Author's note: this is from Lazarus's point of view

- - -

​​

"I don't want to leave Serina like this!", I protested against Aldus's attempt to send me away, and Alex agreed wholeheartedly.

"Fine!", Aldus exclaimed, obviously too preoccupied to argue. "Go to the guest bedroom and keep busy. If you have extra energy, you can help with the cleanup outside. And keep an eye out for Serina's phone. It is reinforced and highly likely that it survived the storm."

Aldus turned to Graike and gave him a questionable look.

"Can I get a bedroom also?", Graike asked shamelessly. "I helped with stabilizing your daughter's condition, and I want to stay until the end." When Aldus didn't respond, Graike added, "I will help with the cleanup."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Aldus agreed.

I approached Serina. "I will carry her to her room."

Aldus's hand landed on my shoulder and he pulled me back. "I will carry Serina. You go out and start helping."

I realized that this is not an argument I can win, so I gave up.

"Come with me, Graike. I will show you where the mess is…"

Graike grumbled something, but he followed.

When we stepped outside, the staff was already clearing up things and there was a truck where they loaded debris.

I realized that the damage is much more than I thought.

The sunroom was completely gone, and the four closest rooms lost at least one wall each, while the rooms behind had cracks and chips everywhere along the walls. The roof was heavily damaged.

What used to be an intricate garden was now leveled and covered with dust, planks, and glass.

In the middle of the sunroom was a big circle engraved in what's left of the marble flooring. It showed the terrifying strength of the wind.

"The girl did this?", Graike asked while observing with his eyes open wide.

"Yeah."

"She is powerful.", Graike said with awe. "I like her. I will take her."

"Stop with that nonsense."

Graike chuckled. "What nonsense? She is not yours, and the guy she was set on just broke her heart. I have every intention to stick around and comfort her when she wakes up. Girls like that."

'Can he read minds?', Alex asked me.

'I don't think so…'

'Oh, so he is the same type of scheming we are.', Alex concluded.

'Are you saying that all we have is schemes?', I chided my wolf. 'Didn't we agree that she is amazing and worth pursuing? How can that compare to this despicable dragon who only showed up today?'

I glared at Graike. "You are kidding, right? Don't you have a realm to manage or something? Why would you stay here for a girl you don't know?"

"But I do know her…", Graike retorted. "She is beautiful and powerful. Aldus cares enough for her to summon me and a witch. The girl has a soft heart, and she is very tolerant."

"What makes you think she is tolerant?", I asked suspiciously.

"She is tolerating you in her life.", he said smugly, and I wanted to punch him in the face.

He laughed and moved toward the debris while saying, "And she is so soft-hearted that she couldn't reject your invitation to a date! Per my knowledge, such an exquisite woman would never date a dog."

'Why didn't you punch him?', Alex asked grumpily.

'Aldus would kick us out.', I responded. 'It's best if we ignore him and focus on Serina. She doesn't like violence and we can expose that lecherous dragon in front of her after she wakes up.'

Alex agreed with me, but… 'Will you be able to keep your cool? You are not a scheming type, and there is a danger that it will blow up in your face.'

'I know, but if we fight now, it will definitely backfire so… let's help with the cleanup.'

'Too bad the dinner is off.'

I exhaled heavily. 'Yeah. It would be wonderful if Serina is fine, and we still have a date tonight.'

'But this is good. At least now that bloke is out of the picture.', Alex reminded me, and I knew that he was talking about Duke.

I didn't disagree with Alex, but I didn't know that Serina had a guy in her heart at all. I remember that Aldus told me how she was not intimate with a man, so I assumed that she never fell for a guy. After all, only a stupid man would refuse a woman like Seraphina.

I found Serina's phone in the debris. It was without a scratch, but it wouldn't power on.

The storm damaged electrical wires in part of the villa, and the staff piled up wood in one area with the intention to create a bonfire.

Graike created a zap of electricity from his palm, and the thing ignited immediately, making the staff clap and squeal from joy.

Showoff.

- - -

Author's note: this is from Mona's point of view

- - -

~ London ~

After meeting with Sanya in the sweet shop, I got busy with my things.

It was nice spending some time and idling in the city, but I have a lot on my plate.

To be honest, I was not sure if that was Sanya. She looked like Sanya, but the aura was different, and her outfit was stapled with luxurious labels so I had my doubts. But when she spoke, I knew I got the right person.

Lucky!

My spa business is not doing well, running at the pitiful 30% capacity, and I hoped that Sanya will help spread the word about my business that is yet to sprout. After all, we share some history (no matter how small it was). Based on Sanya's appearance, I guessed that she is doing good and probably mingling with the people who belong to the posh circle I wish to have as my customers.

I was disappointed to hear that Sanya moved away, but not surprised because her mother was an extremely unpleasant woman. I still remember the shivers I got every time that woman looked at me. I was confident that she hates children.

Sanya's family was impossible to forget because, in a neighborhood where everyone smiles in your face and tries to portray themselves as picture-perfect, her mother was openly frowning while telling us that Sanya has mental issues. On the other side, Sanya was the most normal person I met in that area. Sure, she was shy, but considering how controlling her mother was, that was expected.

My agenda was to collaborate with Sanya. She would market my salon by word of mouth, and I would give her free treatments. Sanya living away might be a problem but that doesn't mean she doesn't have influential friends. Someone who is wearing several thousand in garments alone must be part of a well-to-do circle.

When I noticed Serina's flawless skin, I realized that she probably doesn't need treatments I can offer.

She was reluctant to share her beauty routine, and that told me that there must be some secret. Eventually, Sanya said that she will see what she can do about it, but I didn't raise my hopes. It's probably something super-expensive and luxurious brand that is not feasible to use in a salon that sees a lot of traffic.

In the end, I thought that it can't hurt to reconnect with her. In the worst case, she will end up as a phone number in my contact list that I will never use.

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