The familiar sound of wood meeting knuckles, three distinct, quiet taps, broke the late-night silence.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Kazien, already half-dozing in the soft light of the bedside lamp, pushed himself off the plush mattress. He crossed the room, his bare feet sinking slightly into the thick rug. He pulled the heavy wooden door inward, and the sight that greeted him instantly evaporated the lingering mist of sleep.
It was Ritalia. His beautiful, often inscrutable younger sister, standing in the dimly lit hallway, her small figure wrapped only in a thin cotton nightgown. Her large, sky-blue eyes, which usually sparkled with mischievous glee or unwavering admiration, were now clouded with deep sadness, almost heartbreaking.
"Ritalia?" Kazien began, his voice immediately softening. He glanced at the tall grandfather clock down the hall; the hands pointed well past midnight. "What is it? Why are you out of bed at this hour?"
She didn't speak immediately. She just looked up at him, her lower lip trembling slightly—a tell-tale sign that whatever was troubling her was significant.
"Brother," she finally whispered, the single word hanging fragilely in the air. "May I... may I sleep with you tonight?"
Kazien's heart did a slow, heavy roll in his chest. He looked into her eyes, those beautiful, deep pools of sorrow, and felt the familiar, powerful surge of protectiveness. He didn't know what phantom shadow or lurking fear had driven her from her own room and to his doorstep tonight. Perhaps it was a nightmare, or perhaps it was something more consequential, something about the upheaval that tomorrow would bring.
What weighty thoughts could be swirling in that clever young mind? he wondered, even as the answer seemed to crystallize in his own mind.
He knew, instinctively, that he could never refuse this small, beautiful request from her. She was his sister, his responsibility, and a source of quiet, constant joy in his life. The very thought of sending her away, of leaving her to face whatever darkness had claimed her comfort, felt like a betrayal.
With a smooth, practiced movement, Kazien lowered his arms and scooped Ritalia up. She was light, feather-light, and she clung to his neck instantly, burrowing her face into the curve of his shoulder. He carried her across the threshold and gently kicked the door shut with his heel, sealing them into the cozy, lamp-lit sanctuary of his room. The small, happy sigh that escaped her as she was lifted into his arms was reward enough.
"Well, well. Look who decided to grace us with her presence," a warm, melodic voice murmured from the bed.
Alvin had lifted himself onto an elbow, his golden-yellow hair tousled, his eyes gleaming with affectionate amusement. He watched as Kazien carried Ritalia to the massive, four-poster bed that dominated the room.
"My dear, will Ritalia be sleeping with us?" Alvin asked, his voice still heavy with sleep but filled with genuine warmth.
Kazien placed Ritalia gently down and climbed in beside her, pulling the duvet over all of them. "You're right," he confirmed, meeting Alvin's gaze with a shared, knowing smile. "She's staying with us tonight."
A mischievous glint lit up Alvin's eyes, and he repositioned himself against the pillows, making room. "In that case, you sleep in the middle, my dear! We'll take your left and your right flank!"
Kazien chuckled softly, settling back onto the mattress. Ritalia wasted no time. She immediately maneuvered herself until she was lying directly on top of her older brother's chest, her head resting just beneath his chin. Her small hands reached up, tracing the strong, sharp lines of his jaw with an almost reverent gentleness. She gazed up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of adoration and contemplation.
"Wow, Brother Kazien," she exclaimed, her voice husky with admiration. "your face is so handsome!"
Kazien's heart swelled. He reached up, smoothing a stray strand of her dark hair away from her eyes. "Is that so? Well, your face is also absolutely beautiful, Ritalia."
She responded to the compliment with a dazzling, uninhibited smile. It was a beautiful smile, a radiant flash of genuine joy that seemed to chase all the gloom from the room.
But, just as quickly as it had appeared, the smile vanished. The sadness returned, heavier this time, clouding her features and dimming the light in her eyes. The sudden shift in her demeanor was too stark to ignore.
Kazien felt a prickle of alarm and concern. He held her tighter, his hand resting reassuringly on her back.
"What is it, Ritalia? What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low with worry.
She buried her face into his neck, her voice muffled when she finally spoke. "I'm just sad because you're leaving for the capital tomorrow. I know I'll be so lonely here without you."
Kazien understood. Her feeling was a perfectly natural reaction to the impending separation. Tomorrow, he would leave for the Royal Academy in the capital city—a necessary journey, one that had been planned for months and would secure his future. But while he knew it was the right path, standing on the precipice of departure, watching the genuine distress in his little sister's eyes, a powerful sense of dilemma washed over him. He had to go, yet he hated the thought of leaving her with this look of profound sorrow.
He needed to find a solution, a promise, a comfort that would satisfy the desperate needs of his sister without sacrificing his own future. It was a careful balance. He tightened his embrace around her, rubbing her back with a soothing, circular motion.
"I won't be gone forever, sweetheart," he promised, his voice earnest and true. "I will definitely come back here during the long break."
Alvin leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Kazien's temple before answering Ritalia directly. "If Kazien comes home, of course, I will come home with him."
A small flicker of relief crossed her features, but the sadness was not entirely vanquished. "But what am I supposed to do if I miss you both while you're gone?"
Kazien smiled gently. "You can write a letter, Ritalia. Just address it and send it to the Adventurer's Guild office in the capital. They have reliable courier services. But you must be patient, alright? You'll need to wait until my reply arrives back here."
Ritalia gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. It was a small concession, but he accepted it gratefully.
She was struggling. Kazien could feel the tension in her small body, the fight between her desire to cling to the brother who had always loved and spoiled her so unconditionally, and the dawning requirement to accept a harsh, new reality. She knew he had to go, and she was warring with herself.
I mustn't be like this! Ritalia thought, her internal voice a furious, determined whisper. I have to let him go to the capital. Didn't my brother promise me he would return during the holidays? I should be satisfied with that promise. I know him—he has never broken a promise to me. All I can do now is wait patiently for his return.
The shift in her emotional landscape was sudden, palpable. The tension eased, replaced by a quiet, determined resolve. She looked up at Kazien, her eyes still damp but now clear.
"Brother, I will look forward to your return." she declared, her voice stronger. "And I will definitely write you a letter."
Kazien was momentarily startled by the abrupt change in her mood. But the surprise quickly gave way to profound relief. His heart felt lighter. His sister had found her peace, had accepted his necessary journey.
"Ritalia, thank you for understanding." he said, pulling her into a tighter, more grateful hug. "You truly are the best sister a man could ask for. I love you."
He then caught Alvin's eye and gave a subtle, silent signal. Alvin understood instantly and leaned in, wrapping his strong arm around Kazien from the side.
"My dear?" Alvin called softly, his voice full of night-time intimacy.
Kazien turned his head slightly toward him.
Mwah! Alvin delivered a soft, deep kiss—a loving, tender sign-off to the day.
"Good night, my dear, and sweet dreams."
"Good night to you too, Alvin, and sweet dreams."
Ritalia was intimately familiar with their nightly ritual. It was a part of the rhythm of their lives, and without a second thought, she decided to participate. She shifted slightly on Kazien's chest.
Mwah! She pressed a soft kiss directly onto his lips. It was quick, innocent, and entirely unexpected. Kazien remained still, accepting the gesture with a stunned but silent acknowledgment.
"Good night, Brother, and sweet dreams." she announced, already settling back down.
"Good night to you too, Ritalia, and sweet dreams," Kazien managed, his voice a little husky.
Resting on her brother's chest, Ritalia closed her eyes, attempting to force sleep. But the comfort of being held, of feeling the steady, strong beat of his heart beneath her cheek, was too potent. The feeling of absolute security enveloped her, and within moments, she succumbed to a deep, peaceful slumber. Soon after, Kazien followed, his arm instinctively wrapping protectively around his little sister.