As months passed in Aldoria (mere days in the real world due to time dition), Mia and Kael's bond grew stronger. Their morning training sessions now included pyful competitions and shared ughter. Kael began escorting her to city festivals and introducing her to the few people he trusted.

  The castle staff whispered about the mysterious dy who'd melted the ice knight's heart. Other nobles attempted to court Mia, but she politely declined all advances. Her heart belonged entirely to Kael, though neither had spoken of love directly.

  One moonlit night, after a festival celebrating the summer solstice, Kael walked Mia back to her inn. The streets were quiet, filled with sleeping revelers and flower petals from the day's celebrations.

  "I never thought I'd find peace again," Kael admitted suddenly. "You've changed everything, Mia."

  Heart pounding, she turned to face him. "As you've changed everything for me."

  He reached out, cupping her face with calloused hands. "I don't know how or why, but I feel as though I've known you forever. As if my soul recognizes yours."

  Their first kiss was gentle, tentative, filled with unspoken emotions. When they parted, both were breathless.

  "Stay," Mia whispered. "Don't go back to the castle tonight."

  Kael hesitated, duty warring with desire, before nodding. That night, as they y together, Mia felt complete happiness for the first time in her life. In this virtual world, with this impossibly real NPC, she'd found what she'd never had in reality—true connection, trust, and love.

  If only it could st forever.