Winter slowly loosened its quiet grip on Vyomtara Manor. The snow that once clung to the stone paths melted into thin silver threads, trickling softly under the first touch of spring. Buds pushed through the frost-kissed earth, tiny and brave, as if the world itself had decided to awaken with a shy smile.
The triplets were now two years and eight months old—full of new words, new thoughts, and new mischief that colored each day with life.
Sunlight spilled into the manor through tall windows, dancing on the polished floors. Duchess Elaria stepped onto the balcony, brushing away the last faint snowflakes. Today was special. Today marked the Festival of First Lights—a gentle Vyomtara tradition celebrating new beginnings and the promise of brighter days.
The manor hummed with soft excitement as preparations began.
Aditya stood on his toes, gripping the window frame, his eyes burning with impatience."Mother, lights! When lights?" he demanded proudly.
Elaria smiled. "After the sun sets, my brave one."
Aryan walked beside her, placing a small hand on the cold glass."Many… lanterns?" he asked, his voice soft, as if imagining a sky full of little suns.
"Yes, my moonlight," Elaria whispered, brushing his hair.
Sasi wrapped himself in a shawl that kept slipping off his tiny shoulders."I want blue lantern!" he declared.Then immediately changed his mind. "No, pink! No… yellow!"
His confusion made everyone laugh, and Sasi, not understanding the joke but happy to hear joy, laughed too.
The central hall became a bustling little workshop by midday. Servants brought in baskets filled with paints, ribbons, wooden sticks, and colored paper for lantern making. The moment they placed everything on the floor, chaos bloomed—beautiful, innocent chaos.
Aditya attacked every color at once. Red, blue, green, gold—swirled together like a heroic explosion."Mine strong!" he declared, chest puffed out.
Sasi painted circles, stars, and flowers with enthusiastic strokes, humming a tune only he understood.
Aryan chose a deep shade of gold. He painted slowly, carefully, forming delicate lines that shaped a quiet sun.
From the side, Sarvani whispered to Varesh, "Each lantern shows their heart."
Varesh watched with pride. "Fire, bloom, calm."
By afternoon, the frost had melted enough for the children to play outside. The air smelled like new earth. Aditya leapt over small puddles like a miniature warrior charging into battle.
"Come fast!" he shouted behind him.
Sasi chased butterflies with desperate excitement."Wait! I just touch!" he insisted, stumbling after them.
Aryan wandered slower, stopping to gently touch the petal of a flower pushing bravely through the soil.
Then came trouble—small, harmless, but enough to create a story.
A lantern frame rolled down the stone steps. Aditya saw it and sprinted after it. His foot skidded on a wet patch—he slipped—and before he could fall—
Aryan grabbed his arm,Sasi grabbed Aryan,and all three toppled over into the soft grass.
They landed in a pile of tangled limbs and startled breaths—then burst into laughter.
"You okay?" Sasi asked, still clinging to Aryan's sleeve.
Aditya nodded fiercely. "I'm strong!"
Aryan, still holding both of them, breathed out softly. "We… together."
Evening arrived with a calm glow. Soft music drifted through the courtyard as the lanterns were set in place. When Elaria handed them their finished lanterns, each child held it with pride.
Aditya's multicolored lantern shone like a tiny storm of colors.Sasi's flowered lantern glowed with gentle patterns.Aryan's golden lantern gleamed like the quiet morning sun.
"Light your lanterns, my stars," Elaria said tenderly.
Little flames flickered to life.
As night settled, Varesh raised his hand."One… two… three."
The triplets released their lanterns.
They floated upward—slow and soft—like newborn stars rising into the violet sky.
"They fly…" Aryan whispered, eyes wide.
"They go home to sky," Sasi added, pointing upward.
"One day… I touch sky," Aditya said firmly, as if making a promise to himself.
Later that night, wrapped in warm blankets, the triplets watched the last lanterns drift into the horizon. Sasi fell asleep first, curled against Elaria. Aryan followed, head resting on Varesh's shoulder. Aditya tried—tried very hard—to stay awake, but sleep eventually stole him too.
And so, the Festival of First Lights ended—a night filled with warmth, laughter, glowing skies,and three little stars who shone brighter than anything above them.