Aetheryn

On the first night of spring, Eldervale's central square glowed beneath the warm light of golden lanterns.Colorful ribbons swayed from the branches of the great oaks surrounding the palace, while arches woven with fresh flowers stood at every corner. The evening breeze carried the scent of lavender and jasmine through the square, and distant music mingled with the laughter of the crowd.Tonight was not merely a celebration of spring's arrival. It was a celebration of hope.Children ran through the streets wearing flower crowns, merchants called out from their stalls, and the elderly sat together on benches, recalling festivals long past.

As the guards took their places along the palace's marble steps, the murmur of the crowd gradually faded.Every eye turned toward the same place. The palace balcony.When the great doors opened, King Alaric stepped out first.

Tall and dignified, he moved to the center of the balcony with the quiet confidence of a man long accustomed to bearing the weight of a kingdom. A few silver strands had begun to appear among his dark brown hair, yet the authority in his gaze remained unchanged.A young woman followed behind him.The crowd brightened instantly. "Princess Lilith!"

Applause rolled across the square like a wave.

"Long live Princess Lilith!"

Lilith paused for a moment. As she looked out over the people gathered below, a warm smile found its way onto her face.

Her long light-brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. The thin crimson braid woven through it shimmered beneath the moonlight, and her emerald eyes carried a kindness that made each person feel as though they had been

seen. Her embroidered green dress stirred gently in the wind as she stepped closer to the balcony's edge.Among the crowd, a little girl stretched upward with both hands, proudly holding a flower crown above her head.Lilith noticed her immediately. She leaned forward with a smile and waved. The girl's delighted squeal rose above the music, and laughter spread through the people around her. Nearby, an elderly man struggled to bow while leaning on his cane. Lilith greeted him with a gentle nod, and he placed a trembling hand over his heart in return. There was not the slightest hint of pride or distance in her expression. She seemed less like the princess of a kingdom and more like a young woman greeting the neighbors she had known all her life. That was why the people loved her. Not because she wore a crown. But because she truly cared for them. The square erupted into applause once more. And yet, a little apart from the celebration, beneath the shadow of the ancient oaks, someone stood alone.Nyx. She had not joined the crowd. As always, she had chosen the shadows. Her long dark-brown hair fell down her back, and the two slender golden braids woven through it caught the moonlight whenever she moved. Her navy-blue dress blended almost seamlessly with the night itself.

Her golden eyes remained fixed upon the balcony. She saw Lilith smile. Without realizing it, the corner of her lips lifted slightly. It suits her, she thought. Just then, two children ran past her. One stumbled and collided with her arm.

"I'm sorry!"

The child looked up, and for a heartbeat their eyes met. Both froze.Then the other child hurriedly grabbed their friend's hand.

"Come on..."

Before Nyx could even answer, they disappeared into the crowd. She did not watch them go.She was used to this. More than the things people said, she had grown accustomed to the things they never said aloud. A few passersby noticed her and instinctively altered their path. No one spoke cruelly. No one shouted. No one insulted her. But their gazes lingered for only a moment before slipping away, as though standing beside her for too long might become uncomfortable. Nyx drew a slow breath.What hurt was not hatred. It was silence. Being treated as though your existence could be overlooked, dismissed, forgotten—no matter how many years passed, that was something one never truly grew used to.

Another swell of applause rose through the square. Nyx lifted her head. Lilith had seen her.

Through the crowd, the lanterns, and the countless faces between them, Lilith looked directly at her. Then, with that same warm smile, she raised a hand in greeting. Nyx answered with a smile so small that no one else would have noticed it. For a single moment, it felt as though only the two of them existed in the entire square. But the moment passed. King Alaric stepped forward to address his people, and the celebration fell silent.

Alaric took a step toward the balcony's edge.

The last murmurs faded away until only the rustling of leaves could be heard. Slowly, he swept his gaze across the crowd gathered below. Then he spoke.

"People of Eldervale..."

His voice was not harsh.It was calm and powerful, carrying the weight of long years and hard choices.

"Another spring has blessed our lands with its abundance. Our forests have awakened once more, our rivers continue to flow, and all of you have proven again that you are the true strength of this kingdom."

Applause rose from the square.Alaric paused briefly before continuing.

"A kingdom is not sustained by stone walls alone."

His gaze traveled across the crowd.

"It endures because its people trust one another, because they honor the land that shelters them, and because they refuse to abandon hope, even when darkness draws near."

The applause grew louder than before.

A few steps behind him, Lilith watched the people below.A little girl perched upon her brother's shoulders.An elderly couple standing hand in hand.Young men and women too excited to remain still.Their happiness filled her heart

with quiet joy.Alaric turned and rested a hand upon her shoulder.

"And one day..."

The crowd fell silent again.

"...the future of this kingdom will be entrusted to my daughter, Lilith."

Cheers exploded across the square.

"Princess Lilith!"

"Long live Eldervale!"

"Long live Princess Lilith!"

A faint blush colored Lilith's cheeks. No matter how many times she stood before the people, she never quite grew accustomed to such overwhelming affection. She lowered her head in gratitude.And at that moment, Alaric's gaze drifted unconsciously toward the back of the crowd. He saw Nyx standing beneath the shadows.They were separated by a great distance.Yet their eyes met.Something unreadable crossed the king's face. As though he wished to say something.Perhaps to call her closer. Perhaps simply to let her know she was not alone. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. He looked away. Nyx noticed.She always did. A familiar ache settled quietly within her. It was not disappointment. Nor anger.

Only the same old emptiness she had carried for years.Lilith followed her father's gaze and found Nyx among the shadows. Her smile softened at once. She was about to wave again when the crowd's cheers pulled her attention away.The celebration continued.The palace musicians began to play once more. Children danced through the square, vendors handed out sweets, and people embraced one another in celebration of spring. But for Nyx, the night had already ended.Silently, she turned away and walked back toward the palace.No one noticed her leave....Or perhaps they did, and chose not to call after her.

The palace corridors were the opposite of the lively square outside. Crystal lamps cast a gentle glow across the stone floors, and the spring breeze drifting through the open windows stirred the long curtains softly.Nyx walked in silence.

The festival's music still lingered in the distance. She stopped for a moment. At the end of the corridor hung a large painting. It had been made many years ago. The royal family stood within it.

Her mother.

Alaric.

Lilith.

And herself.

Nyx remained there for only a few seconds before continuing on. Moonlight spilled through the windows as she climbed the stairs leading to the northern wing. It was one of the quietest places in the palace.And it had always been her favorite.Whenever she wished to be alone, she came here.She pushed open the stone door and stepped onto the terrace.Cool air brushed against her face.Below, the lights of Eldervale glittered like fallen stars.Nyx rested her hands upon the railing and took a slow breath.

Here, at least, no one walked away from her.

She stood there for a long while, watching the distant horizon.Night had settled gently over Eldervale. The music from the square had become little more than a faint echo, and the wind carried the fragrance of flowers from the forest below. It was quiet.And silence was what she had become most familiar with. When she heard soft footsteps behind her, she closed her eyes. A smile almost escaped her.

"...Lilith."

The footsteps stopped.

"I haven't even said anything yet."

Nyx glanced back over her shoulder.

"No."

"Then how did you know?"

"You're the only person in the world who would abandon a festival just to find me." Lilith puffed out her cheeks.

"Was that a compliment?"

"I haven't decided yet."

They both smiled.Lilith stepped beside her and leaned against the railing. For a while, neither of them spoke.They simply watched the lights below while the wind tangled their hair together. Lilith broke the silence first.

"I saw you in the square."

"I know."

"Why were you standing so far away?"

Nyx kept her eyes on the city.

"Do you really not know?"

Lilith said nothing.Nyx exhaled quietly.

"If I had stood there, what would have changed?"

"I..."

"They wanted to see you."

She paused.

"Not me."

"That's not true."

Nyx shook her head.

"It is."

There was no bitterness in her voice. Only exhaustion.

"You're their hope, Lilith."

"And I..."

The sentence faded unfinished. Lilith watched her carefully.

"Sometimes," she whispered, "I wish people could see you the way I do."

Nyx let out a soft, humorless laugh.

"Believe me. They don't even try."

The wind rose again, and for a while only the whisper of leaves filled the air. Then Lilith rested her arms upon the railing and smiled faintly.

"Do you remember?"

"What?"

"We got lost during this festival when we were little."

Nyx raised an eyebrow.

"You were the one who started crying."

Lilith laughed.

"No, that was you."

"I wasn't crying."

"There were tears in your eyes."

"That was the wind."

"Of course it was."

They both laughed, and for a few precious seconds the tension disappeared from Nyx's face. Lilith noticed and quietly treasured the sight.

"Mother..." she said at last. "She made matching flower crowns for us that day."

Nyx's smile slowly faded.

"Yes."

"And when she found us..."

"She scolded us both."

"No." Lilith nudged her shoulder lightly. "She pretended to scold us."

Nyx was silent for a moment.

"...Then she hugged us."

Lilith nodded.

"Yes."

Silence returned between them. This time it was gentle. It carried the memory of someone they both missed dearly. Lilith lifted her eyes to the stars.

"Do you think she's watching us?"

Nyx looked up as well. For a long time, she did not answer.

"...I don't know."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"But I wish she was."

Lilith reached for her hand. Nyx stiffened in surprise, then let her fingers remain where they were.

"Nyx."

"Hm?"

"You're not alone."

Nyx closed her eyes. Lilith had told her that countless times.And every time, Nyx had wanted to believe it. But wanting to believe and truly believing were not the same thing.

"I wish that were as easy for me as it is for you."

Lilith swallowed hard.

"I'm trying. I'm really trying."

"I know."

Nyx turned toward her. Her expression was gentle.

"And I'm not angry with you."

"I never have been."

Tears gathered in Lilith's eyes.

"Then why does it still hurt?"

A faint smile touched Nyx's lips.

"Because even the things that aren't your fault can still wound you."

Lilith lowered her gaze.

"Sometimes... I want so badly to change the way my father—"

She stopped herself.

"The way our father treats you."

A sad smile appeared on Nyx's face.

"You were going to say 'my father.'"

Lilith closed her eyes.

"...I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

Nyx looked back toward the sky.

"You were telling the truth."

"No."

"Yes."

Her voice remained calm.

"Sometimes I think he's only your father."

Lilith had no answer. Because she understood why Nyx felt that way. And, sadly, she could not honestly say Nyx was entirely wrong. The wind swept across the terrace once more. Neither sister spoke again.They stood side by side, watching the lights of Eldervale.They lived beneath the same sky.They walked the halls of the same palace and carried the same family name.Yet somehow, they had been given entirely different lives.

Lilith remained there a little longer. Neither of them felt compelled to speak, and neither was troubled by the silence. The sky had grown dark, and Eldervale glittered below them in gold and silver. At last, Lilith straightened.

"I should go back."

Nyx nodded.

"If you disappear any longer, every servant in the palace will start looking for you."

Lilith smiled.

"I'd rather they came looking for you first."

Nyx laughed softly.

"Don't get your hopes up."

Lilith's smile became tinged with sadness. After a brief hesitation, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her sister. Nyx froze in surprise, then returned the embrace just as gently. They had done this countless times as children. The world had changed. People had changed. But this had not. Lilith stepped back.

"Good night."

"Good night, Lily."

As Lilith disappeared into the corridor, she turned and waved one last time. Nyx answered with a small nod. The stone door closed softly behind her, and the terrace fell silent once more.

When Nyx returned to her room, the palace corridors were nearly empty. The last sounds of the festival had faded into the night. She closed the door behind her. The familiar quiet greeted her. Her chamber was not among the grandest rooms in the palace, nor had she ever wanted it to be. Bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling along the walls. An old armchair rested beside the window where the moonlight could reach it. In one corner stood a small wooden chest that had belonged to her mother.

And upon the desk lay a worn drawing.

Nyx sat down slowly and picked it up.

The edges of the paper had frayed with age, and the lines had begun to fade. Even so, the four figures were still recognizable.

Alaric.

Lilith.

Herself.

And their mother.

Nyx traced her mother's face with trembling fingertips. No matter how hard she tried, she could no longer remember her voice clearly.

Nor her laughter. Sometimes she struggled even to remember her face. The thought filled her with the same fear every time.What if one day I forget her completely? She closed her eyes.

"Would everything have been different..."

she whispered.

"...if you were still here?"

No answer came.Only the wind softly rattled the window.Nyx carefully set the drawing down.

As she rose from her chair, a cool breath of air slipped through her hair.She flinched and turned around.The room was empty.The door remained closed.The window was slightly open, and yet the air had become strangely still.

For several seconds she stood motionless.Then she shook her head with a tired smile.

"I'm more exhausted than I thought."

She extinguished the candles and lay down upon her bed.Moonlight stretched across the floor in silver lines .As she closed her eyes, she thought first of the festival.Then of Lilith.

Then of her mother.Sleep slowly gathered her thoughts and carried them away.

She found herself walking through a meadow of endless green.Flowers swayed gently beneath the wind. In the distance stood a figure clothed in white. She could not see its face. And yet somehow, she knew it. The figure slowly reached out a hand. A faint voice drifted through the wind.

...You are not alone.

Without thinking, Nyx stepped toward it.

Just as her fingers were about to touch that outstretched hand—She awoke.Her room was silent.The moonlight still rested upon the floor exactly where it had before.Nyx stared up at the ceiling.Her heart felt strangely calm. Perhaps the dream had been nothing more than longing. Perhaps it had been a trick of a weary mind.

But for the first time in a very long while, she did not feel completely alone.Outside, as Eldervale sank into the quiet of the night, small changes had already begun in distant corners of the world—changes no one had yet noticed.And in that silence lay the first whisper of the storm to come.

End of Chapter