A sweet, lingering silence filled the vast marble hall. The wife seated on one side of the Sovereign, who still held his hand, glanced at her sister with a knowing smile. Her voice carried a hint of playful resignation.
"Sister, you know how it is... he always does exactly as he pleases anyway," she murmured. Turning her gaze directly toward him, she added, "Do what you must. We won't stand in your way."
She gestured toward the other wife and began to rise. "Sister, we should head upstairs to our chambers now. Let's leave him to his own thoughts." The second wife stood up as well.
Placing a supportive hand on her sister's shoulder. The girl who had been holding his hand slowly released her grip, whispering softly, "Very well, my little sister." Before departing, she leaned down.
And kissed him tenderly on the cheek, her touch radiating a soulful warmth. But just as she attempted to stand fully and walk away, something shifted within him. Before she could take a single step.
He moved with the speed of a lightning strike, catching her hand. Before she could even gasp in surprise, he pulled her back with a sudden, firm tug, pinning her onto the plush sofa.
She landed right within the circle of his embrace against the soft cushions, her eyes wide with shock and her heart racing. The calm, detached image of the Sovereign had vanished.
Replaced by the spark of a playful husband who refused to let a part of his soul walk away so easily. Pushed into the soft depths of the sofa, Ali's heart skipped a beat.
He leaned closer, his gaze locked onto hers, and whispered in a voice as smooth as velvet, "You really are incredibly cute, Ali..." The words hit her like a sweet spell.
Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she found herself completely speechless with bashfulness. She just stared at him, utterly captivated. He smiled, leaning in as if to whisper something more to her.
When a sharp, authoritative voice cut through the silence of the hall. "Celestian! Stop these antics at once!" A young woman standing nearby watched them with furrowed brows.
He tilted his head slightly, a carefree smirk playing on his lips. "Nova, why are you getting so angry? It's not like I'm doing this with a stranger... I'm only doing this with my wife."
"What's the problem?" Nova planted her hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with a mix of concern and annoyance. "The problem is that you're bothering Sister! Get off her right now and let her breathe!"
Hearing the reprimand, a mischievous glint remained on Celestian's face. He slowly moved away from Ali and settled back into his seat on the sofa. Taking a deep, relaxed breath, he said with a chuckle.
"I was only joking..." But as he spoke, his hand moved instinctively, his fingers gently brushing against Ali's flushed cheek. There was a brilliance in his gaze that transcended words.
Looking deep into her eyes, he repeated softly, "Ali, it was just a joke." But Ali didn't respond. She remained frozen, staring at him. His smile, the particular cadence of his voice.
And the way the tiny stars near the corners of his eyes began to shimmer—it all dragged Ali into a beautiful memory from centuries ago. Suddenly, the image of a small child appeared before her.
Standing in that exact same pose... with the same innocence. She could almost hear the child's voice, giggling— "Mama! It was just a joke!" The details of the child became vivid.
His golden hair shone like sunlight, and his golden eyes were like precious treasures. Ali remembered that whenever that child was happy or excited, the tiny stars at the corners of his eyes would sparkle.
In the exact same way that the stars near Celestian's eyes were shimmering right now. Seeing the distant look in her eyes, Celestian asked with a smile, "What happened, Ali? Where did you suddenly get lost?"
Ali blinked and replied with a smile of her own, "No... nothing. I just suddenly remembered my 'little baby'." Celestian listened to her and said with firm conviction.
"Don't worry, he is perfectly fine." Nova supported her sister's words and said with a smile, "Yes, Sister, you know our 'little angel' will be perfectly fine."
"Besides, he is very strong. Wherever he is, he will be completely safe." Amidst the serene silence of the white marble hall, a silky yet authoritative voice suddenly drifted down from the upper balcony.
"Nova is absolutely right, Ali... you have no reason to worry. That child, and the others with him, will be perfectly fine. They are far more powerful and wise than their years suggest."
"No matter how different their temperaments may be from one another, the blood that flows through their veins will keep them safe from any shadow." Hearing this, Ali slowly lifted her gaze toward the balcony.
"I know..." she murmured, her voice now carrying a newfound peace. At that moment, a young woman emerged from the shadows near the grand staircase. Her pointed ears twitched with alertness.
And her long, bushy tail swayed rhythmically. She gave her tail a sudden, playful flick and looked directly at Celestian. "My dear husband... have you already started bothering them again so soon after your return?"
Celestian tilted his head back with a nonchalant shrug. "And what if I have? I was merely joking with my wives." Nova raised her eyes, studying her.
"How long have you been standing there? And just how much of our conversation did you overhear?" The Wolf Girl swished her tail with feigned innocence. "Me? Oh, I was just making my way downstairs."
"But as soon as I stepped onto the floor, I sensed that our Sovereign's old habits had been triggered again." Celestian looked at her and asked, "So, is there a problem with that?"
Looking at Celestian, she replied, "I have no problem... besides, everyone here knows your antics all too well, Celestian. Your style never truly changes."