Aurelian turned toward the woman, still breathless from the adrenaline of the fight. His fingers trembled slightly, but not from fear—this was the echo of tension, now turned into pure euphoria. He took a step forward, extending his hand to her. "Aurelian. Aurelian Var Ceshen."

  She looked at his hand for a moment, then took it with grace and firmness. Her skin was cold, smooth as porcein. "My name is Lianzu Shin-Yue," she replied, with the refined intonation typical of her lineage. Her voice was clear, elegant, needing no volume to command attention.

  Aurelian smiled, an expression that mixed relief, charm, and a hint of mischief. "A beautiful name. It sounds carved in amber… and echoes like an ancient Xianth poem." He gave a half bow, still holding her hand. "And it suits a phoenix perfectly."

  Lianzu tilted her head slightly, accepting the compliment with a courteous smile. "Thank you, Aurelian Var Ceshen. You’re kind… and lucky, it seems."

  "I am, yes," he said, still smiling. "But not just lucky. I’ve spent the whole night searching for you."

  "Oh really?" she asked, one eyebrow raised, curious and slightly amused. "You were looking for me?"

  "I was searching for a woman of your House, or one from House Yngvadr or House Neferzhat."

  Lianzu looked at him with a sharper glint in her eyes. "And why not one of the Mirah’Karn or the Velharet? Much wealthier, more influential… certainly more politically advantageous."

  Aurelian gave a small shrug, with the ease of someone who knows exactly what he wants. "Because the Houses Shin-Yue, Yngvadr, and Neferzhat are known for a virtue rarer than celestial ptinum these days: honor." He looked her straight in the eyes, tilting his head slightly. "So I had a better chance of not being killed before the wedding." A wider smile crossed his face. "I hope your House won’t disappoint that expectation."

  Lianzu chuckled softly, a sound almost musical in its grace. "My father never would." She paused, then added: "But my mother… I can’t make the same promise."

  Aurelian gave a brief, amused ugh, almost challenging. "Then I’ll have to win her over. Now that I’ve captured you, I’ll do anything to marry you."

  She looked at him again, then… smiled. It was a true smile, with a spark in her eyes. "As for me," she said calmly, "you have nothing to worry about. I will honor the Harem Game. For better or worse… I accept my fate."

  Aurelian let out a deep breath, almost another sigh of relief. "Thank you, Lianzu." Then he turned to the man’s slumped body. Pain had rendered him unconscious, and the broken arm still hung at an unnatural angle. Aurelian crouched down and pinched his cheek. "Hey… wake up."

  No response.

  "You gave him quite a lesson…" he said, gncing at Lianzu. "I almost envy you."

  "Nothing that can’t be fixed," she replied serenely.

  She approached and knelt gracefully beside the body. Her fingers slid over the broken arm, seeking out the fracture points with precision. Then, with a swift but careful motion, she set the bone back in pce.

  The man groaned, stirred, his eyes shot open. "Aaagh—!"

  "Calm down," Aurelian said, lifting him by the good arm. "It’s over."

  Lianzu supported him on the other side. Together, they helped him to his feet.

  Pain was still etched on his face, but crity was returning.

  "Breathe," she told him, her tone unexpectedly gentle. "And don’t move that arm."

  The man nodded, trembling. He didn’t dare look Lianzu in the eye.

  Aurelian, meanwhile, watched her, struck not just by her strength… but by her control. Her precision. The grace that seemed to govern everything she did, even setting a broken arm.

  And that woman was his.

  Or nearly.

  After tending to the wounded man, who officially withdrew from the Game with his pride as shattered as his arm, Aurelian turned to Lianzu. "I have no more rings," he said with a half smile. "And you’re already more than I hoped for. Shall we return to the Oath Square?"

  Lianzu nodded. "Gdly."

  They walked side by side, the dawn’s light still timid on the horizon, as the night air grew lighter, thick with promise. The city seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for the sound that would mark the end of the Game. When they stepped into the Oath Square, murmurs began almost instantly.

  Around them, dozens of men and women—some in pairs, others alone, still others in small groups—turned toward them.

  Eyes widened. Mouths fell open.

  The whispers rose like a sudden wind.

  "It’s him…""That crest…""Aurelian Var Ceshen… with a Shin-Yue?""Impossible…""How did he do it?"

  Aurelian paid no attention to the voices. Other people’s judgments were like rain on stone. His eyes were fixed on Lianzu. They ughed together, spoke with an unexpected ease, as if they’d been friends for ages—or perhaps something more. His eyes, his hands, his breath: all turned to her. The rest of the world was a faded backdrop.

  Then, from the rear of the square, a man stepped forward. Tall, elegant, with long raven-bck hair tied in a high knot and a thin fringe framing a severe yet harmonious face. His eyes, almond-shaped like Lianzu’s, shone with cold intelligence. He wore a long combat robe in white and blue, trimmed in pale gold, with the Shin-Yue crest embroidered on his chest.

  Behind him, five women—all of noble lineage—followed like jewels set in his shadow: a Neferzhat, a silver-haired daughter of Mirah’Karn, a Velharet warrior, and two of the lesser but no less illustrious houses.

  Lianzu saw him and stopped. She stepped forward and bowed deeply. "Big brother."

  The man nodded respectfully, then turned his gaze to Aurelian.

  Aurelian bowed in return, then extended his hand. "Aurelian Var Ceshen. It’s an honor."