CHAPTER 81
It was a sunny afternoon at Retamis Estate. The sky was clear, the flowers in bloom, and the birds chirping a little too cheerfully for Velthira's taste.
Something felt... off.
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as Liora skipped toward her in the corridor, too smiley, too bouncy.
Liora grinned. "Nothing. Can't I be happy to see my baby sister?"
Velthira crossed her arms. "You only act this nice when you're about to throw me into something idiotic. What did you do?"
Velthira's eyes narrowed further. "Liora."
Velthira arched her brow. "The one you never visit unless a flower slaps you first?"
Velthira froze.
A devilish grin spread across Liora's lips. "Zeviel."
.
.
Velthira marched into the greenhouse like a soldier going to war. Her eyes immediately locked onto Zeviel, who was casually leaning against a wooden table, holding a teacup.
He looked... annoyingly good.
As usual.
Velthira froze, scowled, and sat down in defiance.
She reached for a tart, only for him to snatch it first and hold it out of her reach.
Zeviel laughed, a soft, genuine sound that made her chest tighten-a traitorous organ.
Velthira grabbed another tart and shoved it into her mouth just to avoid answering.
Velthira choked on her tea.
He smirked, absolutely enjoying this. "C'mon. I was promised a heartfelt confession. Was it about how you gaze longingly at me when you think I'm not looking?"
Velthira stood up so fast she knocked her chair.
Meanwhile outside the Greenhouse...
Liora peeked through the ivy-covered glass window, giggling uncontrollably.
.
.
Zeviel leaned back, eyes softening just slightly as Velthira sat back down, fuming.
She glanced at him. His teasing was gone. He looked genuinely curious.
Velthira shifted uncomfortably. "No. I don't hate you."
A pause.
He chuckled, then reached for her cup to refill her tea.
When their fingers brushed, Velthira's eyes snapped up to meet his.
For one brief second, everything else stopped.
Velthira's heart did a stupid flutter.
She slapped his hand away.
Zeviel laughed.
But she didn't notice the way his smile lingered.
Or how her own didn't disappear, either.
...........
Thunder rumbled low across the skies of Retamis Estate. The servants had already closed most of the windows, warm lanterns glowed through the halls, and Liora was curled up near the fireplace with a book-until the front doors burst open.
Velthira jumped slightly at the sudden sound.
There, standing like a wet stray dog who'd fought five armies and had the audacity to still smirk, was none other than-
He was completely soaked-hair plastered to his forehead, jacket weighed down by rain, sword strapped awkwardly to his back, and mud streaked on his boots.
Zeviel raised a brow, smug. "Oh? Concerned for me, Vel?"
She found him outside in the training grounds, seated on the edge of the platform, drying his blade beneath the lantern's light. His damp shirt clung slightly to him, a fresh bandage visible beneath the collar.
He looked over his shoulder. "So should you."
She sat beside him without a word, knees drawn slightly in.
A few moments passed in silence. The only sound was the soft dripping from the eaves and the distant hiss of wind.
He didn't look at her, but his fingers paused.
Velthira blinked. "Like what?"
He glanced at her then, eyes unreadable but... serious.
She choked. "Excuse me?!"
Velthira's face was on fire. "Y-You idiot! you can't just say that-!"
She looked like her brain was about to explode. "Y-You really like me?!"
He smirked. "Took you long enough."
She threw her shoe at him.
He caught it. "You missed."
He chuckled, but before he could say another word, she bolted back to her room-half-screaming, half-laughing, and very, very red.
And just like that, time passed by.
The day she turned fifteen, the skies were clear and the entire estate was bustling with energy. Nobles sent gifts, Liora hosted a massive tea party, and the Grand Duke stood tall and proud of the young woman Velthira had become.
She was elegance carved from steel and fire-graceful, beautiful, deadly.
Then someone knocked on her door.
A familiar voice called through, cool and teasing.
Velthira stared at the scroll in Zeviel's hand like it was a ticking bomb.
Before Velthira could combust entirely, the door slammed open.
But Liora ducked, laughing madly. "So! Are we planning a spring wedding? Or.. oh my stars, should I start making invitations?!"
Velthira grabbed the nearest book. "I SWEAR TO-!"
All three froze.
Standing at the doorway was none other than Grand Duke Retamis.
The scroll was still in Zeviel's hand.
Velthira looked like a squirrel caught stealing wine.
..
The tension in the Grand Duke's study was palpable.
Zeviel stood tall. Velthira sat on a chair, trying to disappear. Liora... well, she was whistling with her hands behind her back.
The Grand Duke looked at the scroll, unrolling it slowly.
Zeviel ignored her.
Grand Duke Retamis narrowed his eyes. "You've been close to her since she was a child. That proximity can breed illusion."
The Grand Duke folded the scroll slowly. The air seemed to chill.
Velthira, now covering her entire face with both hands, muttered, "Please let the ceiling collapse. Please."
The Grand Duke exhaled heavily, clearly restraining himself.
Velthira blushed and hit him.
'Knowing Marquis Winzace, he will insist this marriage.' The Grand Duke Retamis sighed.
Liora raised her hand. "What about elopement?"
The Grand Duke's quill snapped.
..
After the talk, everyone in the estate was informed that no one will talk about the marriage between Zeviel and Velthira. The people in the mansion were happy to hear it, although the Grand Duke prohibited this kind of talk, they always gathered to talk about the moments of Zeviel and Velthira.
In the Garden,
Velthira was pruning the roses in the Retamis garden, fingers delicately tugging at stubborn thorns. The sun was golden, the breeze warm. Peaceful.
Until it wasn't.
She didn't turn around. "And it's annoying to hear something that smooth so early in the day."
Zeviel chuckled and sat beside her on the stone edge. "You wound me."
He tilted his head, watching her brush a strand of hair from her face. "You're the only rose here that's pretty and prickly."
Velthira's hand froze mid-air.
He laughed, but not mockingly. Genuinely, softly. "If only you could see how you look when the sun hits your eyes like that."
In the Balcony,
Velthira was leaning on the railing, moonlight brushing her silver hair as a lull of quiet surrounded her.
Zeviel approached slowly. "Couldn't sleep?"
He smiled. "I like my dreams, actually. Especially when you're in them."
She rolled her eyes, but didn't move away.
The wind picked up, brushing their shoulders together.
"Because you always look at me like you'll stab me, but never do." His voice lowered. "And because it's the only way I can say I like being near you... without making things too heavy."
Velthira's breath hitched.
Zeviel looked at her sideways. "But I'd stop, if you asked."
She didn't answer.
Instead, she looked up at the stars and whispered, "No. Don't stop."
Sword training,
Velthira caught it mid-air. "One day, I'll hit you so hard you'll bite your tongue."
She flinched. "ZEVIEL!"
He dodged her next swing, laughing. "And you're being adorable."
Velthira screamed and charged at him.
.
.
It was raining when he returned from a mission. Cloaked, soaked, and trying not to limp.
Velthira stormed out from the main doors. "What were you thinking?! You're bleeding!"
He looked at her. Really looked.
She blinked, stunned.
He took her hand gently. "One day, when all of this is over, I want you to be safe. Happy.. and loved."
He kissed her forehead, the rain still pattering behind them.
In the candlelight room,
They were quiet, reading beside each other, the fire crackling.
Velthira looked at him over the pages. "Why are you always near me?"
Zeviel didn't look up. "Because when I'm not, I feel like I left my sword behind in battle."
She swallowed, heart thudding.
She shoved his shoulder gently.
He smiled, soft. "I mean it, Vel. If one day the world goes dark, I'll be the sword that stands between you and ruin."
But peace, as it often does, does not last forever.
Because that very night, far from Retamis Estate, the stars above shifted.
The once-constant light began to fracture. Somewhere unseen, a ripple moved across the constellations.
And in the deepest, oldest part of the world-
A voice whispered.
"It begins.."
Because soon... a peaceful life would turn chaotic... when everything was overturned by the corrupt stars.
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