★50
ASTERI'S POV
"The portal restrictions are off."
I said softly, letting the words carry a sense of reassurance.
"But the bracelet's effects remain. You're safe, for now."
"O… okay."
Towa murmured, her voice carrying a mixture of relief and hesitation. Her gaze flickered toward mine, searching for some hint of what I was about to do next.
"Once I've sorted out the demons. I'll send some to your place. Extra security. You won't have to worry about anyone troubling you or your people."
Her eyes widened slightly, the weight of my words sinking in.
For a moment, she didn't speak, just looked at me with a mix of admiration and uncertainty. Finally, she whispered.
"You've been helping me and my people ever since. How can I ever repay you?"
I tilted my head slightly, allowing a small, knowing smile to form.
"I'll tell you when the time comes. Don't hate me for what I'll say."
Her brow furrowed, confusion and concern mixing in her expression.
"What? What are you going to say?"
I held her gaze firmly.
"Time. Patience. We wait for the right moment. I'll let you know when it's time. That's all you need for now."
A sigh escaped her, and her shoulders slumped slightly, the tension easing, but her curiosity remained. It was as if she wanted to probe further, to know exactly what I meant, but she held back.
"Don't be sad."
Hinata's voice interjected gently, stepping forward to join us. She had noticed Towa's downcast mood.
"That's just how he is. You don't need to worry. Everything will be fine."
<
Enta's voice echoed in my mind, full of excitement, yet I ignored it. I wasn't ready to deal with him at the moment.
"And I'll bet you that whatever he wants to say won't have any negative impact on you." Hinata added reassuringly, placing a comforting hand on Towa's shoulder.
Towa nodded, forcing a small, nervous smile. "O… okay. Hinamatsuri, I'll be ready for his surprise."
I gave a small nod, acknowledging her resolve. "If you'll excuse me, Your Highness, we have to go."
"You still won't listen."
I muttered under my breath, shaking my head slightly.
"Eto-san, if you're ready, let's go."
She said, turning her attention elsewhere.
"Hey, don't call him that."
I added sharply.
"He's just a stupid package that does what you say, even if he's busy at the moment."
Eto's sharp response echoed immediately: "Master is right, my Lady. I am always ready whenever you are."
The tension eased slightly as Towa allowed herself to relax, the sense of anticipation giving way to quiet excitement.
"It was a great pleasure to dine with you all."
I said warmly, turning my gaze back to Towa. "This night won't be forgotten as long as I live."
Her eyes shone with a mixture of gratitude and wonder.
"The best night is yet to come."
I added cryptically, letting my words hang in the air like a promise.
"I'll make today seem insignificant compared to what's next."
Caught off guard by my sudden and enigmatic words, Towa and Hinamatsuri exchanged glances, momentarily confused and speechless.
"It's not important, but don't forget what I promised you."
I reassured, smiling warmly.
Towa's eyes softened as she cupped her hand over her heart.
"I… I'll never forget those precious words."
She whispered before leaving.
Hinata, standing close to my side, glanced at Towa curiously.
<
She wondered silently, a mixture of jealousy and curiosity flickering across her expression.
I noticed her unease and smiled knowingly. "Hinata?"
Startled, she blinked and turned her gaze toward me.
"Are you okay?"
I asked gently.
"Yes… I'm just a bit tired. Goodnight, Asteri." She murmured.
"Un… what about our little talk?"
She leaned forward, whispering softly into my ear.
"I'm sure it can wait."
She replied with a gentle smile.
"I'll be the one to wake you and remind you. So, please, rest for now."
With that, she turned and walked toward Issei, who was patiently waiting for her, leaving a faint warmth lingering in the air between us.
<>
I couldn't help but grin, a quiet, satisfied smirk forming across my face.
"My Lord, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Queen of the Land. How are you doing?"
I asked, letting the words flow gently, my smile warm, calm, and radiant, the kind that carried both comfort and subtle confidence.
Elfaria's reaction was immediate. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she instinctively brought her hands up, covering part of her face.
The combination of my tone, presence, and the quiet strength in my gaze had left her utterly unprepared. She was caught between awe and embarrassment, her composure unraveling in a flurry of stolen breaths.
"F… forgive me, my Lord. Please… excuse me," She stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and fled, leaving a trail of fluttering skirts and a faint scent of lavender. I couldn't help but sigh, a mix of amusement and quiet exasperation threading through my thoughts.
Ramiris, hovering nearby, grinned knowingly, her teasing gaze fixed on me.
"You are so charming… no one can resist you. Even Elfaria felt that."
She said, her tone laced with playful mockery, yet impossible to dispute.
I let a small, almost imperceptible smirk curl at the corner of my lips.
"Teasing me again, right?"
"Nope. It's just the plain truth."
Ramiris replied, shrugging lightly.
I turned my gaze to the dark, starry sky above, the vastness reflecting in my golden eyes. The stars twinkled faintly, like distant watchers of our world, serene yet indifferent.
The moment lingered, a gentle mix of humour, subtle pride, and the quiet understanding of how even small interactions could ripple through those around me.
For a fleeting second, the world felt calm, suspended, as if the night itself held its breath, acknowledging the charm, power, and presence that had quietly stirred the hearts of those near me.
"Beautiful isn't it?"
"Of course."
"What do you see when you look at the sky?"
I asked again.
"Whatever I want to see. Though it has limits."
"Hmm. To me, or rather to us, serenity works better."
I murmured, my voice calm yet carrying an unspoken depth.
"Every time I want to feel peace without emotions, I gaze deep into the starry abyss."
Her eyes followed mine, curiosity mixing with awe as she listened. Then, a playful glint sparked in my own eyes.
"Hey, wanna see something cool?"
She didn't hesitate her small hand slipped into mine, trust clear in her grip. With a subtle motion, reality itself seemed to fold around us. In an instant, we were floating in the void of space, weightless, suspended between galaxies, nebulae, and distant celestial bodies swirling in slow, graceful orbits.
"How about now?"
I asked, letting my gaze sweep across the expanse.
Her face was illuminated by starlight, awe and wonder dancing across her features. She didn't panic at the instantaneous transition, but her eyes widened as if absorbing the infinite beauty surrounding us.
The cosmos stretched endlessly, with colours shifting subtly, from deep violets and midnight blues to the soft glow of distant suns.
I pointed my finger toward a cluster of stars in the distance, though space lacked any real direction.
"See that? Those aren't just stars. That cluster holds the energy of a billion worlds. Almost identical to Paradis."
She tilted her head, mesmerised.
"It's… beautiful. I never imagined… something so vast could feel… so calm."
I let a soft smile tug at my lips.
"Serenity isn't just quiet or empty, Ramiris. It's knowing that even in a universe this vast and incomprehensible, we can find a single moment to simply exist, together."
Around us, stars glimmered like scattered diamonds, the silent hum of the cosmos filling the void. It was a moment of absolute stillness, one that transcended words, leaving only the faint echo of wonder and connection. That's the peace Antares feels.
"That's where I came from. I don't know how many years it took me but it seems instant and eternity at the same time."
Ramiris was silent all she did was look at me.
"Come on say something."
"What can I say? This is magnificent."
"I don't know what expression you'll make once you visit the Star Realm."
"Is it better than this?"
"It's so stunning I couldn't make a perfect copy of it. One of my worlds has the best background that slightly resembles the Star Realm."
"Can you take me there? Now?"
She asked, eager to see for herself.
"It's late... you need to sleep. Maybe another time."
<
"I don't sleep, you know "
"Get some rest then."
"I don't need that either, my magicule helps me recover."
The moment she blinked her eye, she was in her labyrinth and I was halfway inside a portal I summoned.
"See you later, Lady Ramiris."
"Wa..at why did you bring me back?"
Her voice echoed through the labyrinth but I was long gone.
THIRD POV
In Star Island, Elfaria retreated to her chambers the moment she parted from Asteri. The door barely closed behind her before she rushed to her bed, face burning, breath uneven.
She collapsed onto the sheets, burying half her face into a pillow as if that alone could cool the heat rising within her.
<
Her thoughts spiralled, replaying the moment over and over again.
She had stood beside him countless times, spoken with him, yet that brief exchange, his smile, unguarded and gentle, the warmth in his voice meant only for her, felt different. Unfamiliar. Dangerous.
<
Her fingers trembled as she pressed a hand to her chest.
"M… my heart is beating fast…"
She whispered, eyes wide as she focused on the sensation.
"Faster than usual…"
Each beat felt heavy, loud, impossible to ignore.
"Is… is this love?"
The word alone sent a wave of embarrassment crashing through her.
With a small, helpless sound, she let herself fall backwards onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as shame and confusion tangled together. She turned her face away, cheeks burning even in the solitude of her room.
Elsewhere, Hinamatsuri sat awake in her own chambers, the room quiet save for the slow, steady breathing of Issei, already asleep beside her. The calm should have soothed her, yet her thoughts refused to settle.
Her gaze drifted to the ceiling, unfocused.
<>
The thought surfaced instinctively, sharp and possessive before she could stop it.
<
Her fingers curled into the sheets.
<
The moment the words formed, her body stiffened. Her breath caught, and she clutched her head as if struck.
"…Wait, what am I saying?"
She whispered, shaken.
Her heart pounded, not with excitement, but with alarm.
"This isn't who I am…"
She murmured, forcing herself to breathe.
"I love Asteri, but… I don't have the right to choose for him."
The possessive heat slowly cooled, replaced by something steadier.
"…But one thing's for sure."
he said softly, eyes narrowing with quiet determination.
"I'll be the first. No matter what it costs."
A small voice broke the silence.
"Mama… what are you talking about?"
She flinched, turning sharply to see Issei stirring, his sleepy eyes half-open. The intensity vanished from her face instantly, replaced by warmth and calm.
"Oh, sorry, baby."
She said gently, brushing his hair back.
"I just remembered something."
She lay down beside him, pulling him closer.
"Go back to sleep, okay?"
Issei mumbled something incoherent and settled against her, breathing evening out once more. Hinamatsuri closed her eyes, holding him close, her thoughts finally slowing, but not disappearing.
In the quiet darkness, two hearts wrestled with emotions neither had planned to face, each unaware of the other's turmoil, yet bound by the same presence at the centre of it all.
To be continued...