Reina smiled, pushing her hair back.

"I’m sorry, am I too late?"

"M-Miss Reina!" Kai beamed.

Reina’s expression softened. "Kai."

Her tone carried an easy warmth as both Rune and Duke Aurelius rose from their seats.

"Reina," Duke Aurelius said, already stepping forward. He pulled her into an embrace.

Reina chuckled softly, patting his back before turning toward Rune. He didn’t wait, his arms wrapped around her the moment Duke Aurelius let go.

When they stepped back, Reina’s gaze swept the room briefly.

"Ah, Uncle is late as usual," she remarked.

Almost on cue, two presences formed out of thin air.

"We’re not."

Reina turned, smiling as Archmage Silas and Alys appeared.

Celestia’s breath caught slightly.

She had seen the brooch used before, Rune had demonstrated it, but this was different. Effortless. Precise. Like stepping through space was as simple as walking through a door.

Before she could think further, Alys gasped and rushed forward, pulling Reina into a tight hug.

"Oh, how I missed you!"

Reina laughed softly. "I missed you too."

"Lies," Alys snapped, pulling back just enough to glare at her. "If you missed me, you would’ve come to the Mage’s Tower."

Reina gave a small, almost guilty smile. "I’m sorry."

Her gaze shifted past Alys.

Silas stood with his arms crossed, looking as though he had been dragged here against his will. His expression was flat, his posture rigid and he looked exhausted

Reina stepped toward him without hesitation and opened her arms.

Silas sighed, but leaned forward anyway, pulling her into a brief embrace.

The moment they did, his expression shifted, subtle, but noticeable. His shoulders loosened, the tension easing as if something unseen had been lifted.

When they pulled back, he let out a quiet chuckle.

Reina tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Now that’s my handsome Uncle."

Silas huffed, but there was a faint smile as he patted her head.

Reina turned just as Kai hovered near the sofa, clearly hesitating.

She extended her arm toward him.

That was all it took.

Kai lit up and hurried over, wrapping his arms around her without restraint.

Reina blinked, then laughed softly. "You’ve grown." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Have I?" Kai grinned.

Standing a short distance away, Celestia shifted slightly, her fingers curling together.

She had risen along with everyone else the moment Reina appeared, but now that she thought about it.

It didn’t feel like simple courtesy.

It felt instinctive.

As if standing was the only natural response.

Her gaze lingered on Reina.

There was nothing overtly overwhelming about her. No oppressive aura, no visible display of power.

And yet everyone adjusted around her without realizing it.

Celestia’s thoughts tangled.

She’s close to Kai... and Rune just called him a part of the family... Marquis Ocean is also quite close to the family that they speak of him often so...

Her brows drew together slightly.

Wait...

A sudden, absurd thought slipped in before she could stop it.

Is she... meant to marry Marquis Ocean?

The idea settled just long enough to confuse her further.

Before she could untangle it, Reina turned.

Their eyes met.

For a brief moment, Celestia felt as though she had been seen.

Then Reina smiled.

"Oh, my. How rude of me."

She walked over with unhurried steps.

"I welcome my dear sister-in-law to Fairisles."

And before Celestia could react, Reina wrapped her arms around her.

Celestia blinked, caught off guard, before slowly returning the gesture.

Her hand rested lightly against Reina’s back.

...She smells faintly like something clean. Not perfume...

Celestia’s thoughts stalled again as Reina stepped back.

For a brief moment, there was a quiet pause, one that seemed to settle naturally after the small flurry of greetings. And in that stillness, Reina’s gaze shifted.

To the only person who hadn’t moved.

Marquis Fairisles stood where he had been from the beginning, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. He had watched everything, the embraces, the laughter, the ease with which Reina had been welcomed back, but he hadn’t stepped forward.

He hadn’t needed to.

Reina looked at him, the softness in her expression easing into something calmer, more composed.

"Grandfather."

Marquis met her gaze.

There was no immediate response, no outward display of affection. Just a steady, measured look that held far more than words.

For a fleeting second, something unreadable passed through his eyes, something that did not belong to the Marquis everyone else saw.

Then, just as quickly, it was gone. Reina gave the slightest nod, that was all.

A knock broke the moment.

The door opened, and the Head Maid stepped in, bowing with practiced grace.

"The dinner has been served."

The atmosphere shifted almost immediately, the stillness dissolving into motion.

"Let’s head to the dining hall," Marquis Fairisles said.

His tone was even, composed, as though nothing of significance had just passed.

One by one, they began to move.

Duke Aurelius and Rune exchanged a brief glance before stepping ahead, Alys falling into step beside Silas, who seemed far more awake than he had moments ago. Kai lingered near Reina for a second before following along, clearly reluctant to drift too far.

Celestia hesitated just a fraction, her gaze flicking once more between Reina and the Marquis as they seemed to exchange a few words before they followed along with the rest.

Soon, they were seated around the large dining table.

The arrangement had been made with care, Marquis Fairisles at the head of the table with, Duke Aurelius and Rune to his sides. Reina sat across from Marquis with Kai and Silas at her sides. Celestia found herself seated between Rune and Kai, her posture straight, her attention divided between the food before her and the quiet undercurrents of the room.

Servants moved in practiced silence, placing dishes one after another before retreating just as seamlessly. The meal began without ceremony, conversation gradually filling the space as cutlery met porcelain.

"There’s only three days before the Trials end and the Princes return," Duke Aurelius spoke, setting his glass down. "His Majesty has announced that the Spring Ball this time will be open to everyone, including the commoners."

"It’s good to celebrate like this once in a while," Rune said, nodding lightly.

Celestia, who had been eating quietly, glanced at him. "You don’t do that annually?"

Her question drew a brief pause.

Several gazes shifted toward her, not in judgment, but in mild surprise.

She added quickly, "In Denril, the last ball of the year is celebrated across the entire kingdom. His Majesty opens the doors to everyone."

Alys let out a small sound of interest while Rune leaned back slightly, considering it.

"That’s... actually not a bad tradition," he admitted.

"That’s good," Reina said, her tone thoughtful. "Once the Trials are done, someone should suggest it to His Majesty."

As she spoke, she reached for one of the serving dishes without looking down.

"Have this too, Kai."

She placed a portion of finely cut turkey onto his plate with easy familiarity.

"Thank you," Kai said with a smile that came just a little too quickly, as though he had been waiting for it.

"Stop treating him like a baby, Reina," Silas remarked from across the table, not even looking up from his plate.

Reina glanced at him, unimpressed.

"Why not? He’s my-"

She stopped, just for a fraction of a second catching herself before claiming Kai as her child as easily as she always did and then smoothly corrected herself.

"He’s the youngest here. So it’s obvious I’ll pamper him."

Silas huffed faintly but didn’t argue further. Celestia, however, had paused.

Her fingers tightened slightly around her fork as her thoughts began to move again.

She almost said something else.

Her gaze drifted, almost unconsciously, toward Kai and then to Reina.

And somewhere in that quiet comparison, something clicked.

The resemblance wasn’t obvious at first glance. But the more she looked the more it stood out. The same unnatural clarity in their blue eyes and their unearthly beauty.

Even Marquis Ocean was this beaut-

Her thoughts halted briefly.

...No.

And yet, the idea lingered.

What exactly... was the connection between the Ryujin family and the Aurelius family? She had learned that Ryujin family had only settled in Sestia a few years ago and had been steadily growing stronger because of the family’s head. According to Brielle, Ocean Ryujin and Arthur Aurelius were business partners and close friends.

But that didn’t explain the physical resemblence!

Before she could chase the thought further, Rune spoke again.

"Who’s going to be your partner, Reina?"

Reina looked up at him, then shook her head lightly.

"I’m not going."

Celestia’s brows twitched almost immediately.

Marquis Ocean had said the same thing.

"Why?" Duke Aurelius asked. "The Trials will be done by then, and the rest will also be taken care of."

Reina hummed softly in response, as though the question required thought but not urgency.

She reached for the bowl of salad and placed it between herself and Kai, serving him first before taking some for herself.

Her movements remained unhurried, her attention resting more on the act of serving than the question itself.

"I still have something to take care of," she said.

"What?" Rune asked, leaning forward slightly, his tone light but his gaze intent.

"Doomsday planning?" Silas added under his breath.

That earned him a faint look from Reina, one that wavered just enough for a quiet laugh to almost escape.

"Uncle," she said, a hint of amusement slipping through, "don’t make it sound like this is the last supper. And no... not doomsday planning."

But as the words settled, so did her expression.

The trace of humor faded, her smile softening into something quieter, more distant. Her snowy lashes lowered, shielding her eyes as a brief silence followed. It wasn’t long, but it was enough to be noticed.

Kai noticed.

He had been watching her closely, and something in that shift made his brows lift slightly before his eyes widened in realization.

He leaned in quickly, closing the distance between them as he raised a hand to cover his mouth, whispering something too low for anyone else to hear.

Celestia caught the movement, but not the words.

Reina stilled for a fraction of a second as she listened.

Then she smiled and nodded.

Whatever he had said, it was correct.

Kai’s face lit up immediately.

"I-I’ll go too!" He said, almost too quickly, unable to hold it in.

"Wait, what?" Duke Aurelius frowned, setting his cutlery down. "What’s going on? Where are you going?"

Reina only shook her head, her expression returning to its usual calm.

"You can’t," she said, turning to Kai. "You have your own work here."

Kai let out a quiet groan, clearly dissatisfied, but didn’t argue further.

Rune leaned forward slightly, resting an arm against the table. "Then when do you think you’ll return?"

Reina didn’t hesitate.

"I don’t know."

That answer drew a visible reaction this time.

Rune’s brows knit together, and Duke Aurelius frowned more deeply, concern beginning to show.

"Reina-" he started, his tone shifting, but before he could continue, Silas’ voice cut through cleanly.

"Reina."

She turned to him without resistance. "Yes, Uncle?"

For a brief moment, Silas didn’t speak. His gaze shifted, subtle, but deliberate, toward Celestia before returning to Reina.

The pause was small but intentional and Reina noticed.

"Is it done?" She asked.

Silas gave a single nod. "It’s just as you said."

Reina tilted her head slightly, considering that, before giving a small nod of her own. "That was fairly quick."

Silas cleared his throat, his expression turning just a touch more restrained. "I couldn’t do it myself. I had Master Vonstein assist."

Reina’s head tilted a little further, her tone thoughtful. "Do I owe him?"

"I do," Silas replied.

That earned him a soft sigh from her and a small smile.

For a brief moment, Reina’s gaze moved across the table, not hurried, not obvious, but deliberate enough to be felt. It passed over Rune, over Aurelius, over Silas... before settling, briefly, on Marquis Fairisles.

Nothing was said.

And yet Marquis gave the slightest nod.

It was subtle.

But it was enough.

One by one, the others mirrored it in their own way, small acknowledgments, quiet agreements that passed without words.

Celestia’s fingers stilled against her plate.

Her eyes moved between them, catching the silent exchange, the way the conversation had shifted without including her.

A thought formed, uninvited.

They all understood, it was something that they wanted to hide from her.

Her gaze flickered back to Reina.

Was this something from the Mage’s Tower? Another invention? Another plan?

Or something else entirely?

Something that wasn’t meant to be spoken of so openly?

The realization settled quietly, but Celestia couldn’t help but be curious. What exactly was this family hiding?