Chapter 91: A Letter
After the meeting concluded, Ryuzen and Venus stepped out into the night air, the city lights of the upstart district gleaming faintly behind them. Waiting at the curb was a sleek, steam-age carriage humming with quiet energy. Its bronze-and-iron frame bore the charm of a bygone era, but the soft thrum beneath the floorboards revealed a modern marvel—Mana Engines, powered by refined Mana Crystals, pulsing like the heartbeat of a machine half-alive.
The driver, an older man with silvered hair and gloves that had seen decades of use, tipped his cap wordlessly and turned the wheel with practiced ease. The vehicle set into motion, gliding over the cobblestone road with a low whir, lanterns flickering on the sides like gentle fireflies.
Inside, the space was surprisingly comfortable. Upholstered in dark velvet with brass trim, the interior smelled faintly of old leather and fresh polish. It wasn’t overly ornate, but everything had weight and thought to it—a design made for both comfort and function.
Ryuzen sat on the left side of the cushioned bench, Venus beside him, their shoulders just barely brushing. The ride was smooth, yet the silence between them was anything but.
Venus stared forward, her arms crossed tightly under her chest, but her posture betrayed a quiet tension. Her cheeks held a soft pink hue, the kind that refused to fade even under the cool evening breeze slipping in from the half-cracked window.
Ryuzen turned slightly, stealing a glance at her. The warmth of her body pressed lightly against his leg, their thighs touching in a way that neither of them had the heart to shift away from. He saw the faint blush trailing up her neck, and the way she pretended not to notice his gaze only confirmed it.
He exhaled softly, amused. "You alright?"
"I’m fine," Venus replied a little too quickly, her voice clipped. "Just... warm in here, that’s all."
"Must be the Mana Core heating system," he teased gently, letting his arm rest casually on the back of the seat, not quite touching her shoulder.
Venus side-eyed him with a half-glare, but the corners of her lips twitched.
Outside, the world rolled by—lamplight reflected off the windows of tall Iron buildings, and the distant hum of other carriages echoed through the streets.
But inside that softly lit space, the air carried something more delicate. Not the tension of battle or the stress of decisions. Something quieter.