After leaving Seraphina's quarters, Han Seohan wandered through the castle halls, lost in thought. Seraphina's sudden anger still echoed in his mind. He knew there was something deeper behind her hatred for bandits, but pushing her further would have been a mistake. He sighed.
"She really doesn't let anyone in, does she?" he muttered to himself.
Wanting to clear his head, he decided to focus on something else. His encounter with Ronan was still fresh in his memory. The drunkard had seen him—when no one else besides Seraphina could. That alone was enough to make Han curious. Had something changed? Or had Ronan always been an exception? There was only one way to find out.
He made his way toward town. The streets bustled with merchants packing up their stalls, the scent of freshly baked bread still lingering in the air. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the cobbled roads. Han scanned the area for Ronan and soon spotted him leaving a tavern, swaying slightly as he walked.
"Found you," Han murmured.
He followed Ronan discreetly through the winding streets until they reached a small house at the edge of town. Ronan fumbled with the door before stumbling inside. Han waited a moment, then slipped in behind him, making sure to stay quiet.
But it was no use.
The moment Han stepped inside, Ronan spun around, eyes wide with terror.
"W-Who's there?!" Ronan's voice trembled as he reached for a knife on the nearby table. His grip was unsteady, but his eyes burned with determination. "Don't come near me, whatever you are! I might not look like much, but I'm stronger than I look!"
Han sighed. "Why does everyone in this world feel the need to point a blade at me the first time we meet?" He raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, dude. I mean you no harm."
Ronan's grip on the knife tightened. "That's exactly what a demon would say."
Han groaned. "Oh, come on! Do I look like a demon to you?"
Ronan's eyes darted to Han's red wings and glowing halo. "…Yes?"
Han rolled his eyes. "Alright, fair point. But I'm not a demon. I'm a cupid."
Ronan blinked. "A what?"
"A love cupid," Han clarified. "You know, those beings who help people find love?"
Ronan still looked unconvinced. "And I'm supposed to just believe that?"
Han pointed at his halo. "Look, does this look like something a demon would have? Also, you've seen me before."
Ronan hesitated. "When?"
"In the alleyway a few days ago. You thought I was a lost child, remember?"
Recognition flickered in Ronan's eyes. "Wait… that was you?"
Han smirked. "Yep. And I know something else, too." He crossed his arms. "You have a thing for Seraphina, don't you?"
Ronan immediately turned red. "W-What?! I— No! I mean—" He fumbled over his words before groaning. "Fine, maybe I do. So what?"
Han shrugged. "I'm here to help you."
Ronan narrowed his eyes. "Why would you help me?"
Han sighed. "You humans and your trust issues. Look, I can give you advice. Help you win her over."
Ronan still looked skeptical. "And what do you get out of it?"
"Nothing," Han said simply.
"Nothing?" Ronan frowned. "That's a load of crap. No one does something for free."
Han groaned. "You're seriously overthinking this. If I wanted to harm you, do you think I'd be standing here having a conversation with you?"
Ronan bit his lip, staring at Han as if trying to see through any deception. After a long pause, he finally sighed and put down the knife.
"…Fine." He hesitated before extending a hand. "I don't trust you completely, but I'll take the help."
Han grinned and shook his hand. "That's more like it."
Their deal was sealed.
Little did they know, however, that Seraphina's past—one full of fury, blood, and bandits—would soon unravel before them, in ways neither could have expected.