Night settled over the camp slowly. Being the 71st day since the First Epoch Cycle, we were getting used to this place.
Below us, thousands of Divines were still moving. Parasphlen wandered off somewhere, probably poking into things she wasn't supposed to, which honestly meant the camp was safer without her floating around us for once. That left just the two of them on top of the main tent. I made myself completely incorporeal and stayed quiet.
They were sitting side by side with their legs hanging off the edge, looking down at the camp.
"This expedition's going well so far."
Veneri didn't look at her.
"It is."
"The robots are annoying but Leones is turning that into an advantage. She's basically building her own army out of them at this point. She adapts quickly."
There was a pause.
"Tomorrow we split into five groups. Anamorsia takes House Maximilian. Leones takes Levenees. Milliania takes Obligatio and Leon takes Viaca."
She leaned just a little closer to him.
"And we go to the Violex city."
"It's been days. I'm finally getting there."
"Why that city?"
"I can't tell you."
She didn't react right away. She just stared at him and used her Boon and Bane on him.
"You blocked it. Even with my Boon and Bane, I can't read you."
"Yeah."
"So if I find out now, it messes up your plan."
"It does. Please don't ask."
That caught her off guard more than the refusal itself.
"Fine. I won't ask. Guess you don't trust me, huh?"
He didn't even hesitate. He reached over and pulled her close to him.
"That's not what I said."
"That's what it sounds like."
"I trust you."
"Then why—"
"I can't say it. Not now."
She went quiet after that. She dropped the fake attitude and smiled.
"At least I get an adventure out of this."
"An adventure?"
"Yeah. Everyone else got one. Nari had hers in the Submerged Islands. Phae had hers before you went to the Fallen Bridge. You had yours with Asenane when you first got to the Hidden Citadel. And one of your other selves is off somewhere having an adventure with Ely in Ledatic Siliportem. And me? I get dates and office work."
"That's not wrong."
"I know it's not wrong. That's the problem. So this time, I get you to myself."
"You will, huh?"
"Yup. So, are you gonna be more romantic this time?"
"Where's that coming from?"
She stared at him for a second, then flicked his forehead.
"You're actually hopeless. I'm your first wife, I know I forced that but I'm still proud of it. I've been with you the longest and I still feel like I don't get enough time to show you how much I love you."
That made him pause properly this time.
"I don't understand what you're getting at, Adela."
She looked up at him, unimpressed, and flicked his forehead again.
"That's exactly the issue."
"Then explain it properly then. I can't read minds you know."
"In Spheraphase, women show more affection. Women here are stronger and dominant in most cases. So we take the lead in relationships. We keep things together, we pursue men and we lead. Men don't chase women here. Women chase men."
He actually got shocked what he heard that.
"That explains a lot."
"Told you."ln noble families, men are the ones who get arranged into marriages. It's not like ancient Earth where women were. The reason our relationship works is because you flipped that. You take the lead, you plan things and you spoil us. That's normal on Earth but here, that's rare. You talk to us like we matter beyond power and status. And to us, that means everything."
He didn't interrupt.
"In this world, women want to be spoiled too, but most men here can't do that properly. If they get control, they get arrogant. They think they're above everything but you don't. That's why we let you lead."
He didn't respond immediately. When he finally did, his voice was softer than usual.
"I didn't realize it mattered that much."
"Of course you didn't. You'll get used to it."
It didn't take long for something smaller to pull their attention away from everything else. Two figures were moving behind the rows of tents, slightly away from the main flow of soldiers. Adelasta narrowed her eyes.
"Is that—"
Before she could finish, Veneri lifted his hand, causing their presence to vanish into nothing.
"Its my Codex concealment. Don't move too much."
"Oh? You're really about to spy on your own brother?"
"I'm observing."
"Uh huh. Sure."
He stood up and stepped off the edge of the tent. Adelasta followed immediately, landing silently beside him as they moved through the dim space between the tents. They stopped a short distance behind the two figures.
Up close, the difference in height was obvious. Throenia is the same height as Veneri and easily taller than Leon who for once, didn't look relaxed or casual. There was tension in his shoulders, like he already knew this wasn't just another conversation.
"Why'd you bring me out here?"
Throenia didn't answer immediately. She just stood there for a second, looking at him like she was organizing her thoughts, which already wasn't a good sign.
"I have something to tell you."
"Is it that serious?"
"Yes. I think I'm starting to develop feelings for you."
Adelasta's eyes widened immediately. She turned like she was about to say something but Veneri's hand came up instantly, covering her mouth before she could make a sound. She glared at him. He didn't even look at her.
"Stay quiet."
Leon didn't move. He just… stood there, staring at Throenia.
"Ever since the Dynasty Meeting months ago, I've been interested in you. And since we entered the Second Epoch Cycle, being around you has been easy..I've been relaxed, happy even. And after thinking about it, I realized that it's not just comfort."
Leon finally inhaled slowly. "Throenia—"
She raised her hand, stopping him before he could continue.
"I know you feel it too. I can see it. You're not as subtle as you think."
Leon let out a small breath, almost like a laugh that didn't fully form.
"Guess I'm not."
"But Leon, I'm not here to ask you to pursue it. I'm here to end it."
Adelasta went completely still behind Veneri. Even I felt that one.
"What?"
Throenia didn't hesitate.
"I'm a Triarch of Heaven. When the Second Epoch Cycle ends, I'll return to Naranq. My sisters won't stay there. They don't want that responsibility. I can't force them to stay just so I can chase something like this."
Leon frowned, taking a step forward.
"We can figure something out."
"No."
"We don't have to just end it here. You can visit. I can come to you—"
"I belong to Heaven."
"And I'm with Richinaria. That doesn't mean we can't see each other. I can ask my brother to let me leave. It's not that complicated—"
That was the moment her expression changed. She had a disappointed look in her eyes.
"Are you serious right now?"
Leon froze.
"You'd leave your family that easily?"
"It's not like that—"
"You just said it. You'd give up your position, your responsibilities, everything tied to your Dynasty, for what? A feeling we haven't even confirmed is love?"
Leon didn't answer. Throenia exhaled slowly, shaking her head. She stepped back, creating distance between them.
"Don't say things like that again. It makes you sound like a fool."
Leon looked down.
"Sorry."
"I don't need your apology. I wouldn't do that to my sisters. I wouldn't abandon them for something like this so I won't let you do it either."
Leon clenched his hand.
"Then what are you saying?"
"I'm saying this ends here. From tomorrow, we're not together anymore. You'll lead Viaca I'll be with Lady Anamorsia's group. I've already arranged it."
That one hurt. You could see it on his face. Throenia looked at him one last time and for just a second, she hesitated.
"It's been fun, Leon."
Her wings unfolded as she lifted off the ground without another word. Leon didn't move or speak. He just stood there, staring at the empty space she left behind. Behind him, Adelasta finally breathed out.
"That's rough."
Veneri removed his hand from her mouth with his gaze still fixed on Leon.
"It is."
"But she's right. She can't throw away everything for him and he can't do the same."
"Let's go."
"You're not going to help him?"
"I will."
"Then why not now?"
Veneri's gaze shifted back to Leon.
"I want to see what he does first. Unlike me, he has to fight for love."
Adelasta blinked once at that.
"You didn't have to?"
"I didn't."
She let out a small scoff. "Excuse me?"
"You came to me, remember?"
Adelasta stared at him for a second, then rolled her eyes.
"You're actually unbelievable."
"I spent years trying to get your attention. You were cold the entire time."
"I… was, but I'm glad I gave in."