The thought of returning home sent Dave into a frenzy of excitement. It could hardly wait to whisk Shermaine and Joshua back to Wallington.

Jasmine eyed the floating blue orb warily. She thought, “It’s cute, but what kind of creature is this? And it can even talk.”

Her curiosity faded into melancholy as reality sank in. Shermaine and Joshua would leave.

Shermaine peeled off her gloves and pinched Dave’s cheek. “Patience.”

Dave flailed its tiny appendages. “When? I’m ready.”

“After we finish touring the city and wrap up loose ends in Baykeep.”

“Okay.”

Dave could wait a little longer. Its attention quickly shifted to Gracie, the cute baby in the stroller. “Hello, little one. I’m Dave!” Dave chirped, landing beside Gracie.

Gracie blinked up at it, her big eyes curious, then promptly spat up a mouthful of milk, splattering Dave’s face.

Unfazed, Dave flew closer and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Joshua snatched Dave mid-air and flicked it away before tenderly wiping Gracie’s mouth. He thought with a warm smile, “What a little glutton.”

In the days that followed, Jasmine carried a quiet sadness, though she hid it well to avoid dampening Shermaine’s good mood.

That night, they soaked in a hot spring, steam curling around them as Gracie floated nearby in a tiny boat. The air was fragrant, the sky studded with stars.

Jasmine’s cheeks flushed pink from the heat. “Shermaine, can I go with you?”

Shermaine smiled, “You could. But would you truly leave Baykeep behind?”

Jasmine’s lifelong dream had been to reclaim and protect Baykeep, her ancestral home. Torn between her duty and her desire to stay with Shermaine, she sighed, “I have to guard Baykeep. I can’t just leave.”

“Then do it well,” Shermaine said, ruffling her hair. “Remember what I told you? Leaving doesn’t mean forever.”

Jasmine understood, but still, sadness filled her eyes. “I know. I just don’t want to be alone again.”

Shermaine knew exactly how Jasmine felt. After finally finding two family members, the thought of losing them was unbearable.

But the gathering would come to an end. Shermaine and Joshua didn’t belong here.

“There’s a solution,” Shermaine said.

“Huh?” Jasmine blinked, curiosity in her eyes.

Shermaine smiled, “Find a man. Someone who’ll grow old with you.”

The delayed departure was for Jasmine’s sake. Shermaine and Joshua were worried about her. They needed to ensure she could survive without them.

Jasmine’s face reddened further. “You said finding the right one is hard.”

Shermaine nodded. “It is. But if you’re willing, I’ll gather every worthy man in the Kingdom of Xyperia for you to choose from.”

The idea was tempting, yet Jasmine’s mind inexplicably conjured Damien’s face. She thought, “I must be insane. Falling for an assassin with no affection for me? Would he ever agree? Could I even force him?”

Jasmine shook her head. “Never mind.”

Shermaine saw right through her. “You already like someone, don’t you?”

“N–No.”

“Is it Damien?”

Jasmine shook her head.

Shermaine raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

After a pause, Jasmine nodded.

“Good. Then I’ll start the matchmaking when we return.”

No amount of protest could sway Shermaine. Her mind was made up.

The next day, after exploring Limodan, they returned to Baykeep.

An hour later, they arrived. Everything was as they had left it.

Jasmine learned Damien had completed his mission days ago, but he had been injured.

Restless, she wanted to check on him, but at the same time, she felt awkward about going to see him.

After lying in bed for a while, she opened her wardrobe, stuffed the shirt into a bag, and ran outside.

Standing in front of Damien’s door, Jasmine knocked several times before it finally opened.

Damien was as cold as ever, but his face looked pale and tired. His voice was hoarse. “What’s up?”

“I’m returning your shirt,” Jasmine said, handing it over.

Damien took it without a word and started to close the door.

“Wait.” Jasmine stretched on her tiptoes, pressing a hand to his forehead. “You’re burning up!”

Damien brushed her off. “Not your concern.” He had pushed himself hard after completing the mission, and naturally, his body was paying the price. But it was just a fever. A little rest and some medicine would fix it.

Pushing past him, Jasmine barged in. “You saved my life. I should return the favor.” She dragged him back to bed. “Lie down. I’ll call a doctor.”

Too weak to argue, Damien relented, sinking back onto the bed.

Jasmine tucked him in and called Shermaine.

Shermaine answered, “What’s wrong?”

Jasmine said, “Damien has a fever. Can you come?”

“On my way,” Shermaine replied.

Damien frowned, “It’s unnecessary.”

“Nonsense!” Jasmine huffed. “A fever left untreated could fry your brain.”

Damien sighed.

“You should take better care of yourself,” Jasmine scolded.

Damien’s eyes darkened as he pressed a hand to his forehead, “You’re loud.”

Jasmine fell silent.

Shermaine arrived with a medical kit. Damien’s fever stemmed from an infected wound. After cleaning and redressing it, she prescribed antibiotics and fever reducers.

“Keep the wound dry and make sure he takes these on time,” Shermaine instructed.

Jasmine nodded earnestly. “Got it.”

“Good. He’s your responsibility now.”

“Thank you, Shermaine.”

Shermaine teased, “Damien is the patient. Why are you thanking me?”

Jasmine flushed. “Don’t tease me again.”

“If you like him, go for it.” Shermaine grinned.

Jasmine bit her lower lip and retreated to Damien’s room.

Damien was already asleep. Jasmine watched him for a while, then tentatively touched his face. His skin wasn’t as smooth as she had imagined, but its warmth sent a thrill through her.

After ordering groceries online, she spent the evening cooking soup.

The sun was setting. Jasmine finished making the soup and gently woke Damien up.

Damien sniffed the aroma. A faint scent of broth reached his nose, and he swallowed slightly.

Jasmine handed him a bowl. “Eat before sleeping.”

“Thanks,” Damien muttered, uncharacteristically soft.

She smiled, “You’re welcome.”

Damien studied her briefly before drinking. The soup was perfect. He finished it quickly.

Jasmine held the medical supplies, cheeks pink. “Time to change your bandages. Take off your shirt.”

“I can do it.” Damien declined.

“You’re sick. Stop being stubborn,” Jasmine insisted.

After a pause, Damien set the bowl aside and undid his buttons, revealing toned, sun-kissed skin and a wrapped waist.

Jasmine’s heart raced as she stared, swallowing hard. She carefully removed the old bandage, exposing the raw, angry-looking wound.

She cleaned it with feather-light touches, applied ointment, and secured fresh gauze. Half an hour later, she finally said, “Done.”

“Mm,” Damien responded.

After finishing, Jasmine didn’t leave right away. She handed him the pills with a glass of water.

As drowsiness claimed him, Damien drifted off, with Jasmine still by his side.

Jasmine kept her distance. She hadn’t forgotten how he had nearly choked her last time. After checking his temperature and seeing it had dropped significantly, she sighed in relief and stretched.

Caring for the injured Damien was harder than tending to Gracie, but Jasmine didn’t mind. Exhausted, she yawned and eyed the space beside him.

She thought, “He probably won’t get mad if I take a quick nap here, right?” Without overthinking, she lay down next to him.

The next morning, Damien woke early, his arm numb from the weight pressing against it. He opened his eyes to find Jasmine clinging to him.

For once, he looked genuinely stunned. Slowly, he pulled his arm free, his expression unreadable.

For the next two days, Jasmine continued her “caretaking,” though Damien’s fever had broken by the second day. She used his healing wound as an excuse to keep visiting.

Jasmine was redressing his wound. The injury had already started scabbing over. After applying the medicine, she eyed his abs and, unable to resist, poked one.

Damien instantly seized her wrist. “Don’t.”

Jasmine feigned innocence. “I just wanted to see if they were as hard as they looked. Not like I was trying to flirt or anything.” In the Kingdom of Xyperia, where people were generally pretty open-minded, she had barely even held a man’s hand before.

Damien released her. “I’m healed. You don’t have to come tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Jasmine’s heart sank. She thought, “Fine. He’s going to be cold again. I might as well get something out of it!”

She tilted her head up, grinning. “Let me touch them one more time. Just consider it payment for taking care of you.”

“No.” Damien refused.

Jasmine huffed, “Why not?”

Damien buttoned his shirt. “I’ll repay you another way.”

Hurt but hiding it, Jasmine pouted, “Humph. Once Shermaine finds me a man, I’ll touch his abs every day.”