Author Note: Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review. Your support motivates me to keep writing the fanfic. I'll even respond to your reviews. Thank you once again, and I sincerely hope you enjoy!


Guest: Thanks for your nice comment and I gladly appreciate it! To answer your question there are multiple OC's within the story, but the main OC is Aiden Winters who is paired with Suletta Mercury. Thanks for commenting again and have a great day!


"House Harmony" perched on the upper edge of the Academy's grounds, a mansion reclaimed from ruins and reconstructed with the mysterious finances that sprouted from their missions and an enigmatic benefactor. But Aidan found himself far from its walls at that moment, traversing one of the stone paths leading to the airfield or, as the members of Harmony House called it, the docks. A rugged warehouse stood there, housing their gear and, most importantly, their titans.

Now alone with Deacon, the afternoon sun waning, Aidan found respite from the nurse's office. His dark blue eyes fixated on his left arm, mechanical fingers tracing the fabric of the cast. He had shed his academy uniform, opting to wear only his pants, seeking relief from the sweltering heat within the academy grounds. His gaze wandered and settled upon the assortment of titans, bearing the familiar color scheme of his own and those of his brethren.

Deacon stood before him, the two of them the sole souls within the dock. Others were either engaged in tests or relishing the day free from classes. Yet, the campus buzzed with the whispers of their recent exploit. Harmony House, a fraternity veering on the edge, had undertaken something audacious and distinct. Now, the attention of the student body and administration lay firmly on them.

Deacon crossed his arms tightly across his body, his narrowed eyes fixating on the three recovered titans, weapons holstered on their backs, frozen in time. He exhaled deeply and turned towards Aidan, his voice lowered. "Got anything to say?" he muttered to the young ace.

Aidan scratched the back of his head, his gaze shifting to his cast once more. "What should we do with them? Should we assign them to the others? These titans predate the fall of the Demeter Gateway and are quite the find," he shrugged nonchalantly. "Seems like a waste to either stow them away or dismantle them for spare parts."

Deacon nodded, though his expression tightened. "Yeah," he sighed. "It would be a shame, but that landing you and that girl from Mercury had really thrown everything into disarray for all of us."

Deacon's countenance soured as he whirled towards Aidan. "What were you thinking?" he snapped. "You disrespected me and disobeyed a direct order. Hell, I probably failed my mid-term because the entire house was turned upside down!"

"Sorry," Aidan muttered, his gaze still drawn to his cast. "I didn't anticipate such dire consequences."

During his titanfall descent, the girl from Mercury had intervened. In a misguided attempt to save him, her interference had disrupted his landing. He had plummeted helplessly into her grasp. The impact would have claimed his life, but his co-pilots had intervened. Oscar's Northstar unit deployed grappling tethers to slow the descent of both titan and gundam, while Jack's monarch spacer class titan utilized its bare arms and thrusters to cushion the fall.

The weight of the memory hung heavily on Aidan as he sighed. Oscar and Jack had managed to slow down the landing to a significant extent, but it came at a cost. Oscar's Northstar titan had lost both its arms, one rendered completely unusable and labeled as scrap by the mechanics at Harmony. Likewise, Jack's monarch titan had been crushed from the waist down upon impact.

Now, they were left with two titans in dire need of critical repairs and replacements. And Aidan himself needed a new titan hand to replace the one he had lost. Deacon shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. "You're lucky you're our ace, or you'd be demoted," he stated firmly, his gaze piercing Aidan's.

Aidan nodded, but the gesture only fueled Deacon's annoyance. "You're not going to say anything?" he spat out, frustration evident in his tone. "Do you realize that Oscar and Jack could have died?"

"I know," Aidan shot back, his voice tinged with defensiveness. "It's just... I've been dealing with some stuff lately."

His mind briefly wandered to the girl, the one who had been the talk of the town. But Aidan quickly shook his head. It couldn't be true, couldn't be real... she couldn't be real!

"Whatever," Deacon muttered dismissively, waving his hand as if to brush off the conversation. "We're salvaging the parts from these titans," he continued, turning his attention back to the damaged war machines. "You'll be getting a replacement from our spare pyro class. Enjoy having access to a flame shield. Jack will take the Atlas's legs, and we'll do our best to repair Oscar's other arm, but we'll salvage the spare strider unit for his remaining arm."

Aidan's eyes widened at the news, but the initial surprise softened soon after. They had recovered three intact titans, rare relics from the time of the Demeter Gateway. Yet, only one would find a place among their reserve of spare pilots.

Was this what it had come to after years of fighting and struggling in this endless war? After the loss of innocence and their homeworld? They scrounged and salvaged war machines to perpetuate this ceaseless crusade among the stars.

Deacon's voice suddenly broke through Aidan's thoughts. "I want you to talk to Miorine, or whatever her name is," Deacon instructed, turning back to face Aidan as the young man stared at his commanding officer. "She and her friend were technically involved in interfering with our operation."

A sneer crept onto Deacon's face. "Another one of her escape attempts, and I couldn't care less about what she does with her life. But her and her friend almost got you killed. If they hadn't interfered, our titans wouldn't be in need of repairs."

Aidan's gaze locked onto Deacon's. "What do you want me to do?" he questioned.

Deacon shrugged, a sly smirk forming on his lips. "Work your magic and see if she can convince her daddy to reimburse us," he suggested. "Technically, she owes us, and..."

"No, Deacon," Aidan shook his head, fear lacing his voice in a way Deacon had never witnessed before. Taking a step back, he pointed a trembling finger at his friend. "I am not going anywhere near that girl," he declared firmly.

Deacon chuckled, seemingly amused by Aidan's reaction. "Damn, I didn't realize the Ace of Harmony was scared of a woman like that," he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Are you really telling me that a pretty girl like Miorine never caught your attention?"

"That's not the point," Aidan snapped, frustration evident in his tone. "It's her friend that bothers me..."

"Oh, her," Deacon interjected, nodding his head as if recalling a distant memory. "Oscar mentioned her to me. Pretty girl, but she's got this dumb look about her. Didn't know Mercury had schools and all that. Thought it was just a mining place or something..."

Aidan shook his head vehemently. "I am not doing this!" he protested, his voice filled with resolute refusal. "Find someone else."

Deacon raised his hands, attempting to defuse the tension. "Whoa, calm down," he said, his voice tinged with surprise. "What's got you freaking out so much? You've talked to Spacian girls before. It's not that big of a deal, dude. If she's not interested, it's okay, but at least give it a shot..."

"Nope," Aidan cut him off, his head shaking vigorously from side to side. "Tell someone else to do it."

"No one else can," Deacon replied, his tone tinged with frustration.

Aidan groaned, sinking back into his crude seat, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Dude, I'm sorry, but I really can't," he admitted, his voice laden with a mix of defeat and unease.

Deacon watched his friend in shock. The bravado, the slick demeanor, all faded away in an instant. It was a side of Aidan he had rarely seen, and he couldn't help but wonder what was truly bothering him.

"Aidan, what's wrong?" Deacon asked, concern etched on his face.

Aidan sighed heavily. "It's the red-haired girl," he muttered under his breath.

Deacon chuckled softly, a smirk playing on his lips as he crossed his arms. "Ah, a lover's quarrel," he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice. "She's cute, and I know you have a thing for redheads. Didn't expect an old flame to resurface, huh?"

But Aidan shook his head. "No," he muttered, his words filled with a sense of sadness. "It's different than that..."

Deacon's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat as he looked down at Aidan. He towered over his friend, struggling to comprehend the turmoil that seemed to be raging within his mind.

"Did you guys..." Deacon trailed off, tiptoeing around the words as Aidan gazed up at him, a mix of confusion and bewilderment in his eyes. "Like... I've heard stories of guys joining the army to run away from something. You know, the galaxy is a vast place. Hell, Jack was supposed to marry a girl from a noble house before the war..."

Aidan simply stared up at him, still slightly perplexed. But Deacon continued to dance around the words, aware of the unspoken boundaries that existed even within their long-standing friendship. Some things were better left unasked and untouched.

Yet, Deacon let out a weary sigh. "Listen, you and this girl," he muttered, his words trailing off. "Is there some kind of grudge or unfinished business? Did you run away from her family, were you supposed to be arranged together, or did something happen between you two..."

"What are you asking?" Aidan interrupted, his voice tinged with irritation.

"For Christ's sake, Aidan," Deacon snapped, annoyance evident in his tone. "Were you supposed to marry this girl or did you get her pregnant? Is that why you're so afraid to be around her?"

"Jesus fucking Christ," Aidan exploded, his frustration boiling over. "No, and no," he said, taking a deep breath to regain his composure. "It's something deeply personal, and while she doesn't know me, I know her. Being around her is something I'd rather avoid."

Deacon finally sighed, his frustration dissipating. "You could've just said that," he muttered. "I don't think you'll have to interact with her if you try to convince Miorine."

"What do you mean?" Aidan questioned, his curiosity piqued. "Oscar said they were friends. If I try to talk to her... I really don't want to run into this girl."

"Oscar was wrong. She's just a girl who saved Miorine, nothing more, and nothing less."

Aidan glanced around, taking in the sight of the ruined titans, his own and those of his friends. They would need repairs and new equipment, but that meant money and resources.

The responsibility weighed heavily on him. He and Jack had defied direct orders to attack and salvage from a dangerous vessel. Now, they were facing the consequences. Maybe he could persuade Miorine that she played a part in it and convince her father to reimburse them.

"Fine," Aidan conceded, his voice filled with resignation. "I'll see what I can do."

A small smile tugged at Deacon's lips. "Thanks," he replied.

Aidan began walking toward the large hangar doors, but then he paused. "Where can I find her?" he inquired.

"There's a greenhouse at the academy, privately owned. You can go there and talk," Deacon muttered. "Nika mentioned it to me."

"Oh," Aidan smirked, turning back to face his friend. "So, you and Nika. How's that going?"

"Before all this mess, pretty good. But after this shit show... I've been avoiding her," Deacon confessed.

Aidan paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on his friend. "Maybe you should talk to her and give it a shot," he suggested with a wave, making his way outside the hangar. "You never know," he added with a mischievous grin.

"Whatever," Deacon brushed it off, his eyes drifting back to the titans. Yet, there was a restlessness in him, his mind drifting to thoughts of Nika and her captivating blue eyes.

His cheeks flushed with a deepening shade of red, Deacon let out a slow shake of his head. "Can't believe I'm actually gonna do this," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with a mix of trepidation and determination.

"Damn you, Aidan," he whispered, his fingers gripping his device tightly as he scrolled through the call log, his gaze fixed on Nika's name. "I hate it when you're right."


Aidan strolled along the winding stone pathway that led to Miorine's greenhouse. The artificial sun hung high in the sky, casting a vibrant orange-red glow over the surroundings. Towering trees created pockets of natural shade, while the grass peeked through the cracks in the stone path, tickling his feet with every step.

It was a picturesque scene, Aidan couldn't help but think, his thoughts sparking a small smirk as his fingers traced the outline of his pockets. Retrieving a lighter, he flicked it open and pulled out a carton of his hand-rolled cigarettes—none of the store-bought variety, but instead, wild tobacco he had scavenged or grown himself. Tobacco, marijuana, and the academy's prohibition on alcohol forced them to seek it outside their hallowed grounds. He placed the lit smoke between his lips, drawing in the intoxicating fumes that filled him with a peculiar mix of lightheadedness and euphoria.

Who knew, perhaps House Harmony would throw another one of their legendary parties. The whole school buzzed with excitement after their recent triumph, and a part of Aidan relished the thought of being in the spotlight for once.

Coming to a halt in front of the greenhouse, Aidan took a deep breath, his foot landing on the steps as he glanced inside. There she was—Miorine, he recalled her name—kneeling among the garden's lush vegetation.

The sound of water splattering reached his ears as he watched her pour it into a pot. Raising his right hand, his bionic fingers emitting a metallic clink, Aidan beckoned his command. Miorine paused, turning to face him, their eyes meeting.

For a brief moment, Aidan realized that Miorine wouldn't easily succumb to his charms. There was a distinct air of withdrawal about her—a poised demeanor and an icy stare. Silky strands of snow-white hair framed her features, captivating Aidan's gaze.

What a beautiful woman, he thought, his mind momentarily captivated by her presence. "Hey," he mused, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. With a gentlemanly gesture, he placed his hand over his chest. He knew Miorine didn't exactly hold him in high regard, but he firmly believed in taking chances. After all, you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take. "My name's Aidan. I'm the ace of Harmony House."

He extended his hand toward her, a casual invitation. She merely stared at it, her expression souring. Her hands covered in dirt, she brushed them off on her skirt as she stood upright.

She let out a sigh, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

"Maybe," he replied, his sly smirk undeterred. "Maybe I just wanted to know your name."

"Really, my name?" she replied, her voice dripping with a hint of sarcasm. "I thought everyone knew about me. Being the president's daughter tends to make you famous, you know."

"Well, something about me is that I don't follow the trends," Aidan shot back, his tone filled with defiance.

She broke away from their main conversation, turning her attention to the watering canteen and continuing to tend to the plants. "So, you came all this way from Harmony House just to find out my name?" A sly smirk played across her face. "Aren't you boys over there too busy partying all the time?"

He chuckled, finding amusement in her words. "Funny you should mention that. We're actually planning another party soon, and I think it would be cool if you showed up."

"So, this is an invitation?" she inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.

"It could be," Aidan replied, his sly grin widening. "But maybe I also wanted to learn more about you, on a more intimate level."

Miorine stared at him, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. But then, unexpectedly, she burst into laughter. It was a contagious laughter that had her doubling over, unable to control herself. Aidan murmured, "Okay, I didn't expect that."

Aidan's self-esteem took a hit, but he shook it off. He had tried, and that's what mattered. "Listen," he began, but paused as his eyes were drawn to a certain spot in the room. Acting on his own, Aidan moved toward it, leaving Miorine watching, a second away from kicking him out of her private greenhouse. She couldn't understand why she was granting him more tolerance than usual. Perhaps that Suletta girl and her peculiar personality were having an effect on her.

"Listen," Miorine attempted to speak, wrapping her arms around herself as she struggled to find the right words. But before she could utter a sentence, she was silenced.

"Harmony... Marigolds," Aidan whispered.

Her eyes snapped wide, and she spun around to face him. There was a bright gleam in her eyes as she observed the young man. Aidan stood tall, having made his way to the corner of the greenhouse. His earlier attempts at wooing and convincing her were forgotten.

Miorine watched with astonishment as Aidan's eyes widened, warmth radiating from them as he reached out for the flowers. She was on the verge of telling him not to touch her mother's precious flowers, but the way he touched them... he did so with such grace.

She observed as his metallic fingers lightly brushed against the unique golden-orange petals. His azure eyes drank in their beauty. And then, a smile spread across his face. Not the sly, seductive smirk that had charmed countless women, but a smile that was pure and genuine. A smile that felt like home.

Miorine watched him—Aidan Winters, a young pilot, no, the ace from Harmony House. One of the rare few to earn the title of an ace, hailing from a house with a dark and mysterious past.

She watched him, her gaze fixated on the familiar uniform of the academy he wore. The creaminess of his skin stood out against the dark metal of his bionic. His unruly black hair partially obscured his right eye, adding a touch of mystery. "So beautiful," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. He spun toward her, his hand still caressing the flower. "How did you come by these?"

His words were delivered with a smoothness that contrasted the brutish nature of Guel. In that moment, she realized his genuine interest in the flowers. She had lingered, her eyes studying him far longer than she intended. A tinge of embarrassment flushed her cheeks as she shook herself out of her reverie, quickly falling into step beside him.

"Don't harm them," she muttered, more as a formality than a command. Observing the way he cradled the delicate blossom, she knew he wouldn't.

They walked side by side now, Aidan's gaze wandering to the other flowers in the greenhouse. "Amazing," he murmured, his voice filled with awe. "Did you collect all of these?"

She nodded slightly, but his smirk widened. "Amazing," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "But that still doesn't answer the question."

Miorine watched him, contemplating his query. "How I obtained these flowers?" she repeated, and saw him nod in response.

She sighed, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "Some of these flowers came from my mother. She visited the planet of Harmony and collected them there. It was her pride and joy, her precious collection."

"Why do you care so much?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.

A shadow passed over Aidan's face, bitterness clouding his features. He withdrew his hand from the flower, his gaze fixed on its petals. "You know," he began, turning to face her. "These marigolds originated from Earth, but the suns of Harmony gradually changed them."

"I didn't realize they came from Earth," Miorine admitted. "I always assumed they were native to Harmony."

He nodded, his gaze distant as he continued. "My mother," he paused, pain flickering in his eyes as he slowly shook his head. "She had an entire garden filled with flowers, and when spring arrived, these marigolds would always bloom."

Miorine's heart skipped a beat, captivated by his words.

He sighed, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "After the destruction of Harmony, these flowers became extinct," he revealed, turning to face her fully. However, he hesitated. "You're familiar with me and The Sons of Harmony's mission, right?" he inquired.

She shook her head, signaling her lack of knowledge.

"We seek to recover artifacts from our past, things that hold significance to our culture and planet," he explained. "I'm willing to pay for a single flower, whether it be hundreds or thousands of credits. Name your price, and we'll make it worth your while."

Miorine's eyes widened. "What?" she snapped, her tone sharp and incredulous. She watched as Aidan's expression slowly transformed into a mixture of sadness and melancholy. Taken aback by her own reaction, she raised her hands in shock, attempting to explain herself. It was the shock of it all, she thought, not wanting to hurt him so bluntly.

She let out a sigh, her voice tinged with resignation. "You don't have to pay for a flower," she muttered, trying to offer an alternative. "I can give you some seeds and such, and..."

"Thank you!" he exclaimed, his joy bubbling over. With a wide smile and arms raised, he instinctively pulled her into a tight hug, twirling her around. Miorine yelped in alarm. "Put me down!" she snapped. "You clueless oaf!" Her words lashed out at him.

"Sorry!" he quickly apologized, but she could still hear the smile in his voice.

She sighed, her hand coming up to her forehead as she smoothed down her disheveled hair from the unexpected embrace. She was growing tired of this. First, the persistent presence of the Suletta girl, and now this random guy who couldn't take a hint.

It started with him flirting, and now she found herself giving him a flower!

She winced as she tried to regain her composure. Cutting a stem from the marigold bush, she collected a few seeds in a sealed container. "Thank you," he said, expressing his gratitude repeatedly as she looked at him.

That smile of his was dangerously infectious. It was wide and innocent, and Miorine had to fight against its charm. She shook her head, refocusing her attention.

"So," she muttered, trying to find common ground. "You... know about plants?"

Aidan stood there awkwardly, his gaze fixed on the petite girl with short, pale hair, dwarfed by his own stature. To an outsider, he must have looked ridiculous—a seventeen-year-old athlete, a seasoned pilot, holding a single flower in one hand and a small plastic container in the other, wearing a foolish grin.

In truth, Aidan was surprised that Miorine was still engaged in the conversation. He had expected her to kick him out and dismiss him. The idea of holding her accountable for the damage to their titans had long been abandoned. Besides, he doubted that the "Sons of Harmony" and Deacon would care much about that now.

They believed these flowers, once exclusive to their homeworld, had been reduced to dust. But here, a piece of their home still thrived and bloomed. That alone was cause for celebration.

"Yeah," Aidan nodded, his enthusiasm evident. "My mom taught me a lot about plants. I grew up on a farm, so I know my way around crops and such."

Miorine nodded along, but the girl remained strangely quiet.

"So, does your mother still garden? What other things does she grow?" Miorine attempted to keep the conversation going, grasping at straws. Here was someone genuinely interested in something she cared about, and maybe, just maybe, Miorine wanted to indulge in a shared interest for a little while longer.

"No," he muttered, his voice laden with a hint of sorrow. Miorine couldn't see the darkening of his features as his smirk faded away. "She doesn't."

She chuckled lightly. "Really? Why did she stop?"

"She's dead."

The words slipped out of his mouth, unfiltered and sharp. Even he realized a second later how cutting they were. He hadn't meant to reveal that, not to a stranger. He didn't even understand why he did it.

Miorine paused, and Aidan felt a twinge of regret. He didn't want to discuss his mother, especially not with someone he barely knew. He could have easily avoided mentioning her death.

"I'm..." Miorine trailed off, her eyes avoiding his. "I'm sorry..."

Aidan shook his head. "Don't be," he said. "I shouldn't have brought it up."

Yet, Miorine's lips parted. Her gaze lingered on Aidan as if she wanted to say something, but she seemed hesitant. Just before she could speak...

Footsteps approached from outside. "Who's that?" Aidan asked, turning his attention to Miorine.

The girl craned her neck, and Aidan noticed the quick shift in Miorine's expression, annoyance returning. "It's that country girl," she muttered under her breath.

"Country girl?" he repeated.

He turned towards the entrance, and his heart and blood turned to ice. He stared at her, at the girl. Miorine seemed completely irritated, whirling around to face her, oblivious to the impact her second guest had on Aidan.

Aidan stood frozen, his body tense, mouth slightly agape as he paused, struck silent.

"What are you doing here?" Miorine snapped.

Her eyes narrowed as the new girl appeared. She wore the familiar uniform shared by Aidan and Miorine. Her gaze was downcast, hands clasped together.

She hesitated, taken aback by Miorine's harsh tone. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I... just wanted to thank you."

Aidan froze, time standing still as his heart pounded against his chest. She was there, that girl... from all that time ago.

His mind flashed back to the final battle, seeing her standing over the wreckage of his titan, offering comfort in those moments of chaos. She had imparted words of strength to him. Back then, he hadn't known he was a seer, just a boy glimpsing a beautiful illusion of a girl before his own demise.

Yet, here she was... right in front of him.

He noticed the cascading waves of her red hair, bound up in that peculiar headband, with some strands falling in clumps over her forehead and face. The hue resembled blooming roses, vibrant and alive, yet there was an undertone of blood. Her eyes, a mesmerizing light blue teal, briefly caught the sun's rays, shimmering like a dazzling ocean. But like the treacherous sea, if you let your guard down, it would seize you by the legs and become your demise.

Beautiful, like a rose, but deadly, like its thorns. That's how Aidan perceived Suletta Mercury—the girl from his visions, the girl who bestowed him with strength.

Suletta's gaze fixed upon him, jolting him out of his daze. Ordinarily, such a beautiful girl would have effortlessly coaxed a sly smirk from Aidan, drawing her in. However, this time, he hesitated, fear constricting his heart.

"Hello," Suletta stuttered, her smile radiating warmth. Unaware of Aidan's widened eyes and the fear that coursed through his veins, she took a step forward—not into the greenhouse but onto the steps. "My name is... Suletta Mercury. And what's your name?" she stumbled over her words.

Yet, that simple action caused Aidan to recoil, taking two steps back. His gaze remained transfixed on the girl, while Miorine observed the pair.

Gradually, Miorine began to perceive Aidan's transformation. The sly demeanor and bravado that had defined him dissolved the moment his eyes settled on Suletta. Now, visible fear permeated his countenance whenever he looked at her.

His heart pounded in his chest, his mind entangled in the visions and dreams he had experienced. But the girl who smiled at him, with her beautiful mane of red hair and twilight blue eyes—she wasn't his salvation; she was his destruction.

"No way," he murmured, drawing their attention as he raised a trembling finger. "You're real," he blurted out.

"Huh?" was Suletta's bewildered response.

That was right before the echoing footsteps of another figure reverberated up the stairs.

Miorine winced, her features tightening. Aidan had been a pilot here for a while, and he instantly recognized the newcomer, followed by his gang. Although Aidan didn't know who the two girls were or the other guy, he knew him—Guel.

Guel swaggered in with a smug expression, sidestepping Suletta, causing her to retreat a step. The reigning holder scanned the room until his gaze locked onto Aidan.

Guel let out a contemptuous snort.

Shifting his attention to Miorine, he sneered, "What is he doing here?" Miorine turned her head, spotting Aidan in the corner, now regaining his composure.

She wrapped her arms around herself, releasing a sigh. "What?" she spoke. "Are you jealous or something?" she questioned.

Guel peered at Aidan once more. "What is your relationship with Miorine?"

Aidan's gaze shifted from person to person, all eyes fixed on him. The Holder himself stood right in front of Aidan—a Spacian Corporation heir, accustomed to besting others in duels with his lavish mechs. He was the antithesis of Aidan, and bitterness and rage coiled within Aidan's once cheerful countenance. He yearned for Guel to lose his temper, for an excuse to put that Spacian in his place, right here and now.

His mind raced with possibilities. "She's my lover," Aidan could have declared boldly, wrapping his arm around Miorine and drawing her close. Such a proclamation would undoubtedly unleash a frenzy within the young heir. But as his thoughts lingered on Miorine, vexed and visibly annoyed by his presence, Aidan shook his head. It would be wrong on numerous levels.

He sighed, the weight of his decision pressing upon him. "She's just donating things to Harmony House," he spoke wearily.

Guel's stare bore into him, a look Aidan despised. The contempt, the hatred, the aura of superiority Guel tried to emanate—it would have been enough in the past to drive Aidan to confrontational violence against a Spacian who looked at him like that. But he wouldn't start a fight here, not in Miorine's sanctuary, not in front of the girl who had saved him years ago. He refused to be the catalyst for any repercussions at Harmony House. A heavy sigh escaped him.

"Thank you, Miorine," he said, his voice carrying genuine gratitude. "To others, it might seem like a simple flower, but you have no idea what this means to us."

A nod toward Miorine, a nod toward the insufferable fiancé. Aidan caught Guel's lingering gaze but quickly averted his own, passing by Suletta without meeting her eyes. The girl's captivating blue gaze sought him out, but he deliberately turned away.

As Aidan descended the metallic staircase, his footsteps echoed, marking his retreat. He had already begun his walk down the path with his acquisition.

Guel watched him from the corner of his eye. "Weird guy," he murmured, diverting his attention back to Miorine, who had refocused on her plants.

And so, things proceeded as usual. Miorine's biting remark about Guel's willingness to be his father's lapdog, followed by his rage and tantrum, resulting in the destruction of the greenhouse's carefully nurtured foliage. And then came Suletta's intervention.

Suletta's hand connected with a resounding slap against Guel's backside, sending shockwaves through everyone present. The girl had acted on instinct, attempting to halt the escalating situation.

Awkwardly, she stood, her body trembling. Legs and arms crossed, fingers spasming. Wide, alert eyes drenched in sweat, her uniform a disheveled mess. She resembled someone struck and frozen, her words stuttering forth.

"Did your mother ever teach you how to act?" she blurted out, her voice quivering.

Guel's roar reverberated through the air, his eyes snapping towards her as she instinctively retreated, a faint cry of shock escaping her lips as she sought refuge behind the girl accompanying Guel.

His seething anger radiated from his expressions, his eyes widening and teeth clenched, an animal on the verge of attack.

Miorine gazed at Guel, devoid of any particular fear for Suletta. Yes, Guel was a brute, but he wasn't foolish enough to lay hands on a random girl he had no prior knowledge of. He might yell, sure, but physical violence was a different matter altogether.

The two girls knew he wouldn't do anything, his little brother knew he wouldn't do anything, and Miorine knew he wouldn't do anything. Yet, Suletta felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Warm fingers offered comfort, exerting just enough pressure to provide solace. She turned her head and beheld him once again—the enigmatic boy who had accompanied Miorine in the greenhouse. The one who regarded her as if she were an alien.

As she sought shelter behind the towering girl, the boy clasped onto her, and she raised her gaze to meet his. "Don't worry," he whispered. "He's not going to hurt you."

Unbeknownst to her, as he released his grip and gave her a gentle pat on the same shoulder, he moved toward Guel. And before she could comprehend it, before Guel could even react, they were already engaged in combat.

It ignited like a strike of a match. Miorine was already sprawled on the floor, and within a second, Suletta realized that her fiancé and this stranger were throwing punches at each other. Well, Guel was the one throwing punches, while Aidan grappled with him.

"Brother!" shouted Guel's sibling. The other two girls and Suletta stood motionless, stunned witnesses to the escalating violence.

Guel unleashed a punch that struck Aidan across the face, propelling the boy's body backward, his head tilting toward the ceiling. Yet, through the bloodied smile that adorned Aidan's lips, Guel's hold on him tightened. Both boys possessed formidable strength and athleticism, adept in their own ways as ace pilots.

But while one had tasted blood, the other had merely engaged in duels. Guel had Aidan pinned, his arms constricting tightly. Nevertheless, Aidan thrust himself backward, the sound of collapsing wooden shelves and shattering flower pots accompanying the clash.

Miorine had risen now. "Stop!" she cried out. "Take this elsewhere!"

Yet, Guel's momentary distraction played into Aidan's hands. Aidan drove him back against the same wall, and in Guel's dazed state, he released his grip on Aidan's hands. Seizing Guel's flowing mane of hair, Aidan whirled him downward and over his body, the metallic thunk of impact resounding as Guel's form crashed against the ground.

The wind was knocked from his lungs. Amidst the cacophony of his brother, the girls, the enigmatic girl, and even Miorine demanding that Aidan cease his assault, he persisted, driven by a relentless determination.

Aidan pressed Guel down with all his might, his bionic arm securing an iron grip on the boy as he unleashed a relentless barrage of punches. Blow after blow rained upon Guel's defenseless form, his body curling into a protective ball.

The impact of Aidan's strikes reverberated through the air, blood trickling from Guel's mouth as the assault continued. Yet, amidst the violence, he heard it—a desperate plea.

"Stop!"

The voice belonged to the red-haired girl. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed down at the unfolding scene, her arms trembling as she took a step backward, her presence evoking an eerie calmness in Aidan.

He poised himself for another punch, but the sight of her face halted him. The fear etched across her features, the fear that had initially led her to intervene and set off this clash between him and Guel.

Aidan paused, his left hand still trembling in a clenched fist. Every instinct, every lesson learned from the battles he had fought urged him to continue. Yet, a shaky breath escaped his lips, and his gaze shifted to Guel.

Seizing the boy by his face, Aidan forced him to look at Suletta. "Look at her," Aidan commanded, Suletta instinctively stepping back as she stared into his eyes. "If you ever direct your anger at her, if you ever utter an insult, if I even suspect that you're going to harm her..."

Guel winced under the strength of Aidan's grip, attempting to wrench his face away, but Aidan's hold remained unyielding, an iron vice. His final words pierced the room, suffusing the air with an aura of malice and bloodlust, silencing the surroundings.

"I will end you."