Rheanne stepped down from the railing and walked over to Brandon.

Without hesitation, she gently took his arm.

"What happened?" she asked calmly, her sky-blue eyes flicking between the two Bleaufort women. "Is my partner troubling you?"

Amelia quickly raised her head, shaking it so vigorously that her blonde braid swung wildly.

"N-No... L-Lady R-Rheanne... We-we were just..."

Freya’s eyes trembled with realization ’He wasn’t lying...’

Rheanne gave a small nod "If there is nothing else, I will take him back."

"Y-Yes," both women answered in unison.

Rheanne turned to Brandon, "Let’s go."

She pulled him gently by the hand, leading him back toward their own balcony.

As they flew up together, Brandon glanced back once.

Amelia was still on one knee and her face was flushed with embarrassment and shock.

Freya remained composed, but her green eyes followed them with deep curiosity.

---

Once they were safely back inside their guest chamber and the balcony shutters were closed, Rheanne finally released his arm.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she moved toward the table where the servants had left a generous spread of food with roasted meats, fresh bread, cheese, fruits, and a pitcher of wine.

"You are already bringing trouble..." she muttered as she pulled out a chair and sat down.

Brandon sighed softly "Sorry."

Gesturing to her nearby chair, she spoke "Forget that, come on, let’s eat."

Brandon went and sat beside her as they started eating.

Rheanne took a slow sip of wine, then spoke quietly "There is another dungeon nearby which needs to be cleared. We can go there later... after we rest properly."

Brandon gave her a small nod, chewing a piece of bread.

"Alright."

---

Stepping out of the room, Brandon stretched his arms above his head and let out a softsigh.

He then walked to his room and closed the door behind him.

Peeling off his shirt, Brandon walked to the bed and lay down. staring up at the ceiling.

"It’s been a long while since I slept alone..." he murmured to the empty room.

He closed his eyes for a moment, and immediately their faces appeared in his mind.

The memories flooded in of their quiet nights tangled together in bed, laughter echoing through the house and the simple comfort of waking up surrounded by the women he loved.

A deep, lonely sigh escaped his lips.

He turned onto his side, pulling one of the thick blankets over his torso.

The bed felt too big and too empty.

He missed the soft breathing of others around him and the warmth of their bodies curling against his.

For the first time since arriving in 1502, the reality of how far away they all were hit him fully.

He is alone.

Brandon buried his face into the pillow for a moment, letting the fabric muffle another deep sigh.

"It’s only temporary," he whispered to himself. "I’ll find the way back."

He closed his eyes once more, trying to will sleep to come.

A quiet ache settled deep in his chest.

He missed them.

He missed them so much it hurt.

Yet somewhere in the back of his mind, a small, stubborn spark of hope remained.

He would survive this too.

And one day... no matter how long it takes, he would return to them.

Brandon turned onto his side again, hugging the pillow closer as he slowly drifted to sleep.

---

The first rays of morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of the guest chamber, painting the room in soft gold and amber hues.

Brandon stirred slowly and his eyes fluttered open.

But then he froze in shock.

Rheanne was sitting calmly on the edge of his bed, with a thick leather-bound book resting in her lap.

The morning light caught her long white hair, making it glow like fresh snow.

She looked completely at ease, turning a page with graceful fingers as if she had been there for hours.

Brandon’s eyes widened in surprise.

He sat up quickly as the blanket slid down to his waist.

Rheanne didn’t even look up from her book at first "Good morning."

He stared at her for a second, still processing.

"...Morning."

’How the heck did she come in? Through the balcony?’

Rheanne finally closed the book with a quiet snap and turned her head to look at him.

"I didn’t expect you to wake up so late in the morning," she said lightly. "You were sleeping quite deeply."

Brandon ran a hand through his messy hair, still trying to shake off the last traces of sleep.

"I guess... How long have you been here?"

Rheanne tilted her head slightly "Since sunrise. I came in through the balcony. You sleep very soundly, Kael. You didn’t even stir when I sat down."

She placed the book on the bedside table and stood up gracefully, stretching her arms above her head.

"I brought breakfast," she continued, gesturing toward a small table near the window where a tray had been placed with fresh bread, cheese, fruits, and two steaming cups of what smelled like herbal tea.

"The servants were too afraid to enter once they saw me here, so I took it from them."

Brandon blinked again, then let out a short, amused chuckle.

She walked over to the table and poured tea into both cups as the steam rose in lazy curls.

Brandon swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching his arms high above his head with a satisfied groan.

He joined her at the table and accepted the cup she offered.

"Thanks," he said, taking a sip.

The tea was warm and slightly sweet, with hints of herbs he didn’t recognize. It soothed his throat immediately.

They sat down together and the morning light streamed in through the partially open curtains, illuminating the room in a peaceful glow.

For a few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence.

Rheanne glanced at him over the rim of her cup.

"You were talking in your sleep," she said casually.

Brandon nearly choked on his tea "I was?"

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"You called out a few names. Florence... Ravene... Charlotte."

Brandon’s mind went completely blank for a second.

’W-What?’

He quickly composed himself, forcing a nonchalant expression as he picked up the cup again and took another sip of tea.

"I see..." he muttered, trying to sound casual. "Must have been dreaming about the fight or something."

Rheanne watched him for a moment longer before she took another slow sip from her own cup.

After finishing the last of his tea, he stood up from the table and stretched his arms above his head.

"I will go and freshen up," he said, needing a moment to collect himself.

Rheanne glanced at him "Alright," she replied softly. "Take your time. I’ll wait here."

Brandon nodded and walked toward the bathing chamber.

The moment he stepped inside and closed the door behind him, he leaned against it and let out a long, quiet breath.

’Damn it...’

He splashed cold water on his face from the basin, trying to clear his head.

In the main room, Rheanne stood by the window, looking out over the castle grounds.

Her fingers absently traced the tea cup as she replayed his sleep-talking in her mind.

’Florence... Ravene... Charlotte...’

She didn’t know who they were, but the way he had said their names with that soft, longing tone told her everything she needed to know.

She felt a strange, unfamiliar pang in her chest.

Not jealousy exactly, but a quiet ache.

For the first time in her solitary life, she had found someone who understood her power, who fought beside her as an equal.

And yet... he belonged somewhere else.

She shook her head again, pushing the thoughts away.

When Brandon stepped out a short while later, freshly washed and wearing the clean clothes she had provided, he looked more composed.

Rheanne turned from the window and offered him a gentle smile "Feeling better?"

He gave a nod "Yeah. Thanks."

"Then let’s eat breakfast and then go meet the Emperor."