Part one hundred sixty seven — Elizabeth and Mira

　Kai left for Roshan that same afternoon, intending to check on the widow's operation personally — a visit long overdue, given everything else that had consumed his attention over the preceding months.

I genuinely don't think I ever asked her name, he realized as he walked through Roshan's familiar streets.

Did I? I might have. I honestly can't remember.

　"Lord Kai," the woman greeted him warmly the moment she spotted him. "Good to see you again."

　"Yeah, good to see you too, Mrs..."

　He trailed off, embarrassed.

　She smiled, entirely unbothered.

　"Just call me Elizabeth."

　"I'm so sorry," Kai said. "I genuinely forgot to ask your name. Please forgive me."

　"It's nothing," Elizabeth said. "You're a busy man. Not your fault at all. What brings you here?"

　"Just wanted to see how things are going," he said.

　He stepped into the shop.

　It was considerably larger than he remembered, business clearly thriving. Several new employees moved through it with practiced efficiency.

　"Are these your staff?" he asked.

　"They are," Elizabeth confirmed.

　The young women working nearby all turned to greet him properly.

　Elizabeth's own daughter approached first, cheerful and direct.

　"Hey, Lord Kai! How're you doing?"

　"Show some respect," Elizabeth said mildly.

　"It's fine, really," Kai said.

　Then, catching himself—

　"I don't think I remember your name? I'm sorry — I don't think I ever asked."

　"Mira," she said, completely unbothered by the repeated oversight.

　"Nice to meet you properly, Mira," Kai said.

　"I've got something to show you," she said, already pulling him toward the market district.

　She led him to a shop he genuinely didn't recognize.

　Horizoncrest's own name was proudly displayed above the entrance. Customers moved in and out steadily, and the whole of Roshan apparently already knew about it.

　"Since when has this been here?" Kai asked, genuinely surprised.

　"A while now," Mira said, clearly pleased with herself for surprising him. "It's doing well."

　They spent the rest of the afternoon walking through the city together.

　Kai took in exactly how much Horizoncrest's reach had extended into Ashford's own borders without him fully tracking it personally.

Good.

This is exactly what I wanted — things growing properly, whether or not I'm personally standing here watching every detail.

　That evening, as he prepared to leave, Kai told Mira she should visit Horizoncrest sometime.

　She agreed readily, genuine warmth in the promise.

　Back at Horizoncrest, Kai stepped through the mist gate.

　The first person he saw was Nyxara.

　His expression shifted instantly.

　Unmistakably unenthusiastic.

　"Oh."

　He stared at her.

　"It's you."

　"Why do you sound disappointed to see me?" Nyxara asked, mock offense coloring her voice.

　"What are you doing here?"

　"Ravessia asked if you'd be willing to help her with something," Nyxara said.

　"Why didn't she just come tell me herself?"

　"No idea," Nyxara replied, entirely unbothered.

　Chloe appeared then, right on cue.

　"Kai — that spy. Confirmed. Teorema."

　"Keep an eye on them for me, just in case," Kai said.

　"No problem."

　Chloe disappeared again just as quickly as she'd appeared.

　"You really are having a rough stretch," Nyxara observed.

　"'Rough' is an understatement," Kai said.

　She stayed the evening regardless.

　The household settled into its usual comfortable chaos over dinner.

　Kai bathed afterward and settled into bed, pretending — badly — to already be asleep.

　Himari curled close beside him the entire time.