Chapter 43

Lemira nestled into his embrace, her expression a dazed, silly mix. Onion looked down, his gaze settling on her smooth forehead. Her damp hair dripped between them, wetting her clothes and making them slightly transparent. He cleared his throat, releasing her. "The clothes are brand new, never worn. The shoes… well, you'll have to make do for today."

Lemira saw the clothes he’d placed in the foyer and blushed. "Thanks."

Orion, noticing her unguarded demeanor, couldn't help but admonish, "Don't just open the door to anyone at night."

"Because I knew it had to be you knocking," she replied, her gaze steady and calm. Onion met her eyes, then quickly looked away awkwardly. "Just remember to double-lock the—"

Demira stood at the doorway, her lips curving slightly as she looked back. While charging her phone on the bed, she noticed dozens of missed calls and texts—almost all from Lucian. There was also a call from Alaric, but it had only rung three times before he hung up.

Opening her messages, she read Lucian’s texts: “Lemmy, where are you? Stop being mad, okay? Come back, and…” “Lemmy, you know you can’t hide for long in Laf Aster…” “Lemmy, we’re…”

As Lemira read these, her anger grew. Unforgivable.

The next day, Lemira and Onion glanced back at the med school building. Onion watched…

“…Oh my God, what’s happening with the legendary King? I’m so curious!” people whispered.

Evelina arrived at the charanum entrance, visibly startled at the sight of Lamira drawing considerable attention. Despite having over a hundred thousand followers online and being far more famous than Lemira, these countless followers unnerved her. Unable to stand it, Evelina stepped forward. "If you're mad about—"

Her lackey, Charad, interjected, "The Latine's just ungrateful. Thanking stars after winning the match, then acting out and leaving home."

Noticing something, Evelina quickly added, "Lemira, you have family worried about you, and yet you're acting this way?"

"Have me executed," she responded. "Cut the act. No one here's watching your charade. Divert it elsewhere."