The man shook his hand with measured strength. "Shuihan Shin-Yue, elder brother of Lianzu." He looked him up and down with a neutral expression, then let a faint smile escape. "Congratutions… it can't have been easy to capture my sister. I don't know many who could do it without losing an eye."

  Aurelian ughed, tilting his head. "True. But I hope it will have been worth it."

  Shuihan chuckled softly, a sound like a bde sliding from its sheath. "She’ll tell you herself, in time."

  Aurelian gnced at the women behind him, then returned his gaze. "You haven't done badly either. Five dies, all… remarkable."

  "I was lucky," Shuihan replied, "and disciplined. The Game of the Harem doesn’t forgive hesitation."

  They exchanged a final respectful nod, and then Shuihan took his leave, walking through the crowd toward another man. A blond giant with a thick, intricate beard, tribal tattoos running like dancing serpents along his neck and arms, and a gaze sharp enough to crack marble. He was speaking animatedly, and when he saw Shuihan, the two csped forearms in respect, like old rivals.

  Aurelian watched the scene, then turned his eyes back to Lianzu. "You have a good brother. He was the second, after you, who didn’t insult me for my house."

  Lianzu looked at him, her gaze serene and filled with clear sincerity. "I would never mock someone who fights with honor. And neither would my brother. He was raised like me—with the belief that honor does not belong to blood, but to choices."

  Aurelian smiled at her. "Then your family is even more precious than I thought."

  Lianzu didn’t respond immediately. Her eyes gleamed in the rising light. Then, slowly, she turned toward the sky. The first sun was just brushing the horizon. And yet, for Aurelian, it already felt like full daylight—because the light, in that moment, was all in her eyes.

  Noon.

  The bells of the Podium of Alharad rang out with solemn force, twenty-four chimes for every hour passed since the beginning of the Harem Game. The sound echoed through the columns of Valetar, crossing the Oath Square like a river of molten bronze.

  Thousands of young people, men and women, filled the square. Some standing, others sitting, many hand in hand. At the center of the podium, a man in robes of ash and gold raised his arms to the sky. The Pontiff of the Unified Faith, with a firm and deep voice, blessed the unions sealed, praised the courage of those who had taken part, and wished strength and fortune to those still alone, who would face their destiny yet.

  Aurelian listened, his face turned to the sky. Beside him, Lianzu stood in silence. And for the first time in years, in the broken heart of House Var Ceshen, a spark of future began to shine.

  A few hours ter, outside the crumbling walls of Valetar, Aurelian was preparing the travel wagon. A simple yet sturdy structure, built of light wood and wrought iron, with reinforced wheels for the mountain paths that separated Valetar from his hometown, Sirentia—an ancient city of hills and marble, close to the Golden Sea.

  In front of the wagon, harnessed with finely crafted leather and copper fittings, stood Argaroth. A Ny’rhaal war wolf, a legendary breed from the northeast of Arhon, known for brutal strength, sharp intelligence, and unwavering loyalty to a single master. As tall as a warhorse, its fur was a silver tinged with blue, thick and glossy. Argaroth’s eyes were a deep gold, sharp as bdes, but gentle under his master’s touch.

  Aurelian, kneeling, was brushing the wolf’s coat with care, while the massive beast devoured a piece of still-steaming meat.

  Lianzu approached, looking at the creature with a mixture of awe and respect. "He’s… magnificent," she said softly. "A true Ny’rhaal. I haven’t seen one since I was a child. They’re proud—almost impossible to tame."

  Aurelian shot her a sideways gnce, with a genuine smile. "Want to pet him? He’s gentle. Just… don’t try to give him orders, he’s touchy."

  She ughed softly and crouched slowly. She pced her hand on the wolf’s neck and felt the deep breath beneath the fur. "I didn’t know Ny’rhaal could be… affectionate."

  "I saved his life when he was a pup," Aurelian said, fastening the st of the straps. "He was wounded in a snowy ravine. I carried him in my arms and brought him back. We’ve never been apart since."

  Lianzu stroked the wolf once more, then straightened.

  Aurelian gestured to her. "Hop on. Not regal, but it’ll hold."

  She accepted his hand without hesitation. He helped her up into the wagon with graceful ease, then she settled beside him.

  Aurelian looked at her, serious for a moment. "I’m sorry for the journey. No golden tents, no cushioned beds. It won’t be a voyage worthy of you."

  Lianzu looked at him, her expression serene, but in her eyes danced something more: a subtle, watchful fme. "It won’t be the wagon that changes what I think of you."

  Aurelian, caught off guard, stared at her with a newfound curiosity. "And… what do you think of me, Lianzu Shin-Yue?"

  She smiled, pcing her hands on her knees, her back straight like a sword in its scabbard. Her gaze drifted for a moment beyond the horizon, where the mountains painted the growing dawn in pink.

  "I think you are stubborn, cunning. And, perhaps, worthy." Then she turned to him, the smile just curving the edge of her lips—not ironic, nor tender, but challenging, as if she spoke another nguage made of cshes and promises. She leaned in toward him, with the silent grace of a predator studying its prey. Her lips brushed his ear. "But don’t think it will be easy to tame me. You won the first battle… but the real game begins now."

  Aurelian held back a smile, tightened the reins, and gave her a look full of understanding. "Let the game begin, then." With a sharp flick of the hand, he gave Argaroth the signal.

  The wolf rose with regal elegance and restrained power, then sprang onto the trail.

  Behind them, the city slowly vanished.

  Ahead of them, the dusty roads to Sirentia.

  And between them, an unspoken promise.

  A pact between two houses. Between two warriors. Between two hearts forged in fire.