The mansion was breathing again, but not as before. Rai'kanna's choice brought stability, yet not lightness. It was like adjusting an essential piece in a larger mechanism—something that allowed everything to function, but also revealed the complexity of the whole.
Routine tried to reestablish itself throughout the morning. Small tasks, short conversations, natural movements. Still, there was an implicit caution among everyone. No one addressed the matter directly, but no one ignored it either.
Rai'kanna was in the outer area, near the garden, practicing movements with her spear. It wasn't intense training. It was control. Precision. Each gesture was executed with absolute attention, as if she were aligning not only her body, but her own thoughts.
I watched for a few moments before approaching.
"You don't usually train at this pace," I commented.
She didn't stop.
"Adjustment."
"Of what?"
"Focus."
The spear blade cut through the air in a clean motion.
"Working?"
"It's getting there."
I moved a bit closer, keeping enough distance not to interfere.
"Deciding didn't solve everything."
"That wasn't the goal," she replied.
Another movement.
Stronger.
"It solved the direction."
I nodded slightly.
"But the weight remains."
"Yes."
She finally stopped, spinning the spear before resting it on the ground. Her eyes turned toward me.
"It's not something that disappears."
"And it shouldn't," I said.
She held my gaze for a moment.
"If it disappeared… it would mean it doesn't matter."
"Exactly."
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. It was understanding.
Rai'kanna walked to one of the stone benches and sat down, resting the spear beside her. Her gaze drifted for a few seconds across the garden.
"I thought that after deciding, I would feel lighter," she said.
"Sometimes you do."
"Not this time."
"Because it isn't a simple decision."
She let out a soft sigh.
"It's not just about me."
"No."
"Nor just about the kingdom."
"Neither."
She rested her elbows on her knees, intertwining her fingers.
"It's about everything at once."
"Yes."
I remained silent for a moment before continuing.
"And you're still here."
She looked back at me.
"Yes."
"That already says a lot."
A brief silence formed.
But this time…
There was less tension.
Rai'kanna slowly uncrossed her hands.
"You always speak as if it's simple."
"It isn't simple," I replied. "It just doesn't need to be complicated."
She frowned slightly, as if evaluating the phrase.
"There's a difference."
"There is."
She looked away for a moment.
"And what's the difference?"
"Complicating it is when you add weight that isn't necessary."
"And the weight that already exists?"
"You carry it."
She fell silent.
Thinking.
"Then I just continue."
"Yes."
She nodded slowly.
"I can continue."
"I know."
A few approaching steps broke the moment. Scarlett appeared at the mansion entrance, watching the scene for a moment before walking toward us.
"You two always end up here," she commented.
"It's quieter," I replied.
"Not always," said Rai'kanna.
Scarlett stopped beside her.
"You're better."
It wasn't a question.
Rai'kanna looked at her.
"More stable."
Scarlett nodded slightly.
"That's enough already."
She sat on the bench beside her, keeping a comfortable distance.
"You don't have to carry this alone," Scarlett said, without looking directly at her.
Rai'kanna didn't respond immediately.
"I know."
"Then use it."
"I am."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"It doesn't look like it."
Rai'kanna let out a soft sigh.
"I'm still adjusting."
"Makes sense."
Silence returned for a few seconds.
But now with three presences.
Lyannis appeared shortly after, leaning against the nearby wall.
"So this is where you all were."
"We're not hiding anything," Scarlett said.
"I didn't say you were," Lyannis replied with a faint smile.
She looked directly at Rai'kanna.
"Deciding was the easy part."
Rai'kanna raised an eyebrow.
"Easy?"
"Compared to what comes next… yes."
Elara appeared right behind, followed by Liriel and Vespera. Gradually, the group gathered naturally, without planning.
"She's not wrong," Elara said.
"The problem isn't deciding," Liriel added. "It's sustaining it."
Rai'kanna looked at each of them.
"Are you trying to encourage me?"
"No," Vespera replied. "We're being direct."
Lyannis chuckled lightly. "Realistic motivation."
Scarlett sighed. "Like them."
Rai'kanna remained silent for a few seconds, analyzing them all.
And then…
A faint smile appeared.
Small.
But real.
"I understand."
She stood up, picking up her spear again.
"Then I just continue."
"Exactly," Elara said.
"No dramatizing," Lyannis added.
"No running away," Liriel said.
"No forgetting the reason," Vespera finished.
Scarlett simply nodded.
Rai'kanna spun the spear once, testing its weight.
Her movements were now firmer.
More aligned.
"I'm not going back," she said.
"We didn't expect that," I replied.
She looked at the group.
"Then let's make it count."
The wind passed through the garden, stronger than before, gently shaking the leaves around them.
But this time…
No one was bothered.
Because the atmosphere was no longer the same.
The decision hadn't erased the weight.
But it had given it form.
And that was enough.
Rai'kanna took her stance again, ready to continue training.
But now…
Without hesitation.
And with everyone around.