I returned to the mansion without rushing.
The path was quieter than usual, as if the city was still absorbing the outcome of the event. Some people talked in small groups, others just followed their routines.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
But for me, my focus was no longer on that.
When I entered, the atmosphere was different.
Calm.
But not light.
The four of them were in the main room.
Rai'kanna leaning near the window.
Elara seated, posture impeccable.
Vespera against the wall, arms crossed.
Liriel standing near the table.
Lyannis was a bit farther away, observing.
They all looked at me when I walked in.
None of them spoke immediately.
I stopped in the center of the room.
"You already know."
Rai'kanna answered first.
"We know who won."
"That's not all."
A brief silence.
Liriel was direct.
"Then say it."
No hesitation.
No detours.
I didn't drag it out.
"I met Scarlett."
No exaggerated reaction.
But they all became more attentive.
"After the event."
Vespera tilted her head slightly.
"That was expected."
"Yes."
A brief pause.
"She told me why she participated."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"And?"
"She wanted to prove something to herself."
Elara nodded.
"That makes sense."
"But that wasn't all."
Now came the point.
Rai'kanna narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Of course it wasn't."
I kept my tone steady.
"She wanted to know if I would look at her the same way."
Silence.
Heavier.
Liriel observed.
"And you?"
"I did."
"That doesn't answer everything."
"It didn't change."
That answer was enough to shift the atmosphere.
Not explosively.
But clearly.
Vespera uncrossed her arms.
"So you decided."
"Yes."
Lyannis let out a small sigh.
"Just like that."
"There's no reason to complicate it."
Rai'kanna let out a small humorless laugh.
"You have an incredible ability to simplify complicated things."
"It works."
"Not always."
She didn't seem irritated.
But she wasn't completely at ease either.
Liriel stepped forward.
"She said it?"
"She did."
"Directly?"
"In her own way."
"In other words… not much."
"But enough."
Elara analyzed.
"And you?"
"I asked."
Lyannis raised her gaze.
"Asked what?"
"If she really wanted this."
A brief silence.
"And?"
"She said she won't run away."
Vespera nodded slowly.
"That's not an impulsive answer."
"No."
Rai'kanna looked away for a moment.
Then back.
"So it's official."
"Yes."
The word lingered in the air.
Not heavy.
But with consequence.
Liriel crossed her arms.
"You understand what that means."
"I do."
"Do you really?"
"I do."
She held my gaze for a moment longer.
Evaluating.
Then nodded.
"Then I won't repeat it."
Lyannis looked at the others.
"I don't think anyone here is surprised."
"No," Elara replied.
"But this changes the dynamic," Vespera added.
"It will change," I said.
Rai'kanna sighed.
"It already has."
Silence.
Lighter now.
But still attentive.
Liriel broke it first.
"And her?"
"She'll come."
"When?"
"After she takes care of a few things."
Lyannis smiled slightly.
"Brave."
"She decided."
"That's good."
Elara agreed.
"A conscious decision tends to be stable."
Vespera added.
"As long as it's maintained."
Rai'kanna looked at me again.
"Are you going to maintain it?"
"I am."
No hesitation.
No adjustment.
She held my gaze for a second.
Then looked away.
"Then I have nothing more to say."
But there was something there.
Not conflict.
But adjustment.
Normal.
Liriel took a deep breath.
"Then let's make this clear."
She spoke while looking directly at me.
"No hiding things."
"No hiding."
"No repeating mistakes."
"I won't repeat them."
"No treating anyone like an option."
"I don't."
She nodded.
"Then it's settled."
Lyannis relaxed slightly.
"Simpler than I expected."
"Because it was direct," Vespera replied.
Elara concluded.
"And because no one here is immature."
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh.
"Don't exaggerate."
The atmosphere shifted.
Not completely light.
But stable.
Controlled.
As it should be.
I sat down.
Without tension.
Without the need to maintain posture.
"She's coming today."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"Here?"
"Yes."
A brief silence.
But no resistance.
Liriel responded.
"Then we'll see how she fits."
"She'll have to fit," Vespera said.
"Or learn fast," Rai'kanna added.
Elara simply nodded.
"She's already shown capability."
I observed the group.
No rejection.
No resistance.
Just adjustment.
As expected.
A few minutes passed in light conversation.
Nothing deep.
Nothing heavy.
Just transition.
Until…
a soft sound came from the entrance.
Footsteps.
Controlled.
But clear.
Everyone looked in the same direction.
No surprise.
But with attention.
The door opened.
Scarlett walked in.
She stopped just after crossing the threshold.
Her gaze swept across the room.
Once.
Taking everything in.
Without rush.
Without retreat.
And then it stopped on me.
For a second.
Then returned to the group.
Silence.
But not uncomfortable.
Just… initial.
She took a deep breath.
"I came."
Simple.
Direct.
As always.
Liriel answered first.
"We can see that."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
But without hostility.
"Then come in properly."
Scarlett took another step.
Then another.
Now completely inside.
Without hesitation.
Elara analyzed.
Vespera observed.
Lyannis smiled slightly.
I remained silent.
Letting the moment unfold.
Scarlett stopped in the center.
And said:
"I won't complicate things."
A brief pause.
"I like him."
Direct.
No detours.
No avoidance.
The room absorbed the statement.
No immediate reaction.
But with understanding.
Liriel nodded.
"Good."
Rai'kanna let out a breath.
"Better this way."
Vespera added.
"Easier to deal with."
Elara simply said:
"Then it's settled."
Lyannis smiled.
"Welcome."
Scarlett didn't respond with words.
But her gaze… changed.
Lighter.
Stronger.
More included.
And, in that moment…
it became clear.
It was no longer something external.
No longer separate.
She wasn't entering.
She was already in.
And the group…
had accepted her.