Chapter Twenty-One

In the aftermath of the attack, Royo carries Aeri to his room and rigs the windows with knife-and-wax traps. He thanks Aeri for killing Bay Chin to save him but notes it put a target on her. Aeri declares she would choose Royo over any other love, but he withholds physical comfort, naming the hurt she caused by hiding the truth.

Pressed, Aeri explains she concealed the Sands of Time to protect Royo from her father’s torture and because Euyn’s loyalties were uncertain. She reveals she stole the relic from Prince Omin at twelve when he attacked her, aging four years in minutes, which explains her appearance and the gem embedded at her collarbone.

Aeri confirms the Sands enabled the Sol escape and the crown theft, admitting her heists often relied on frozen time. Royo struggles with the implications but is relieved to finally understand her. When Royo asks about her post-gilding fugue, Aeri describes a vivid vision of a red sky and an ashen road, but rejects it as prophecy, reasoning that relics exact a lethal cost rather than confer benefits.

Royo insists on keeping watch while Aeri rests, maintaining emotional distance even as he cares for her safety. Aeri apologizes directly for hurting him. Royo pulls the blanket over her and, with a single look, offers tentative forgiveness, signaling a cautious renewal of trust as Aeri drifts to sleep.