Inside Velis Castle
The castle gates creaked open with a low groan, revealing a long corridor bathed in soft golden light. Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting dancing shadows across faded murals of ancient battles and forgotten kings.
Servants in dark robes bowed silently as Lunara passed. She offered them only a slight nod.
Yumi clung closer to Ryker. "It's… quiet."
"Too quiet," Ryker muttered. His eyes scanned the high archways and towering columns like a predator stalking unseen prey.
Lunara finally turned and smiled gently. "Don't worry. My people know not to disturb us. You are guests—rare ones."
They entered a vast throne hall. The floor was polished obsidian, reflecting their shapes like mirrors. A grand throne sat at the far end, carved from white marble and silver vines. Above it hung a stained-glass window of a woman with Lunara's eyes—bathed in divine light.
Yumi walked slowly, overwhelmed. "This is like a dream…"
But Ryker's footsteps stopped.
He looked up. Something above the throne—the symbols, the design—was familiar. His brows furrowed.
"Why… does this castle have markings from our world?" he asked softly.
Lunara's expression shifted—just for a moment.
"I told you," she said, her voice echoing in the vast hall, "this isn't just my kingdom. It's connected to many."
Yumi turned to Ryker. "You don't think…"
Ryker's voice was calm, but cold.
"This castle has secrets. And we're in the middle of them."
Lunara smiled and gently tugged on Ryker's and Yumi's hands, guiding them toward the throne.
They passed through the shimmering light of the stained-glass window, and Ryker instinctively kept his guard up—but said nothing.
At the end of the hall, a tall man sat upon the throne, cloaked in royal blue with a sharp silver crown resting upon his brow. His presence was heavy, yet calm—like a quiet storm. His eyes, a deeper version of Lunara's, watched them with quiet calculation.
"Father," Lunara said warmly, "these two… they're not from here. But they helped me. They're kind. I want them to stay for a while."
The king raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from his daughter to Ryker, then Yumi.
"Your friends," he repeated. "Very well."
He stood slowly. "Then they are welcome… as long as they bring no harm to this kingdom."
Ryker nodded politely but did not bow. "We didn't come to cause trouble."
The king's eyes lingered on him a moment longer. "That remains to be seen."
Yumi smiled nervously. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The king sat again. "You may stay in the east wing. Lunara, see that they are shown around."
Lunara beamed and nodded, then turned to Ryker and Yumi. "Come on—I'll show you to your rooms!"
Before Yumi could react, Ryker suddenly stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist in a bold, protective gesture.
"Don't look at my wife like that, Mr. Aldren," Ryker said smoothly, his voice laced with mischief but his eyes deadly serious.
Yumi's face turned crimson. "W-What!?"
Princess Lunara blinked in surprise. "Are you… a couple?"
Yumi pulled away instantly. "N-No! He's just messing around!"
Ryker grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. "What? You don't want to be my wife?"
"I—That's not—You—!" Yumi stammered, fists clenched as her face burned.
Aldren raised a brow, expression unreadable, before turning away without a word.
Lunara giggled softly. "You two are quite the pair."
Yumi glared at Ryker. "Don't do that again."
Ryker just creepy smile
Yumi glared at Ryker. "Don't do that again."
But Ryker didn't respond with words.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly… and gave a slow, unsettling smile.
It wasn't playful.
It wasn't teasing.
It was a little too calm. A little too cold.
A crooked smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Yumi's expression stiffened. "…Ryker?"
For a second, the air felt colder. Even Lunara stopped giggling, sensing the strange shift in Ryker's mood.
But then, just as suddenly, Ryker blinked and turned away, as if nothing happened.
"Let's go," he said flatly.
Yumi hesitated… then slowly followed, her eyes still on his back, unease creeping into her chest.
Yumi stood at the doorway, arms crossed, still flustered. "If we don't act like a couple… they might separate us into different rooms?"
Ryker leaned casually against the wall, hands in his pockets. "Exactly. And in a place we don't understand, it's better to stay close."
Yumi narrowed her eyes. "So what do you want me to do?"
Ryker stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "Look at this room. Big, safe, and it has everything we need to survive. I'm just saying—if we pretend, we stay together. That's all."
Yumi glanced around. The room was indeed luxurious—soft couches, a king-sized bed, a balcony with moonlight spilling in, even food neatly set on a table.
She sighed. "Alright… fine. But no weird hugging or 'wife' jokes again."
Ryker smirked. "No promises."
Yumi glared. "Ryker…"
He gave a low chuckle and turned toward the window. "Let's just make it through the night."
Later that night, the castle was silent—save for the distant howl of wind brushing past the towers.
Yumi sat at the edge of the grand bed, arms folded, legs swinging lightly as she stared at the floor. "This is still weird. Sharing a room with you of all people…"
Ryker was by the window, eyes scanning the moonlit courtyard below. "You could sleep on the bed. I'll take the couch."
She glanced at the plush sofa in the corner. "You mean that royal-looking thing? It's probably softer than the bed."
Ryker chuckled under his breath. "Maybe."
A brief silence passed between them, calm yet strange. The kind of silence that held unspoken words.
Then Yumi muttered, "…Back in the forest, when you grabbed my hand… you didn't have to do that."
"I did," Ryker said, his voice steady. "You hesitated. If I didn't, you wouldn't have followed me."
Yumi looked up at him, frowning. "Still. You can't just decide things for me."
"I didn't. I trusted you'd come."
Yumi blinked. Her heart skipped for a second—but she quickly looked away. "Idiot…"
Ryker walked to the couch and sat down, leaning back with a relaxed sigh. "We'll stay alert. This kingdom… something's off. That Aldren guy, especially."
"You noticed too?" Yumi asked.
Ryker nodded. "He was measuring me. Watching closely. Like he didn't buy our story."
Yumi exhaled, laying back on the bed. "Great. More secrets."
Then Ryker said, softly, "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we play along."
She turned her head to the side, glancing at him from the bed. "…Don't try anything weird."
"Not unless you want me to," he replied with a sly smirk.
"RYKER!"
He laughed quietly as she hurled a pillow in his direction.
Ryker leaned forward on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his voice low in the dim candlelight.
"You really don't want a boyfriend like me?"
Yumi, now lying on her side with a pillow hugged close, turned her eyes toward him. "No. I have Sol."
Her tone was quiet but firm.
Ryker's gaze didn't waver. "What if… we never escape this world?"
The words lingered in the air like the echo of a closed door.
Yumi's fingers tightened slightly around the pillow. "Don't say that."
"I'm serious," Ryker continued. "What if this place is a sealed world? A trap. A place no one leaves."
Yumi sat up slowly. "Then we keep fighting. We find a way out. Together."
Ryker gave a soft chuckle—dry, but not mocking. "Together, huh?"
There was a pause before Yumi added, "Just don't fall in love with me, Ryker. I'm warning you."
He smiled. Not with mockery. Not with his usual creepy grin. Just a quiet, unreadable smile.
"No promises."