"Are you sure that's enough sweets?" Eiran looked doubtful as he tied the final ribbon around the neatly wrapped bundle of homemade pastries. He handed it carefully to the twins, who accepted it with bright smiles.
Riven peeked inside the cloth wrapping and nodded seriously. "Yes. And I'm sure Papa will take some of it from us once we arrive anyway."
Rhen one added with annoyance in his tone , "He always does!"
Eiran laughed softly. "I guess the queen is as strict as ever."
Sion, who had been leaning against the doorway,let out a faint hum.
He stepped forward and crouched down in front of them, bringing himself to their height. His usual sharpness softened slightly.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "For visiting. And for delivering the suppressants."
The twins beamed.
"You could have stayed a little longer," Sion added, brushing a stray strand of hair away from the younger twin's forehead. "We barely spent time together."
Rhen puffed his cheeks slightly. "Then next time."
"Yes," Riven nodded firmly. "Next time we'll stay longer."
Sion smiled faintly,eyes narrowing just slightly, before rising to his feet. His gaze shifted to Darius, who stood just beside the twins, hands folded neatly behind his back.
"You could leave tomorrow instead of today," Sion suggested casually. "It's almost sunset. You might end up traveling in the dark."
Darius gave a small, apologetic smile. "We would actually love to stay."
His eyes softened slightly.
"But His Majesty sent an urgent letter this morning."
Sion raised a brow.
"He misses them," Darius continued. "Very much."
The twins giggled.
"And," Darius added, "he sent a carriage to wait not far from town."
Eiran chuckled. "Who would have thought that the scary and unapproachable alpha is the same person as a doting, overly protective parent?"
Sion immediately jabbed his elbow lightly into Eiran's side.
Glaring at him telling to shut up.
Eiran coughed and muttered feeling wronged. "I said nothing."
Sion ignored him and looked back at Darius.
"Are you fine now?" he asked.
The question was simple.
Darius understood. But his ears can't help but reddened faintly even though there's no meaning behind it.
Then, more formally, "I apologize for this morning. I acted without thinking. I was still affected by the dream. I did not intend to be… presumptuous."
Sion's lips curved faintly.
"You pulled me like I was about to disappear."
Darius stiffened slightly.
Sion stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough that only Darius could hear.
"You're too honest when you're emotional."
Then he stepped back, smile returning to its usual lazy sharpness.
"It's fine. Let's pretend it never happened."
Darius looked at him carefully.
"Very well."
The twins tugged on Darius's sleeve.
Darius straightened.
He bowed politely toward Eiran."Thank you for your hospitality."
Eiran smiled warmly. "Travel safely."
Then Darius look at Sion.
There were many things unspoken between them.
He bowed—not as a knight, not as a subordinate.
But as someone acknowledging something personal.
"Take care."
Sion lazily waved his hands.
"Goodbye, Uncle Sion!" the twins chimed.
"Goodbye, Uncle Eiran!" they added as they waved enthusiastically.
"See you next time!"
Sion lifted a hand in return. "Next time."
Eiran smiled warmly and waved until their figures grew smaller and smaller down the hill.
Eventually—
They vanished beyond the trees.
Silence settled over the hilltop once more.
Eiran exhaled first.
"The twins are so cute ," he said fondly.
Sion hummed in agreement. "They are."
There was a faint softness lingering in his gaze as he stared at the empty path.
"It seems they might have some use after all," Sion added thoughtfully.
Eiran glanced at him sideways.
"So that's what you were thinking, Young master."
Sion shrugged lightly. "They insist on repaying me. "
"Gratitude," Eiran mused.
"Yes.And it would be foolish to not consider it."
Sion's lips curved faintly. "Gratitude is a powerful thing."
Eiran studied him carefully.
"Im glad that your our mood seems lighter," he observed.
Sion didn't respond immediately.
"Maybe," Eiran continued teasingly, "because you saw your childhood friend again,Young master?"
Sion shot him a look sharp enough to cut.
But he was smiling.
"You think too much," Sion replied smoothly.
Eiran raised both hands defensively. "I'm just saying."
"Young master ,It obvious that he clearly cares for you," Eiran added more quietly. "Maybe we can use that too."
Sion's eyes narrowed slightly,not in anger, but in calculation.
The image of Darius's flushed ears surfaced in his mind.
Sion looked away toward the horizon.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"We'll see," he said lightly.