Chapter 48: The Ones Who Stay

Daemon looked at the two women standing in front of him.

Sana and Roxanna exchanged a nervous glance before Sana finally spoke.

"We want to go home too," she said carefully. "But... our training here isn’t finished. Everything is still halfway through."

Roxanna stepped closer, her voice softer but firm.

"I want to awaken a bloodline. My master believes in me. I want to prove myself to her... and to everyone who never believed I was worth anything."

She looked straight into Daemon’s eyes.

"You were the first person who made me feel like I wasn’t a burden. Now my master strongly believes in me and supports me. That’s why... we both need more time."

Daemon remained silent for a moment. He studied their faces carefully — the determination in Roxanna’s eyes, the quiet resolve in Sana’s posture.

They had invested months of hard work, pushed their limits, and finally found people who believed in them. Throwing that away just because he wanted to leave immediately would be selfish.

He exhaled slowly.

"I understand."

Both women looked up at him.

"You two can stay here and continue what you’ve been doing," Daemon said. "I’ll return to Earth first.

I need to check on everything there... and I want to bring Victoria here. If possible, I want to find a way to cure her curse. I also need to look for Kassia."

He paused, then added,

"It’s not like we won’t be able to talk. You’ll be able to communicate with me whenever you want."

Relief washed over their faces. Sana and Roxanna stepped forward at the same time and wrapped their arms around him.

Daemon returned the embrace, holding both of them tightly for a few seconds.

Roxanna’s voice came out small against his chest.

"I was so worried about how to tell you this when you woke up..."

Daemon gently cupped her face with both hands and made her look at him.

"Roxy. You don’t always have to worry about what I think before you do something. I know you only ever try to do what’s best.

You always think about how to help other people. I believe in you."

Roxanna’s eyes trembled. Then, without warning, she rose onto her toes and kissed him.

It wasn’t hesitant. Once she decided to be intimate, the usual shyness disappeared completely, replaced by quiet boldness.

A sharp voice cut through the moment.

"Excuse me?"

Sana stood a few steps away with her arms crossed under her chest, glaring at Daemon. Her lips were slightly pursed.

"You married me just a little while ago... and now you’re kissing another woman?"

She turned her face away with an exaggerated huff.

Roxanna blinked in genuine confusion.

"Married...? Who married?"

Daemon cleared his throat and quickly explained everything , the Soul Bond, and what it truly meant to become a Soul-Bonded Wife.

Roxanna listened carefully, her expression shifting from surprise to quiet understanding.

When he finished, she looked at him with slight hesitation.

Daemon squeezed her hand gently.

"I know what you’re thinking. I’ll wait for you."

A soft smile appeared on her lips.

"I won’t make you wait too long. Once I return to Earth, I’ll settle my past relationship properly. Thank you... for understanding me."

Ding!

[Rewards have been doubled.]

[Host is advised to check the reward list.]

Daemon focused inward.

Show me the rewards.

Several translucent windows unfolded before his eyes.

[Eternal Vow Ring]

Type: Soul-Bound Accessory

Effect: Automatically creates a protective barrier when the wearer receives a lethal attack.

Cooldown: 7 days

Additional Effect: The host can sense when the wearer’s life is in danger.

Restriction: Can only be soul bonded wife, recognized by the System.

[Soul Gate Authority]

A Soul-Bonded Wife may enter and leave the Solitary Dungeon through the host ’s authority.

Restriction: Only officially recognized Soul-Bonded Wives may enter.

[Bond Teleport]

Type: Soul-Bound Transportation Skill

Effect:

host can instantly teleport to the current location of any Soul-Bonded Wife.

Usage Limit:

3 times per day.

Conditions:

Only works with officially recognized Soul-Bonded Wives Both must be in the same world/dimension Cannot be used if the target is inside a restricted or sealed space

[Harmony Bracelet]

Effect: Improves energy synchronization between the host and a bonded partner.

Training Efficiency: +80%

Energy Recovery: +60%

Combat Synchronization: Slightly increased

Restriction: Benefits apply only to a soul bonded partner.

Daemon’s lips curved into a small smile. Every single one of these rewards was useful for protecting and supporting the women around him.

He closed the windows and looked at Sana and Roxanna again.

"So..." he said carefully, "both of you are okay with marrying the same man?"

Roxanna tilted her head, clearly not understanding the full weight of the question.

Daemon clarified,

"I’m already married to Victoria. Now I’ve formed a Soul Bond with Sana. In the future... I want the same with you. I need to know if that’s something both of you can accept."

Sana smirked and stepped closer, poking his chest lightly with one finger.

"Don’t overthink it. In Virendal, powerful and wealthy people often have harems. We don’t mind sharing you." Her eyes glinted with mischief. "And don’t act all innocent. You definitely like the idea of having your own little harem."

Roxanna let out a soft laugh at Sana’s teasing. Even Daemon could only shake his head with a helpless smile.

Before anyone could say more, the sound of armored footsteps echoed down the corridor. A pair of palace guards appeared at the far end and stopped, standing straight.

"Her Majesty Queen Morwenna and Her Highness Princess Zephyra are approaching the Silverheart Palace!"

The atmosphere in the hallway shifted instantly. Servants and lesser nobles straightened their postures. Conversations died.

Daemon’s body reacted before his mind could catch up.

The moment he heard the name Morwenna, something tight and unfamiliar squeezed inside his chest. His heartbeat quickened. A strange, deep longing rose without warning — the kind of feeling that belonged to a memory he couldn’t reach.

He didn’t understand why.

But the sensation was strong enough to make his fingers curl slightly at his sides as the distant sound of approaching footsteps grew clearer.