Chapter 443: The Beginning Of The End [CV]

Aestrea lowered his gaze first to Violet.

“You want to be spoiled?” he asked softly.

Her confidence wavered for half a second under the weight of his voice.

“Y-yes.”

He leaned closer, slow enough for her to feel every inch of the distance closing. His fingers slid from her cheek to her chin, lifting her face just slightly.

“Then you should say it properly,” he murmured.

“Look at me when you ask.”

Her breath caught at those seemingly enticing words. She had thought she was being bold enough, but she had never expected him to answer like this.

Violet swallowed hard, then steadied herself. Her eyes met his again, no longer darting away, showing a hint of stubborness on them.

“…I want you to spoil me,” she repeated, softer but firm.

His lips curved into a faint smile.

“Good.”

His thumb slowly brushed gently across her lower lip, before his hand dropped. The simple touch sent heat rushing straight to her ears.

Alaine felt his hand tighten slightly at her waist.

“And you?” Aestrea asked without turning his head.

“Are you not asking for anything tonight?”

Alaine closed her eyes briefly at the question.

“I have served you for years,” she said.

“I know how to wait.”

His hand slid a little higher along her side, his fingers pressing through the silk of her gown, causing her body to quiver slighly.

“Then tonight, don’t wait,” he replied near her temple.

That did it.

A faint flush rose across Alaine’s pale cheeks, spreading down to her neck. She was far more composed than Violet, yet even she could not remain untouched by his tone.

“You really are cruel~”

Violet looked between them; her cheeks were still flushed, but no longer shrinking back. Instead, she leaned closer again, resting her shoulder lightly against his chest.

“…When are you going to spoil me?”

Alaine laughed softly upon hearing Violet’s words. As for Aestrea… he reached out to her ear and whispered softly into her ear.

“!!!”

The words he spoke made her face turn even redder than before, as Violet directly froze in complete embarrassment.

Alaine smirked at this and then shifted the topic into something else, mainly to help Violet recover her composure.

They continued eating for a while, and after finishing their food, Alaine suddenly straightened as she paid the bill without letting Aestrea even think of paying it.

“It is time,” she said gently.

“Time?” Violet asked.

“I prepared another place.” Alaine’s eyes glimmered faintly.

She stood first, smoothing her gown. Aestrea rose with them, offering his hand first to Violet, then to Alaine.

They left the courtyard and followed a quieter path lit by lanterns hung from low branches. The sounds of the town faded behind them.

At the edge of a small garden overlooking the river stood a private pavilion draped with sheer white fabric.

Inside, soft cushions had been arranged around a low table.

Rose petals lay scattered across the stone floor, and small glass lamps glowed with golden oil light.

Violet stopped in her tracks.

“You did all this?”

Alaine’s smile was calm, though her eyes flickered toward Aestrea for approval. “I wanted her first date to be memorable.”

The river below reflected the moon in broken silver lines. A cool breeze brushed through the thin curtains, carrying the scent of night blossoms.

Aestrea guided them inside.

Violet slowly turned in place, taking it all in. The earlier shyness still lingered in her eyes, but now it was slowly mixing with confidence.

Alaine stepped behind them and drew the curtain partially closed, sealing the space with an invisible barrier.

“This place is only for us tonight, and no one will be able to sense it or come closer to it,” she said softly.

Aestrea looked around once, then at the two women beside him.

“So…” his voice lowered slightly, coming out in a strangely playful tone, “does that mean I don’t have to behave tonight?”

Violet’s eyes widened at once.

“W-what do you mean by that?” she asked, though she already knew.

He stepped closer, close enough for the hem of her dress to brush against his leg.

“You said you wanted to be spoiled. A private place like this… it sounds dangerous for someone making requests like that.”

Her breath faltered, and for a second, her shyness tried to resurface, but she caught it, and straightened her back, lifting her chin even as heat crept up her neck.

“I won’t r-run away…” she muttered in an embarrassed manner.

“I-If you w-want to t-touch me, y-you can do whatever you w-want!” she stammered nervously, her fingers fidgeting.

A faint chuckle slipped from him.

Behind them, Alaine removed her gloves one finger at a time, placing them neatly onto the table.

“I have already prepared myself for today,” she said calmly, her green eyes looking at him with a hint of hope that he was actually going to make a move on her.

“I have been waiting~ for you.”

The soft lilt at the end of her voice made Violet glance her way, her cheeks warming again.

Aestrea’s shoulders shook with quiet laughter.

“You two are bold tonight.”

“We learned that from you,” Violet answered.

He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from Violet’s cheek before turning slightly to Alaine, fingers trailing down her bare wrist where the glove had been.

“You both prepared something beautiful…”

“I should reward that effort.”

Violet swallowed but held his gaze.

Alaine stepped closer, close enough for their arms to touch.

For a while, they sat together on the cushions.

The earlier teasing melted into softer conversation.

Violet spoke about how nervous she had been earlier in the evening. About how she almost changed her dress three times.

Alaine admitted she had chosen the pavilion because the river below reflected the sky in a way she knew he liked.

Aestrea listened, watching the way Violet now leaned naturally against his shoulder without hesitation.

The way Alaine rested her hand lightly on his knee as though it belonged there.

After a small pause, Aestrea’s expression changed slightly.

“I have something for both of you,” he said.

“Something?” Violet blinked.

“A surprise.”

He rose slowly, guiding them to stand as well. Then he walked toward the curtain Alaine had sealed earlier.

With a small motion of his fingers, he pulled the fabric aside.

The lamps behind them dimmed at once, as though yielding to what lay beyond.

Above the river and the sleeping town stretched a vast night sky. Stars shimmered in thick clusters, brighter than usual, as if scattered by hand.

The moon hung low, silver and full, its reflection trembling over the water below.

Rustle~

The curtains fluttered gently as cool air rushed in.

Violet stepped closer to the edge of the pavilion, her fingers lightly gripping the curtain as she stared upward.

“It’s… so clear,” she whispered.

“You can even see the smaller clusters.” Alaine stood beside her, her white-blonde hair shifting in the breeze.

Aestrea watched them for a moment and then raised his hand.

Crack…!

With a small motion, he pinched the air between his fingers.

For a brief second, nothing happened.

“What are you—” Violet tilted her head in complete confusion, but was suddenly interrupted by a flash on the sky.

Rustle~

A streak of light tore across the sky.

Then another… and another one.

Within seconds, dozens of falling stars began to descend in shimmering arcs, streaking across the darkness in waves of silver and pale blue.

They fell in layers, some short and sharp, others long and trailing, leaving faint glowing dust in their wake.

The quiet sky turned alive.

“No way…” Violet gasped, both hands flying to her mouth.

More stars fell, crossing over each other like a silent storm of light.

Alaine’s calm expression broke, her eyes widening as the glow reflected in them.

“You altered the heavens…”

The river below mirrored the shower of stars, doubling the beauty. Light trembled across the water’s surface as if the sky had shattered and spilled into it.

“It’s beautiful…” Violet breathed.

She stepped back without looking and nearly bumped into him.

Aestrea caught her with one arm around her waist, pulling her gently against him. With his other arm, he drew Alaine close as well, her back resting against his chest.

The two women leaned into him without hesitation.

More streaks of light flashed above.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Violet murmured, her earlier boldness replaced with pure wonder.

“You always do things in excess.” Alaine’s hand rested over his, where it held her.

He smiled faintly at that.

They continued watching as the sky burned with falling stars.

“You prepared this… for us?” Violet turned her face slightly toward him.

“For you both,” he answered.

She melted further into his embrace at those words.

Alaine closed her eyes briefly, committing the sight to memory.

“Even if the world ends one day,” she said softly.

“I will definitely remember tonight.”

Aestrea’s arms tightened slightly around them. He listened to their quiet awe, their soft breaths, and felt their warmth pressed against him.

But as his gaze lifted again, it did not follow the falling stars.

It rose higher.

Past the shimmering streaks.

Past the drifting trails of light.

His eyes settled on the slender crescent-shaped moon hanging above it all, pale and steady amidst the storm of stars.

And he smiled.

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