Nux's gaze was calm, but there was that teasing spark again, that infuriating glimmer of amusement dancing in his golden irises. In that instant, all her courage shattered like glass. Her shoulders drooped, her head lowered, and she looked like a flower that had lost its sunlight.

Her throat tightened. No sound came out.

She bit down on her lower lip, teeth pressing into the soft pink flesh, then reached out weakly and tugged at Nux's sleeve. Her voice was small—almost a whisper drowned by the rustle of leaves.

"Um… handsome~" she murmured, voice trembling.

Then, as if realizing what she'd just said, she blinked and quickly tried to backtrack. "C-can I use that word instead of… you know, calling you?"

Nux raised an eyebrow, pretending to look genuinely puzzled. "What did you just call me?"

Hera pursed her lips and tried to look pitiful, her golden eyes shimmering with a foxlike charm. "Handsome~ Please, let me off, alright?"

Nux exhaled through his nose, clearly amused. He slipped his arm free from her grasp and gently—but firmly—caught her hand, tossing it aside. "Don't be like this. If the people of the Soulforge Citadel saw their precious saint acting like this, they'd think I'd bullied you. Next thing I know, they'll want to stew me alive."

"You are bullying me, asshole!" she snapped.

Nux's eyes narrowed slightly. "Huh?"

Her anger faltered immediately. She pouted, her voice turning soft and sulky. "No… it's just… I was young and stupid. I shouldn't have made that bet…"

Nux crossed his arms and smirked. "Warning you now—I don't fall for that emotional act."

Her eyes widened. "Act? You—!"

He cut her off with a grin. "Again with the 'I'm young' excuse? Because I'm really not seeing how young you are."

His gaze drifted downward, almost involuntarily. Her proud figure filled his vision—her slender waist, her curves that swayed gently with every indignant breath.

Tsk. He whistled silently in his mind. If that's 'young,' then the world's gone mad.

Her hips were soft, her posture graceful—like a peach ripened under golden sun.

"Pervert!" Hera yelped, face blazing. She threw her arms across her chest defensively. "Where are your eyes looking, you—stinky rascal!"

Nux looked genuinely innocent. "Hey, you said you were young. I'm just verifying the evidence. From what I can see, you seem very… experienced."

Hera's face burned even redder. "You—! It's not like that! I just… I can't say it, alright?"

"Can't say what?"

"The thing!" she blurted, fidgeting like a cornered cat. "It's not that I don't want to call you… it's just that I can't!"

Nux chuckled. The sound was low and warm, brushing against her nerves. "Didn't I already tell you? It was just a joke. I never expected you to take it so seriously."

Hera shook her head furiously, golden hair fluttering. "That's different! I'm a saint of the Soulforge Citadel—I can't go back on my word! If I lose a bet, I admit it. Otherwise, I'd be a liar… a scoundrel!"

"You're the one torturing yourself here," Nux said, lifting his hands helplessly. But inside, he couldn't help admiring her. Hera wasn't just beautiful—she had this stubborn streak that made her both ridiculous and endearing.

In a world full of hypocrites, finding someone who actually kept their word was rare.

"Wait—just give me a moment to… gather myself," she said, flustered.

"No hurry." Nux smiled, the picture of patience.

Just a few steps away, two men were walking along the stone path.

The first had short crimson-red hair and strikingly handsome features, dressed in luxurious robes that shimmered faintly with a fiery aura. Heat seemed to radiate from him, the air warping faintly around his body.

Beside him walked a tall, composed man with silver-gray hair and sharp eyes that reflected calm intelligence.

"Brother Gavin," said the red-haired one—Inferno—his voice low but brimming with restless energy, "do you think I should just tell her? About… my feelings for Hera?"

Gavin gave him a sidelong glance. "Inferno, I'd advise you not to rush it. You know my sister's temperament. Remember the time she disguised herself as a man? She doesn't play by normal rules."

Inferno puffed out his chest confidently. "I know that, but think about it—among everyone in the Soulforge Citadel, aside from you, Brother Gavin, who can compare with me in both strength and talent? And looks, obviously."

He smirked, radiating arrogance. "Hera has no reason to choose anyone else. As for the men outside the Citadel, they're all country bumpkins. None of them deserve her."

Gavin sighed, his tone more measured. "You're not wrong about your standing. But you also know how the Queen is—cold to all men. Hera learned from her. She's never shown even the slightest interest in anyone."

Inferno grinned, unconvinced. "That just means she hasn't met the right man yet. I haven't even started pursuing her properly. If I give up without trying, how could I live with myself? I'll win her heart—you'll see."

"You're that confident?" Gavin asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Inferno snapped his fingers with a smirk. "Look, the saint of the Soulforge Citadel would never pick someone from the outside world. So who does that leave? You, or me. Since you're her brother, that makes me her only option."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "All I need is your help, Brother Gavin. If you nod, I'll definitely win her heart."

Gavin exhaled slowly, gazing at the eager man beside him. "I can try to help, but honestly… it's not likely. I've never seen my sister even look at a man with interest. Her heart is colder than the northern snow. She's exactly like her teacher."

Inferno was about to reply, a cocky grin still plastered on his face—when his eyes suddenly caught something.

He froze mid-step.

"Brother… tell me that's not Hera."

Gavin followed his gaze.

And there, in the distance, under the golden light of the garden—was Hera, standing far too close to a black-haired man whose golden eyes gleamed like fire.

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