The sun hung low above the rooftops, its golden light spilling across the quiet street like liquid fire. The air shimmered with a soft evening glow as Kaelan and Seren stepped out of the old wooden house.
Seren: "Hmm… what's up with today? The sunset looks really beautiful."
Kaelan: "Maybe because you're here with me. Even Mother Nature seems to be blessing us."
Seren: "Yeah, right, Mr. Dummy. Keep dreaming."
Kaelan: "What? It's kinda true if you think about it."
Seren laughed, her voice like windbells in the orange air.
Seren: "I agree—nah, just kidding! What are you fussing about?"
She walked ahead, swinging the box of cookies Felicia had given her.
Kaelan: "Hey, wait for me! I still wanna hold your hand!"
Seren: "Hmm, only if you can catch me!"
She took off running, her laughter echoing through the narrow street. Kaelan chased after her, the two darting past small houses and fences, their laughter weaving through the golden light.
By the time they slowed down, the sun had dipped low, and streetlights began to hum to life one by one, bathing the road in a soft yellow glow.
Seren: "Actually… I just remembered something. What girl was your mom talking about earlier? She said you talk a lot about her."
Seren crossed her arms and gave him a suspicious look.
Kaelan (nervous): "Oh, that…"
(In his mind) — It must've been Grandpa Remus who told Felicia about Seren. Ever since I saw her in the park, I've been talking about her. But how do I tell her that? We only met properly today…
Seren: "What's with that face, Mr. Dummy? Do you have another goddess hidden somewhere?"
Kaelan rubbed the back of his neck.
Kaelan: "Oh, about that girl… uh, she's someone I met in kindergarten. That was years ago."
Seren: "Kindergarten?"
Kaelan: "Yeah. There was this girl who used to share her lunch with me every day. She was kind, always smiling… but then one day she just stopped coming. I never saw her again."
Seren: "Which kindergarten?"
Kaelan: "Moonfall Kindergarten."
Seren looked thoughtful for a moment, as if something tugged faintly at her memory.
Seren: "Oh, okay."
(Kaelan's thoughts) — There really was a girl like that. My parents were always busy back then… she was the first warmth I ever felt outside home. I never found her again. I hope she's doing well…
Seren: "So Mr. Dummy's been like this since he was a kid, huh?"
Kaelan: "That's not it!"
Seren: "Sure, sure. Always a sweet mouth, I see."
Kaelan laughed nervously, scratching his hair.
Kaelan: "Uh… yeah, maybe."
Seren: "I'm just teasing."
Kaelan (grinning): "You always are."
Seren pointed ahead.
Seren: "There, that's my home."
Kaelan's eyes widened. A massive mansion stood at the end of the street — its tall gates gleaming faintly under the new streetlights.
Kaelan: "Whoa… that's huge! It's still ten blocks away and you can see it from here! Wait, don't tell me—you're a rich second gen or something?"
Seren (smiling softly): "Nah. My mom works here. She's a housekeeper."
(Kaelan's thoughts) — Smart move… she really thought this through. Even though this is her home, she disguises herself as the housekeeper's daughter. Seren's always a step ahead.
Kaelan: "Oh, is that so? Still, getting to live in such a place sounds pretty nice."
Meanwhile…
Near the Valen estate gates, a car had stopped. Jaxon and his father stood outside, looking up at the towering mansion.
Jaxon's Father: "So this is the Valen residence. Magnificent, isn't it?"
Jaxon: "Yeah, Dad… this place is insane. I can't wait till I become the head of this family someday."
Father: "Easy now. First, we'll see the daughter. Make sure you don't mess this up."
Jaxon: "For a fortune like this? I'd run naked across the city if I had to," he said, grinning and tapping his cheek greedily.
As Kaelan and Seren reached the gate, the streetlights shimmered across the polished metal.
Seren: "Okay, Mr. Dummy, the princess has reached her palace. You may take your leave now."
Kaelan: "As you command, dear princess. The loyal guard shall retreat."
He gave a mock bow, making Seren burst into laughter.
Seren: "What are you even doing?"
Before she could say more, Jaxon and his father noticed them.
Jaxon (whispering): "Hey, is that her? She looks stunning. My luck might be changing."
"You think that's the Valen daughter?"
Jaxon's Father: "Let's find out."
He approached them.
Jaxon's Father: "Hello there, kids. Are you the daughter of Mr. Valen, by any chance?"
Seren instantly understood the situation and replied calmly,
Seren: "Oh, no sir. I'm just the daughter of the housekeeper here. Is there something you needed?"
Jaxon's Father: "Ah, I see. Well, I found this hairpin a few hours ago. I thought it might belong to the Valen household, so I wanted to return it personally."
(Seren's thoughts) — A hairpin worth a few bucks? He's acting like it's treasure. Definitely suspicious.
Seren: "Then what would you like to do, sir?"
Jaxon's Father: "Perhaps you could call someone from the main house. I'd prefer to hand it to them directly."
Seren: "Alright. Wait here."
She walked inside, the guards bowing as she passed through the gates. Inside the garden, she called out softly.
Seren: "Alice! Hey, come here for a moment."
A girl about her age approached — her long hair tied in a loose braid, wearing a magnificent dress.
Alice: "What's wrong?"
Seren: "There's a man outside asking to return a hairpin. I think he's up to something. Can you do me a favor and pretend to be the Valen daughter?"
Alice (confused): "What? Why me?"
Seren: "Because you've been my friend since forever more like a sister, and there's a guy out there too. Just… please help me hide my identity."
Alice with a loud voice : "You brought a guy here?"
Seren quickly covered her mouth.
Seren (blushing): "Quiet! It's not like that!"
Alice: "Uh huh, sure. You like him, don't you?"
Seren: "Stop! Just come on!"
They walked back to the gate together.
Jaxon's Father: "Ah, you must be from the Valen household?"
Alice: "Yes, I am. What's the matter?"
Jaxon's Father: "I found this hairpin. It looked expensive, so I thought it might belong to your family."
(Alice's thoughts) — Expensive? Even our maids wear things ten times pricier. This guy's full of nonsense.
Alice: "Sorry, sir, no one here has lost anything like that. You must be mistaken."
Jaxon's Father: "Oh, my apologies then."
He turned away, disappointed.
(Kaelan's thoughts) — Seren really is brilliant… she handled that perfectly without revealing who she is.
Kaelan: "Alright, I should get going."
Seren: "Okay, Mr. Dummy. Get home safe."
Kaelan : "Don't worry, Goddess. Your worshiper always walks in light."
Alice smirked.
Alice: "He's kinda sweet."
Seren (flustered): "Stop, let's just go back."
As the two girls disappeared inside, Jaxon and his father lingered near their car.
Father: "Did you see that?"
Jaxon: "Which one?"
Father: "The second girl. The one who came out later."
Jaxon (smirking): "She's not even close to the first one's beauty, Dad."
Father: "That 'first one,' my son, is just the daughter of a housekeeper. When you get the Valen heiress, you can have the other one too."
Jaxon: "Ha! You really think of everything, don't you?"
The two laughed darkly as they walked away toward their car.
A few blocks away, Kaelan strolled alone, lost in thought.
(Kaelan's thoughts) — Seren… she's smart, quick, and never shows everything she feels. I really should learn a few tricks from her.
A black car pulled up beside him.
Remus: "Young Master, shall we head home?"
Kaelan: "Just a few blocks more, Remus. We're still near the Valen estate. I'll get in after a bit."
Remus: "As you wish, young master."
The car rolled slowly behind him, its headlights fading into the night as Kaelan's figure disappeared down the quiet street.