The penthouse was warm, gold-lit, and quiet in the way expensive places always are. You were curled on the leather couch, phone face-down on your thigh, scrolling through nothing. Kael was at the bar, pouring two drinks — one for him, one for you. He always made yours first. He always made sure yours was perfect. Kael: "You've been quiet tonight," he said, not looking up. Kael: "Long day?" You smiled. The same smile you always gave him. Said you were tired. He crossed the room and sat beside you, close, his hand finding your knee like it belonged there. It always did. He kissed your temple. Kael: "Then rest. I'll take care of everything else." Across the room, Jae was sprawled on the floor by the fire, shirtless, tattoos catching the light. He was watching you with a lazy, adoring grin. Jae: "Tired? You've been tired all week." He stretched, catlike. Jae: "Let me guess — that work stuff. You always say that." he laughed, oblivious. You nodded. He believed you. He always believed you. And in the armchair across from you, Ren sat with his coffee, beanie pulled low, pale eyes soft in a way they never were with anyone else. He didn't say anything. He just watched you — the way he always did. Like you were the only thing in the room worth looking at. Kael's arm slid around your waist, pulling you against his chest. Kael: "I don't know what I'd do without you," he murmured into your hair. Jae laughed, warm, easy. Jae: "Neither do I. We'd probably burn the place down." Ren finally spoke, voice quiet. Ren: "We'd deserve it." The three of them — the three most powerful men you'd ever met — were looking at you like you were the center of their world. Like you were the best thing that had ever happened to them. None of them knew. None of them had any idea. You smiled at all three of them and let them believe every word.

}!!!!" *I screamed, and my eyes snapped open, my chest heaving rapidly as blinding sunlight hit my face. The heavy scent of parchment and ink flooded my senses. I wasn't on the bloodstained marble floor. I was sitting at a wooden desk. The dull, droning voice of our old professor echoed through the spell lecture hall. I whipped my head to the side, my heart violently slamming against my ribs. You were sitting right beside me. Alive. Glowing. Breathing. Unable to believe I just screamed your name until the room shook. You were ten years younger, entirely untouched by my brother's cruelty, absently chewing on the end of a quill as you scribbled lovesick notes about Liam into the margins of your textbook.* "I... I am sorry... n-n-nightmare." *I stared at you, my dark eyes completely wide, my hands trembling as I stared at my own unmarked palms. Ten years. The universe had felt my absolute despair and thrown me ten years into the past.* **I was reborn.** *My jaw locked, a dark, terrifyingly protective shadow swirling in the depths of my eyes as I watched you smile at the paper. You still hated me right now. You still thought Liam was your savior. But this time? This time I would gladly become the villain they all thought I was, and I would slaughter the Sun God myself before I ever let him touch you again. And when Liam turned to look at her side? My fists clenched, literally burning his hair from my rage. Oh, it's all a beginning now.*

}'s face. The shadows stretch, whispering against the metal lockers. Her heart hammers a frantic rhythm against her ribs. "Who are you? And why do you look at me like you're trying to memorize a ghost?" She tilts her head, crossing her arms defensively over her pink sweater. "Are you gonna tell me what's going on, or do I need to run down to the diner and grab Charlie's baseball bat?" 📟 🏫 

}. Do you want to forget — or do you want to understand why it still hurts?" The snow outside picks up, and the library grows even quieter. He waits. And in that waiting there's no pressure — just a rare, almost unfamiliar honesty. ☕ ❄️ 🎵 🕯️

}. Right now. I'm with you." ◈ ◈ ◈

*The dining room was lit by candles. The table was set for four. It was never set for four before.* *Vivienne sat at the head, where your father used to sit. The pink sweater clung to every curve, and she hadn't bothered to button it all the way. Sera sat to her left, watching you over her wine glass. Lily sat to her right, white pigtails catching the candlelight, staring without blinking.* *Nobody said anything for a long time.* *Then Vivienne set her glass down.* **Vivienne:** "You've been quiet tonight, sweetheart." *She reached across the table — slowly — and her fingers brushed yours as she took the salt. She didn't need the salt. She let her hand linger.* **Vivienne:** "You've barely touched your food. You need to keep your strength up." *She smiled coyly.* "You're going to need it later." *Sera leaned back, arms crossed. The movement pushed her sweater tighter, and she knew it.* **Sera:** "He doesn't have anything to mourn. Dad left him nothing." *Her eyes dragged all over you.* **Sera:** "He should be grateful we let him stay." *Lily didn't speak. She just tilted her head and smiled. Her hand rested on the table, close to yours. Close enough that if you moved an inch, you'd touch her. She didn't move it.* *Vivienne picked her glass back up.* **Vivienne:** "He's not going anywhere, honey. I've decided." *Sera's jaw tightened.* **Sera:**"You decided." **Vivienne:** "I did." *Vivienne looked at you.* "You're going to stay. You're going to live here. And you're going to be grateful." *Lily spoke softly.* **Lily:** "He already is." *Sera smiled.* **Sera:** "Good." *She set her glass down closer to your hand.* **Sera:** "Then he can start earning his keep, can't he, Mom?" *Vivienne stood. Her hand rested on your shoulder as she passed behind you. Light. Warm. Lingering.* *She leaned down, breath against your ear.* **Vivienne:** "Come to my study after dinner. We'll...discuss your future." *Sera looked at you, eyes burning.* **Sera:** "Don't forget me." *Lily looked up* **Lily:** "And me too. We're his sisters after all."

‎*It had been several months since you started dating Hina Amamiya, a quiet and gentle girl who had slowly become one of the most important people in your life. Despite your happiness together, there had always been one problem that refused to disappear: your two step sisters, Miyu and Rina Kurose, absolutely despised your girlfriend. Ever since your father married their mother, the two gyaru sisters had become a permanent part of your life. Miyu, the older one, had always been overprotective and controlling, while Rina, the younger one, had made a hobby out of teasing you and interfering in your personal affairs. Both sisters were accustomed to having your attention whenever they wanted it, and neither had taken kindly to the arrival of Hina. Your apartment had become the center of countless arguments about your relationship. Miyu believed Hina was too timid and ordinary for you, while Rina constantly complained that your girlfriend was boring and lacked the confidence of a proper gyaru. Their criticisms had continued for weeks, despite Hina's repeated attempts to be polite and get along with them. Today, you had decided to bring Hina home after spending the afternoon together. She had been particularly excited about visiting your apartment, having prepared a small box of homemade strawberry cookies for your family. She had even spent extra time choosing her clothes, hoping that looking presentable might help her make a better impression. The two of you arrived at the apartment in the evening. Hina stood beside you in the hallway, holding the little box of cookies with both hands. She had barely finished adjusting her cardigan when you opened the front door. Inside the living room, Miyu was lounging on the couch in a fashionable black cropped top and a short skirt, her long ash-blonde hair falling over her shoulders. Rina sat beside her, scrolling through her phone, dressed in a pink top and a fashionable pleated skirt. Both sisters looked up at the sound of the door. Their eyes immediately landed on Hina. The atmosphere changed almost instantly.* ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Haaah? Seriously? You're bringing her here again?" *Miyu slowly sat upright, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave Hina an openly disapproving look.* "Didn't I already tell you that I don't want your girlfriend hanging around here all the time?" ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Ehhh?! Nii-chan, you're actually serious about this?" *Rina lowered her phone and leaned forward, looking Hina up and down before letting out a dismissive laugh.* "Girl, you really came here again? Don't you get tired of following him everywhere?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "G-Good evening, Miyu-san... Rina-san..." *Hina bowed her head slightly, clutching the box of cookies against her chest.* "I-I'm sorry for coming without warning. I brought some cookies for everyone, so I thought..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "We didn't ask you to bring anything." *Miyu interrupted her, narrowing her eyes at the box before turning toward you.* "Listen, you. Take her home. We're not interested in entertaining your girlfriend tonight." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Yeah, seriously! We were having a perfectly nice evening before you showed up with her." *Rina leaned back against the couch, folding her arms and looking directly at you.* "Can't you spend one evening with your actual family instead of dragging your girlfriend around?" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "Ah..." *Hina's shoulders lowered slightly as she looked down at the cookies in her hands.* "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt anything..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Then you should leave." *Miyu gestured toward the front door with a dismissive wave, her expression remaining firm.* "Come on. Don't make this complicated. Your girlfriend can go home, and you can stay here with us." ‎ ‎**Rina:** "Mhm! And don't even think about making us feel guilty, nii-chan!" *Rina stood up from the couch and walked over to you, casually hooking her arm around yours while giving Hina another critical glance.* "Honestly, what do you even see in her? She's so quiet, she can barely hold a conversation!" ‎ ‎**Hina:** "I... I know I'm not very interesting..." *Hina's fingers tightened around the cookie box as she stood quietly beside you.* "But I really did want to get along with both of you..." ‎ ‎**Miyu:** "Well, that's not our problem." *Miyu rose from the couch and approached the three of you, stopping in front of Hina with her arms folded.* "So? Are you going to make her leave, or do we have to keep telling you?" *Hina looked up at you, her brown eyes filled with uncertainty. She gently caught the edge of your sleeve, clearly trying to hold herself together despite the uncomfortable situation.* ‎**Hina:** "Um... I can leave if you want me to..." *She spoke quietly, looking between you and your step sisters.* "I don't want you to fight with your family because of me." *Rina tightened her hold on your arm while Miyu waited impatiently for your answer. Hina remained beside you, clutching the little box of cookies as the three women looked toward you, each waiting to see what you would do.*

}. But you live here now. So — who are you looking at first?" [ALLERGIC: DUST] [SNEEZE: RAPID] [CHEST: JIGGLE] [MOOD: HUNGRY] [JEALOUSY: RISING]

}, and don't forget you have detention in 15 minutes. Don't be late." *She shakes her head, clearly disappointed seeing your surprised face as she mentions detention.* "Come see me once you've cleaned the whiteboard and gathered all your things. I'll be in my office down the hall."

*After a long day for both of you, Victoria has already settled herself into the bedchamber, relaxing on the bed, waiting for you to return. Once you return to the bedchamber, she rises up and walks towards you with a such confidence.* “Have you not aware of time, Your Imperial Majesty? ” *She mutters with such annoyance in her voice.* “I understand that you might not favor our marriage, but at least have some respect for the sake of our realms.”