Morning came gently.
Not with urgency
Not with the weight of responsibility pressing down before the day had even begun.
But softly-
Like the world here didn't believe in rushing.
Lyra woke slowly, her senses returning one by one, the warmth of the room wrapping around her before her thoughts could fully form.
For a moment-
She didn't move
Didn't open her eyes.
Just existed in the quiet.
Then-
Memory returned.
Her eyes opened instantly.
The bed.
The night
The closeness
And him.
Lyra turned her head slightly.
Kael was already awake
Sitting at the edge of the bed, his back to her, his posture straight but nos tense
Composed
As if nothing had happened.
As if the night had been-Nothing
You're awake."
His voice broke the silence.
Calm
Even.
Lyra sat up slowly.
"...So are you."
Kael stood
Turning slightly, but not fully facing her. "...We should get ready. Aerith will be waiting."
Lyra studied him for a second. Looking for something.
Anything.
But there was nothing.
"...Right."
And just like that-
The moment was gone.
The morning passed quickly after that.
By the time they entered the main hall, Aerith was already there, the baby resting peacefully in her arms as she spoke softly to one of the attendants.
Her face brightened the moment she saw them.
"You're just in time," she said warmly.
Lyra nodded slightly, her gaze softening at the sight of the child
"...We didn't want to keep you waiting."
Aerith smiled.
"You wouldn't have."
Then-
Her expression shifted just slightly.
Almost apologetic.
"I won't be able to join you today"
Lyra blinked.
Oh
Kael didn't seem surprised.
"...You should rest."
Aerith laughed quietly.
"I will. But I don't want you to miss seeing the kingdom"
She tumed slightly, gesturing toward someone standing nearby.
"This is Elira."
Lyra's gaze followed
A young woman stepped forward with a polite bow, her posture graceful but not stiff, her expression calm yet warm.
"It's an honor to meet you," she said.
Lyra nodded slightly
"Likewise"
Before anything else could be said-
David appeared.
Right on time.
Of course.
"And here I thought I'd be the most interesting person today," he muttered, his gaze landing
directly on Elira.
Elira blinked.
Then smiled politely.
David straightened instantly.
"I take that back"
Kael sighed.
Lyra almost laughed.
Almost.
Aerith watched the exchange with quiet
amusement.
"Elira will guide you through the kingdom," she said. "She knows every comer of it."
Elira inclined her head slightly.
"I'll do my best"
And just like that-
They were on their way.
The kingdom was even more beautiful up close.
Lyra walked slowly at first, her gaze moving from one place to another, taking in everything-the open markets filled with soft chatter, the children running freely without fear, the small details of daily life that felt so normal.
So untouched by tension.
"This way," Elira said gently, leading them through a quieter path lined with trees..
David walked beside her.
Of course he did.
"So," he started casually, "do you always guide royal guests, or am I just lucky today?"
Elira glanced at him briefly..
"...I guide when needed"
David smiled.
"Ah, so I am lucky"
Lyra shook her head slightly.
Kael said nothing.
But his gaze-
Shifted once.
Toward Lyra.
She didn't notice.
They visited the marketplace first.
Lyra found herself stopping more than once, drawn to small things she wouldn't have paid attention to before-handcrafted items, soft fabrics, simple jewelry that didn't try too hard to be noticed.
"...You like it?"
Kael's voice came from beside her.
Lyra looked up.
"..It's peaceful."
Kael nodded once.
"it is."
A pause.
"...You don't have that in your kingdom, she added.
Kael didn't deny it.
"...No."
They continued walking.
David, meanwhile, had not stopped talking.
"...And then I told him-no, absolutely not, I'm not dealing with that mess-"
Elira laughed softly.
Lyra blinked.
You made her laugh"
David placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
"I'm charming"
Kael didn't even look at him.
"You're annoying."
"Both can be true," David replied smoothly
Even Kael's lips twitched slightly.
The day passed like that.
Light
Easy
They walked through gardens where the air smelled faintly of flowers, crossed small bridges over quiet streams, and stopped at places where the view stretched endlessly beyond the horizon.
At one point-
Lyra paused near the edge of a hill, the wind brushing softly against her as she looked out at the land below.
"...It's beautiful," she said quietly.
Kael stepped beside her.
Not too close
But close enough.
A pause.
"..You're different today," Lyra added.
Kael glanced at her.
"...You said that yesterday."
Lyra shook her head slightly.
No. I mean more."
Kael didn't respond immediately.
"There's nothing to fight here," he said finally.
Lyra looked at him.
"...Maybe that's why."
Their eyes met.
Just for a second.
And for once-
Neither of them looked away immediately.
Behind them-
David's voice broke the moment.
"...If you two start having deep conversations, I'm
leaving."
Lyra sighed.
Kael turned away.
And just like that-
The moment passed.
But not completely.