Soft light slipped quietly through the tall windows, brushing against the dark stone walls and settling across the room like a gentle hand.
Arion didn't wake all at once.
Then suddenly he felt something.
It crept in without warning. A dull ache at first… then sharper. His back, his shoulders, even his arms felt heavy, like they weren't entirely his. The remnants of last night clawed their way back into his awareness.
He almost felt nostalgic, as he felt pain at the same time he felt the warmth of the sunlight.
'Ahh, if only that was not painful.'
He was of course thinking about the first time he unlocked his Soul Rune after Ariel, Ray and himself barely escaped the Iron Beast.
There were still too many mysteries surrounding the ship, but for now he just pushed it behind his head.
Reluctantly waking up, he sat up and remembered the fact that he didn't write anything in his diary the previous day.
And so, the next few minutes went into writing his diary about the previous day's incident along with adding his own theories.
[He told me something about Blessed and Cursed, my guess is that Cursed are the opposite of Blessed but in what aspect? I don't know, I feel that I will get an answer only after I gain some insight about Blessed, though now is not the time to ask such questions.
Sudden interests in Blessed Bonuses after the battle with the Unknown guy and the fact that my powers are unknown to others, I don't want them getting the wrong idea-my bad I mean the correct idea.]
Clara.
His gaze shifted slightly, scanning the room without moving his head. Everything looked untouched. Clean. Too clean.
He shrugged, at least he knew for now she wouldn't do anything stupid anytime soon, he was still worried.
Arion quickly washed his face, had a quick bath and wore new clothes.
The clothes which were somehow present when he came out of the bath.
The outfit carried a quiet kind of authority—nothing loud, nothing excessive, yet impossible to ignore.
A long, flowing robe draped over his frame, the fabric deep black with a faint, almost liquid sheen that caught the light when he moved. It hung loose and open at the front, revealing part of his chest, giving him that effortless mix of refinement and danger. The inner lining, barely visible with each step, was a muted crimson—subtle, but deliberate. The sleeves were wide and unrestrictive, falling just past his wrists, moving like shadows rather than cloth.
Around his waist, the robe was loosely secured, not with anything rigid or ornamental, but with a red cord tied casually—almost carelessly. The knot wasn't perfect, the ends hanging unevenly, adding to that unpolished elegance.
Beneath the robe, his black pants were just as loose, tied at the waist with the same red cord, falling naturally without clinging to his form, giving him freedom of movement without sacrificing his noble presence.
He stood barefoot.
His steps were silent, grounded. The absence of shoes made him feel less like a sheltered noble and more like something… untamed. It contrasted perfectly with the elegance of the robe—refined above, unrestrained below.
Nothing about the outfit screamed status.
And yet—
Everything about it did.
"Gods… what type of dress is this? I look so noble." He muttered under his breath.
The thought lingered in his mind as he adjusted the robe slightly, his fingers brushing against the smooth fabric. It felt… right. Too right. Like something he wasn't used to—but didn't entirely dislike either.
Before he could think further, he noticed a couple of maids making their way toward him, their steps quick but controlled, as if they were holding back something.
"You look absolutely stunning, Young Master," one of them said, her smile bright and unrestrained.
"Yes—yes, though I think you should grow your hair more," another added almost immediately.
"Right now it's just at your lower neck, but it would look much better if it reached your middle back… or even lower."
Then, they grew silent as if suddenly realizing they had said too much.
Arion blinked once, then let out a small breath before offering them a gentle smile.
"Thank you," he said, voice warm, easy. "But I didn't expect… something this noble." Pointing at his dress.
That was all it took as in the next second he was swallowed.
At least ten maids rushed him at once, arms wrapping around him in a sudden, overwhelming embrace.
"Wha—?!"
He couldn't breathe as his arms were pinned, his vision blocked, and his carefully maintained composure shattered in seconds.
"H-Hey—wait—!"
By the time they finally let go, stepping back with satisfied smiles like nothing had happened, Arion staggered slightly, dragging in a sharp breath.
"…What just happened?"
One of them grinned before turning back, her actions replicated by the rest.
"Follow us, Young Master." They said as they walked cheerfully with him somehow ending up in the centre.
'What...is happening?'
Before he could say much, he saw Serene and Serina step beside him.
Both of them looked… composed. Serious, as always—but there was something else beneath it. Something lighter. Something that didn't quite belong on their usual expressions.
Serina turned toward him, clearly about to say something, then stopped.
Her eyes lingered on his face, catching the confusion written all over it, and for once… she said nothing. That alone was enough to make him more suspicious. If his sister wanted to say something, she would say something, so this sight was not comfortable at all.
Before he could question them, the doors to the main hall—the same hall where he had fought… where he had bled… where he had sat through that suffocating dinner—slowly opened.
Serene stepped forward first but not before glaring at him briefly.
Serina followed.
Both of them walked in with practiced elegance, their movements smooth, natural… like they had done this a hundred times before.
Arion didn't move. He just stood there confused on what to do, was this a girls only meeting? No, if not why would the maids bring him here?
A presence appeared behind him. A guard appeared behind him.
Before Arion could react, a hand pressed lightly against his back and gave him a small, almost playful push. He stumbled forward.
"—!"
Catching himself quickly, he straightened and instinctively fell into step beside his sisters, entering the hall at the same time as them.
He sent a playful glare at the guard behind who innocently shrugged as if he had not done anything.
Arion turned front. And then—
A deafening roar crashed into him, loud enough to rival the shockwaves from yesterday.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHILDREN OF BROOK!!!!"
Arion's eyes widened. The hall was filled—crowded with people, nobles, staff, familiar faces and strangers alike. Decorations he hadn't noticed before now lined the walls. Light, colour… life.
His gaze slowly shifted to his sisters, who were too, dressed like him, elegant, refined and perfect.
He understood what the day was, it was their birthday, it was his, Serene's and Serina's birthday. The triplets birthday.
He turned sixteen today...For a second, he just stood there, froze, unmoving and finally his lips curled up. A beautiful, sincere smile formed in his face.
"Happy birthday to us." He said turning to his sisters. Serina restrained herself and simply smiled while Serene simply nodded though her eyes remained dark when she saw him.
After six years, he was finally celebrating his birthday with his siblings.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Clara approaching. She stood out immediately.
Her silver hair fell straight down her back, smooth and unbound, catching the light with a soft, almost cold glow. It framed her face just enough to sharpen her already delicate features, giving her an almost untouchable presence. Her violet eyes remained as calm and unreadable as ever—steady, observant, taking everything in without giving anything away.
She was dressed in deep blue noble attire, the fabric rich and refined without being excessive. The outfit was layered, flowing just enough to give her movement, yet structured enough to maintain a sense of authority. Subtle silver patterns traced along the edges—barely noticeable at first glance, but unmistakably deliberate.
Everything about her was composed.
"Is your opinion changed?" She asked flatly standing next to him, he took a moment to understand what she meant and shook his head, still wearing that sincere smile of his.
"No, try harder maybe."
She nodded and then grew silent, and finally after an awkward silence she stepped forward and embraced him in a loose hug, Arion was startled but only for a second.
He returned the hug and immediately felt his cheeks turning red. There was now another problem worth mentioning his diary.
That was his sister. She was already eyeing them like a hungry predator, teasing notes already appearing on her mind.
Still, that didn't make the embrace any less special. It felt good to be embraced. He was hugged by his mother yesterday and by Clara today, his life...was somewhat good.
But again, Clara was a quiet storm waiting for the right moment to strike.
Not physically—she had already stepped back—but the feeling stayed. Warm. Unexpected. Real.
"Thanks..." He whispered earning a raised eyebrow from her.
"So you are a pervert I see." She whispered back, actually curious.
"N-No I am not!" He fired back gaining the attention of some nearby nobles and a few amused glances from the guards and maids.
Gritting his teeth, he looked away embarrassingly only to find at least one person looking at him from every direction.
'How embarrassing.' He thought finally glaring at Clara who blinked a couple of times oblivious.
"HEY!" Serina suddenly rushed beside him.
'Of course.'
Arion didn't even need to turn as she literally crashed into his side.
"What," he said flatly, already knowing what was coming.
"That—" she pointed between him and Clara, eyes sparkling like she had just discovered the greatest secret in existence, "—looked very friendly."
"Yes, it is friendly. Nothing else." He turned and continued speaking. "Congratulations," Arion said without missing a beat. "You have eyes at least."
Serina gasped.
"Serene, did you hear that? He's become boring."
"I heard," Serene replied calmly from the side, her gaze briefly flickering toward Arion… then Clara. Then she looked away, having to deal with her own set of problems, namely a couple noble princes who wanted to dance with her.
In that point of view, Serina was very cunning, clinging to her brother and the Crystal princess to avoid the invitation of dancing princes and again, many would not even approach seeing Clara.
"Being close to a great noble, especially the princess is useful I see." Serina whispered in his ears, he couldn't help but nod at her words.
"So," she whispered, grinning, "should I prepare a speech?"
"…For what."
"Your future wedding." Arion went deathly pale gaining an almost confused and concerned glance from Clara who looked like she didn't hear his sister's whispers.
However he did nothing something else, a flicker of embarrassment. She didn't hear it, right?
Regaining his composure, he looked at his sister and then at the princess in front of him and sighed heavily. Then he smiled at his sister, a knowing, bright smile.
He grabbed her head and pushed her away.
"Disappear."
Serina only laughed, completely unfazed, stepping back with that same mischievous expression.
"Worth it."
Arion sighed, dragging a hand down his face before glancing—once—at Clara.
"…Ignore her."
Clara blinked once.
Then, very calmly—"I find her entertaining."
Arion froze and so did Serina. Both of them turned to look at her.
Serina's grin returned. Stronger this time.
"So you heard everything that I said?" Serina asked leaning towards Clara who simply nodded. "Yes, you tease a lot I must say, Lady Serina."
"See?" she said, placing a hand on her chest. "Finally, someone with taste."
"…I regret everything," Arion muttered.
Clara looked at her for a second, her violet eyes steady. "…So I've been told."
Arion pinched the bridge of his nose irritated by the scene unfolding before him, how in the world did they get so friendly in their first conversation. He was pretty sure they didn't talk before this, maybe yesterday the did but that didn't count.
"Great," he muttered under his breath. "Now there are two of them."
"Three," Serina corrected instantly, raising a finger. "Don't forget yourself." Arion clicked his tongue. "I'm not part of this." He said.
"You are the centre of this." Serina replied.
"…That's exactly the problem."
Serene, who had been quietly observing all this, finally stepped forward. Her gaze moved between the three of them—lingering just a fraction longer on Clara before settling back into its usual calm.
"You're drawing attention," she said simply.
"Well it looks like you sent all the dancers away huh?" Serina said with a grin, receiving a nod from her sister.
As for attentions, Arion suddenly became aware of it as he looked around and internally scoffed at how much people were looking at them. Multiple glances accompanied by more whispers. Young nobles scattered around the hall were watching them—some curious, some amused, some calculating.
And some glances directed at his sisters and Clara...
'I'll hunt that bastard.' He thought glaring at one particular guy who dared to look at Clara, Serene, and Serina with perverted eyes, the guy immediately backed away sensing his glare.
"…Right," he exhaled.
'Back to reality.'
He straightened slightly, his earlier ease slipping back into something more controlled. His eyes swept the hall once, quickly taking in the surroundings.
Clusters of nobles, different crests, different expressions, some he recognized, most he didn't, and all of them were watching them.
"Looks like we're not the only entertainment today," he said quietly.
Serina followed his gaze and smirked. "Oh no," she said. "We're definitely the main one." Serene didn't say anything remaining in her usual expressionless expression.
Clara didn't react, but her eyes moved as well—slow, deliberate, assessing. Many looked at her, but she ignored them only seeing if anyone had bad intentions against her or Arion...
"Several of them are interested in you," she heard Serina say.
"Shocking," Arion replied dryly.
Before anything else could be said, a group of young nobles finally broke away from the crowd and began walking toward them. They were composed, confident and prideful, they somehow held some bad air around them making their intention clear.
Arion watched them approach, his expression smoothing out into that same easy, careless smile he wore so well.
"…Here we go again," he murmured.
Serina cracked her knuckles softly, still smiling. Clara stood still. Serene said nothing. And Arion wore a friendly carefree smile.
'Guess its time for round two.' Serina, Serene and Clara thought simultaneously.
And Arion? For him, this looked like a battle between Serene and Clara, on who could keep their expressionless face for the longest.