Morning light streamed through The Rising Phoenix's crystal formations as Celestia and Adrian sat together, their reunion still fresh with emotion. The crystal lamps cast gentle patterns across the study, highlighting the siblings' matching expressions—determination tempered by two lives' worth of wisdom.
"My family," Adrian said suddenly, breaking their comfortable silence. "The Silverbrooks. They should meet you." His voice carried the same decisive tone Alex had used when proposing crucial business partnerships. The crystal lamps brightened slightly at his words, as if approving the suggestion.
Celestia looked up from the documents they'd been reviewing—evidence of their shared past carefully preserved across lives. "The Marquess family?" she asked, Elizabeth Crawford's strategic mind immediately assessing implications. "That would be... complicated."
"They're good people," Adrian insisted, his temple knight training momentarily giving way to genuine warmth. "They remind me of our parents from before—Mom and Dad Crawford were always supportive and loving." The crystal formations brightened slightly, responding to these positive memories.
"Nothing like Uncle Charles," he added, his expression darkening momentarily at the memory of their uncle's betrayal in their previous life. "The Silverbrooks have that same warmth, that same genuine care for family that our parents did."
His fingers traced patterns on the polished table—the same unconscious habit Alex had shown when thinking of home. "They've always felt... familiar somehow. Now I understand why."
Clara entered with fresh morning tea, her water magic creating subtle patterns that mapped recent temple knight movements. At twenty-three, she had developed an instinctive sense for when to interrupt and when to remain silent. The crystal lamps caught her knowing glance as she arranged cups with practiced precision.
"The Silverbrooks have been asking questions about The Rising Phoenix's owner for months," she reported, her water magic forming images of noble carriages passing by with increasing frequency. "Particularly after Sir Adrian began praising the establishment's unusual protocols."
"Mother always said I had excellent taste," Adrian smiled, the expression pure Alex despite his temple knight uniform. The crystal formations pulsed gently, as if amused by this flash of his previous personality. "Though I suspect she wondered why I was so fascinated by a restaurant."
Celestia considered the implications carefully, Elizabeth Crawford's business acumen merging with her current life's political awareness. The crystal lamps cast thoughtful shadows across her features as she weighed risks against opportunities.
"I've heard the Silverbrooks are devoted to the temple," she noted, recalling information gathered through Clara's extensive network of informants. "That could complicate matters for someone in my position."
Adrian's expression shifted to curiosity. "Your position? I know you've built The Rising Phoenix into something remarkable, but there's still so much about your life here that I don't understand." He leaned forward, brotherly concern evident in his eyes. "Who are you in this world, Celestia? Where did you come from before all this?"
The crystal lamps flickered as Celestia realized how much remained unshared between them. Their reunion had focused entirely on their past life, with little discussion of her current circumstances.
"It's... not a pleasant story," she said carefully, measuring how much to reveal. "In this life, I was born to a noble house that didn't want me. When I was twelve, I healed my twin brother using abilities they considered unnatural. They sent me away—exile in all but name."
Adrian's expression darkened, protective instincts flaring. The crystal formations caught his sudden tension, their light sharpening where it touched his temple knight insignia. "They exiled a child for healing someone? What kind of family would—"
"The kind that values appearances above all else," Celestia interrupted gently. "But that's a longer conversation for another time. What matters is that my former family has connections throughout the capital. If they learned I was associating with the Silverbrooks..."
"They'd see it as a political move," Adrian finished, his temple knight training giving him quick insight into noble politics. He reached across to touch her hand—the same protective gesture he'd offered during their most challenging corporate crises. The crystal lamps brightened at the contact, their light strengthening where siblings' powers resonated.
Through the crystal-lit window, they could see temple knights beginning their morning patrols. The creatures had been unusually quiet since their reunion, their shadows absent from the capital's busy streets. The crystal formations seemed to stand guard, their light particularly vigilant where it touched the windows.
"The vessel and knight align," came a distant whisper, so faint it might have been imagination. "Shadow's king grows restless at light's strengthening."
James entered with his usual quiet efficiency, his stance alert as he reported, "Young miss, Marquess Silverbrook's carriage was seen near the temple district this morning. Sir Adrian is expected at a family gathering this evening."
Adrian's expression shifted to the focused determination that had made Alex Crawford such a formidable CFO. "Perfect timing," he said, the words carrying echoes of boardroom strategy sessions. "Come with me tonight. Not as The Rising Phoenix's owner, but as yourself. Celestia."
The crystal lamps caught her momentary hesitation—the careful caution that had kept her alive and thriving since exile. "Adrian, introducing me to your family is one thing. But if word reaches my former house that I've formed connections with the Silverbrooks..."
"They haven't concerned themselves with your welfare for six years," Adrian reminded her, temple knight authority merging with brotherly protectiveness. "And now you have something they never expected—allies who understand your true worth."
Clara's water magic swirled thoughtfully as she suggested, "The young miss could attend as Sir Adrian's guest, without revealing her noble connections immediately. The Silverbrooks' reaction to her as a person would be... informative."
The crystal formations seemed to approve this strategy, their light creating patterns that reminded Celestia of Manhattan sunlight through office blinds during particularly successful negotiations.
"A trial meeting," Celestia nodded, Elizabeth Crawford's business instincts recognizing the value of testing waters before full commitment. "Though I'll need to maintain some level of disguise. My true appearance is too distinctive."
"Just enough to avoid immediate recognition," Adrian agreed, his strategic mind already planning contingencies. The crystal lamps pulsed with shared purpose as siblings once again found themselves planning a careful campaign—though for family rather than corporate gain.
As evening approached, Celestia stood in her private chambers, adjusting her appearance with practiced care. Not the full merchant's disguise she used publicly, but subtle alterations to her silver-blonde hair and distinctive features—enough to prevent immediate connection to her noble birth while still allowing the Silverbrooks to see something of her true self.
The crystal lamps cast gentle light as Clara helped arrange her attire—quality befitting a successful merchant but without noble ostentation. "Young miss," she said softly, her water magic creating soothing patterns in the evening air, "the Silverbrooks are known for valuing character over connections. Sir Adrian's mother particularly."
"Lady Silverbrook," Celestia murmured, recalling information Clara had gathered about the marquess family. "Former temple healer who married for love rather than advantage."
"The knight's mother sees true hearts," came the creatures' distant whisper, their shadows briefly visible against the evening sky before disappearing again. "Vessel cannot hide light from those who truly see."
Adrian arrived as sunset painted the capital's crystal spires in shades of amber and gold. His temple knight uniform had been replaced with the formal attire of House Silverbrook—silver and blue that somehow echoed Crawford Enterprise's corporate colors. The crystal formations seemed to sing with recognition as siblings stood together, two lives' worth of understanding passing between them.
"Ready?" he asked, offering his arm with the same protective gesture Alex had always used before particularly challenging board meetings.
Celestia took a steadying breath, feeling Elizabeth Crawford's confidence merge with her current life's hard-won strength. The crystal lamps caught her determined expression as she accepted her brother's arm.
"Ready," she confirmed, stepping toward a future neither of them could have imagined in either life—one where family might actually mean safety rather than strategy.
Behind them, the crystal formations pulsed with protective light, standing guard over The Rising Phoenix until its owner's return. Somewhere in the evening shadows, creatures watched and whispered, their warnings lost in the gentle sound of siblings walking together toward something neither had truly experienced before:
The possibility of a family built on love rather than obligation.