Lila had been waiting by the fire, her hands fidgeting with the edge of the reed mat.
The flames snapped softly, shadows dancing along the stone walls, but she barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on the door. Ever since Caelumn had been summoned to the palace without warning, a knot had lodged itself in her chest and refused to loosen.
When the door finally creaked open, she saw him.
Alive. Sitting upright. Unharmed.
Relief crashed over her like a wave. Without thinking, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him, holding him as though the world itself might steal him away again if she let go.
For a heartbeat, Caelumn froze, startled by the sudden warmth. Then—slowly, carefully—his arms lifted and returned the embrace.
Only then did Lila realize what she had done.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
"I… I was so worried," she whispered. "I thought something might've happened to you."
He pulled back slightly, meeting her green eyes.
"I'm alright," he said softly. "Really. I am."
They stepped inside together. Firelight washed across woven reed mats and stone walls, the scent of burning wood curling through the room like a familiar blanket. From the kitchen corner, Mara watched quietly, a gentle smile touching her lips, while Brenner closed the door behind them.
A hush settled.
"So…" Lila said at last, carefully breaking it, "how did it go with the chief?"
Caelumn drew in a slow breath. His hands trembled faintly.
"The moment he walked in, my skin started crawling," he admitted. "It felt like standing at the edge of a cliff in a storm—like something enormous was right behind me. My chest tightened. Every breath felt heavy. When he looked at me…" He swallowed. "It was like he could see through things I didn't even know about myself."
Lila listened without interrupting, her eyes widening.
"He asked who I was," Caelumn continued. "And I knew—truly knew—that lying wasn't possible. His presence alone was crushing. Like a mountain pressing down on me. He stopped just before I blacked out. If he'd gone any further… I don't think I would've stayed conscious."
Mara nodded faintly.
"The first-grades feel heavy," Caelumn added. "But the special-grades…" He shook his head slowly. "They're something else entirely."
Lila brushed his arm lightly.
"You were amazing," she said softly. "I'm just… glad you're here."
Her shoulders sagged as delayed fear finally caught up to her.
"Thank the gods the elders weren't present."
Caelumn blinked. "Elders?"
"They hold political power equal to the chief," Mara said gently. "Enough to challenge him—possibly even dethrone him. If they'd been there…" Her voice softened. "We can't be sure what would've happened."
Caelumn swallowed hard.
"You'll still face them," Lila added quietly. "You'll need to earn their trust. Or at least not give them a reason to target you. If they mark you as a problem…" She hesitated. "They don't wait."
His throat bobbed.
She tried to lighten the mood with a small shrug.
"Uncle can go a little extreme sometimes."
Caelumn blinked.
"…Uncle?"
"Yes," Lila said casually. "My uncle. The chief."
Caelumn froze mid-step. His jaw dropped. His eyes slowly slid toward Brenner.
Brenner crossed his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"That would be correct. He's my brother-in-law."
Caelumn staggered backward.
"Wait—your brother-in-law?! And you didn't tell me?! Why did he treat us like that?!"
Brenner sighed.
"He despises the weak. I'm a third-grade. And to make things worse, i married his sister. He saw it as an insult. He only softened after Lila was born."
Caelumn's mouth opened.
No sound came out.
His eyes unfocused. His soul gently left his body.
Every memory of the throne room replayed—the crushing pressure, the mountain-like presence, the way Momon had stared him down like an interesting insect.
His lips moved.
Nothing happened.
Lila waved a hand in front of his face.
"Caelumn?"
No response.
She leaned closer.
"Caelumn?"
His spirit was still buffering.
Mara hid her smile behind her hand.
Far, far away—
"AH—CHOO!!"
The palace shook. Pillars rattled. Birds exploded from rooftops.
Momon sniffed once, frowning.
"…Is someone talking about me?"