"INTERESTING," Noel Sherwood said to himself while watching Elis Ripperton leave the Nystrom estate in the form of a tornado. The ancient divine power that he felt a while ago also disappeared. That meant the Moon God and the White Snake also left the mansion. "My lord and the madam won the fight tonight."

He was also very happy to discover that Lady Nystrom was actually the Black Phoenix.

My family will be very proud of me because of this discovery.

There was a record of the appearance of the Black Phoenix in their family's extensive but hidden library. The first ever Sherwood to have become a Bookkeeper apparently witnessed the birth of the Black Phoenix in the Rosenberg clan. But he didn't have any evidence to prove his claim. And thus, it was brushed-off as a mere speculation.

But the Black Phoenix is real!

And it was none other than the Supreme Fire Mage herself.

"Interesting," he whispered to himself. "This is really interesting."

"Who are you?"

Noel Sherwood turned around to see the Keeper who just woke up. "Oh, you're up," he said cheerfully, then he bowed politely to him. "I'm Noel Sherwood, the current head of House Sherwood. I'm pleased to meet you, Keeper of the Supreme."

"Ah, the clan of nosy Bookkeepers," the Keeper with different-colored eyes said, then he turned to the unconscious witch beside him. "Did you treat Lady Luna's wounds?"

When he arrived at the Nystrom estate, he found the Keeper on the roof in a terrible condition. He wanted to help him but he knew that the Keepers would regenerate as long as the Supreme was still alive.

And so, he went to check on Winter Nystrom instead.

Unfortunately, his ancestor already took the children with him. The only one he found in the room was the unconscious, bleeding witch on the floor. He remembered that Luna was Lady Nystrom's closest aide. And so, he tended to her wounds.

Luckily, Luna only got a stomach wound but it didn't hit her vital organs. The scratches and bruises all over her body didn't seem life-threatening so he just left them. After he gave first-aid to the witch, the Keeper arrived to warn him not to touch her. And then, he collapsed.

So, in the end, he just put the Keeper beside Luna on the bed.

"I did," he answered the Keeper's question a while ago. "Miss Luna is fine. Maybe she just needs some rest."

The Keeper fell silent for a while as if he was trying to feel what was going on in the estate. "They are safe."

"They are," he agreed while nodding his head. "My ancestor and the Moon God left a while ago."

The Keeper ignored him, then he stood up. "Leave," he told him while giving him a cold glare. "You already witnessed a momentous night. Give them the privacy that they need."

"I want to see the Supreme," he insisted. "I mean, the Black Phoenix."

The Keeper turned to him and released the kind of bloodlust that made him feel like he experienced a quick death.

I'll die if I pursue what I want.

"Alright, I'm leaving," Noel Sherwood said with a smile, and he even raised his hands in surrenders. "Please give my regards to my masters."

The Keeper just turned his back on him. "Just leave before I kill you, Bookkeeper."

***

TILLY FELT a lot better now after being enveloped in Kiho's cold embrace for almost half an hour.

Her body temperature returned to normal, and the burning in her chest already disappeared. She was so glad that her husband's Mana could help her stabilize the side effect of her using too much flame. Was it the reason why the Fire Mage clan allowed him to marry the Black Serpent despite their hate for him?

Well, whatever. I believe Kiho and I are simply meant to be. Period.

"Kiho, I'm fine now," Tilly assured her husband when she looked up at him. "Let's bring the kids to their room first."

Kiho still looked very worried of her. "Are you sure you're okay now, honey?"

She nodded and gently patted his cheek. "I'm really okay now, Kiho." She gave him a kiss on the jaw. Well, she wanted to kiss him on the cheek but she was still kind of sluggish, so she just kissed him where her lips could reach a part of his handsome face. "Thank you for everything, hon."

"I should be the one saying that, Tilly," he whispered, then he paused for a while as if he just berated himself internally. She understood why. That wasn't the time for self-pity since their children were still unconscious and Roarke and Luna might both be in danger. "Rest here for the meantime. I'll check on the kids."

She just nodded. "Okay."

Kiho carried her and gently put her on the sofa before he went to check on their kids. While her husband was waking the boys up, Roarke arrived at the room.

"I'm glad that you're safe, Lady Nystrom," Roarke said, then he got down on one knee and hanged his head low. "I know that you have a lot of questions. I will answer all of them, Supreme. You just have to ask me to."

Ah, Roarke probably felt it when she awakened as the Black Phoenix.

And if he didn't mention Luna, that means she's safe. Roarke wouldn't leave his "mother" and come here if Luna's life is in danger.

Anyway…

To be honest, she didn't have that much questions since she already retrieved all the memories that had been locked up in her mind. As per why everyone kept the fact that she was the Black Phoenix from her, she could pretty much tell that it was their own way of "protecting" her. She understood, but she was still pissed.

And she knew who exactly was the person to blame for that.

"My questions can only be answered by my brother," Tilly told the Keeper. "But I have one for you, Roarke."

"What is it, my lady?"

"My spirit guardian," she said and she saw Roarke flinch. "You know that Lucina Morganna is my spirit guardian, don't you?"

The Keeper fell silent as if he was contemplating on how to answer her question.

But that kind of silence already screamed 'yes.'

On the other hand, from the corner of her eye, she saw Kiho turn to her. He didn't look surprise anymore. It seemed like he had truly retrieved all his memories.

"I have retrieved Soleil's memories a few years ago," she said with furrowed brows. "Why didn't I remember that Lucina Morganna was my spirit guardian then?"

"Every memory of yours that has something to do with your Black Flame or the fact that you're the Black Phoenix was sealed by Lord Wixx, Supreme," Roarke explained, and it made sense. "I apologize but that's all I can tell you. Even I was shocked when I saw Lucina Morganna in this lifetime." He paused for a while before he continued. "This may sound like a lame excuse but I was the last Keeper to be created by Lord Wixx. My knowledge of the past isn���t as extensive as the others. My deepest apologies, my lady."

"It's fine, Roarke," she said. "You already answered my question. The rest can only be answered by my brother."

Roarke bowed his head even more. "Thank you for being generous, Lady Nystrom."

She just smiled at the Keeper. "Is Luna okay?"

The Keeper raised his head to look up at her. "Yes, my lady," he said in a relieved tone. "Lady Luna is fortunately treated by a Bookkeeper. He's called Noel Sherwood. I don't know why he helped us though."

"Duke Sherwood is Kiho's sasaeng fan #1," she explained. "He's sketchy so even if he helps us, don't trust him too much."

Roarke nodded firmly. "As you wish, Lady Nystrom."

"Mommy!"

She looked up to see her little boys running to her, making Roarke stand up to let the children reach her without problem.

If my babies can run like that, then that means they're really fine.

She opened her arms and hugged her babies. Then, she let them sit on her lap– Winter on the right, Julian on the left. "Winter, Julian, are you both okay?"

Winter and Julian both nodded.

"We're okay, Mommy."

"We're fine, Mother."

Her brows furrowed when she noticed that her babies looked gloomy. "What's wrong, my little cinnamon rolls?"

"We were arrogant, Mom," Winter said in a sad voice. "A while ago, we insisted that we can help you fight the Moon God. But when the Blue Dragon entered the room and attacked Aunt Luna, we couldn't do anything to save her."

"We were even kidnapped," Julian said in a voice as sad as Winter's. "The Blue Dragon tried to use us against you. We're sorry for being weak, Mother."

"That's not something that you should apologize for, silly babies," she told them gently. "It's our duty as your parents to protect you. But of course, we're not invalidating your abilities to fight. If you can help us, then it'd be great. If not, then it's still okay." She kissed Winter and Julian on the top of their heads. "Thank you for being thoughtful, though."

Winter and Julian looked comforted by her words.

Then, they hugged her again and buried their faces on each side of her necks.

They're still babies.

But her original baby was still her husband, of course.

Kiho obviously looked jealous of his own sons when he sat on the arm rest of the sofa next to hers. "Can I hug you, too, honey?"

She smiled and instead of answering him verbally, she just laid her head on his body.

He took it as a 'yes' and he wrapped his arms around her gently.

"God, Dad is so petty," Winter "whispered" to Julian. "We better watch out, Brother Julian. I'm sure he's going to compete with us for Mom's love and attention."

"I thought Father is mature," Julian "whispered" back to Winter. "I guess his "stoic" reputation is just a delusion of people who don't know him personally."

Winter nodded eagerly as agreement with his brother.

She had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from laughing.

Kiho, on the other hand, cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Boys, it's already way past your bedtime," he said strictly. "Scram, will you?"

"No," Winter and Julian said in unison, then they hugged her tighter.

Tilly knew that Kiho was only "threatening" the kids by that, but she still slightly nudged his side. "Stop being petty, hon."

***

"ARE the kids asleep, hon?"

Tilly nodded as she gently close the door behind her. "The little cinnamon rolls fell asleep as soon as they hit the bed after washing up," she said. "They must be really tired."

After the kids fell asleep, she left the room and let Luna and Roarke guard them.

Then, she went to Kiho's office where she found him having a drink. It was rare for him to have alcoholic drinks and she must say, he looked sexy doing that.

"Honey, would you like to join me?" Kiho asked when he stood up and walked towards her. "There's a rum that I always have after a long, tiring day. I just want to calm my nerves. Would you like to have a drink as well?"

"Thank you for the offer but I'd like to offer something that we might enjoy even more."

Her husband stood in front of her, then tilted his head at one side. He looked confused and very adorable at the moment. "What is it, hon?"

Tilly wouldn't admit this but her heart was beating fast and loud against her chest. But still, she clenched her fists and looked up at Kiho with her glowing purple eyes. God, she hoped he couldn't tell how hot she felt at the moment. And it was the kind of "heat" that only Kiho could awaken inside her. "Kiho, would you like to join me for a bath?"

Kiho looked shocked by her bold offer. But he immediately and eagerly nodded his head. "Of course," he said, then he gulped hard. This time, his beautiful golden eyes also glowed in the dark. Just like her, he was obviously aroused as well. "I'd love to join you, Tilly."

***

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