A Silent Vow

The streets of Tombuza stretched wide under the soft glow of the evening lanterns. The sky, once painted in hues of orange, now deepened into an indigo veil, speckled with the first signs of starlight. The cool breeze carried with it the faint scent of damp stone and distant chimney smoke, wrapping the quiet town in a gentle embrace.

Arden walked with his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze settled forward in quiet ease. Beside him, Astrea held onto Meriellie's tiny hand as the little girl hummed a tune, her golden eyes flickering with curiosity as she swayed her head side to side.

At her other side, Aron dragged his feet slightly, sighing dramatically. "You guys don't have to walk me home, you know," he muttered.

Astrea smirked. "Yeah, but then you will just get lost again."

Aron shot her a glare. "That happened once—"

"Twice," Arden corrected, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Aron groaned under his breath as they turned the last corner, his house finally coming into view. The mansion stood tall against the deepening sky, its white stone walls and dark wooden accents catching the glow of the street lanterns. The place had an air of quiet dignity—not absurdly grand, but definitely bigger than any home they had ever set foot in.

Meriellie, who had been swinging Astrea's hand absentmindedly, suddenly gasped. Her tiny fingers tightened around Astrea's as her golden eyes went round. "Big," she whispered, awestruck.

Astrea blinked at her reaction before glancing at Arden.

…She had seen that exact look before. It was when they first went to his house to leave him off two years ago.

"Is… is this a castle?"

Arden had whispered it like a secret, squinting up at the grand structure before them.

Astrea had been gripping the hem of her sleeve, equally entranced. The way the lanterns flickered through the towering windows, the perfectly carved pillars, the polished gate—this was nothing like the small, creaky houses they knew.

She gulped. "Maybe… maybe he's actually royalty."

Arden's expression darkened in thought. "Then that means he outranks us."

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

Arden placed a hand on her shoulder, his tone grave. "We'll have to take him down one day."

"Agreed."

While all this was happening young Aron didn't notice it but Kai did

A shiver ran down Kai's spine.

Standing behind them, he watched in growing horror as the two small children stared at the mansion like it was a fortress they were meant to overthrow. His face twitched, sweat forming on his temple as he forced out a nervous chuckle.

"Hey, hey… you're joking, right?"

Neither of them answered. Their expressions remained disturbingly serious.

Kai swallowed hard.

Arden pushed that memory aside as the gate to Aron's home creaked open.

A man stepped out from the entrance of the mansion, his posture straight, his eyes calm.

Tall and broad-shouldered, he carried himself with an air of quiet refinement. His dark brown hair was neatly combed back, and though his face bore the sharpness of age, his hazel eyes held a warmth that softened his features. His sleeves were slightly rolled up, suggesting he had just finished a long day.

Edric Valen. Aron's father.

His gaze settled on them, his expression warm yet measured. "You've returned."

Arden gave a casual nod. "Dropped him off in one piece, as usual."

Edric exhaled through his nose, a small smirk forming. "That's more than I can say for most days."

Aron groaned. "Why is everyone making me sound like some walking disaster?"

Edric chuckled but didn't deny it. Instead, he studied the two standing before him, his gaze lingering. "You know, The Valen name isn't exactly… welcomed by everyone," he admitted.

 Astrea and Arden simply tilted their heads.

"Before you two came along, many of the kids around here wouldn't go near him. Their parents thought—" He hesitated before exhaling. "Let's just say my position doesn't make for the friendliest connections."

Arden and Astrea exchanged glances. They hadn't really noticed before, but now that they thought about it… there had been plenty of times people whispered when Edric passed by.

A government official, involved in affairs that most common folk distrusted. A man who worked too close to those in power. That was enough reason for many to keep their distance.

Arden crossed his arms. "That's dumb."

Edric blinked before chuckling. "Perhaps." He ruffled Aron's hair. "Either way, I'm grateful he has you two."

Aron's face burned red as he swatted his father's hand away. "Dad! Enough!"

Astrea laughed. "Aww, he's blushing."

Aron groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You guys are the worst."

Edric merely smiled as Arden and Astrea bid him farewell, taking Meriellie's hand once more as they turned to leave.

The walk back was peaceful. The soft rustling of leaves accompanied their footsteps, and the lantern-lit streets glowed faintly under the deepening sky.

Then, Meriellie suddenly gasped.

"Look! Look!" she squealed, pointing at the air around them.

Fireflies.

The fireflies danced around them, their soft golden glows pulsing like tiny heartbeats. They floated lazily through the air, some landing briefly on the tips of grass before taking off again. One, in particular, landed delicately on Meriellie's nose.

The little girl gasped, her eyes crossing as she tried to look at it. "Waaah!" she squealed in delight, standing completely still. "It's on me! Look, look!"

Astrea crouched slightly, peering at her. "Ooooh, a firefly princess."

Meriellie giggled. "I'm a princess?"

Arden smirked. "Guess that means we have to bow now."

He and Astrea exchanged glances before dramatically kneeling on one knee, lowering their heads. "Your Highness," they said in unison.

Meriellie clapped her hands, beaming. But the moment she moved, the firefly took off, its glow blending into the others.

She gasped again, spinning on her heel. "Nooo, come back, little glowy!" She ran after it, her tiny legs stumbling slightly.

Astrea chuckled. "You're never catching one like that."

Meriellie puffed her cheeks. "I can!"

Arden and Astrea paused, watching her stumble through the path, barely managing to keep up with the slow-floating insects.

Astrea smirked. "She's gonna trip."

"Three seconds," Arden guessed.

One.

Two.

Meriellie lunged for a firefly—only for her foot to catch on a loose stone.

"Eep!"

She toppled forward, landing flat on the ground.

Arden sighed. "Called it."

Astrea snorted before crouching down. "You okay, Meri?"

Meriellie pushed herself up, dirt smeared on her cheeks, her lips pressed together in a pout. Then, she suddenly giggled, golden eyes shining with excitement. "Again!"

Astrea sighed. "Seriously Meri…"

Despite their words, neither of them stopped her.

Meriellie's energy seemed endless as she continued chasing the fireflies, her tiny legs carrying her in circles, arms flailing as she tried—and failed—to catch even one. Every time she stumbled, she giggled, pushing herself up again with determination.

But as time passed, her steps grew slower, her excited squeals quieter. Eventually, she came to a stop, wobbling slightly on her feet before rubbing her eyes with her small fists.

Astrea noticed first, stepping toward her with a knowing smirk. "Getting sleepy, princess?"

Meriellie pouted, shaking her head—only for her knees to buckle slightly. Arden quickly caught her before she could fall.

"Sure you're not tired?" he teased, adjusting his grip as she leaned against him, her tiny hands gripping his sleeve.

Meriellie mumbled something incoherent, pressing her face into his shoulder.

Astrea sighed. "I'll take her."

Before Arden could protest, Astrea crouched, scooping Meriellie up with surprising ease and resting the small girl against her hip.

They barely made it five steps before Meriellie let out a soft whimper and wriggled uncomfortably.

"Ugh, she's so squirmy," Astrea muttered, adjusting her hold.

Arden raised a brow. "I warned you."

Astrea shot him a look before sighing. "Fine. You take her then."

She moved to pass Meriellie over, but the little girl suddenly stretched her arms toward Arden without even opening her eyes.

Arden blinked. "Huh. Guess she likes me more."

Astrea huffed. "Shut up."

Still, she didn't argue as Arden took Meriellie into his arms. Almost immediately, the little girl snuggled closer, her breathing slow and steady.

For a moment, Astrea just watched, a strange expression flickering across her face. Then, with a quiet sigh, she moved closer and took some of Meriellie's weight, letting her rest partially against her as well.

Arden glanced at her but said nothing. They walked together through the quiet evening, the fireflies still drifting lazily around them.

That same day a while after Astrea and Arden had left with Aron while Arden taking Meriellie with him.

The warm afternoon sun bathed the estate in a golden glow, casting long, stretching shadows over the stone paths and swaying trees. The pond reflected the sky's pale blue, its surface disturbed only by the occasional ripple from drifting ducks. The air carried the faint scent of damp earth, tea leaves, and ripe fruit, a quiet reminder of the passing seasons.

A calm stillness filled the courtyard where a small group had gathered, each lost in their own tasks, their own world.

Willenstein sat by the pond, one leg drawn up, the other stretched out as he lazily skimmed stones across the water. He watched the ducks drift in slow circles, his red eyes half-lidded, lost in thought. His movements were casual, as if he had all the time in the world, as if nothing could truly rouse him from his current state of comfortable detachment.

Not far from him, Heath sat at a wooden table, an old newspaper in his hands. He wasn't particularly focused on it, but his eyes skimmed the lines idly, his mind elsewhere. He held the paper like a habit rather than an interest, occasionally flipping a page only to pause and stare at the same article for minutes at a time.

Rhena sat nearby, the soft clinking of knitting needles filling the space between them. Her fingers moved with practiced ease, the fabric growing stitch by stitch. A steaming cup of tea rested beside her, untouched but radiating warmth. She barely reacted to the muted conversation around her, her expression as unreadable as ever

She was Kai's mother with heath being his father.

Lia, ever watchful, sat nearby with a delicate cup in hand, occasionally taking small, measured sips. Her presence was effortless, light as a shadow, but her sharp gaze missed nothing. She was calm but always alert.

A little ways off, Alexia moved with unhurried grace, her fingers plucking ripe berries from the bushes, slipping them into a woven basket. The deep reds and purples contrasted against the dull brown of the wood, the colours rich under the golden light.

And leaning against the stone wall of the main estate, arms crossed, was Silas.

He had just arrived back from Heista

His gaze drifted over the group, calculating yet calm. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice smooth, measured, carrying the weight of something heavier than casual conversation.

"You remember what today is, don't you, Will?"

Will barely reacted at first, his gaze still fixed on the pond. His response was slow, drawn out, as if he had all the time in the world.

"What are you talking about?"

"They are visiting tonight." Silas says realising that Will clearly forgot.

"I did everything I can to avoid it by keeping them in Heista for such a long time, but now it's that day"

The shift in Will was immediate.

Gone was the lazy posture. His back straightened, his gaze snapped to Silas, and his casual demeanor melted away in an instant. His body tensed—not in fear, but in sharp alertness.

"...Wait." His voice was quieter this time, his mind catching up. "You mean them?"

Silas sighed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. How can you forget something so important?"

Will let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair before exhaling sharply.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, damn it? That's gonna be a headache."

A soft chuckle broke the tension.

Heath, still seated, folded the newspaper, setting it aside. His voice was calm, almost amused.

"That's about what I expected from you," he mused.

Lia placed her tea down gently, her expression unchanging. "We have to be on guard around them."

Rhena finally spoke, her voice even. "Yes. We can't take them lightly. They're quite stubborn."

Heath stretched slightly, his tone carrying an air of casual disdain. "And some big fools too."

Alexia, who had been silent until now, straightened from her position near the berry bushes. She brushed her fingers against the edge of her basket before speaking, her tone as smooth as ever.

"Fools they may be," she said lightly, "but even fools can be dangerous when they refuse to back down."

A weight settled in the air. The afternoon sun remained warm, the breeze still gentle, but the presence of something unspoken loomed between them.

Will sighed, glancing up at the sky. His fingers flexed slightly at his sides before he let out a slow, resigned exhale.

"Well, whatever," he muttered. "It's not like our answer will change anyway."

The pond remained still. The ducks continued their slow drift across the water. The sun dipped lower.

The sky had deepened into soft hues of orange and violet, the gentle transition from afternoon to dusk washing over the estate. Behind the house, in Willenstein's backyard, the scent of burning paper lingered in the cooling air.

A small fire crackled within a stone pit, consuming stacks of old documents, their edges curling and blackening before turning into ash.

Standing beside the flames, Silas stared at the burning papers with an expression of despair. His golden eyes widened slightly, his fingers twitching at his sides as though resisting the urge to reach in and save them.

"All these years of work," he muttered, voice hollow. "Going into the fire."

Will watched him with mild amusement, arms crossed over his chest, while Heath, trying to lift his spirits.

"It's all for the greater good," he said, folding his arms. "You know we can't let them have these."

Lia, standing nearby, nodded as she tossed another handful of papers into the flames. "And we have no use for them anymore either."

Rhena looks at the flames for a while, then let out a quiet exhale, her voice edged with distaste. "I hate how desperate these people are."

Will sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can't do anything about that. We just have to deal with them somehow."

Alexia, who had also been watching the flames dance, shaking her head said. "We don't know what exactly they are after ,but one thing's for sure that is they ain't getting it"

Everyone nodded in agreement, the fire crackling in response as if sealing their unspoken resolve.

Just then, a faint rustling came from the path leading to the backyard.

The adults turned to see two small figures approaching, moving carefully through the dimming light.

Arden and Astrea had returned—both of them walking in sync, balancing the weight of the sleeping Meriellie between them. Astrea had her arms hooked under Meri's shoulders, while Arden supported her legs. The little girl's face was peaceful, her small hands loosely curled.

The sight was amusing, if not a little impressive, given that the two children were only eight years old.

"Well, well," Willenstein mused, stepping forward slightly. "Look at you two. Carrying her all the way back, huh?"

Arden huffed, adjusting his grip. "She was tired and fell asleep, thought we shouldn't wake her up"

Astrea gave a small nod, her expression calm, though a flicker of warmth crossed her features as she spotted her father among the group. She was glad to see him.

Lia stepped forward and smoothly took Meriellie from them giving them a smile, her movements precise yet gentle.

"I'll put her on a proper bed," she said, glancing at the two. "Good job getting her back safely."

Arden shrugged. "Wasn't that hard."

Astrea, brushing her hands off, looked up at the gathered adults. "What are you all doing?"

Silas let out a half-hearted sigh, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "Oh, nothing much," he said, casting a final glance at the burning documents. "Just getting rid of the past."

Willenstein, not missing a beat, leaned down slightly toward Arden. "So, how was your trip?"

Arden gave him a flat look. "Long."

Will chuckled. "Sounds about right."

Heath observed quietly, his eyes following the way Astrea occasionally glanced toward her father, a softer glimmer in her expression that she tried to hide.

Rhena, meanwhile, watched the children with her usual quiet contemplation, though there was something fond in the way she observed them.

After a moment, Silas straightened, brushing off his coat. "Alright, you two," he said, looking at Astrea and Arden, "you should head back. It's getting late."

Astrea frowned slightly. "Why? We can still stay."

Lia returned from settling Meriellie down and gave them a pointed look. "You need proper sleep, Astrea. And that includes Meri."

Silas gave a nod to Lia, his tone lighter this time. "Make sure they sleep,I will send u the message once they arrive but for now, you should rest."

Willenstein smirked slightly and said to the kids. "Consider it a command from the great and mighty adults."

Arden rolled his eyes. "Right."

Astrea hesitated for a brief moment before sighing. "Fine."

Her father gave her a small pat on the head as she passed by, a simple but meaningful gesture.

"Go on, then," he said quietly.

Lia took Astrea and took her back now.

Astrea didn't say anything, but she lingered for just a second before turning away.

As they walked back, however, a flicker of realization crossed her mind.

She had caught part of their conversation.