Looking at Ella filled with determination, Meivia felt a sudden surge of desire to teach her.

With the magical power Miss Ella possessed, her growth as a mage would surely be dazzling.

There would be real satisfaction in teaching her.

And having another ally was welcome too.

‘But she is to become Haven’s mate……’

She couldn’t decide whether it was all right to let her learn magic.

But she couldn’t refuse either.

‘What if Miss Ella brought it up herself……?’

A clever idea came to Meivia and she smiled.

“Then shall we contact our superior, who must be beside himself with impatience?”

“All of a sudden?”

“Yes, he’ll be waiting desperately for news of you, Miss Ella.”

“If he’s at the main force, he’d be near the border. How would we contact him……”

“With this.”

Meivia produced something palm-sized from inside her clothes. It was a portable powder case.

The gold-decorated surface had elaborate patterns engraved on it.

“What is this?”

“A communication device.”

“A…… communication device?”

A communication device was a kind of magical contact tool. Because of its convenience and ease of use, it circulated covertly even in Becarto where magic was banned.

Crackdowns were strict and the price was whatever the seller demanded, but even nobles scrambled to get their hands on one.

The imperial family was no different.

She had seen one in Marian’s memories as well. Though the form was very different from the one Meivia was now handing her.

“Communication devices are banned items.”

“That’s why I made it like this. Even if you have it open, it looks like you’re fixing your makeup or checking a mirror. No one will notice it’s a communication device.”

Meivia opened the case’s lid.

She tapped the round mirror twice and light spread across the surface.

A pleasant baritone voice followed.

[Yeah, Meivia. Did you get into the palace?]

“As if I’d fail. Can’t you see what I’m wearing?”

[It suits you.]

“Are you mocking me?”

It was a rather casual exchange for a commander and subordinate.

Haven continued, completely unaware that Ella was listening.

[How does Ella seem? Is her body all right, is she doing well, hah…… I just can’t stop worrying.]

Watching him with downcast eyes, Meivia clicked her tongue inwardly.

Blind devotion to the one you gave your virginity to was said to be a Wolf Clan trait, but this was far too extreme.

Her cool, rational superior seemed to have evaporated entirely.

‘Is this really Haven?’

In that empty space, only a clumsy wolf had been left behind.

A silver wolf fretting over his mate.

Meivia simply could not adapt to this version of him she had never seen before.

“Why don’t you ask directly. She’s right here.”

With an expression of utter disbelief, Meivia handed the communication device to Ella.

Ella took it without quite knowing what was happening.

“Haven, it’s been a while.”

[Ella……]

Haven in the communication device had lost a little weight but still looked as striking as ever.

The image wasn’t sharp, but the look in his eyes projected through the device wasn’t much different from the last time she had seen him.

The kiss from that night surfaced without warning.

A kiss shared while wrapped in the warmth of Haven’s arms.

Passionate, yet tender. A sweet contact full of longing.

Her lips suddenly felt ticklish. She bit her lower lip where the faint pulse lingered and let it go, then added a quiet smile.

“……Haven, have you been well?”

Ella offered an awkward greeting.

***

The conversation between Ella and Haven was going in circles. Only pleasantries and small talk passed between them.

Even Meivia, watching from the side, shook her head in exasperation.

“Right, Haven. Take care of yourself.”

[Don’t worry about me. I’ll do everything I can to get back to you as soon as possible.]

But the eyes of the two actually speaking were different.

Haven in particular was pressed so close to the communication device he looked ready to leap out of it, unable to take his eyes off Ella.

Flickers of red came and went in his violet eyes.

Haven’s fingers drew close to the screen.

[As soon as this operation is over, I’ll come to you.]

His fingertips slid slowly downward as though tracing Ella’s face.

[I think I need to see you, even for a moment, to survive.]

Was it because of his red eyes?

It wasn’t a real touch, and yet warmth seemed to rise in her cheek. The pulse that had only been felt in her lips spread across her whole cheek.

Her mouth felt strangely dry, and Ella’s reply came half a beat late.

“……Don’t push yourself. It’s not a short distance.”

[I have the movement scroll Meivia gave me, so don’t worry, Ella.]

Meivia, standing nearby, shot him a look.

That movement scroll wasn’t given for secret rendezvous, you know.

That was what her eyes were saying.

Not that the person in question could hear.

[I miss you, Ella……]

Haven said it in a forlorn voice, completely ignoring Meivia.

At Ella’s small whisper of me too, a radiant light fell over his face.

“I’ll wait, Haven.”

The light of the communication device went out on a sorrowful smile. Instead of the handsome man who had filled the screen, Ella’s own face was reflected back.

She closed the case without hesitation.

“And you didn’t say the important thing at all……”

Meivia trailed off with a deflated expression.

“The important thing? Ah……”

Only then did Ella remember she hadn’t brought up magic.

“Shall we…… try again?”

Meivia shook her head immediately. She had no desire to witness her superior’s romantic behavior again, behavior she simply could not get used to.

And that voice drenched in syrup, of all things.

‘Even setting it aside as a racial trait……’

This was genuinely hard to watch.

Suppressing the goosebumps, Meivia spoke.

“Well, since he said he’s coming, it might be better to tell him in person.”

“All right.”

“I’ll bring spell books down to this chapel little by little as I can. Let’s start with theory for now. Your heart may be impatient, but the foundation has to be solid no matter what you’re learning.”

Ella nodded.

After explaining a few more points of magical theory, Meivia put on a firm expression.

“And from now on, please use the communication device somewhere I’m not present.”

Ella’s eyes asked what she meant.

Meivia added one last word.

“For the sake of my mental and physical health, I’m asking you.”

***

The border conflict zone between the Kar Kingdom and the Haizen Kingdom.

Military tents were set up throughout the area, and this was the main base of the Kar Kingdom’s knight order, with Haven as its commander.

With a surprise operation imminent, a sharp tension filled the darkened battlefield.

The sky-blue ribbon tied around his wrist fluttered in the night breeze.

It was a somewhat sentimental scene, entirely at odds with the air of impending war.

“Hah…… Ella.”

Haven pressed the darkened communication device to his chest and let out a long breath.

The feelings that had been swaying like the ribbon on his wrist refused to settle. His heart was responding as fervently as though Ella were standing right in front of him.

“This is maddening.”

His red eyes were reflected clearly in the communication device he had pulled away from his chest.

He was slowly adapting to the heightened senses, but the red eyes still wouldn’t be controlled.

The uncontrolled sensations in his body felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

“How am I supposed to tell her about my condition……”

Even knowing the method to control the surging senses, Haven couldn’t bring himself to act on it.

‘First, a complete awakening must occur. For that, three nights with the one you gave your virginity to are required.’

Recalling what Meivia had told him, a sigh escaped on its own.

“How could I possibly say that to her…… hah.”

Ella would surely step forward herself if it meant easing his suffering, but Haven didn’t want that.

A night as a means to quiet his senses.

He hated the idea of something like that creeping in like an impurity into the nights he spent with Ella.

‘After the mate bond ritual, if the ancient power manifests, you could become an Ulrika.’

The Wolf Clan’s Ulrika.

A being with ancient power, also called the king among sacred beasts.

‘Well, it’s nothing more than a hypothesis thousands of years old, but it’s worth confirming. Who knows? The legendary Ulrika might be you, Haven.’

To confirm it, he would need to go through three nights and then perform the mate bond ritual, but……

Well.

Haven ran his fingers over the sky-blue ribbon wound around his wrist. The soft, smooth texture of the fabric felt exactly like Ella’s skin.

‘Right, let’s keep it secret a little longer.’

He didn’t want to put a purpose into the act of sharing hearts and exchanging tenderness. He wanted it to be a time filled with nothing but love.

So he would tell Ella later……

The sound of approaching footsteps cut through his thoughts.

“Haven.”

It was First Legion Commander Zeroit.

“All preparations for departure are complete.”

Haven erased his expression and rose.

“Summon all legion commanders.”

“Understood.”