Aria's world tilted beneath her feet. She clenched her fists, her voice trembling with rage.
"I will not accept this, Father!" she growled, her words laced with defiance.
Helios exhaled slowly, bracing himself for the inevitable storm.
"Calm yourself, sweetling. At least listen." His voice was firm but coaxing.
"How can I?" Aria's eyes burned with disbelief. "How can I stay calm when you're telling me I am to be married?"
Helios remained silent, his patience already wearing thin.
"Married? To him?" she spat the words as if they were poison.
"Aria, this decision was not made lightly."
Her laughter was hollow, bitter.
"You sent Luciana away—to the demons—claiming it was for my protection. She sacrificed herself without protest. But I am not Luciana, Father. You cannot dictate my fate as you did hers!"
Helios' jaw tightened. Aria's stubbornness was expected, but the weight of his responsibilities left no room for indulgence. He sighed, rubbing his forehead as if the gesture could ease his weariness.
The night before Rudolf had paid to his study while he sat reading the documents.
"The nobles have begun pressing the Parliament, Helios," Rudolf interjected from across the study. "They demand you take a noble wife and produce an heir."
Helios scoffed. "No matter their demands, I will not allow them to taint the Imperial Family's dignity. I have already sacrificed Luciana upon their insistence, and now..." He trailed off, closing his eyes. "...I may have lost her forever."
A moment of silence fell between them before Rudolf finally spoke again, hesitantly tapping his fingers on the polished wooden desk.
"There is one way to settle this unrest," he murmured.
Helios eyed him warily. "And what would that be?"
Rudolf hesitated before uttering the fateful words.
"Marry Aria to Octavius."
Helios' expression darkened. "You dare suggest this twice?"
Rudolf met his gaze, unflinching. "You and I both know why you sent Luciana instead of Aria. The nobles' request for a princess was a mistake—an unjust demand—but it was a necessity."
"A mistake?" Helios' voice was dangerously low. "Then sending my Luciana to that wretched place was the right choice?"
"Which is exactly why you shouldn't repeat it with Aria," Rudolf countered. "The Empire remains vulnerable. No matter how powerful our forces, our enemies are always a step ahead."
Helios' fury blazed anew. "Then let them come! We will stand against them a thousand times over!"
"And will you risk the Empire's future for pride?"
The words struck a nerve. Helios inhaled sharply and sat down, his fingers tightening into fists.
"Marrying Aria to Octavius, aligning Melody with my sons—it would fortify our alliances," Rudolf pressed. "And when Avlynn comes of age, I would not be opposed to arranging her betrothal to my youngest. They are of similar age, after all."
Helios raised a hand, silencing him. His voice was weary but resolute.
"I will consider it."
Rudolf placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I know how much they mean to you. They are like daughters to me as well. But in times like these, we cannot afford sentimentality."
Helios did not respond, merely staring at the papers strewn across his desk.
Suddenly, he slammed his palms down, startling Aria.
"You are to wed Octavius. That is an order from your King."
Aria's breath hitched. For a fleeting moment, she remained motionless, unable to process the weight of his decree. Then, in a blur of golden light, she took flight, vanishing through the window.
Helios exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples.
"Odite... Luciana, what am I to do with these girls?"
---
The White Cosmos Garden
The scent of moonflowers drifted through the southern gardens, the air thick with twilight's serenity. Amidst the blossoms, two figures flitted through the sky, their laughter carrying through the night.
"Guess who?"
A bird, shimmering like liquid gold entwined with water, circled Melody and Avlynn before darting between them.
"Look, Melody! A golden-water bird!" Avlynn squealed in delight, taking flight to chase it.
"Avlynn, don't!" Melody called after her, but her warning was ignored.
The bird vanished mid-air. In its place, a young man descended gracefully from the sky, his sky-blue hair catching the sunlight.
"Lord Cornelius!" Avlynn chimed gleefully as she flung herself at him.
Cornelius caught her with ease, laughing. "Long time no see, princesses." He ruffled Avlynn's hair before setting her down.
Melody, watching from a few feet away, folded her arms. "What brings you here, Brother Cornelius?"
"His Majesty summoned me." He glanced around. "Where is Her Highness, Aria?"
Melody smirked. "Why? Do you miss her?"
Cornelius hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I—I suppose that wouldn't be a lie."
Avlynn giggled. "Brother Cornelius loves Sister Aria!"
Before he could respond, the playful atmosphere faded. Avlynn's expression crumbled as she suddenly remembered.
"If Sister Luci were here, she'd have scolded you for calling us 'Your Highnesses'." Her voice wavered. Then, as if the realization fully struck, she broke into quiet sobs.
Melody's gaze fell to the ground. Luciana's absence was an open wound—one that time had yet to mend.
Cornelius, watching them, conjured the blue-gold bird once more. It flitted toward Avlynn, nuzzling her cheek. Her tears slowed, curiosity taking over grief.
"They say the bluebird brings together those who truly love one another," Cornelius murmured. "It's just a legend, but who knows?"
Avlynn sniffled, her eyes wide. "Then... does that mean Sister Luci can come back to us?"
Cornelius knelt before her, brushing away a stray tear. "If you pray and make a wish."
He placed the small, shimmering bird in her hands. Avlynn cradled it as if it held all the hope in the world.
Melody, watching the exchange, smiled faintly. "Thank you, Brother Cornelius."
He stood, offering her a gentle nod. "I wish I could visit more often, like we did when we were younger."
"Then why don't you?" Melody pressed.
Cornelius sighed. "The Alchemist Tower and the Imperial Family are separate entities. They rarely—if ever—intervene in each other's affairs."
"But they still protect one another." Melody countered.
He smiled, albeit ruefully. "That they do. If only people didn't fear alchemy as they once feared dark sorcery..."
He let the thought drift into silence before turning on his heel.
"I should go. The summons will begin soon." He strode toward the palace, offering one last wave. "See you two later!"
The sisters watched him go, the golden and blue bird flickering softly in Avlynn's hands.