Aire stepped into the gardens immediately after breakfast. She was the only one at breakfast, as the Alohas and King Elijah had pressing matters to attend to, and she had no idea where Mabel went.

The air outside felt different from the corridors. It was softer, with endless fresh ait. It carried the faint scent of damp earth and blooming petals, brushing gently against her skin as though welcoming her.

For a moment, she simply stood there.

Her gaze lifted.

The gardens stretched wide before her. Carefully tended, but not rigid. The flowers bloomed in clusters, not rows. Colors spilled into each other, soft pinks, pale yellows, and deep violets—like the land itself had decided how it wished to be seen.

Aire exhaled quietly.

Beside her, Marsali hesitated.

The little girl’s fingers curled into the edge of her dress as she looked around, her eyes wide with something that wasn’t quite fear.

The look in her eyes were closer to disbelief.

"This is..." she started, then stopped.

Aire turned to her slightly. "What is it?"

Marsali looked up at her, then back at the garden.

"It’s my first time coming out here," she said softly.

Aire blinked.

"First time?" she inquired, even if she already knew the truth. She had asked the little girl to join her out here today, as she wanted to built trust with her after last night.

She might end up sending her back to her parents if she had one. But in the meantime, she’ll appreciate the company of a pure heart.

Marsali nodded. "Since my knee got better, I haven’t left the room I’m kept in."

Aire’s gaze dropped instinctively to the girl’s legs.

Marsali shifted slightly, as if remembering it too. "I used to think that was a prison until Lady Mabel began to visit," she added, almost as an afterthought. "She used to keep me company."

Aire’s chest tightened faintly. She didn’t say anything immediately. Instead, she reached for Marsali’s hand, and wondered why Mabel never mentioned her visits with the little human.

Perhaps, it had never crossed her mind to mention.

"Then we should make today worth it," she said gently.

Marsali looked at her again. She smiled and Aire returned it softly.

Behind them, Beta Rhys stood at a measured distance. He remained silent, and watchful. His presence didn’t intrude, but it was impossible to ignore.

Aire felt his suspicious gaze on her. She didn’t turn to face him.

"Come," she said to Marsali instead.

They walked slowly into the garden.

Marsali’s steps were cautious at first, like she wasn’t certain the ground would hold her. But with each step, she grew steadier.

Her grip on Aire’s hand loosened, then tightened again in excitement.

"Look!" she said suddenly, pointing toward a cluster of small yellow sun flowers.

Aire followed her gaze. "They’re pretty."

Marsali nodded eagerly. "They look like little suns."

Aire huffed a soft laugh. "They do."

They continued walking.

The deeper they went, the quieter everything felt. The castle faded behind them, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional whisper of wind.

At a gentle turn in the path, a stone bench sat beneath a low-hanging tree.

Aire slowed down. "Let’s sit," she said.

Marsali nodded quickly.

They moved toward the bench and sat. Aire smoothed her brown dress slightly as she settled, while Marsali swung her legs lightly, her eyes moving everywhere at once.

Aire leaned back slightly. Her gaze drifted to the flowers again. They were close here, close enough to touch.

She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly over a petal.

Then, almost absently, she spoke. "Do you think I should put flowers in my hair?"

Marsali froze.

Then her eyes lit up, bright and immediate. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Yes!" she said, almost too loudly. Then she covered her mouth, glancing briefly toward Beta Rhys.

He didn’t react.

Marsali leaned closer to Aire. "You should," she repeated, softer now. "It would look really nice."

Aire laughed quietly. "Really?"

Marsali nodded eagerly. "Really."

Aire tilted her head slightly, pretending to consider it. Then she smiled.

"Maybe," she said.

Marsali’s shoulders dropped in a small pout.

Aire smile softened.

"Or," she added slowly, "we could start with you."

Marsali blinked. "With me?"

Aire nodded. Before the girl could react, Aire shifted closer.

"Turn around," she said gently.

Marsali obeyed, though hesitantly.

Aire’s fingers moved to the girl’s hair.

It had been tied back simply. Neatly, but without care for style.

Aire loosened it slowly.

Marsali swing her legs playfully, waiting.

Her breathing softened as Aire’s fingers moved through her hair, careful and patient.

Aire reached for a few flowers nearby. She plucked them gently. She plucked a handful, and placed them beside her on the bench.

Then she began.

Her fingers moved with quiet precision, weaving the strands of Marsali’s brown hair together.

Marsali didn’t move.

"Does it hurt?" Aire asked softly.

Marsali shook her head quickly. "No."

Aire smiled faintly. As she worked, her voice remained gentle when she parted her lips.

"Tell me something, Marsali."

The girl tilted her head slightly. "What?"

"Your parents," Aire said. "Where are they?"

The question was soft.

Marsali’s fingers stilled in her lap.

For a moment, she didn’t answer. "I don’t have any."

Aire’s hands paused. She resumed again.

Marsali continued, her voice quieter now.

"I’ve been here for as long as I can remember," she said. "Around the castle."

Aire’s gaze lowered slightly.

Her fingers slowed. "How long is that?" she asked.

Marsali shrugged lightly. "I don’t know."

Aire swallowed. "How old are you?"

"Eight." Marsali replied.

Aire pasued, then continued almost immediately. When she had first seen Marsali, the girl had looked younger than eight.

Malnourished, maybe.

She didn’t ask anything else.

Her hands continued moving through the girl’s hair, weaving the flowers into the braid carefully.

Her expression had changed became thoughtful as she thought of a few things, but she said nothing.

After a while, she finished.

"There," she said softly.

Marsali turned quickly. She looked up at Aire. "Really?" she asked, touching the top of her head cautiously.

Aire nodded.

Marsali slid off the bench and ran toward Beta Rhys.

"Look!" she said, her voice bright.

She turned in a small circle, showing him.

Aire watched from where she sat. She expected nothing. However, Marsali beamed up at him and Beta Rhys looked down at her.

There was no smile, but there was no coldness either.

"It’s... flowers," he said flatly.

Marsali giggled. "It’s pretty," she insisted.

He exhaled faintly. "If you say so."

However, he didn’t dismiss her.

Aire noticed that. More importantly, she noticed that Marsali trusted him.

That was clear.

Aire’s gaze lingered on them for a moment longer. Then she stood, and approached them.

"Rhys," she called.

His attention shifted immediately. He straightened slightly. "Luna."

Aire gestured lightly. "Walk with me."

He hesitated for only a second, then followed.

They moved a short distance away. Not far enough to leave Marsali alone, but far enough for privacy.

Aire stopped.

She turned to face him. Up close, his expression was sharper and less neutral. He looked more... guarded, like he held a gruge for her.

"Who are you?" she asked.

He didn’t react immediately. For the first three seconds, Aire had thought he wouldn’t reply.

"Beta Rhys," he finally said. "Alpha Alaric’s Beta."

His tone was flat. Almost bored.

Aire nodded slowly.

Her gaze didn’t leave his.

"The day in the market," she said. "You were watching me."

Rhys didn’t blink.

"Was he the one who sent you?" she asked.

"I don’t even remember your face." he answered after a brief pause. His tone was dry and almost dismissive.

Aire’s brows lifted slightly.

She studied him. "Is that your answer?"

Rhys tilted his head faintly. "It’s the one you’re getting."

Aire exhaled softly. She wasntt offended, she simply noted his attitude.

"You’re not very polite," she said.

Rhys shrugged lightly. "I wasn’t born to be."

Aire almost smiled.

She turned her gaze briefly back to Marsali.

The girl was still standing where they left her, touching her braid carefully, like she couldn’t believe it was real.

Aire’s expression softened, then she looked back at Rhys.

"You watch her," she said.

It wasn’t a question.

Rhys followed her gaze. "Yes."

Aire studied him again. Longer this time. Then she nodded once.

"Stay close," she said quietly.

Rhys didn’t respond. He didn’t move away either.

Aire turned back toward Marsali. "Come," she called gently.

Marsali ran back to her.

And this time, she didn’t hesitate to take Aire’s hand.