Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the castle, casting soft beams upon the grand halls. The air was crisp and quiet, save for the gentle steps of maids as they moved through the corridors to rouse their young lords and ladies.
Inside one of the chambers, a maid named Asha pulled back the curtains and approached a bed where a lump of blankets hid a boy who refused to move.
"Young lord, it is time to wake up," Asha said kindly, her voice carrying the tone of patience worn from years of service. "Even if it is spring break, you cannot remain in bed forever. Today, you must meet with your fiancée, your friends, and your family. Their company will bring you energy."
The lump stirred. After a groggy pause, Theodore peeked out with messy hair and sleepy eyes.
"Uhh… oh, okay. Thanks, Asha. When's breakfast?"
"Just a few minutes more," she replied with a bow. "We are waking the others as well."
"Alright, then I'll be the first to the dining hall!" Theodore declared with a cheerful grin, hopping out of bed and rushing off.
---
As Theodore entered the large dining room, he spotted Aizen and Crystal already seated. The warm aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meats filled the air.
"Oh, Papa!" Crystal exclaimed, turning to Aizen before noticing Theodore. "There was a huge earthquake earlier! It was super scary! But Brother Amethyst calmed me down. Lina and Mikaela were so shocked by the sudden change in the air that we all hid together. But when it stopped, we saw the whole castle didn't even have a single scratch!"
Aizen chuckled softly, brushing a strand of black hair from his golden eyes. "That's wonderful, Crystal. Then we won't have to worry about repairs. A castle this big would cost too much to fix!" He then turned to Theodore. "Oh, Theo. Good morning."
"Good morning, Papa! Good morning, Crystal," Theodore greeted brightly.
Crystal giggled. "Good morning, Brother Theo!"
---
Not long after, the rest of the household began to gather.
Lyra, still adjusting her long silver hair, entered with a sleepy yet graceful air, her dragon tail swishing lightly behind her.
Lina wandered in with zig-zagging steps, still half-asleep, rubbing her eyes with little fists.
Amethyst offered polite greetings to everyone, his red eyes alert despite the early hour.
Mikaela followed close behind, flashing a mischievous smile as she playfully teased Theodore for being awake so early.
The long table soon filled with laughter and chatter as platters of food were set before them. Warm loaves of bread, steaming bowls of soup, plates of fruit, and grilled meats made the morning lively. Everyone ate together, the sound of forks and spoons blending with cheerful voices.
For a brief moment, there were no wars, no dangers—only the joy of family sharing a meal.
---
As the lively breakfast came to a close, Aizen leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the tall windows where the morning sky still held faint traces of dawn.
"I suppose there's no special training today," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. A faint shadow crossed his expression. "I still remember my sister… though their faces and names are slipping away. It's been so long. Thirty years since I first woke up in this world as a child. Back then, I was just a boy practicing Taekwondo and martial arts with friends. Those skills made me a leader in my school. And it was there that I met Lyra…"
His golden eyes softened as they fell upon her, her presence beside him grounding the flood of memories.
Beyond the windows, the sky shimmered strangely. One of the stars glowed brighter than the rest, a purple light that seemed to swell as though it were drawing nearer—or perhaps burning out in brilliance.
"It might just be a star exploding," Aizen whispered to himself. "But…"
He shook his head, rising from his seat. The warmth of his family's voices behind him pushed away the chill of unease.
"Well then, it's late," he muttered with a faint smile. "I should get to sleep before Lyra does. Otherwise, she'll scold me again."
The hall filled with laughter as the family continued to chatter, unaware that far beyond the sky, the purple star shimmered with ominous intent.
(End of Chapter 63)