The air shifts as the doors swing open, revealing Caelum. There’s an almost ethereal quality to him as he steps into the grand hall, the light from the stained-glass windows catching the silver threads of his hair. He moves with an elegance that only those born of noble blood seem to possess, but his presence is far from overwhelming—subtle, yet commanding attention.
Caelum’s eyes lock with mine for the briefest of moments, and I can feel something stir within me. It’s not discomfort, but something more complicated—a quiet challenge, or perhaps a reminder of the burden we share, whether we acknowledge it or not. The weight of expectations and the pressure of family seem to hang heavy in the space between us.
“Lady Cyra,” Caelum’s voice cuts through the silence, smooth and controlled, yet there’s an edge to it—an unspoken question. His eyes flicker toward Sirius and Altair, offering a polite nod of greeting before returning to me.
I force myself to smile, the corners of my lips barely twitching upward. “Caelum,” I reply evenly, though I can feel the subtle tension in my chest. He’s here for a reason—of that, I am certain. I only wish I knew what that reason was.
Sirius steps forward, clapping Caelum on the back in his usual boisterous manner. “It’s been too long, Caelum! We’ve missed you.” His words are warm, but his eyes seem to betray a flicker of wariness. It’s not a look I’m used to seeing on my brother.
Caelum offers a half-smile in return, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “The feeling is mutual, Sirius.” His gaze flicks to me again, lingering just a moment too long before he turns toward Altair. “Altair,” he acknowledges, his tone respectful but distant. Altair nods in greeting, his expression as unreadable as always.
There’s something about the way Caelum looks at me—something almost expectant, as if he’s waiting for me to say something, to make the first move in whatever game he’s playing. But I remain silent, unsure of how to respond, unsure of what to say when everything inside me feels out of place.
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Altair clears his throat, his voice calm and steady. “Father awaits you, Caelum,” he says, his words carrying the weight of an unspoken command.
Caelum nods and takes a step forward, but before he moves too far, Sirius’s voice stops him. “Hold on a moment. Cyra’s been waiting to see you for a while now. We’ve all heard of your recent adventures.” Sirius’s tone is teasing, but there’s an edge to it, a hint of something deeper that I can’t quite place.
Caelum raises an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Sirius and me. “Is that so?” he asks, his voice quiet but sharp. There’s a flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe, or something more guarded.
I shift uncomfortably, suddenly aware of how much tension lingers in the room. “I heard you’ve been to the Arcturus Realm,” I say, attempting to steer the conversation. It’s a realm known for its strange, shifting landscapes and its dangerous creatures. Few venture there and return with tales to tell.
Caelum nods, his expression becoming more focused. “Indeed. The journey was… enlightening.” There’s a brief pause, and then he adds, almost casually, “But I’m sure you’ve heard all about it from Sirius already.”
Sirius smirks. “I try not to bore Cyra with too many of my tales,” he says with a wink, but I can tell there’s something more behind his words. Sirius is protective of me—of that, I’m certain. He wants to shield me from whatever the world may throw my way, and yet, in this moment, I feel like I’m being drawn deeper into something I don’t fully understand.
Caelum doesn’t respond to Sirius’s comment, instead turning back to me with a small nod. “I trust you’ve been well, Cyra?” His voice is neutral, but there’s an undercurrent of something else—an unspoken history between us, one that neither of us is eager to address.
I open my mouth to respond, but the words get caught in my throat. I want to say something—something meaningful, something that will bridge the distance between us—but all I can manage is a soft, “I’ve been… well enough.”
Caelum’s gaze lingers for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a final glance at Sirius and Altair, he turns and begins walking toward the hallway, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet of the palace.
“Let’s not keep Father waiting,” he says, his voice carrying back to us.
We follow in silence, the weight of the moment settling over me. The unease I’ve felt for days grows heavier, as if the air itself is thick with unspoken words and things left unsaid.
And as we walk in step behind Caelum, I can’t shake the feeling that this visit—this brief encounter—is only the beginning of something much more complicated than I ever anticipated.
