As Shan stepped into the house, his mom's face lit up with a mix of relief and surprise. "Oh, you're back so quickly! And who's this young lady with you?"
Shan smiled warmly. "This is Rosy, my friend."
Rosy took a step forward, offering a polite bow. "Good to meet you, Aunty." Her voice was soft but sincere, and her smile carried a hint of shyness.
Shan's mom immediately returned the smile, her nurturing instincts kicking in. "Welcome, Rosy! Any friend of Shan's is always welcome here. You must be tired. Give me just ten minutes, and I'll whip up some dinner for you both."
Rosy's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you so much, Aunty. That's very kind of you."
Shan nodded toward the hallway. "Come on, Rosy. My room is over here."
As they entered Shan's room, Rosy looked around in awe, taking in the neatly organized shelves, the soft glow of a table lamp, and the personal touches scattered around—a few framed pictures, books stacked haphazardly, and a cozy bed with a checkered blanket.
"It's so beautiful," she said, her voice filled with admiration.
Shan shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Thanks. It's nothing fancy, but it's home."
Rosy's smile lingered, but her thoughts shifted to the pressing matters at hand. Her tone became serious. "Shan, we need to stop the devils from stealing the ichor. If they get their hands on more of it, who knows what will happen?"
Shan leaned against the edge of his bed, crossing his arms. "Rosy, that's not our duty. That's their problem, not ours. Let them handle it. Right now, all I care about is that you're safe and here with me."
Rosy hesitated, her eyes searching his for answers. "But what if—"
Shan cut her off gently, his voice steady but warm. "Rosy, you've been through enough. So have I. For once, let's not worry about battles or duties. Let's just... enjoy this moment. Please."
Her expression softened, and she gave a small nod. "Okay. You're right. Thank you, Shan."
Before she could say more, Shan's mom called from the kitchen, her voice cheerful. "Dinner's ready!"
The two made their way to the dining table, where steaming bowls of noodles waited for them. Shan's mom wiped her hands on a towel, looking slightly apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Rosy. There wasn't much left in the kitchen, so I made noodles. I hope that's okay."
Rosy shook her head quickly, her eyes bright with gratitude. "It's more than okay, Aunty. It looks wonderful. Thank you so much."
Shan smiled as he picked up his chopsticks. "Yeah, Mom. It's great. You always make the best noodles."
His mom chuckled, a little embarrassed but clearly pleased. "You two are too kind. It's just a simple meal, really."
As they ate, the atmosphere was warm and relaxed, filled with small talk and laughter. Rosy found herself smiling more than she had in weeks, her worries momentarily forgotten.
After dinner, Shan's mom stood and began clearing the dishes. "Rosy, you can sleep in my room tonight. I'll make it comfortable for you."
Rosy blinked, surprised by the offer. "Oh, Aunty, I couldn't take your room. That's too much."
"Nonsense," Shan's mom said firmly, her tone motherly. "You're our guest. Besides, I'll be perfectly fine. You've had a long day, and you need proper rest."
Rosy hesitated but eventually nodded. "Thank you, Aunty. You're so kind."
As the night settled in, Rosy and Shan went to their respective rooms. Before she left, Rosy turned to Shan. "Goodnight, Shan. And... thank you for everything. I mean it."
Shan smiled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in days. "Goodnight, Rosy. Sleep well."
As he lay in bed, Shan couldn't help but think about how much had changed in such a short time. Despite the challenges ahead, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Rosy was safe, and for now, that was enough.
As the soft hum of night settled over Shan's home, he lay awake in his bed, staring at the ceiling. The memory of the incident in the castle played in his mind like a vivid nightmare—the gruesome moment when the Celestial King crushed Temper's head with his bare hands. The devil's body crumpling to the ground, lifeless, and the eerie silence that followed. It wasn't just the brutality that unsettled Shan; it was the bigger question lurking beneath the surface.
What were the devils planning?