Aether is it?

The night breeze carried the crisp scent of winter roses, just beginning to bloom in the lower gardens. Vale remained still at the edge of the balcony, staring up at the quiet stars. A faint fog curled at the edge of the treetops, casting the grounds of the Lumire estate in soft silver.

He hadn't heard anyone approach.

But he didn't flinch when he heard the soft whisper of a silk hem brushing stone.

"You know," Selene's voice came from behind him, smooth and deliberate, "there was a time when you would've avoided family dinners altogether."

Vale glanced over his shoulder.

His eldest sister stood a few paces away, dressed in midnight blue, her posture as refined as ever. Her pale blond hair was pinned in its usual crown braid, and her expression carried that unreadable calm that made her a feared strategist in political circles.

"I guess I ran out of reasons to keep hiding," he said simply.

Selene studied him for a moment. "And yet, you didn't announce your return with any flair. Victor made enough noise for both of you, but you… just watched."

"That's kind of my thing."

"Was," she corrected. "You're not the shadow in the corner anymore, Vale."

He leaned back against the cold marble railing, arms crossed. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Selene gave a soft, amused smile. "Not bad. Just… dangerous."

Before he could reply, the door creaked open again, and Elise came bouncing through with zero grace and even less formality.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, practically glowing. "I've been looking for you!"

She wore a fur-trimmed cloak and boots slightly too big for her, and her cheeks were red from running. Unlike Selene's quiet control or Vale's aloofness, Elise was a burst of youthful chaos—easily the most open-hearted of the Lumires.

She stopped short, blinking between the two.

"Wait. Is this one of those tense political sibling moments?" she asked dramatically. "Should I come back later?"

Vale chuckled. "You ruined it already."

Selene exhaled softly and turned her gaze to the garden. "Let her stay. She'll keep the mood from getting too heavy."

"Yay!" Elise joined them at the railing, grabbing Vale's arm like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Seriously though, you were awesome. I heard one of the guards say Victor actually dropped his sword."

"He was off balance," Vale replied.

"Because you knocked him off balance!" she grinned up at him. "That was so cool. I want to learn how to fight too. Can I come to Aethercrest?"

"It's not a playground," Selene said calmly.

"But still…"

"Give it a few years," Vale told her, half-teasing. "You're terrifying enough without a blade."

Elise puffed up proudly, then tilted her head. "So what did change? Was it just training? Or… is there something else?"

Vale hesitated.

He'd never told anyone what he'd experienced—not the true dreams, the system, or the synchronization. Not even that he remembered Vale Lumire's memories now like they were his own. Who could he even tell? No one would believe him.

But Elise was watching him with that same curious gaze she used to have when he read her old storybooks.

And Selene, despite everything, looked… thoughtful.

Not judgmental. Not dismissive.

Just aware.

"…Let's just say I stopped being afraid of being underestimated," Vale said finally. "And started using it."

Selene's lips curved just slightly.

"That," she said, "is the most Lumire thing you've ever said."

He gave her a sidelong glance. "Not sure if that's a compliment."

"It is," she said, her tone smooth. "Father may not say it, but he noticed you tonight. That means something."

"Does it?"

"You don't know yet?" Selene's voice dropped to a hush. "He doesn't waste attention. If he notices you, it's because he's assessing how to use you."

That sobered the moment.

"…Good to know," Vale said, voice tight.

Elise frowned. "You mean—he's not proud?"

Selene didn't answer. She didn't need to.

The three of them fell silent again, the kind of silence only noble heirs shared: thick with thoughts, heavy with things they couldn't say out loud.

Eventually, Elise yawned.

"Okay, this is too moody," she declared. "Let's change the subject."

She looked up at Vale, hopeful. "Is there anyone at Aethercrest you like?"

Vale nearly choked.

Selene raised a brow, clearly more interested than she let on.

"I—no," he said quickly. "That's not—I'm focusing on training."

"Ohhhh," Elise said dramatically, "so you do like someone. Who is she?"

Vale turned away, cheeks a little pink. "Goodnight."

Selene smirked. "We'll find out eventually."

"You two are impossible."

As he turned to head inside, Selene called out quietly, "Vale."

He paused, glancing back.

She met his eyes directly. "You're not the weakest anymore. Remember that. But strength makes enemies too. Stay smart."

Vale nodded slowly. "I plan to."

And with that, he slipped back inside the estate, leaving the balcony—and his sisters—beneath the star-blanketed sky.