Chapter 110: ¹¹⁰Return To Valen

​A giant shadow cleaved through the gray clouds in the northern sky, nosediving sharply toward the edge of the pine forest of Valen Village.

​WHOOSH!

​A massive flap of wings reversed his momentum, sweeping away puddles and residual snow before Ethan Valen landed. His black leather boots touched the wet ground soundlessly.

​In the blink of an eye, the black-and-red wings of Azhyrael melted, retracting into his shoulder blades without damaging the black shirt he wore.

​Behind him, Kaelia von Ashford leaned against a pine tree trunk with trembling knees.

​Her usually neatly tied red hair was now a bit messy. Her breathing was ragged, while her beautiful face flushed bright red—a mix of motion sickness and burning annoyance.

​"You’re crazy, Ethan!" Kaelia cursed hoarsely while straightening her Student Council uniform. "You flew through storm clouds without a magic barrier! I almost passed out!"

​Ethan glanced slowly from the corner of his eye. His dark brown eyes showed no remorse whatsoever.

​"But you’re still alive, aren’t you?" Ethan replied flatly. He turned around and started walking. "Let’s go. Don’t waste my time."

​"Tch!" Kaelia stomped her foot into the muddy ground.

​Despite her grumbling, the girl still hurried to catch up. Beneath her irritation, a strange warmth still lingered from Ethan’s embrace in the air earlier.

​They walked along the path heading to the center of Valen Village.

​Early spring was beginning to sweep the eastern region. Piles of snow melted, leaving the distinct scent of wet earth and firewood smoke. The pine trees started sprouting young shoots.

​Several dull-skinned villagers who were fixing fences and chopping wood instantly froze when they saw Ethan’s figure.

​"Oh... it’s Young Master Ethan!" an old man whispered, hurriedly bowing his head.

​"He’s back... But who is that girl behind him?" the woman beside him chimed in with wide eyes.

​Kaelia’s appearance was too conspicuous. Her dark red uniform adorned with pure gold threads and her blazing red hair starkly contrasted with the bleak simplicity of the eastern village.

​"Red hair... Isn’t that a southern noble?"

​"Don’t be ridiculous! You mean the Ashford Faction? There’s no way a Duke’s daughter would willingly come to a village like Valen!"

​Kaelia heard every single whisper. Reflexively, she lifted her chin higher, walking with haughty elegance to mask her awkwardness.

​Their steps halted at the edge of the village, in front of an old stone house shaded by a large oak tree.

​The condition of the Valen family’s house was now far better maintained. The once-rusted iron gate had been repainted pitch black. The yard, previously overgrown with wild bushes, was now neat. Thin smoke billowed from the kitchen chimney.

​Kaelia stopped at the gate, staring at the stone building with furrowed brows.

​"This is... your house?" Kaelia asked in disbelief.

​As the eldest daughter of the Ashford Faction who grew up in a grand palace, the fact that a wielder of demonic power of Ethan’s caliber lived in a house smaller than her family’s head butler’s residence was truly absurd.

​Ethan didn’t respond. He simply pushed the gate open and stepped inside.

​Before Ethan’s fingers could even touch the main door handle, the wooden door was already pushed open.

​Yuna stepped out carrying a laundry basket. Her bright smile bloomed instantly. "Young Master Ethan! You’re ba—"

​Yuna’s words were cut off. Her smile froze when her eyes caught the figure of the red-haired girl standing very close behind Ethan.

​Yuna’s feminine instincts stung. A subtle pang of jealousy pierced her chest. She hurriedly bowed deeply, hiding her face behind her bangs. "W-Welcome back, Young Master," she murmured softly.

​From the kitchen, Berta jogged over while wiping her hands on her apron. Seeing the guest brought by the young master, the middle-aged woman’s face instantly paled.

​"Goodness! Young Master! And... and My Lady..." Berta bowed repeatedly in nervousness. "I-I will immediately light the fireplace and brew the warmest tea!"

​"Do it, Berta," Ethan cut in calmly.

​At the end of the corridor, Asrof marched confidently. The white-haired old man immediately bowed ninety degrees.

​It only took one second for the former military adjutant to assess Kaelia’s attire and aura.

​"Welcome back to your home, Young Master Ethan," Asrof greeted formally, then bowed to Kaelia. "It is an honor for our humble residence to welcome a Lady from the Ashford family."

​Kaelia was slightly surprised by the head butler’s sharp observation. She nodded gracefully. "A sharp eye indeed. I am Kaelia von Ashford."

​At the same time, Miya Evarett stepped out from the bedroom corridor. The petite Elf healer wore a maid’s dress with her blonde hair neatly braided.

​Miya’s purple eyes widened slowly when she saw Kaelia. "G-Good afternoon, Lady Kaelia. I... have been tending to Lady Elara."

​Kaelia frowned. "Huh, Miya? What are you doing in that maid outfit?" Her gaze then shifted to Ethan. "You... don’t tell me you..."

​Her sentence trailed off. Kaelia just realized several pairs of eyes were still lingering around them. She immediately clamped her mouth shut, swallowing the rest of her words before anything embarrassing could slip out.

​Her gaze returned to Miya. The girl looked increasingly flustered, her hands clasping each other nervously in front of her.

​"She works for me now," Ethan answered briefly.

​Kaelia stared at Ethan for a few seconds, then glanced back at Miya from head to toe. "...So that’s how it is."

​Her tone sounded flat, but her eyes clearly stated that she wasn’t just going to buy it so easily.

​Miya looked away, hiding the red flush on her cheeks.

​"Ara, ara~ it seems our Young Master brought home a very beautiful red rose today."

​A flirtatious laugh drifted from the kitchen. Lilith leaned against the doorframe in a loose maid dress that flaunted her cleavage. Her pink hair cascaded down, while her reddish-gold eyes stared at Kaelia with an evaluating gleam.

​Kaelia’s half-demon instincts suddenly screamed. She got goosebumps realizing the foreign aura coming from the maid.

​"Ethan," Kaelia called out, her eyes narrowing sharply. "Who is this woman? Her aura is strange. She’s... not human, is she?"

​Ethan didn’t even bother glancing at Lilith. "She’s just a maid who takes care of the house."

​Lilith grinned widely, deliberately showing off her small fangs to bait some tension.

​"Mind your manners in front of an important guest, Lilith," Asrof reprimanded coldly.

​Lilith chuckled, then sashayed back into the kitchen as soon as she caught a threatening glint in Ethan’s eyes.

​Before the tension could subside, the sound of small footsteps pattering against the wooden floor echoed from the hallway.

​"Brother Ethan...?"

​That fragile voice broke the silence. Elara Valen stepped slowly in a thick wool dress and a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her left hand felt along the wooden wall, while her white-filmed eyes stared blankly.

​Seeing his sister, the tension in Ethan’s shoulders melted away. The young man approached and gently took Elara’s fragile hand.

​"I’m home, Elara," Ethan said.

​A bright smile bloomed on Elara’s pale face. However, her sharp nose caught the scent of an unfamiliar, expensive perfume.

​Elara tilted her head. "Is someone else here...? Did you bring a guest, Brother?"

​Kaelia, who was stunned to see Ethan’s softer side, finally spoke up. "H-Hello, Elara. It’s nice to meet you."

​Elara’s body flinched slightly. Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember.

​"This voice..." Elara murmured softly. Guided by Miya, she stepped closer to Kaelia. "A voice that feels like a warm hearth in the middle of winter..."

​Elara’s steps stopped right in front of Kaelia.

​"I remember," Elara’s smile blossomed warmly. "You’re... the older sister with the red hair who visited me at the academy back then, right?"

​Kaelia was stunned. Her haughtiness melted instantly, greeted by such sincere warmth. "Yes... that’s right, Elara. It’s me."

​Elara’s smile grew even wider. However, her next innocent question shattered the tranquility of the room.

​"Are you... Brother Ethan’s woman?"

​Silence.

​Time seemed to stand still. Kaelia’s cheeks instantly flushed as red as a boiled crab. She looked frantically at Ethan, hoping the young man would take over.

​Yet, Ethan simply stood in silence, staring at Kaelia with a flat expression without the slightest intention of helping.

​"Miss...?" Elara called out hesitantly since there was no answer.

​Kaelia took a deep breath. Ignoring her noble pride, she lowered her head and answered in a slightly trembling voice, "Yes, Elara. I... I am your brother’s woman."

​Elara’s smile bloomed perfectly. She reached out and tightly grasped both of Kaelia’s hands.

​"Thank goodness..." Elara whispered, moved. "Now I know my brother won’t be lonely anymore."

​Those sincere words struck Kaelia’s chest, spreading a warmth that burned away her awkwardness.

​In another corner, Yuna squeezed her apron. Berta was so flustered that her teacup clinked. Miya looked away, pretending to be busy adjusting Elara’s dress, while Lilith chuckled in amusement behind the kitchen door.

​Ethan remained silent. However, his slightly tensed shoulders were microscopic proof that the warmth had nudged a corner of his heart.

​Asrof cleared his throat softly, breaking the awkwardness. "Are there any specific instructions for you and Lady Kaelia tonight, Young Master?"

​Ethan cast away the remnants of his softness, donning the mask of a ruler once again.

​"Prepare a carriage for my long journey later, Asrof."

​"Understood, Young Master. I will prepare it immediately." Asrof bowed deeply. As a former military man, he understood that the sturdiest noble carriage and the best horses must be readied for his master at once.

​Night crept down upon Valen Village.

​In the dining room, firewood crackled, warming the space. Various simple yet delicious dishes made by Berta were served on the table.

​Kaelia, accustomed to the luxury of palaces, slowly savored the warmth of the Valen family’s dining table. Elara smiled cheerfully beside Miya, Yuna served in silence, Lilith watched from the corner of the room, and Asrof stood on standby.

​Ethan took a sip of his warm tea in silence.

​Outside, the winter ice was indeed beginning to melt. Yet far away in the heart of the Capital, a lethal storm was waiting for the Demon King to set foot.