A few moments ago,
Ryuk and Esme walked side by side up the grand staircase leading to the main palace.
The atmosphere was thick with the weight of unspoken words.
Their footsteps echoed softly as they ascended the stairs, Esme's gaze occasionally flicking toward Ryuk, who remained silent.
"Why don't you ever call me by my name?" Ryuk broke the silence, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Esme raised an eyebrow but didn't respond immediately; instead, growing slightly flustered, she increased her pace, walking a few steps ahead.
But before she could get too far, Ryuk's hand shot out, gently grabbing her wrist and pulling her to a halt.
"At least call me something," he said, his voice low and playful, "or else, what will you do if someday you need to find me? If you can't even call my name or tell anyone about me?"
Esme stopped in her tracks, turning to face him, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you planning to vanish somewhere?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.
Ryuk, tilting his head, let out a soft chuckle.
His golden pupils shifted, slowly darkening to an amber hue as he used his ability, nullifying her illusion that had been subtly influencing his eye color to be golden.
"Of course I would," he said, his voice teasing. "If I don't get a call, some title... by you, that is."
Esme bit her lip, the weight of his words sinking in. Given her own strength, which wasn't physically strong, it was possible for him to escape somewhere without her.
Given that their relationship had not progressed toward intimacy or any kind of stability from her side, it was possible that without something to hold on to, he could disappear from her world entirely.
She sighed, her voice softening. "Fine, but don't think this changes anything."
Ryuk smirked, his grip on her wrist loosening. "So...?"
Esme hesitated, feeling her cheeks warm. "H-husband," she mumbled, quickly looking away, her embarrassment evident.
Ryuk's smirk grew wider, clearly enjoying her discomfort, about to add, "How about hubby or honey, instead?"
"Wh-what?" Esme flustered, hearing him mention those words so boldly though she was completely controlled, but it was too much for her given they were just a mist preparing to fight, prompting her to just mutter under her breath, "H-honey."
Ding!
Suddenly, her thoughts were shattered by a sharp sound—WHOOSH—a faint whistle as a blade sliced through the air.
Esme's golden eyes snapped open, her senses instantly heightened.
In the blink of an eye, a sword's blade surged toward her heart, its speed so incredible that the sound of its cutting swish followed the blade's arrival.
Even more disorienting was the delayed yelling that reached Esme's ears: "Leave my granddaughter alone!"
She barely had time to process it, her gaze darting to the source of the threat.
There stood the matriarch, suspended mid-air, her fierce expression and inhuman speed radiating danger as her sword came down with lethal precision, aimed directly at Esme's chest.
But before the blade could penetrate, it met metal with a resounding.
CLANK
The sound reverberated through the air.
Ryuk's sword had materialized between them, effortlessly deflecting the matriarch's attack. His amber eyes blazed with cold intensity as he held her gaze, his entire form enveloped in an orange aura.
"Stay away from her," he commanded.
With a fluid motion, Ryuk spun around, delivering a powerful kick that sent the matriarch stumbling backward.
"Kughh!?"
Screeech!
"Haa..." The matriarch gasped, her grip tightening around her sword as she skidded to a halt, glaring at Ryuk with a barely contained fury.
In stark contrast, Ryuk remained calm, almost indifferent, lowering his sword while keeping his eyes locked on her.
He had entrusted Esme to handle Jenny, confident that she could manage her, all the while considering the plot armour that often surrounded heroines.
His composure was reassuring, especially with Regina now entering the fray.
With a deliberate movement, Ryuk pointed his sword, which began to shimmer with an orange glow, while his hand emanated an amethyst aura.
His gaze remained fixed on the matriarch, and as he prepared to dash toward her, he declared, "How cute. It seems you've forgotten to mention how my eyes have become my saving grace today."