Next day
Aria woke up as usual, her eyes falling on the vase of lilies Icarus had left on her bedside table. The pale petals swayed gently in the morning breeze from the open window. She rose slowly, padding barefoot across the room, and looked out to see Abigel and Icarus in the garden, their expressions grave as they spoke in low voices.
What am I going to do… Why am I this useless? Aria's thoughts tightened in her chest. Yet deep inside, she could feel it—a faint shift in her aura, as if the invisible wall holding her power back was cracking, letting small threads of light seep through.
Her eyes lifted again, and this time Icarus looked straight at her. The long stare between them held unspoken words, before his lips curved into a soft, fleeting smile.
A quiet knock at the door.
"Sir Kaelen is getting better," Abigel said as he stepped inside, his voice steady.
Aria nodded absentmindedly, still caught in the strange tangle of her thoughts. She couldn't even remember her real name anymore. Was that world she came from even real? Or had it vanished like a dream? Her memories as Aria were bleeding into the fragments of her old life, and the lines between them were disappearing.
Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around her from behind. The familiar scent and steady heartbeat grounded her instantly.
"Don't think too much," Abigel murmured against her hair.
"Yes… let's go see my parents," Aria whispered, her voice quiet but determined.
The room was heavy with the soft, herbal fragrance of healing magic. Kaelen and Selene lay side by side, their breathing steady, their wounds long sealed, but still unmoving—like they were caught in dreams too deep to return from.
"How long will it take?" Aria asked quietly, her voice carrying more weight than volume.
The physician hesitated before answering. "We can't say for certain. All we can do is watch… and wait."
Her chest tightened at those words. She gave one last look at her parents before stepping outside. Abigel followed soundlessly, her presence folding into Aria's shadow like it belonged there.
"Why don't we go out for a bit?" Abigel's voice was low, almost careful.
Aria didn't answer right away, but the idea tugged at her. Fresh air might quiet the storm in her mind. She finally gave a small nod, and they stepped into the garden, where the morning light filtered through rows of silver-leafed trees.
"Aria!"
The familiar voice made her turn just in time to see Lilly running toward her. The moment they embraced, Aria felt the ache in her chest loosen. She drew in a long breath against her friend's shoulder.
"Why are you here?" Aria asked when they finally pulled apart.
"Father told me everything," Lilly replied, her words soft but firm. "I thought I should be here… with you. That's all I can do. I have no aura to fight beside you, Aria." Her gaze dropped, disappointment shadowing her face.
Aria opened her mouth to speak, but Abigel stood silent at her side, his expression unreadable. Deep within him, Umbros' whisper coiled like smoke.
I'll let you ladies talk," Abigel said, his voice low and even.
As he turned away, his lips barely moved. "Umbros… keep an eye on her."
With that, he disappeared into the shade of the garden, his dark silhouette melting into the hedges until it was as though he had never been there.
"How long will you be staying in the capital?" Lilly asked, her tone light but searching.
"I'm not sure yet," Aria replied, sipping her tea. A fresh breeze kissed her cheeks, cooling the heat that had lingered since she left the sickroom.
"The hunting tournament is in a week," Lilly said.
Aria froze for a moment. She had nearly forgotten—it was so close now. But with her mother's health failing, would her grandfather still hold it?
"Don't worry too much, Aria. Everything will be fine." Lilly's hand closed gently over hers, a small comfort in the quiet evening.
The day slipped into night, their conversation softening, but unseen in the garden's dark edges, Abigel stood guard—silent, unblinking, and listening.
That evening, a sudden summons pulled Aria from her chambers and into the meeting room. The heavy double doors closed behind her with a soft thud, sealing in the atmosphere of expectation.
Everyone was already there—faces she knew, faces she distrusted—watching her as if she'd arrived too late for something important.
"We're going to have the hunting tournament," Caisson announced, his voice carrying the weight of decision.
A faint murmur rippled through the room, but Aria's gaze stayed fixed on him. So it's happening after all… even with Mother ill.
Selene and Kaelen still hadn't woken. The thought alone was a weight pressing on the room.
"And it will be more trouble if others start asking for them," Liam said, his tone edged with concern.
"But it will be even riskier if some figure out the situation," Theo countered, his voice sharp but measured. "There will be questions if we cancel the tournament."
Aria's gaze lingered on Theo for a brief moment, catching the underlying meaning in his words.
"Yes," Theo continued, "if we let anyone know about Selene's condition, there will be plenty who would try to claim the power of the South Duchy… and some who would want her gone forever."
The truth settled heavily over the table. Aria understood now—they weren't just discussing tradition. They were trying to shield her family in its most vulnerable moment.
"I will represent the South Duchy in the tournament," Aria said firmly.
Her voice didn't waver, but somewhere in the corner of the room, Abigel's shadow shifted, as though he already sensed the trouble this decision might invite.
Icarus watched the situation unfold exactly as the diary had foretold. Piece by piece, the words on those worn pages were becoming reality.
He would need to prepare as well.
His familiar had already revealed the location of the Dragon Heart. Retrieving it, however, would be far from simple. Dangerous, even for him. But at least he knew where it was now
Fingers drummed lightly against the desk, his gaze fixed on Aria through Vireth's eye.
"I hope you can forgive me," he whispered into the quiet, though the weight in his voice suggested he doubted she ever would.