The morning light filtered gently through the tall windows of Noel’s room, casting soft lines across the floor. Outside, the snow was gone. Birds chirped. Spring had officially begun.
Noel sat on the edge of his bed, barefoot, with Noir curled up in his lap. The small wolf was asleep, chest rising and falling slowly, head nestled in the folds of Noel’s robe. His fur, dark and faintly violet, shimmered in the warm light.
Noel stroked his back absently, eyes distant.
’Now Marcus is off with Clara to train in the Nivaria region...’
He paused.
’In the original story, he never found out about the illness spreading in the north, atleast not this soon. He couldn’t. Marcus wasn’t close enough to Elyra this early in the story. No one ever told him what was happening. That’s why her mother died.’
His fingers stopped moving for a moment.
A quiet exhale.
’I’m done worrying about how the story used to go. I’m going to fix it, I’ll worry later about the outcome. That’s what the system wants. That’s what I want. I’ll protect what matters to me. And I don’t want to see Elyra cry.’
He looked down at Noir, who stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
’It’s time to tell her I’m going with her to Estermont.’
His eyes narrowed slightly.
’After that, I’ll need to head to Elarith. The wedding... right. First time leaving the continent. I’ll have to board a ship. There’s a whole sea between here and the northern coast of Elarith.’
Noel stood up carefully, setting Noir down on the bed, where the small wolf rolled onto his back and kept sleeping.
He stretched once, quietly.
Then walked toward the bathroom.
A hot shower was calling. And after that... a conversation that might change everything.
Steam drifted from the crack in the bathroom door as Noel stepped out, towel wrapped low around his waist, his blond hair still damp and tousled. He reached back to close the door—only to freeze.
There, sitting casually on his bed, was Elyra von Estermont.
She had one leg crossed over the other, a faint smirk on her lips and Noir comfortably nestled in her lap. The little wolf wagged his tail like he was exactly where he belonged.
Her eyes swept over Noel once.
"Now this is a better view than last time."
Noel slammed the bathroom door shut behind him with a loud thud.
"Hi, Elyra. You know, there’s this thing called knocking. It’s pretty common in civilized societies."
"Don’t be so dramatic. I only came to visit."
Noel’s voice came muffled through the door. "Could you be a dear and take the clothes hanging on the chair and pass them to me?"
Elyra gently moved Noir to the side, stood up, and picked up the clothes from the chair. She walked to the door, placed the pants and underwear into his outstretched hand.
"There you go."
Noel grabbed them and paused.
"And the shirt?"
Elyra blinked innocently. "Oh... it wasn’t on the chair."
"Right. Thanks anyway."
A moment later, the door opened again. Noel stepped out, dressed now—but missing the shirt. His torso was lean, his skin pale but healthy, every muscle defined from months of quiet training. He rubbed his wet hair with a small towel as he walked past her.
Elyra’s gaze followed him with clear interest.
Noel looked at her. Then at the chair. Then back at her.
The shirt was right there, hanging where she’d just been.
"...So the shirt was there."
Elyra smiled sweetly. "Oops. I didn’t see it."
He stared at her flatly.
"Uh-huh. Amazing how it managed to hide right next to the pants."
"I’m terribly sorry," she said, with absolutely no remorse. "Want me to help you put it on too?"
"No thanks. I’ll survive. So—why are you here?"
Elyra sat back down on the bed, smoothing out her skirt. Noir, now fully awake, immediately climbed back into her lap as if claiming his rightful place. She scratched behind his ears, and he let out a soft, satisfied sound.
"I told you. I came to see you," she said, her tone light. "And I found this little thing wandering around. He’s adorable. Let me guess—this is what came out of the egg?"
Noel slipped on his shirt, still drying his hair with the towel.
"Yeah."
She glanced down at Noir, then back at him.
"I’m guessing it’s a magical beast."
He paused mid-movement, his towel dropping slightly.
"...How do you know that?"
Elyra tilted her head, confused. "You didn’t know? Magical beasts like this can be bought. They’re rare, expensive, but families like mine have a few. They’re often used as familiars."
Noel blinked.
’Right... of course they are. Should’ve figured. The nobles always had access to stuff like this in the novel.’
He exhaled and crossed his arms.
"Guess I shouldn’t be surprised, coming from the richest and most powerful family in all of Valor."
Elyra smiled, pleased. "Looks like you finally understand who you’re dealing with."
She looked at Noir again. "What’s his name?"
"Noir."
She blinked. "What does that mean?"
"’Black.’ In another language."
Her eyes sparkled slightly. "Didn’t know you were multilingual."
"Old hobby," Noel said, turning to hang the towel. "Don’t ask."
She raised both hands. "Alright. I won’t."
A brief silence passed between them—peaceful, calm. Noir stretched out across her lap like a sleepy scarf. Then Noel turned back, his face unreadable.
"There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Elyra looked up from Noir, already smiling.
"Oh? Let me guess..." she said with a teasing lilt. "You’ve finally fallen for me too?"
Noel exhaled softly and walked over to the chair, leaning against it.
"We’ll leave that conversation for another time."
Her smile lingered, but her eyes narrowed slightly—sensing the shift in his tone.
"There’s something more important," he said.
She tilted her head.
"I’ve been thinking about your letter," Noel continued. "About your mother."
Elyra’s expression didn’t change, but her posture straightened. The amusement in her eyes faded into something quieter—measured.
"I’m going with you," he said. "To Estermont."
She blinked once. "...You are?"
"I don’t know how much I can do yet. But I’m going to try. I might have found something that could help her."
Noir shifted in her lap, sensing the pause in her breath. Elyra stared at him, unreadable.
Then her voice dropped, calm and cold.
"Noel Thorne... I hope you understand what you just said."