The sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the Everhart gardens in hues of gold and rose. Neither Adrian nor Isabella spoke as they walked, side by side, their silence threaded with a quiet understanding.
The faint brush of her sleeve against his arm, the warmth radiating between them — it all carried an unspoken weight that words would have only ruined.
Every so often, Isabella's gaze wandered to him. The light caught his profile just right — sharp yet calm, like a man born for both battle and peace.
She felt a strange flutter in her chest, one that refused to fade even as she tried to steady her breath. His fingers brushed hers for just a heartbeat, but the contact was enough to leave her pulse unsteady.
They turned a corner in the path, where the gentle rustle of wind through the trees was joined by the sound of soft footsteps ahead.
A familiar figure waited near the courtyard archway — Lira. Her expression brightened the instant she saw Adrian, but a flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes when she noticed Isabella beside him.
"Adrian," she greeted, her tone warm but carrying that faint, teasing lilt that was uniquely hers. She looked relaxed, her earlier outing evident from the faint flush on her cheeks and the loose way her hair framed her face. "You're just in time — I was wondering if I'd bump into you before dinner."
Adrian's stride slowed. For a moment, the golden light framed the three of them — Isabella's poised calm, Lira's easy brightness, and Adrian caught between them.
Isabella stepped slightly aside, offering a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. The moment was brief but delicate — a balance of warmth and unspoken curiosity.
Lira's smile softened as she stopped before them, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Did you have fun?" Adrian asked, his voice calm and familiar, carrying the warmth that always seemed to draw her closer. "With Sophia, Eve, and Christine, I mean."
Lira's lips curved into a small, genuine grin. "I did. It was quite fun, actually," she said, a faint laugh slipping through. "They're all so different, but somehow, it just works. I'm glad… after getting engaged to you, I'll be living here. Spending more time with them—it already feels like home."
There was a brief pause. Isabella smiled faintly beside Adrian, hiding the quiet amusement that tugged at her lips. The way Lira said it—bright, hopeful—carried the same warmth that once defined her early days at Everhart Manor.
"That's good to hear," Adrian replied, his tone light, though there was a softness in his eyes that didn't go unnoticed. "Everyone's been looking forward to having you around more."
"I figured as much," Lira said teasingly, arching a brow. "Anyway, we'll talk later, alright? I just heard my sister has arrived. I imagine she has plenty to tell me." The sarcastic edge in her voice made Isabella stifle a quiet chuckle, while Adrian simply sighed in quiet amusement.
"Don't keep her waiting," he said.
"Oh, I won't." Lira gave them a graceful nod, her skirt swaying as she turned away. "Enjoy your walk, you two."
They watched her go, her steps light as she disappeared down the hall toward the manor's west wing. For a brief moment, the air grew still again—peaceful, if only fleetingly so.
Adrian and Isabella resumed walking, the quiet rhythm of their steps echoing softly against the marble floor. The afternoon sun filtering through the tall windows cast patterned shadows along the corridor, bathing them in a warm, tranquil glow. Isabella looked up at him, a small, knowing smile lingering on her lips. "She's fitting in well," she murmured.
Adrian nodded. "She deserves a bit of peace. They all do."
Before Isabella could reply, a familiar burst of energy broke the calm—followed by a cheerful giggle.
"Papa!"
Little Aria came running around the corner, her short dark hair bouncing with every step. Behind her, Sophia and Eve followed, both wearing faint smiles that hinted at exhaustion from chasing her through the halls.
Adrian barely had time to brace himself before the tiny girl launched into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, lifting her up with a low laugh that melted the moment's stillness into something brighter.
"There you are," he said, his voice softening. "Running around again?"
Aria beamed, wrapping her small arms around his neck. "Sophia said we were playing explorers! I found the big window first!" she announced proudly, puffing her chest out.
"Did you now?" Adrian said, feigning surprise. "That's impressive, little explorer."
Sophia crossed her arms with a smirk. "She's quicker than she looks. Nearly outran me, and that's saying something."
Eve chuckled beside her, tucking a loose strand of silver hair behind her ear. "She's definitely yours, Adrian. The moment she decides she wants something, she won't stop until she gets it."
That earned a round of soft laughter from them all. Aria looked up at Eve with a puzzled tilt of her head. "That's a good thing, right?"
Eve smiled. "Definitely a good thing."
Adrian brushed his hand through Aria's hair, his expression tender. The fondness in his gaze was unmistakable—something pure and quietly fierce. Isabella watched silently, her eyes softening at the sight. Even Sophia's teasing grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of gentle reflection.
"He's so doting," Sophia murmured under her breath. "Sometimes I wonder if she's stealing all his love."
Eve chuckled quietly. "Maybe she already has."
Isabella glanced at them both with a wry smile. "You say that as if you mind."
"Of course not," Sophia replied, smiling faintly as she watched Adrian laugh with Aria. "It's just… seeing him like this makes it hard not to fall for him all over again."
Eve nodded in quiet agreement. "It's strange, isn't it? We've seen him in battle, leading armies, facing monsters—and yet, this is when he feels most untouchable."
Adrian turned then, catching their gazes as Aria leaned her head on his shoulder, half-asleep from all her running. The sunlight framed him, the small child in his arms, and the faint, almost wistful smiles on the women around him.
For a heartbeat, the manor felt like a sanctuary—a place not of politics or power, but of fleeting, precious peace.
And as the laughter faded into quiet warmth, even Isabella couldn't help but think—perhaps this, right here, was what made it worth to be alive.