Since that day at Rivermoor, Emberlyn found herself drawn back to the orphanage like a moth to flame.

  Every two or three days, whenever her duties as a Rank S hunter allowed, she would wait at Belle's Candy Shop for Ethan to guide her through the enchanted forest.

  These walks quickly became her favorite part of the day. At first, they walked in awkward silence, but soon conversation flowed between them with surprising ease.

  Ethan never pushed or pried, giving her space to open up at her own pace. Something about his quiet strength made her feel safe enough to lower her guard, a rare thing for the Blazing Valkyrie.

  "Have you always been good with children?" she asked one afternoon as they made their way through the dappled sunlight of Greenhaven Forest.

  Ethan smiled, his eyes distant with memory. "Not always. It was... a learning process. When I first arrived at Rivermoor, I barely knew how to talk to them."

  "I find that hard to believe," Emberlyn laughed. "They adore you."

  "Trust me, there were plenty of disasters."

  Their shared laughter felt warm and familiar, like stepping into a favorite memory.

  During one of these walks, Emberlyn stumbled over a tree root, pitching forward with a surprised gasp. Before she could fall, Ethan's hand caught her elbow, steadying her with effortless strength.

  The touch sent an unexpected jolt through her body, a spark of recognition that made no sense at all.

  "Are you alright?" he asked, quickly releasing her once she found her footing.

  "Yes, thank you," she mumbled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Some Rank S hunter I am, tripping over a root!"

  Ethan's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Even the mighty Blazing Valkyrie is allowed to stumble sometimes."

  Something in his gentle teasing made her heart flutter in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying. She looked away, pretending to study the path ahead while trying to calm her racing pulse.

  As the days passed, the orphans began to await Emberlyn's visits eagerly. All except Anna, whose hostility seemed to grow with each appearance of the Rank S hunter.

  "Miss Emberlyn is here!" Grace would shout the moment Emberlyn appeared at the edge of the clearing. The little girl would race across the grass and launch herself into Emberlyn's waiting arms, her small body vibrating with excitement.

  Emberlyn found herself looking forward to these enthusiastic greetings almost as much as she looked forward to seeing Ethan.

  Something about Grace's unrestrained affection healed parts of her she hadn't known were wounded.

  "She's back again," Grey observed one afternoon, watching as Grace clung to Emberlyn like a barnacle. "The kids really like her, don't they?"

  Lily nodded, her eyes warm as she watched the scene. "She's good for them. Especially Grace, I've never seen her open up to anyone so quickly."

  "Uncle Ethan seems happier too," Ling added thoughtfully. "He smiles more when she's around."

  Only Anna stood apart, her face darkening at their words. "What's so special about her anyway?" she muttered. "She can't even cook properly! And did you see how she held the laundry basket yesterday? Like she's never done chores in her life!"

  Grey exchanged a puzzled look with Ling and Lily. "What's gotten into you, Anna? I thought you liked helping new people feel welcome."

  Anna's eyes narrowed as she watched Ethan laughing at something Emberlyn had said. "She's taking up all of Uncle Ethan's time," she said flatly. "He barely has time for us anymore."

  Before Grey could respond, Anna turned and stormed away, disappearing into the orphanage with quick, angry steps.

  "What's her problem?" Grey scratched his head in confusion.

  Lily sighed knowingly. "I think someone has a crush on Uncle Ethan."

  "Anna? But she's just a kid!" Grey protested.

  "We're the same age, idiot," Lily rolled her eyes. "And girls mature faster than boys."

  Meanwhile, oblivious to the drama unfolding among the older children, Emberlyn was helping Aiden practice his sword form. The boy moved with natural talent, his small face serious with concentration as he followed Emberlyn's instructions.

  "Like this?" he asked, adjusting his stance.

  "Perfect," Emberlyn nodded approvingly. "You're a quick learner, Aiden."

  The boy beamed at her praise. "Uncle Ethan says I could be a great hunter someday, like you two!"

  A warm feeling spread through Emberlyn's chest. "Well, Uncle Ethan is very wise," she said, ruffling the boy's hair.

  From across the clearing, Ethan watched the scene with a bittersweet smile. Seeing Emberlyn with the children, seeing her patient guidance and gentle encouragement, made his heart ache with both joy and sadness.

  This was how it should have been, how it would have been if fate hadn't torn them apart.

  That evening, as they prepared dinner together, Ethan found himself working alongside Emberlyn in perfect harmony. She handed him ingredients before he asked, anticipated his movements in the small kitchen space, and somehow knew exactly how he liked the vegetables cut.

  It was as if they'd cooked together a hundred times before.

  "How did you know I needed the salt?" he asked when she passed it to him before he'd even reached for it.

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  Emberlyn blinked, looking as surprised as he felt. "I... I don't know. It just seemed right."

  These moments of synchronicity happened more and more frequently. The way they moved around each other, finished each other's sentences, knew what the other was thinking, it all felt so natural that Emberlyn barely noticed it until Garrick pointed it out one evening.

  "You two work together like you've known each other for years," the old man observed as he watched them setting the table.

  Emberlyn nearly dropped the plates she was carrying. "We just... get along well, I suppose."

  Garrick's knowing eyes studied her face. "Some bonds run deeper than memory, child."

  Before she could ask what he meant, Grace came running in, demanding a story before dinner.

  Later that night, as Ethan walked Emberlyn back through the forest, a comfortable silence settled between them. The moon was high and bright, casting silver light through the leaves and illuminating their path.

  "Thank you," Emberlyn said suddenly.

  Ethan glanced at her. "For what?"

  "For sharing this with me," she gestured vaguely around them. "The orphanage, the children... your home. It feels..."

  "Like where you belong?" Ethan finished softly when she trailed off.

  Her eyes met his, wide with surprise at how accurately he'd captured her feelings. "Yes, exactly."

  Something passed between them in that moment, a current of emotion so strong that Emberlyn felt herself swaying toward him, drawn by a force she couldn't name or understand.

  As they reached the edge of the forest where the main path to Eldervale began, Emberlyn stopped and turned to Ethan.

  "Will you be at Belle's tomorrow?" she asked, her voice soft in the night air. "I have a mission, but I should be back by midday."

  The tension in Ethan's shoulders eased slightly. "I'll be there. The children would be devastated if you didn't visit soon. Especially Grace."

  "Just the children?" The words slipped out before she could stop them.

  Ethan's eyes met hers, holding her gaze for a long, breathless moment. "No," he said softly. "Not just the children."

  Emberlyn felt her cheeks warm as a flutter of emotion danced through her chest. "Good," she whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

  They stood there, just a heartbeat too long, neither wanting to break the moment that hung between them like a spell. Ethan reached out, hesitantly, his fingers almost brushing a strand of hair from her face before he pulled back.

  "Be careful on your mission," he murmured.

  "I always am," she replied with a small smile.

  The sound of approaching footsteps made them both turn. Emberlyn instinctively stepped back, creating a respectable distance between herself and Ethan just as Lucas appeared on the main path.

  "Emberlyn! There you are!"

  Lucas hurried toward them, his handsome face lighting up with what appeared to be genuine relief. He stopped short when he saw Ethan, his smile faltering for just an instant before returning with practiced ease.

  "Lucas?" Emberlyn blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

  "I've been looking everywhere for you," he said, his voice gentle and caring. "You weren't at your inn, and with that hunting mission tomorrow, I wanted to make sure you were prepared." His eyes moved to Ethan, and for just a split second, something cold flashed across his face before his smile returned. "Oh, hello there. I don't think we've met."

  Ethan's expression remained neutral, but Emberlyn noticed his jaw tighten slightly. "Ethan Culver," he said simply.

  "Lucas Mitchell," Lucas replied with a friendly nod that didn't reach his eyes. He turned back to Emberlyn. "I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, but Grandmaster Alaric added some important details to tomorrow's mission. I thought you should know as soon as possible."

  Emberlyn could see the concern on Lucas's face, the way he kept a respectful distance. Since she'd lost her memories, Lucas had been nothing but supportive and kind, so different from the arrogant hunter she'd known before.

  The change still surprised her.

  "That was thoughtful of you," she said. Turning to Ethan, she added, "Thank you for guiding me through the forest paths, Ethan. I'm still not familiar with all the trails around here."

  Ethan nodded, understanding her desire to keep Rivermoor's existence secret. "Any time. The forest can be treacherous for those who don't know its ways."

  "How did you two meet?" Lucas asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with interest.

  "I needed to gather some rare herbs that only grow in certain parts of Greenhaven Forest," Emberlyn replied smoothly. "Ethan is a forest guide, he knows every path and hidden glen. The apothecary in town recommended him."

  Lucas looked between them, clearly not entirely convinced. "I see. Well, that's fortunate. These woods can be dangerous, even for someone of your skill."

  "Indeed," Ethan said calmly. "Will you be at Belle's tomorrow as arranged, Miss Emberlyn? To discuss the other herb gathering locations?"

  "Yes," Emberlyn replied with a grateful look. "After my mission. I should be there by midday."

  "I'll be waiting," Ethan said.

  As Emberlyn turned to leave with Lucas, the Rank S swordsman placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She didn't notice the look that passed between the two men, Lucas's eyes suddenly hard with triumph and hatred, his lips curling into a mocking smile directed solely at Ethan.

  "So," Lucas said conversationally as they walked away, his voice warm and friendly for Emberlyn's benefit, "herb gathering? That's a new interest for you."

  "The healing properties of some forest plants are quite remarkable," Emberlyn replied, keeping her voice light. "I thought it might be useful for my hunting work."

  "That's... thoughtful," Lucas said, though something in his tone suggested he didn't quite believe her. "And this guide, you trust him?"

  "He's very knowledgeable about the forest," she answered simply.

  Lucas nodded understandingly. "Well, if you ever need company on these expeditions, I'd be happy to join you. I'm quite familiar with the area myself."

  "Thank you," Emberlyn said, though something made her hesitate at the thought of Lucas accompanying her. "I'll keep that in mind."

  Meanwhile, Ethan remained at the forest's edge, watching them walk away. His hand unconsciously reached for the ring he kept hidden beneath his shirt. "One day," he whispered to himself. "One day you'll remember us."

  As soon as they turned a corner and were out of Emberlyn's sight, Lucas looked back over his shoulder, his friendly demeanor instantly replaced by a triumphant smirk directed at Ethan.

  His eyes clearly conveyed a message: She's mine now.

  Ethan's fists clenched at his sides, but he made no move to follow.

  As Emberlyn walked beside Lucas, she found herself thinking not about the mission details he was explaining, but about Ethan and the strange feeling of loss she felt walking away from him.

  Why did being with him feel so natural? Why did her heart race when he looked at her that way?

  Above all, why couldn't she shake the feeling that she was forgetting something important, something right in front of her eyes?

  "Emberlyn? Are you listening?" Lucas's voice cut through her thoughts.

  "Sorry," she said quickly. "Just tired from the day."

  Lucas smiled indulgently. "Of course. Let's get you back to your inn."

  As they walked toward Eldervale, Lucas's mind was racing with plans.

  You're spending too much time with that knife-wielder, he thought darkly. I won't let him take you back. Not after everything I've done to make you mine.

  His smile remained perfect, his manner attentive and kind as he escorted Emberlyn home, the perfect gentleman, the perfect friend. Everything she believed him to be since losing her memories.

  Only when he was alone did Lucas allow his true feelings to show, his handsome face twisting with jealousy and calculation.

  "You lost her once, Culver," he murmured to himself, fingers tightening around the handle of his sword. "This time, I'll make sure it's permanent."