After hearing Emerald’s words, Alaric seemed momentarily stunned.

"Somewhere else, where’s that?" he thought.

He looked at her tear-streaked face, his gaze slowly drifting down to her lips—bright pink and slightly swollen. Her lips still bore faint bite marks from earlier, the vibrant color almost like she’d just put on a fresh coat of lipstick. They glistened softly, the edges shining under the light.

Alaric felt a tightness in his throat and a warm sensation stir in his stomach.

Meanwhile, Emerald looked at him with an innocent expression. Her face, neck, and even the backs of her ears were flushed from crying. Her nose and the corners of her eyes...