The moon hung pale and thin over the Winters estate, silver light spilling over the cobblestone paths and gardens.
Cael walked with slow, steady steps, the cool air carrying the faint scent of wet grass and iron.
Every muscle in his body screamed from fatigue — a dull, deep ache that throbbed with each step.
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"It seems…" he murmured to himself, voice low, "the experience from my last life wasn't in vain after all."
Even though this body had never swung a sword before, its instincts — his instincts — were beginning to align.
The fight with Lyra had proven that.
At first, his strikes were clumsy, unbalanced. His timing off.
But as the duel went on, he'd adjusted, reading her movements, feeling the rhythm of mana flow through each muscle, each joint.
Still… he had a long way to go.
This body was weak — far too weak to handle the kind of power he'd once commanded. He needed to temper it, strengthen it, make it his again.
He entered the mansion and went upstairs.
He looked up. The corridor before him lead to his room, as he was walking he glanced outside though the window at the garden.
That's when he saw her.
Celeste sat alone on a stone bench under the faint glow of lanterns.
Her twilight-colored hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the moonlight in soft ripples.
She wore a pale robe, simple but elegant, the kind that shimmered faintly when the wind stirred.
She was staring at the pond ahead, lost in thought.
Cael slowed his steps, watching her for a moment before pausing and going back downstairs.
He went to the garden and approaching quietly he asked. "Can't sleep?"
Celeste startled, turning sharply — but the tension in her shoulders melted when she saw him.
Her lips curved into a small smile. "Cael. You scared me."
He gave a faint grin and gestured toward the empty space beside her. "Sorry. Mind if I sit?"
"Of course not." She shifted slightly, making room as he sank down next to her. The silence lingered for a beat, comfortable yet fragile, like the stillness before dawn.
"Couldn't sleep either?" she asked softly, tilting her head.
Cael rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly realizing he didn't have a good excuse for being out this late.
"Yeah, something like that," he said with a chuckle. "Thought I'd go for a run. Helps clear the mind."
Celeste raised an eyebrow, amused. "A midnight run?"
"Well," Cael said, feigning seriousness, "you'd be surprised how peaceful it is when there's no one around to judge your stamina."
That earned a small laugh from her — soft and genuine. "You've changed a lot, Cael."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just got tired of being the same."
They sat in silence for a while, the sound of crickets filling the night air. The water in the pond rippled faintly, reflecting the moonlight like shards of broken glass.
Then, Cael spoke again. "How are things with Aldric these days?"
The question hung heavy between them. Celeste's fingers tightened slightly on the fabric of her robe before she forced a polite smile.
"The usual," she said quietly. "Nothing new."
Cael gave a dry chuckle. "If I were you, I would've left him already."
"Cael—"
"I'm serious." He turned to face her, eyes calm but sharp.
"How long are you going to keep pretending everything's fine between you two? It's been over two years, and he hasn't even looked at you let alone touch you the way a husband should."
"You've done everything — been patient, kind, perfect even. And still…"
Her gaze fell to her lap. "Because I don't want to hurt others," she whispered.
"Others?"
"My father," she said after a pause.
"He trusted Lord Marcus when he arranged this marriage. And your mother… she's been nothing but kind to me. I don't want to make her sad."
Cael sighed, leaning back against the bench.
"Nothing can stay hidden forever. The longer you pretend, the more it'll hurt when the truth comes out."
"I know," she said, voice trembling slightly.
"But things aren't that easy, Cael. You wouldn't understand."
He was quiet for a moment. The night air was cool against his skin, the moonlight pale on her face.
Finally, he asked, "Are you still trying to win him over?"
"I don't know." Her tone was soft, uncertain. "Maybe I'm just afraid of letting go."
Cael's jaw tightened.
'That bastard's already cheating on you', he thought bitterly.
'While you're still here, trying to fix something that's already dead.'
He let out a slow sigh and forced a wry smile. "You know what? Forget him."
Celeste blinked. "What?"
"Forget Aldric. He doesn't deserve the effort. Why not just… live? Enjoy yourself for once."
She gave a faint, disbelieving laugh. "Enjoy life? And how do I do that, exactly?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cael began ticking ideas off on his fingers.
"Go to a nice restaurant. Eat until you can't move. Travel somewhere warm."
"Sleep in until noon. Buy something ridiculously expensive and useless."
"Maybe even cheat on that bastard."
"Cael!" she gasped, eyes widening, half-laughing, half-scandalized.
He grinned, leaning back lazily. "What? He'd deserve it. Trust me, he wouldn't even notice."
Celeste shook her head, laughing softly despite herself. "You're terrible."
"Realistic," he corrected. "There's a difference."
Her laughter faded into a soft smile. "And who exactly would I 'cheat' with, hmm?"
Cael smirked. "Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of poor souls in the capital who'd line up for the chance."
She playfully nudged his shoulder. "You're impossible."
"Maybe." He turned to look at her, voice gentler now.
"But I mean it. Do whatever makes you feel alive again. Flirt, travel, paint, drink, dance — just… stop living for others for once."
Celeste's eyes softened, her smile fading into something quieter, more fragile.
"You really have changed, Cael."
"Hopefully for the better."
A silence settled again, comfortable and warm.
Then Cael straightened, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Actually, I have an idea."
"Oh?"
"Tomorrow, I'm taking Lily to the market," he said.
"You should come with us."
Celeste blinked. "The market?"
"Yeah. Try something different. Buy something for yourself, or don't — just… take the first step. You deserve it."
She hesitated, glancing away. "Let me think about it."
"Fair enough." Cael stood and brushed the dust from his pants. "Oh, and Celeste?"
She looked up, startled that he called her by name.
"Try to smile more," he said with an easy grin. "It's beautiful."
Celeste froze for a heartbeat, then looked down, her cheeks tinged faint pink.
"I'll… try. And thank you, Cael. For talking with me."
He gave a knowing smile, a warmth in his chest that he didn't quite expect, and turned to leave.
As he walked away, the faint sound of her soft laughter followed him through the moonlit garden.
✧✧✧
Morning came too soon.
Cael groaned as sunlight hit his face, turning over with a grimace.
Every inch of his body protested movement.
His arms ached, his legs felt like lead, and even breathing seemed like a workout.
"Why," he muttered hoarsely, "does everything hurt?"
Despite that, he pushed himself up and forced his sore limbs to move.
The pain was brutal, but pain meant progress. This body was too weak — it was time to change that.
After washing up, he stepped out into the crisp morning air and began his usual routine.
Running, push-ups, sword swings — each movement felt like hell, but he didn't stop until sweat drenched his shirt and his heart pounded like a war drum.
By the time he returned to his room, Luna was waiting by the door, holding neatly folded clothes — his usual plain white shirt and black trousers.
"Good morning, Young Master," she greeted with a polite bow.
"Morning, Luna," he said, stretching. "You're early."
"You instructed me to prepare these outfits daily," she said, lifting an eyebrow. "I take my duties seriously."
He chuckled. "Diligent as ever. Oh, and pack clothes for a few days."
She tilted her head. "Are we traveling somewhere, Young Master?"
"Yeah," Cael said, buttoning his shirt. "We're going shopping."
Luna blinked. "Shopping…?"
He smiled. "You'll see."
✧✧✧
At breakfast, the dining hall buzzed with quiet chatter.
Cael arrived — on time again — and took his seat beside Lily.
His sister looked up, eyes sparkling. "Brother, aren't you forgetting something?"
He raised a brow. "Am I?"
She pouted, puffing her cheeks.
Cael laughed, ruffling her hair. "Of course not. I remember."
Her expression brightened instantly. "So are we going to the market today?"
"Yes, yes," Cael said, smiling. "But not just any market. We're going to Westford."
Lily's fork froze midair. "Westford? Really?!"
"Really," Cael confirmed. "I heard they have better shops — especially for clothes. You'll love it."
Rosalie looked up, amused. "That's quite a distance, dear. Is there a reason for the trip?"
Marcus set down his cup, eyes sharp. "Indeed. Why Westford? The markets here in Winter's territory are fine enough."
Cael smiled easily, meeting his father's gaze. "I have some work there as well. Two birds, one stone."
Marcus studied him for a moment, silent, before nodding slowly. "Very well. Take Sebastian with you."
"Of course."
Lily threw her hands up with a cheer. "Yay! A trip!"
Across the table, Celeste was quietly sipping juice — until Cael spoke again.
"Oh, by the way," he said casually, "Sister-in-law mentioned she wanted to come along too."
Celeste nearly choked, coughing violently. "W–what?"
Cael gave her an innocent look.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
'How could you?! I didn't say anything like. You just invited and I didn't even agree yet.' she thought, glaring at him silently.
Rosalie glanced between them, mildly intrigued, while Aldric frowned, confused.
Cael turned to his brother with a lazy grin. "You're fine with that, right?"
"Uh—of course," Aldric said quickly, still trying to understand what was happening.
'What is he planning now?' Aldric thought uneasily.
'Why do I feel like I've just been cornered?'
Celeste lowered her gaze, cheeks warm with both embarrassment and something else she couldn't quite name.
Cael leaned back in his chair, satisfied.
As breakfast resumed, he glanced toward the morning light streaming through the window, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
'Alright...' he thought.
'It's time to start plotting.'
.
.
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A/N:
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