around, "...Nevermind."

And with that, he stepped out, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

Inside, the room returned to silence.

Seraph's eyes remained on the outside world, but her gaze had shifted ever so slightly… toward the tray of moonberries that now shimmered quietly in the fading light. But she soon turned her head back outside.

***

[MASTER!!! Was this the reason you didn't give her the moonberries in the morning? So you could make up a bullshit reason? Σ(°△°|||)]

Lumi asked in a shocked voice.

He inwardly chuckled, 'It would've been weird if I gave her the moonberries the next morning after I brought her home. This is a delicate process—I need to be meticulous here.'

[Umu umu, but you don't need to plan so much for her, right?.]

'You see, she already has trust issues. I don't wanna step on her wrong nerve by accident. So I need to be extra careful about what I do.' He inwardly shook his head.

[Then didn't you stay for too long chatting with her? Won't she get suspicious or something?]

He smiled, 'That's where you're wrong. I've already talked about my purpose and dream in front of her and those two. So she already knows why I'm trying to get closer to her. It'll only have a positive influence if I try harder.'

[Uhhh human emotions are so complicated. (×﹏×)]

His lips twitched, 'I'm a Dragon myself, ask me how hard it is to suppress my innate nature all the time.'

[That's why you are my Master!! Cut above the rest of the peasants. How can normal people compare? (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ]

He speechlessly stared at the system screen. 'Haa… I should now go and talk with Grandpa and Grandma.' He said and began walking towards the dining room.

[Hehe, those two will be jealous as hell after they find out you spent the entire evening with Seraph and didn't even ask for them. (¬‿¬)]

His body paused in his tracks, lips slightly twitching, 'Fuck! I forgot about them due to the test and Seraph.'

[Cooked.]

'You–' He really felt like cursing her, 'Where the hell are you learning these words?'

[Hehe, guess? (ᗒᗜᗕ)՛̵̖]

'...Of course, from my memories.' He inwardly shook his head in exasperation, 'Anyways, I'll appease the two of them later.'

[By the way, what did you mean to say to her at the end, when you said, 'Nevermind'?]

She asked in confusion.

'Oh that?' He inwardly smiled, 'Nothing much, just left her some words so she'll keep wondering what I was about to say.'

[So those were just empty words? You didn't mean anything with them?? (⊙_☉)]

'You're still far too young to understand the human heart.' He smirked and ended the conversation.

With that, he walked through the dimly lit hallways toward the dining hall where maids were preparing the table.

"That brat really talked with Seraph through the entire evening, huh?" Eldric said in a slightly amused voice.

Selene giggled hearing his words, "Let him do as he wishes. We already checked the girl's background and she doesn't seem to be sent by one of our enemies."

Eldric stroked his beard, "It would be fun if that's the case. The brat can get his one harsh real-life lesson from her."

Selene's lips twitched, "Shut up, you old bastard. You want him to feel betrayed at such a young age?? Your mother should've betrayed you and dumped you in some alleyway."