AT THE SAME TIME
MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW:
The castle is quiet when I return, and the cold stone of Iron Hollow is more welcoming than usual. Maybe it's because something in me feels lighter. Or warmer. I don't know. I sit on the edge of my throne, leaning forward with my fingers steepled, and say the words clawing at my curiosity since the moment I felt that spark between us.
"System." I mutter. "Show player origin. Isabella. User designation... Luna candidate."
A beat of silence. Then the familiar chime.
"Processing request..."System said.
I waited impatiently for the system to answer.
"Player origin confirmed: Earth. Region - Asia, country - Japan, city - Tokyo."System said.
"Tokyo...?" My voice comes out quiet, almost disbelieving.
I stand slowly, pacing. My heart pounds in a way it hasn't in years, not from fear, not from battle but from something more dangerous.
"She's from Tokyo?" I ask again, more to myself than the system. "She's from my city."
I run a hand through my hair, a soft laugh escaping me before I can stop it. Of all the places, all the people thrown into this twisted game world, we ended up in the same one. She's real. Not just an NPC with a script. Not just another player lost in their role. She's real in the way that matters. And she's from my 'home'.
"System." I said. "Begin new override request. Prepare private suite in Iron Hollow. Priority access. For Isabella."I grinned while saying a bit.
"Request acknowledged. Guest suite initializing. 'Luna Wing'. Customization permitted."System said.
I grin. She's going to love the view from the southern tower. Once the frost clears, the wildflower fields bloom just beyond the balcony. Maybe I'll show her. Maybe we'll stand there together, far from all this chaos. I want her here. Not just for protection. I want her close because she's the first real piece of home I've seen since I got trapped in this game. And I'll make damn sure Iron Hollow becomes her home too.
I decided to visit Isabella as soon as I got everything ready in the castle. The Moon's Chosen village always has that faint, earthy scent clinging to it. The rogues nod in greeting as I pass through, some offering that wild smirk of respect they always reserve for me, rogue king, but I'm not here for them. My eyes are already scanning the clearing, pushing past the bustle of morning chores and the chitter of young omegas. My gaze finds her almost immediately. Isabella.
She's standing by the healer's tent, her posture loose, a little too loose. Her shoulders are rounded forward, and there's a strange paleness to her usually warm complexion. Her braid is slightly messy like she didn't sleep right. It's subtle, but not to me. She looks… off. My brows furrow. Something wrong is happening with her.
"System." I mutter under my breath, the word barely a whisper in the wind.
"Initiating: Subject Isabella - status scan... Processing vitals... Mild fatigue detected. Slight dehydration. Elevated stress levels. Health status is 82%, stability is fragile. Warning that the subject has not fully recovered from recent emotional strain."System said.
I freeze. 82%. That's too low. Too damn low. My jaw clenches, and something hot flashes behind my eyes. She's still doing things for others, helping around, moving like everything is fine, but I see it now. The subtle sway in her stance. The tightness in her jaw when she thinks no one's watching. Why didn't she tell me? I take a slow step forward, my voice low and sharp.
"Why didn't you flag me sooner?" I hiss under my breath to the system.
"Subject Isabella did not trigger emergency parameters. Threshold not crossed. Monitoring silently."System explained.
"Of course she didn't." I mutter, half to myself.
Stubborn girl. Always trying to carry it all on her own. I start walking toward her, more determined now. Whatever this is, I won't let it go unnoticed. Not again. Not when I finally have her in my arms, and in my world. The Moon's Chosen village always feels like something between wild and worn, free, yes, but tired. Like everyone here is carrying something they'll never put down. A few of the rogues greet me as I stroll through the main path, and I return the nods, lips twitching into a half smile.
"Rougher weather this season." Mutters Callen, sharpening a blade near the forge. "Didn't expect a king to stay it."
"Didn't expect to stay away." I reply, eyes scanning for the shape I'm really here for. "Besides, it's not the weather I'm here for."
He gives a knowing grin, but I've already stepped past him. There she is. Isabella. Standing near the healer's tent with her back to me. Even from here, I know something's different. Her hair's pulled messily into a twist, not her usual braid. Her shoulders are sloped, not like the confident, quietly defiant posture she usually has. And there's a tremble in the fingers that adjust her shawl.
She turns her head slightly, and then Mirella, the healer, presses something into her hands. I pause mid step. The bundle is small, and wrapped in linen. She hides it fast too fast. Tucks it against her side like it's nothing. But I know that wrapping. Herbs. Crushed seeds. Sometimes sedatives, sometimes things to numb the pain. I don't like that. Not one bit.
"Observation logged. Subject Isabella received an unknown item from NPC healer Mirella. Health status stable. Substance unconfirmed."System said.
"What is she doing, pretending everything's fine?" I mutter under my breath.
"You are advised to speak directly. Subject responds better to gentle inquiry. Reminder: Subject trust levels rising. Current bond rating. 67%"System said.
Still, I force myself to breathe. One. Two. I nod to a passing guard, keeping the motion casual. I can't scare her away.
"Good morning, King Michael." A rogue said. "Need an escort to the main tent?"
"No." I say smoothly. "Just… checking on someone."
I shift direction, veering softly toward Isabella as she begins to turn and walk away from the healer. She hasn't seen me yet.
"Isabella." I call gently, not loud enough to startle.
She stops. I see the way her shoulders stiffen—then drop, relaxed again as she turns to face me. Her smile is small but polite.
"Michael." She said softly. "Didn't think you'd be here today."
"I didn't plan too." I admited. "But… something told me to stop by." I glance toward the healer's tent. "Everything alright?"
She tilts her head.
"Of course."She said.
Liar. I see the tight pull at the corners of her lips. The way her hand brushes her pocket instinctively. I step closer. Not pushing, not demanding, just there. A quiet shadow beside her.
"Mirella handed you something." I said. "Mind if I ask what it was?"
"It's nothing."She said and I give her a look. She huffs. "Fine. Just something to help me sleep."
"Since when have you needed help sleeping?"I asked.
She hesitated, and that's all the answer I need. I lower my voice, stepping even closer.
'Isabella… if something's wrong, you can tell me. I don't like the thought of you walking around half rested and hiding it."I said.
"I'm not hiding anything." She said quietly, but her voice lacks usual calmness that I like about her. "I just… didn't want anyone fussing over me."
"Then let me fuss." I said, a little sharper than I intended. I sigh and softened my tone. "I'm not just here to be king of rogues. I'm here because I care. About you."
Her eyes widen slightly, and I see the faintest shade of pink on her cheeks.
"You're being weirdly gentle today."She said.
"Trying a new strategy." I said giving her a crooked smile. "Less growling. More sincerity.""
'Subject Isabella heart rate elevated. Emotional response triggered. She is flustered. Current bond rating - 68%."System said.
I smirk slightly.
"Come." I said, offering my arm. "Let's walk a little. You can pretend I'm not watching your every step for signs of fatigue."I said.
She rolls her eyes but slides her arm through mine anyway.
"I'm not fragile." She muttered.
"No." I agree. "But you're precious. And I watch what's precious to me."
Her step falters for half a second, but she keeps walking beside me. And I swear the scent of her calms something in my chest I didn't even know was raging inside me. If I want her to stay with me I need to make sure she is alright no matter what.