Dining Room, Aethercastle
Queen Minerva sighed softly as she picked up her teacup, the porcelain clinking faintly against the saucer. For a moment, she stared at the ripples in her tea before speaking.
"I just don't understand, Orion…" Her voice was calm, but there was a tremor beneath it — the kind that comes from worry, not anger. "Why are you all cooped up, especially with the coronation so close? You seemed at peace when your father made the announcement. Has something changed?"
Orion gave a small, practiced smile — one that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"No, I don't have any problem with the coronation. I apologize if I made you worry."
Minerva watched him in silence for a few seconds, studying his expression the way only a mother could. Then she set the teacup down gently.
"I know you, Orion," she said quietly. "You always say you're fine when something's eating at you."
Her gaze softened, though her brow stayed furrowed.
"Is it your marriage to Lady Iris? The one that follows your coronation?"
Orion's breath caught. He didn't look at her.
Minerva exhaled, shaking her head slightly. "You've loved her since you were ten, my son. When we saw that, we thought… perhaps the engagement would make you happy. Why are you hesitating now?"
He didn't answer. The silence pressed between them. Even the clock on the mantel seemed to hesitate, waiting for one of them to breathe.
Tick…. Tick…. Tick…
The clock's hand kept moving. The ray of sunlight bent upwards as sun began to set.
After a moment, Minerva rose, smoothing the folds of her gown.
"I see," she said softly. "Then I'll give you some time. When you're ready, talk to me. Please."
She turned toward the door. The maids waiting nearby stepped forward in perfect sync, forming a quiet line as they followed her. Before stepping out, Minerva paused and looked back.
"I'm worried about you, Orion."
Then she left, her maids moving gracefully at her sides as they escorted her toward her office.
When the sound of their footsteps faded, Orion's shoulders sank.
"How am I supposed to feel fine," he murmured, "when she's being forced into the marriage…"
Roselight Brothel, Red House District
A fine wooden building adorned with layers of curtains on every wall. Beautiful lamps lit the rooms, and soft mats spread across the floor like a warm embrace.
A pair of women entered, their layered dresses whispering against the soft mats. One had hair the colour of twilight seas — bluish and bright, bouncing lightly with each step. The other's was a deep crimson, coiled neatly at her neck like fire kept under command.
"Welcome, ladies. How may we be of service?"
An old woman with a long pale face approached with a warm smile. A long brick-coloured dress with wide sleeves adorned her frame.
"We're looking for some beautiful memories," said the one with bluish hair, giggling. "Some women in the tavern told us they couldn't forget the taste of the sweet honey you serve. We'd like to try some for ourselves."
"Hopefully we won't be disappointed," said the red haired companion whose green eyes shimmered from the lantern's light.
"Understood. Then please, follow me, ladies," the old woman said, leading them toward the main hall. "My name is Thea Roselight. I am from Roselight Hollow."
"Roselight Hollow? The Queen's hometown?" the blue-haired woman gasped.
"Flora, you should introduce yourself instead of reacting so rudely," said her friend with a gentle tone. "My name is Evelina, and my friend here is Flora."
"You're very polite, Lady Evelina," Thea said with a smile as they entered the main hall.
They didn't tell their last names… hiding their identities, perhaps.
The main hall was luxurious. White sheets wrapped around wooden frames were placed in front of each man, showing only their silhouettes, while paper chandeliers hung behind them like lanterns, casting their shadows on the sheets.
"This sweet fragrance… perhaps Queen of the Night?" Evelina inhaled softly, sighing with a relaxed smile.
"Our guest this time seems knowledgeable about flowers," came a voice from behind the sheets.
"My~ the men here seem so distant, calling us guests," Flora teased with a mischievous smile.
"Well, if the ladies are ready, please choose the one you wish to spend your time with," said Thea, her smile measured and calculating as she took control of the conversation.
"What do you mean, choose? We haven't even seen any of the men yet," Flora frowned.
"It's part of the charm," Thea said, rubbing her palms together. "Trust the process. No matter which man you choose here, you won't be going away unsatisfied."
Main Market, Arian Core
Tywin sighed as he held Adam's hand firmly.
"Look how late we are now because of you. Sira's going to scold me for being careless."
The main market buzzed with life — street vendors shouting prices, the scent of fried bread and roasted nuts mixing with the crisp evening air. Stalls overflowed with groceries, clothes, cheap crystal jewelry, and decorations for the upcoming festival. Street lamps hung from ropes strung between shops, flickering to life one by one as the sky deepened.
"You can't really expect me to hold back from having fun after taking me to the armoury," Adam said with a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling.
When they finally returned to the bakery, Sira was waiting behind the counter — arms crossed, worry hidden behind a stern glare.
"The sun's already down, isn't it?" she said sharply. "I thought it was family rule that everyone should be back before dark. It's for your own safety, you know!"
She began gathering trays and cloths, her movements quick and clipped as she prepared to close up.
"I know, Sira. I'm sorry. Adam just wouldn't stop—" Tywin caught himself and sighed. "Never mind that. We'll be more careful from now on. Sorry for making you worry."
Sira frowned but didn't respond. Adam, sensing his chance, tiptoed toward the stairs and slipped away quietly.
Sira's voice softened slightly as she spoke again, still facing the shelves. "Adam doesn't understand, but you should. When our parents went missing, he was just a baby. You said you understood how scared I was back then."
She paused, her hands trembling slightly as she stacked the bread trays.
"People going away without a trace isn't a nice feeling. Even more so when they're the ones you cherish."
Tywin followed her into the kitchen, his tone calm but tired.
"I do understand. But it's been over ten years, Sira. I can't keep Adam inside every night for his whole life. It would be cruel to take away all his choices."
"They went away at night," Sira said quietly, not looking at him. "Just to visit friends in Crystal Reef Town. They thought it'd be safer to travel after sunset — said the cold keeps the monsters away, keeps thieves from the roads."
She swallowed hard. "But when they didn't return the next week… the knights' investigation concluded they never even left the Capital."
"I was there, Sira. I know these things." Tywin's voice faltered. He looked down, his frown trembling.
"It doesn't feel like you do," Sira murmured. Her tone was cold, but her voice wavered with sadness. She turned away and began cleaning the counter, wiping the same spot again and again. "I stopped waiting years ago, Grandpa. But that doesn't mean I can lose someone else the same way."
Tywin lingered for a moment, then quietly stepped out to give her space.