RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I went back to my room without saying a word to anyone. My body was sore, and my thoughts were even more tangled. The silence of my chamber wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I lay down, staring at the ceiling until my eyes blurred and darkness pulled me under.
When I woke up, something soft smacked my face.
"Ugh-!" I groaned, sitting up.
A pillow landed on the floor beside me. Then another one hit me square in the shoulder.
"What-hey!" I sputtered, blinking in disbelief.
My room was a total disaster-pillows everywhere, sheets on the ground, and feathers floating midair. Standing in the chaos were my sister and cousin, laughing like maniacs.
I saw Forelody perched on the window with Natre. Panic was evident on their faces. It seemed they couldn't stop these two.
"Good morning!" Sister Rona greeted, waving another pillow triumphantly. "Finally! Sleeping Beauty awakens!"
"Sister!" I yelled, blocking a hit with a blanket. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to cheer you up," she said with a grin. "You feel gloomy about earlier. Sorry. Did something bad happen between you and Dylan? We're too insensitive to even tease you. Are you heartbroken?"
What kind of sorry was that?
Audrey snickered. "Heartbroken?"
"I'm not heartbroken!" I snapped, crossing my arms. My voice cracked a little...
I just... don't know.
"Denial," she said, shaking her head. "Classic stage one."
I glared at her. "You should be a therapist."
"I want to read your mind, Rhein, but it is tightly closed."
"My thoughts are mine alone."
She smiled. "You are right. To be honest, it's ridiculous for us to have such power." Then she diverted the topic. "I should be a saint," she said dramatically. "Look at me, spending my precious time helping a hopeless romantic like you. You should be like me-no boyfriend, no problems!"
"More like no prospects," Audrey teased.
Sister gasped. "Traitor!"
I couldn't help it-I laughed. And soon, we were all laughing, hitting each other with pillows until we collapsed on the bed.
Then Sister Rona poured me a glass of iced tea. "Here," she said, smiling way too sweetly.
"Thanks." I took it and drank greedily. But after a few gulps, my eyebrows furrowed. "This tastes weird."
Audrey's shoulders shook with silent laughter.
"Sister Rona..." I warned.
She looked away, pretending to fix her hair. "Hmm?"
"You didn't."
"I did," she said proudly. "Just a tiny bit of alcohol. You're too tense! Consider it medicinal."
"Sister!" I groaned, covering my face. "You're unbelievable."
It's not that I haven't drink alcohol before. I already had it many times.
She winked. "You'll thank me later."
Honestly, I already felt the warmth spreading through my chest, the lightness in my head.
I stood up abruptly and teleported. I left before my cheeks burned any hotter.
The palace corridors blurred as I walked. My pulse was racing, and my senses were sharper despite the haze in my head. And then I felt it-a familiar presence, calm but strong, coming from the upper terrace.
I didn't even stop to think. My feet moved on their own.
When I reached the terrace, the night air greeted me. The moonlight painted everything in silver and blue. Dylan stood near the railing, hands in his pockets, looking over the kingdom below.
"Hi, Dylan~" I called softly.
He turned, surprised. "Rhein? You-wait, are you drunk?"
"Just a little." I smiled faintly. "Don't worry. It's helping me be honest."
"Oh no," he muttered. "That sounds dangerous."
"Maybe?" I stepped closer. "Tell me something, Dylan. I'm just your friend, right?"
He froze. I hated how he didn't answer. I needed him to. I needed clarity, anything but this silence.
"Answer me," I said, my voice breaking a little. "We're just friends, aren't we?"
He stayed quiet. And that silence... hurt more than I expected. I laughed bitterly.
"Of course. Maybe you're just the kind of guy who kisses girls because you feel like it. I should've known..." My throat tightened. "...that kiss meant nothing."
"Do you know why I didn't say yes to Justin? I told you that I like somebody else. It was you. I like you so much, it's pathetic. So congratulations! You got the confession you didn't even ask for."
He smiled.
"What's with that smile? Are you mocking me?"
"How could I not smile when the girl I like just confessed to me?"
I blinked. "Wait-what?"
He took a step closer. The air between us felt charged. "You think I kissed you for fun?"
My heart stopped.
"At first, I thought that you also feel the same about me. But after that kiss, you acted like it didn't happen. Hey, I have been feeling embarrassed facing you until now because of that."
He smiled faintly. "Let me make things clear, then."
Before I could speak, he leaned in and kissed me.
The world tilted. His hand found mine, his breath was warm against my cheek, and everything else just... disappeared. His lips were soft, deliberate, and it felt like time itself slowed.
When he pulled back, I could barely breathe.
"Is that clear enough?" he whispered.
I nodded weakly, my heart racing. "Crystal clear."
And under the moonlight, I swear, I felt the universe hold its breath.
FORELODY'S POINT OF VIEW
I sat high on the branch of an old tree with Tyler beside me, watching everything unfold below the terrace.
Rhein and Dylan looked so small from here-two fragile mortals bathed in moonlight, hearts laid bare. I didn't need to hear their words; I could feel the pulse of her emotions through our link. Warmth. Hope. Fear. Relief.
"She's glowing," Tyler said.
"She's happy," I answered.
We praciens weren't meant to feel what they felt. We were supposed to exist beyond love, beyond attachment. But somehow, Rhein's emotions had always bled into me. Her heart was loud enough to echo in mine.
Below us, Rona was wiping her eyes dramatically while Audrey tried to comfort her.
What drama is this?
"Why are you crying?" Audrey asked, half laughing.
Rona sniffled. "Because my sister has a boyfriend now... and I still don't!"
Audrey sighed.
Even Justin was there, standing quietly behind a pillar, watching from afar. His looked soft, wistful, but at peace.
"Poor guy," Tyler commented.
"He'll find his own light someday," I whispered.
The wind brushed through the leaves, cool and gentle. The night was alive with quiet laughter and unspoken understanding.