The heat of the pool water immediately engulfed Rhona’s body. She couldn’t feel the bottom; she had no idea how deep this hole was. In panic, she kicked upward. The moment her head broke the surface and she gulped in air, she froze.

  Sev was right there.

  Or rather, floating lazily nearby, laughing at her.

  “I don’t know whether you’re just that good at hiding or those men are completely useless, but impressive that they still haven’t found you,” Sev mocked.

  “What do you want?!” Rhona snapped, still irritated from the suitcase incident.

  Sev didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed her arm and dragged her back underwater. Rhona struggled, trying to punch his chest, but he didn’t budge. Sev wrapped his arms around her—not in an embrace, but to restrain her completely.

  Rhona stiffened when she noticed Sev’s left hand moving just beneath the surface. It never fully emerged from the water, yet something extraordinary happened. The ripples caused by her fall abruptly stopped at the edge of Sev’s palm. Beyond that invisible boundary, the surface of the pool was perfectly still, like glass.

  Seconds later, the Yodanian search party entered the bathing area. They scanned their surroundings. The pool looked quiet, steam drifting lazily over its calm surface. No ripples. No disturbance. Convinced it was empty, they left.

  When it was safe, Sev loosened his hold. Rhona shot to the surface, greedily sucking in oxygen. Her lungs burned. Sev, meanwhile, burst into loud laughter, pointing at her face.

  “Boiled crab!!!” he shouted carelessly.

  “What do you want, huh?!” Rhona pouted, trying to steady her breathing.

  “You ruined my suitcase. And the expensive stuff inside it.”

  Rhona clicked her tongue dismissively. Such a trivial matter. “Your own fault,” she replied coolly.

  Sev’s face flushed red at that answer. When Rhona tried to climb out of the pool, he grabbed her arm again.

  “I’ll forgive you if you can stay underwater for three minutes,” Sev challenged.

  Rhona frowned. So childish. “I don’t feel guilty. Why should I?”

  “If you refuse, I won’t forgive you!” Sev snapped, trying to look fierce.

  Just as Rhona expected, his face grew even redder. He was annoyed but had no way to force her. For some reason, she felt like playing along.

  “Fine, if you insist. How hard could it be? Three minutes, right?”

  “Five minutes!” Sev said, holding up five fingers.

  Underwater, Rhona and Sev stared at each other.

  Sev, this water is scorching. I could die in a minute, she complained silently.

  But as Sev began swimming around her, the temperature around Rhona’s body suddenly dropped. The searing heat turned into a cool, soothing sensation.

  Is he… helping me? Seriously?

  Suddenly, footsteps echoed again. Sev grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the deeper corner of the pool. Three men had just entered the water to soak. Rhona could see the shadows of their legs beneath the surface. If any of them dove down, they would be finished.

  Sev dragged her farther, toward a cluster of large rocks at the bottom. There was a narrow gap behind the bubbling hot spring source. The problem was that Rhona had reached her limit. She was out of breath.

  She began to thrash. Water slipped into her throat. She wanted to surface, but Sev pressed firmly on her shoulders, locking her in place.

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  For a moment, Rhona truly believed Sev would let her die.

  The heat began to sting again. The oxygen in her lungs was gone. She struggled, but Sev’s grip was unyielding. In the suffocating darkness beneath the water, her consciousness began to fade. Memories flooded her mind.

  If only she could speak, she would tell Sev they were not enemies. She was part of Cygnus—a Cygnus candidate personally chosen by their Leader. But a second later, she jolted internally. Would Sev even believe her? And even if he did, could an enemy’s daughter ever be accepted?

  Rhona began choking. Her lungs felt as though a giant hand were crushing them. She screamed inwardly. Vida’s face flashed before her, followed by Wian’s, and the faces of those she had wronged in Yodania. She saw their wounded eyes. Her sins seemed to condense into a heavy weight dragging her deeper into the pool. They must all hate her.

  Then came the faces of the “good” people who had surrounded her at the palace—nobles, servants, socialite friends. Why was she only realizing this now? Not one of them had ever smiled sincerely at her. Every smile had been fake.

  The respect she once thought she saw in their eyes had only been discomfort mixed with fear. She had lived in a sea of hypocrisy—one she had helped build.

  Finally, her father’s face appeared—Wils Dingzu. The only one who had always smiled proudly at her, who patted her shoulder warmly and called her an extraordinary daughter. That love had felt real. Solid.

  Would that love remain if she stood against him?

  Rhona asked her dying soul.

  Her heart screamed in pain. She wasn’t sure she was ready to stand beside people she had only recently met and oppose the father who clearly loved her. Did she truly have to give up the only love she had for Cygnus? For strangers who teased her? Who now seemed intent on taking her life beneath this pool?

  Suddenly—

  She could breathe.

  Yes. She could breathe.

  Air.

  Rhona inhaled greedily and opened her eyes.

  She was stunned.

  Her head and Sev’s were close together. They were still underwater—but surrounded by air. A bubble encircled their heads. Rhona looked up. The air pocket had a narrow channel leading beyond the pool.

  “Sev…” she whispered.

  She knew he would hear her; his ear was close to her mouth.

  “Shh…” Sev whispered back, warning her to stay silent.

  Rhona fell quiet.

  She could hear the three men talking.

  “I think Mr. Zuno is dragging this out too long. Our forces are already assembled. What are we waiting for? I’m itching to wipe out Cygnus,” one of them said.

  Rhona stiffened.

  “Mr. Zuno is calculating. Cygnus isn’t easy to deal with. It takes patience to catch a big fish.”

  “Yeah. I heard no one comes out of that forest alive,” another added hoarsely.

  “True, but I’ve already imagined it. Once we control the Golden Forest, we’ll all be rich. The forest itself is gold—and there are rumors the Cygnus ancestors have a treasure.”

  “Treasure?”

  “Yeah. People talk about it. We’ll take that treasure too.”

  “Hm. I’m sure Mr. Zuno’s plan will succeed.”

  “Treasure might just be gossip—but I’m curious.”

  One of them stood up.

  “Hey, Bo! Can’t handle it anymore?”

  Another rose. “I’m hungry too. You sure you don’t want to join?”

  “Food? Don’t leave me!” the third quickly followed.

  A moment later, Sev and Rhona surfaced.

  Both were lost in thought. Rhona glanced at Sev. She couldn’t read his expression.

  “Remember, you failed. We’ll continue next time,” Sev said casually, as if they had heard nothing. He climbed out of the pool. Rhona followed.

  “Sev!”

  “You’re lucky this time. What now?”

  “You almost killed me.”

  Sev looked surprised. He stepped closer, turned her around, and pressed his palm against her back.

  A warm current flowed from his hand through her body. Rhona gasped as her weakness faded, and the pain in her chest gradually eased.

  “I thought Wils Dingzu’s daughter wouldn’t be this weak,” Sev muttered.

  The warmth stopped. He turned away.

  “Sev!” Rhona called.

  “What now?”

  He turned back, irritation still visible—especially when he saw her reddened eyes, on the verge of tears.

  “Fine, fine. Forget the suitcase. I’m rich too, you know! Tch!”

  Sev clicked his tongue and disappeared through the doorway.

  Rhona’s tears finally fell.

  Maybe she had judged them too harshly. She would have to start again—without prejudice.

  ***

  At the resort restaurant, Sev approached the table where Regawa and Winn were eating.

  “So, how was the swim? Fun?” Regawa asked with a sly grin.

  “Of course it was. I had that girl with me,” Sev replied casually.

  “What?! Ah, hahaha!” Regawa burst out laughing, while Winn only gave a faint smile.

  “But something more interesting happened,” Sev said, his tone suddenly serious. “There were three fish in the pond earlier. We need to catch them and roast them.”

  Regawa and Winn immediately understood the code. Their expressions sharpened.

  Suddenly, a hand snatched the whole roast chicken that had just been placed on their table. It was Rhona.

  “I’m taking this as payment for carrying your luggage earlier!” Rhona shouted as she ran off with the chicken in her hands.

  “Hey! You’re the one who should be compensating us for our suitcase!” Regawa shouted in exasperation. Still, he could only shake his head at the girl’s behavior.

  When several Yodanians passed by their table looking for Rhona, the three of them immediately pretended to be busy with their plates.