"That was the most delicious breakfast I've had in all my seventeen years on this earth," Alvine said, grinning from ear to ear.
"You ate like four rolls of cream cheese cake," Celeste teased, nudging his belly lightly.
"One of these days, you're going to get fat," she added with mock warning, shaking her head.
Eleanor had been patiently explaining the rules of the Academia portals, trying to keep them informed and calm. "What can we do now?" she asked, scanning the city map displayed in her hand.
"I know! Let's take a tour of the city," Alvine suggested enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"But the city is huge," Celeste protested. She needed to be back at the portals on time, and she knew it.
Eleanor shook her head, citing logistics and safety. Yet Celeste glanced at the clock strapped on her wrist. "There are still two hours before noon," she said, a determined smile forming. "Let's go have some fun. Who knows if today will be the last time we're together?"
Alone, Eleanor could only watch, helpless but smiling at the two spirited Zorahs. "I'll be waiting at the restaurant by noon," she called after them.
"You're not coming along?" Celeste asked, worried.
"You guys have fun. I'll stay here," Eleanor said, urging them to enjoy themselves without worry.
Alvine raised an eyebrow. "If even a second passes…" Eleanor shot him a stern, almost scary grin.
"Don't worry, Ms. Beaumont. We'll be back in time," Alvine assured her, though in his heart, he had no idea what might happen along the way.
Celeste and Alvine walked away, chuckling freely. They were free, in Citadel—the capital of the Zodiac Realm.
"What do you want to see first?" Alvine asked, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet.
"The Crystal Lake," Celeste replied, her smile faltering for a moment. Her father had always told her stories about Citadel, and the Crystal Lake had been his favorite.
Celeste hesitated, her gaze distant, lost in memory. Alvine noticed and gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "Celeste, look at me," he said softly.
Her eyes met his. "A man like Xavier Beaumont… he was a wonderful person, a good father," Alvine said, voice gentle. "He's proud of you. His only princess."
Celeste's eyes widened. "How do you know that he's proud of me?" Her voice was low, bold yet fragile. Her family had tempered her, taught her humility, yet she still carried a spark of rebellion.
"I don't know," Alvine admitted. "But I believe it."
Celeste couldn't hold back her tears. She sobbed quietly into Alvine's arms. To him, she was just Celeste—the girl who was brave, strong, and real, not the poised figure she presented to the world.
After a few moments, she composed herself. "I'm done," she said, wiping her cheeks. "Recomposed in three minutes."
Alvine's eyes widened in admiration. This was Celeste—pathfinder, warrior, badass—all rolled into one.
"Ready to go to Crystal Lake?" he asked.
Celeste nodded, transformed in an instant. Alvine grinned. "I wonder where that sobbing girl went," he murmured, amused.
"Where to?" the VT-system of the portable air vehicle asked.
"To Crystal Lake," Alvine replied. The sleek air vehicle lifted smoothly, gliding through the bustling skies of Citadel, a city alive with millions of Zorahs.
From high above, the city was breathtaking. The Silver City shimmered with countless lights and bridges connecting districts. Various Zodiac bloodlines lived here, their homes and towers interwoven in harmony—or at least the illusion of it. The Ruby Temple gleamed from the center of the city, where all zodiac signs were worshipped. From this height, peace seemed tangible; yet anyone who knew the realm well understood that beneath the surface, change could erupt at any moment.
"Ali, the sobbing me has relocated to hell," Celeste said with a laugh, her courage restored.
"Sobbing is normal," Alvine replied. "Only royals don't do it."
"Varsa Academia is for the royals," Celeste shot back sharply, "not for the weak." Her words struck like arrows, teasing yet fierce, leaving Alvine momentarily speechless.
"Ali, look," she said, pointing below. "It's glowing."
Alvine's gaze followed hers, still caught up in the echo of her words. Slowly, the air vehicle descended, allowing them a clear view of the lake's ethereal beauty.
"I missed the ground," Alvine said happily as his feet touched the soft grass. He paid the vehicle and looked around, awe spreading across his face.
"It's beautiful," Celeste whispered, gazing at the lake. Every detail matched her father's stories.
"It's like you," Alvine murmured, voice low.
Few people were around. "Looks like the Zorahs in the Capital have more hidden gems than those in the East Mountains," Alvine added, still captivated.
"My dad told me," Celeste said with a soft laugh, "that if you make a wish at the brightest glow, it comes true."
"That sounds like a myth," Alvine replied skeptically.
"Young man," an elder's voice said warmly. He had appeared silently by the lake, eyes kind yet piercing. "If you don't believe, you don't live in this realm."
Alvine frowned. "Who are you?"
"I don't know," the elder said, smiling, "but I believe. I believe all storms calm eventually. You should too."
Alvine glanced at Celeste. "Are you going to make a wish?"
The lake's glow intensified by the minute. Celeste didn't hesitate.
"Just because that elder man says it doesn't mean it's true," Alvine muttered coldly.
"Ali, what elder man?" Celeste asked, confused.
Alvine turned—but there was no elder. He blinked. "I think we should head back," Celeste suggested.
"Let's make a wish first," Alvine insisted, determined to give her the best day.
"Okay, great timing," Celeste said, smiling. They closed their eyes, hearts filled with silent hopes.
"I think I'm hungry," Celeste said mischievously, drawing Alvine back into reality.
"Well, let's walk back," he suggested, planning to confess his feelings during their time together.
"The Count of Capricorn of East Mountains will kill my mother if we return worn out," Celeste teased. She was playful, bold—a true Sagittarius spirit. Alvine couldn't take his eyes off her radiant smile.
Suddenly, Celeste bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"Didn't they teach you not to play in the way?" a flat, angry male voice scolded.
Prince Leroy, a freshman at Varsa Academia, glared at her. "I just apologized. Take it or leave it," Celeste said firmly, undeterred by his expensive clothes and sharp glare.
"You have some nerve," Leroy spat. His medium skin and expensive scent marked him as a royal brat with an attitude. "Five years together, enough for me to teach proper behavior."
Alvine punched him. Hard. Leroy didn't flinch. The Sun Wardens immediately restrained Alvine—no one expected him to hit a royal.
"I'd like to know your name," Leroy said. In the eyes of the crowd, Alvine and Celeste were the troublemakers.
"Celeste Beaumont," she replied, calm.
"I hope we make amends in the near future," Leroy said arrogantly, realizing he'd been outwitted. "Keep your boyfriend in line," he whispered to Celeste before letting her go.
In the shadows, a black-hooded lady watched. A smirk crept across her face. She had seen everything.
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