Aeliana led the way through the quiet halls of the palace, her pace unhurried but purposeful. The gentle flicker of Etherion lamps cast a soft glow over the corridors, their golden light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Evolis followed, his hands tucked into his coat pockets, the weight of her earlier words still lingering in his mind.
He had nearly forgotten his own birthday.
It wasn't like him to be so distracted, but ever since arriving in Veylith, everything had been a relentless cycle of survival, training, and political maneuvering. Reflection had no place in the life he had been forced into. But now, walking beside Aeliana, the memories of home pulled at him more than he expected.
She hadn't said much after that brief moment of understanding and just kept walking, her silver hair catching the faintest glimmers of light. He found himself watching her more than he cared to admit.
They exited through one of the smaller gates, a route clearly pre-planned. Unlike the grand entrance of the palace, this path led them straight into the heart of the elven capital without the usual guards or formalities. The air outside was crisp, the distant hum of the city lively but not overbearing.
Evolis arched a brow. "So, are you going to tell me where we're going, or is this one of those surprise things?"
Aeliana smirked, glancing at him over her shoulder. "It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?"
He huffed a quiet chuckle. "You're enjoying this way too much."
She shrugged. "Maybe."
They stepped into the marketplace, a stark contrast to the pristine halls of the palace. The streets were lined with colorful stalls displaying everything from finely woven elven silks to shimmering Etherion crystals used for enchantments. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and floral incense intertwined in the air, creating a vibrant atmosphere that felt strangely grounding.
Evolis caught a few stares, some curious, others more cautious. It wasn't often that a human walked freely through the capital, let alone alongside the princess. But he ignored them, his focus drifting instead to Aeliana, who seemed… different here. Less guarded. More herself.
She slowed near a small vendor, where an elderly elf was arranging delicate pastries behind a glass display. The old man's eyes lit up when he saw her.
"Ah, Lady Aeliana," he greeted warmly. "It has been some time. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about an old man like me."
Aeliana scoffed, crossing her arms. "Hardly, Eldrin. I've just been busy."
The vendor chuckled knowingly, his gaze shifting to Evolis. "And this must be the human everyone's been whispering about."
Evolis offered a small, lopsided grin. "Whispering, huh? That doesn't sound ominous at all."
Eldrin let out a hearty laugh. "You've made quite an impression, lad. But any friend of the princess is welcome here." He turned back to Aeliana. "So, will it be the usual?"
She nodded. "And something extra."
As the vendor prepared their order, Evolis leaned slightly toward her. "You come here often?"
She shrugged. "Not as much as I used to."
That piqued his curiosity, but before he could press further, Eldrin handed her a small package wrapped in cloth. She passed it to Evolis.
"A birthday gift," she said simply.
He blinked, hesitating before unwrapping it. Inside were pastries—golden, flaky, with a faint shimmer of Etherion infused within the crust. They smelled sweet, with a hint of something familiar…
"Moonberry tarts," Aeliana explained. "My mother used to bring me here when I was little. These were always my favorite."
Evolis stilled.
Aeliana never spoke about her mother.
His golden eyes met hers, but she had already turned away, pretending to inspect a nearby stall. He studied her for a moment longer before exhaling quietly and taking a bite.
They were good. Sweet, but not overpowering, with a slight warmth that spread through his chest. He chewed thoughtfully, then glanced at her. "Alright, I'll admit it. Best birthday gift so far."
Aeliana rolled her eyes but didn't hide the small, satisfied smile that played on her lips. "Don't get used to it."
The day passed in a strange but welcome blur. They wandered the city, Aeliana guiding him through hidden alleys and quiet gardens tucked away from the bustling streets. At one point, they ended up near a secluded lake, the water reflecting the golden hues of the late afternoon sun. She had led him there without explanation, simply sitting on one of the large stones at the water's edge.
Evolis sat beside her, stretching his legs out. "So, what's the real reason for all of this?"
Aeliana arched a brow. "You don't believe I'd do something nice for you just because?"
He smirked. "Not for a second."
She scoffed, but there was no real bite to it. Her gaze drifted over the water, something unreadable flickering in her emerald eyes. "Maybe I just wanted to remind you that you're not as alone as you think."
His smirk faded slightly. He looked at her, truly looked at her, and for once, he found himself at a loss for words.
Before he could think too much about it, Aeliana suddenly shoved him.
Completely off guard, Evolis barely had time to react before he stumbled forward, nearly falling into the lake. He caught himself just in time, turning sharply to glare at her. "Did you just—"
Aeliana was laughing. Actually laughing.
It wasn't the usual smirk or amused huff, it was genuine. Light. The kind of laughter that made it hard to be angry.
Evolis narrowed his eyes. "Oh, you're going to regret that."
Aeliana's eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen. "Wait—"
Too late.
In a blur of motion, Evolis surged forward, grabbing her wrist and yanking her off balance. With a yelp, she stumbled—
And fell straight into the lake with a Evolis.
For a moment, there was silence.
Aeliana wiped water from her face, her emerald eyes dark with promise. "You," she growled, voice dripping with vengeance, "are dead."
Evolis barely had time to react before she surged forward, sending a controlled burst of water straight at him. He twisted, barely dodging, but the lake rippled violently around them as she lunged again, fingers moving in a precise gesture to manipulate the currents.
"Oh, so now we're using magic?" Evolis scoffed, shaking the water from his hair.
Aeliana smirked. "You started this."
With a flick of her wrist, another wave crashed over him, drenching him further. He sputtered and ran a hand down his face, shaking his head. "Alright, Princess, if that's how you want to play it—"
Before she could react, he lunged. The water slowed his movements slightly, but Aeliana wasn't expecting him to close the distance so quickly. With a swift motion, Evolis grabbed her wrist, spun her, and pulled her toward him.
She gasped, losing her balance as the water caught her legs, and instead of retaliating, she clutched onto his arms. They were suddenly chest-to-chest, the playful tension shifting into something else entirely.
The world around them was quiet. Just the soft lapping of water, the distant hum of night insects, and the sound of their breaths, shallow from exertion.
Evolis smirked down at her, golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "You still want to kill me, or are we calling a truce?"
Aeliana exhaled slowly, and for the first time, there was no immediate quip, no sharp retort. Her gaze flickered over his face, lingering for just a moment too long. Then, without warning—
She shoved him.
Evolis barely had time to curse before he went under again, the cold water swallowing him whole.
Laughter rang through the night. By the time he resurfaced, Aeliana had already waded out of the lake, wringing the water from her braid. She shot him a smug look over her shoulder. "Truce denied."
Evolis let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he followed her to shore. "You're impossible."
Aeliana sat on a large, smooth rock near the edge of the water, her boots discarded, her bare feet sinking into the cool grass. The glow of the moon painted her in pale silver, her damp hair sticking to her skin in strands. Evolis dropped down beside her, stretching his arms behind him as he leaned back.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Above them, the sky stretched wide, a sea of stars twinkling with unspoken stories. The lake reflected their glow, a perfect mirror of the heavens.
Aeliana hugged her knees to her chest, staring up at the sky. "When I was little, my mother used to take me stargazing," she murmured.
Evolis turned his head slightly, watching her.
She didn't speak often about her family.
"She used to say that every star was a story," Aeliana continued, her voice softer than he'd ever heard it. "That each one held the dreams of someone who came before us, someone who wanted to leave something behind."
She exhaled, eyes flickering downward. "I used to believe that if I wished hard enough, she would become one of them."
Evolis remained quiet, letting her speak at her own pace.
"She died when I was nine," Aeliana admitted, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear. "Assassinated."
His breath stilled.
"She was supposed to be untouchable," she continued, bitterness lacing her words. "A queen, a ruler. She was powerful, respected… but in the end, none of it mattered."
Evolis studied her profile, the tension in her jaw, the way her fingers curled slightly into the fabric of her dress.
"You push yourself so hard because of her," he said quietly.
Aeliana turned to him, her expression unreadable. Then, after a moment, she nodded. "I swore I'd never be weak. That no one I cared about would ever be taken like that again."
A cold breeze drifted over the lake, rustling the grass around them.
Evolis tilted his head back toward the stars, mulling over her words. He understood the weight of loss. Understood what it meant to carry a promise you had no choice but to keep.
Aeliana shifted beside him, watching him carefully. "What about you?" she asked. "Do you ever think about them?"
Evolis didn't need to ask who she meant.
"All the time," he admitted, his voice nearly cracking.
The silence stretched again, comfortable yet fragile.
Then, Aeliana surprised him.
She reached out, fingers brushing over the back of his hand. Not quite a grasp... just enough for him to notice.
Evolis turned his palm upward, letting their fingers tangle together. Neither of them looked at the other.
Minutes passed like that, the air between them shifting, growing heavier with something unspoken.
Then, slowly, Aeliana turned her head, and Evolis found her eyes on him... closer than before, their faces just inches apart.
Something pulled at his chest.
He wasn't sure which of them moved first.
Maybe it didn't matter.
The space between them disappeared, and for the first time, Evolis let himself fall.
Their lips met—hesitant at first, soft and unhurried.
The taste of lake water lingered between them, cool and crisp, mingling with the faint scent of wildflowers that clung to Aeliana's damp hair. Evolis felt the slight hitch in her breath, the delicate moment of hesitation, before she pressed closer, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around his.
It wasn't rushed. There was no urgency, no desperate need to claim or conquer. It was something quieter, something that neither of them had planned, but neither of them could stop.
Aeliana's lips were warm against his, and for a brief, fleeting moment, the world outside of this... outside of her, ceased to exist.
The sound of the water lapping at the shore faded. The distant chirping of nocturnal creatures blurred into the background. Even the stars above, burning in their silent eternity, felt as if they had dimmed in comparison to the pulse between them.
Evolis lifted a hand, fingers brushing against her cheek, and she leaned into it, just slightly, barely perceptible, but enough. Enough for him to know she wasn't pulling away.
Instead, she deepened the kiss.
A quiet sigh left her, barely audible, but he felt it against his lips. It sent something sharp and unexpected curling in his chest.
She had always been composed, always controlled. But here, now, she let herself be vulnerable.
Evolis wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, lost in the quiet push and pull, neither willing to break the moment. But eventually, slowly, Aeliana was the one who pulled away, though she didn't go far.
Her forehead rested lightly against his, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
Neither of them spoke.
There were no witty remarks, no teasing smirks or sarcastic quips to break the tension.
Just silence.
And in that silence, something shifted, something unspoken, yet undeniable.
Evolis exhaled, fingers still ghosting over her jaw. Aeliana's gaze flickered, uncertain for the first time in what felt like forever, before she let out a quiet chuckle—breathless, almost disbelieving.
"…That happened," she murmured.
Evolis huffed a soft laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah. It did."
Aeliana didn't pull away completely. If anything, she lingered just a little longer before finally shifting back, tilting her head toward the sky. The stars reflected in her emerald eyes, her expression unreadable.
For once, Evolis didn't try to decipher it.
Because whatever this was—whatever it meant—he knew one thing for certain.
Neither of them could deny it anymore.