After their conversation, they bought a small house near Arks.

  The next morning—

  Sitara woke up in her room.

  She went to check Zaraf’s room.

  But he wasn’t there.

  The room felt too quiet.

  Her fingers began to tremble.

  Did he leave me alone?

  She hurried through the house and rushed into the kitchen.

  There, Zaraf and Bell were trying to cook something.

  It didn’t look like it was going well.

  Relief washed over her.

  She exhaled slowly, and her shoulders relaxed.

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

  “Looks like quite the mess,” Sitara said calmly, trying not to let him notice her earlier panic.

  Zaraf looked at her, then frowned slightly.

  Something felt off.

  Her fingers were still trembling, and there was sweat on her forehead.

  He stepped closer and gently placed his hand on her head.

  “Did you have a bad dream?” he asked.

  She held the edge of his sleeve lightly.

  “Yes… but it’s over now. Because of you.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Zaraf was silent for a moment. Then a small smile appeared.

  “Then whenever you have a bad dream, come to me, okay?”

  Her grip loosened.

  The trembling stopped.

  “…I will, brother.”

  Silence.

  “I think we have bigger problems here,” Bell said.

  Sitara looked around.

  “By the way… what were you two doing?”

  “We were trying to cook,” Zaraf replied. “But things got a little out of hand.”

  “How about the first thing I teach you is how to make dinner?” he suggested.

  Sitara looked at the destroyed kitchen… then at both of them.

  “Are you sure you can teach me properly?”

  Zaraf and Bell exchanged glances.

  “It’s Bell’s fault.”

  “No, it’s your fault.”

  Sitara laughed softly.

  “Looks like we’ll have to buy dinner again.”

  “…Yeah.”

  They went to eat at a restaurant.

  “What do you want to eat?” Zaraf asked.

  “I don’t know many dishes… so order your favorite.

  I want to try the food you like.”

  She kept looking at several dishes but didn’t say anything.

  Zaraf quietly ordered the ones she was looking at.

  “These are my favorites,” he said.

  After dinner, she stayed close to him.

  They went to buy clothes and other necessities.

  “If there’s anything else you want, tell me,” Zaraf said. “I’ll buy it for you.”

  She held his arm tightly and whispered,

  “I only want to stay by your side.”

  Zaraf felt something heavy in his chest.

  When they returned home, Zaraf handed her a box.

  “W-what’s this, brother?” Sitara asked.

  “It’s a gift for being a good girl.”

  She opened it excitedly.

  Inside was a large teddy bear.

  She looked confused.

  “W-why this?”

  Zaraf gently patted her head.

  “You get bad dreams at night.

  This guy will protect you. Think of it as my little version, watching over you.”

  Her eyes sparkled.

  She hugged the teddy bear tightly to her chest.

  Zaraf smiled and held her hand as they went inside.

  Later that night.

  Zaraf checked her room.

  She was sleeping peacefully, holding the teddy bear.

  Seeing that, he felt relieved.

  Then he went to the backyard.

  “When are you planning to make her the FMC of your world?” Bell asked.

  Zaraf looked troubled.

  “…I don’t want to force Sitara and Arks together,” he said. “Is there no other way?”

  “If you don’t want them to become partners,” Bell replied, “then at least make them close friends. That will also support the story.”

  “Friends… I think that’s acceptable.”

  That night, Zaraf fell asleep.

  In his dream—

  He stood before a mirror.

  When he looked into it…

  He saw himself.

  But it wasn’t him.

  Cold.

  Silent.

  The reflection wasn’t copying his movements.

  It was just staring.

  A killing gaze.

  Zaraf felt a heavy killing intent.

  He suddenly woke up, breathing hard, his body covered in sweat.

  Bell appeared beside him.

  “What happened? Don’t tell me you’re having nightmares now.”

  His voice trembled.

  “…I don’t think that was just a dream.”