Kazien stood quietly near the tall window of the Altavis family home, the afternoon sun gently shining on the shiny ceramic floor. In her hand, he held a neatly wrapped object—thin, rectangular, and filled with memories that even time could not erase.
A memory rose vividly in his mind.
A family photograph.
Slowly, Kazien looked at the picture displayed behind the protective glass. It was a large portrait of his family—his parents, his siblings, and even those whose futures were yet to be written. The faces were warm. Alive. Real. A true miracle.
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, before stepping forward.
"Father," Kazien called calmly, yet with a hint of heartfelt reverence. "This is a gift from the Goddess Nirfelia."
Duke Elgard turned from his discussion with Duchess Larina, his sharp eyes immediately narrowing with curiosity. He accepted the frame from Kazien carefully, as though it were a fragile artifact. The moment his gaze fell upon the image, his breath stopped.
Reflected in the portrait was himself—standing proudly beside Larina—with all of his children gathered around them. Rosalia, dignified and elegant. Raliana, gentle and smiling. Ritalia, vibrant and full of life. Every detail was vivid down to the smallest fold of fabric and the soft glimmer in their eyes.
"…Impossible," Duke Elgard murmured.
Around them, the room slowly filled as the rest of the family gathered close. Selena leaned in first, followed by William and Davin. Even Virena, usually composed, covered her mouth in shock.
A murmur rippled through the hall.
"How can something like this exist?"
"It looks too real…"
"This is no ordinary painting."
Kazien remained silent, allowing the moment to speak for itself.
Then, one by one, he showed more frames—each containing memories that should never have been captured in reality.
"These," Kazien said gently, "are my siblings' wedding photos."
Selena froze. "…Wedding?"
Kazien nodded.
Selena was the first to receive her frame. When she saw herself standing radiant beside Sarias, her husband, her knees nearly gave out.
"This… this is really me?" she whispered.
William let out a sharp laugh the moment he saw his own photo. "Hah! I look pretty handsome, don't I?"
Davin stared at his image in stunned silence, his expression unreadable.
Laughter, amazed, disbelief—all emotions spilled freely as each sibling received their frame. The atmosphere turned warm, almost dreamlike.
Yet one person remained empty-handed.
Ritalia shifted uncomfortably, frowning.
"Brother..." she asked, tilting her head. "Why am I the only one who doesn't have a painting?"
Kazien knelt before her, his expression calm yet searching.
"Ritalia," he asked softly, "have you ever met someone… while I was unconscious?"
She blinked, then nodded eagerly. "Yes! His name was Hudeon Guartav! He seemed very fascinated by me, but I didn't say anything. I waited for your judgment, Brother."
The room went still.
Kazien's gaze softened.
At last, he reached behind his back and revealed the final frame.
"This," he said, holding it carefully, "is why."
He crouched fully before her and extended the photo.
"Because he is your future husband, Ritalia."
Her breath caught.
She stared at the image, eyes wide. The boy from her memory had grown into a handsome young man, standing confidently by her side. And beside him—herself. Beautiful. Graceful. Smiling.
"Wow…" Ritalia praised, amazed, unable to believe it. "Brother… he's so handsome. Is this really Hudeon?"
Kazien chuckled quietly. "Yes, it's him. Though… I'm not exactly sure how old you are in the photo."
Curiosity spread rapidly. Selena and Virena leaned in, followed by William and Davin.
The moment Duke Elgard saw the image, his composed demeanor shattered into laughter.
"Hahaha!" His voice echoed throughout the hall. "To think that my best friend's son would marry my youngest daughter! Fate truly has a sense of humor!"
Virena crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow with playful sharpness.
"And what about us?" she asked Kazien directly. "Is this also part of the Goddess' plan?"
Kazien shook his head firmly.
"No. The future husbands of you and Sis Selena—those were chosen entirely by my own judgment. The same goes for Brother William and Brother Davin's future wives. As for Ritalia…" His gaze softened once more. "The Goddess may have simply shown me what would naturally happen. I judge carefully—not because I want control, but because I refuse to let tragedy repeat itself."
A brief shadow crossed his eyes.
"I don't ever want what happened to Sister Selena… to happen again."
Before he could finish, his sisters surged forward, surrounding him in a sudden embrace.
"Kazien…"
"Thank you…"
"We trust you."
William and Davin, on the other hand, took a different approach.
"Oy," William said mischievously, pinching Kazien's cheek.
"Ouch!" Kazien groaned as Davin joined in. "That hurts!"
"It's fine, right?" William laughed. "We used to do this all the time."
"That's right!" Davin added. "You liked it back then."
"Stop it!" Kazien protested. "I'm not a kid anymore!"
Duke Elgard and Duchess Larina exchanged relieved smiles. Their fears—long kept silent—were slowly fading.
Then Duchess Larina spoke gently, her expression meaningful.
"Kazien… Alvin. When will you two get married?"
Kazien stiffened. Alvin nearly dropped the tea photo frame in his hand.
"After we graduate from the academy," Kazien answered. "Why, Mom?"
Duchess Larine smiled broadly.
"Because we are both eagerly awaiting the birth of our grandchildren."
Silence followed.
Kazien and Alvin stared at their parents, stunned—before breaking into laughter and shared smiles.
Some time later, Kazien approached Ritalia once again. "Ritalia..." he said quietly, crouching to her eye level. "Promise me something. Don't show that photo to anyone. Keep it safe until the time comes. I don't want any stupid nobles taking advantage of this situation just to seek personal gain."
She nodded firmly.
"I will ask Father to protect it. I won't let anyone misuse it—or hurt you!"
Kazien lifted Ritalia high into the air, laughing softly as he gazed into her joyful face.
"I'm proud of you," he said warmly. "You really are my best little sister."
Ritalia giggled, hugging her brother's neck tightly.
"Brother," she asked softly, "is this how it feels? When older siblings see their younger ones smile?"
William snorted from behind them. "You tell us—you're the older sibling now."
Kazien turned, blinking in disbelief.
"That's exactly how we felt about you," William said with a grin. "Idiot."
Kazien laughed at last, nodding.
"By the way… do you all like the photos?"
"Of course!" Selena exclaimed. "This is the best wedding gift ever."
Everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
Kazien smiled in relief. "Good. Then I won't complain to Goddess Nirfelia anymore."
Meanwhile, still in that room, Dave stood stiffly inside the room.
A relationship with the Goddess…?
His entire worldview trembled. No wonder. No wonder they trusted him absolutely. Despite such power, none of them flaunted it. Not once.
Kazien approached Dave gently.
"Dave," he said, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. "please make Raliana happy."
Dave straightened immediately. "I swear it, Young Master! She is my future wife!"
"I believe you."
Then Kazien stepped forward once more, standing at the center of the room. His voice grew calm—but resolute.
"Father. Mother. Brothers. Sisters. I have something important to say."
All eyes turned toward him.
"What is it, Kazien?" Duke Elgard asked.
Kazien inhaled deeply.
"Father… please train all soldiers to their absolute limits. Strengthen the adventurers. Prepare everyone."
A silence fell—heavy, foreboding.
"The future will not remain peaceful forever," Kazien continued quietly. "And when that time comes… our family must be ready!"
Fate had been revealed.
Now, destiny awaited.