The Realm of Goddesses was unusually calm that evening.
The floating islands drifted slowly through the endless sky, surrounded by glowing clouds and shimmering starlight. Soft golden lanterns had begun lighting the palace terraces, filling the entire realm with a quiet warmth.
Aerion walked slowly through the central garden path, his hands tucked into his pockets.
His mind was… messy.
Over the last few days, things had become far more complicated than he ever expected.
Seraphyna's quiet, curious kiss.
Aelira's soft and sincere moment beneath the stars.
And Lyria's bold attack that had nearly stopped his heart.
He rubbed his forehead.
"…Yeah, I'm definitely not surviving this."
"Not surviving what?"
Aerion nearly jumped.
He turned around quickly.
Lyria stood behind him, her silver-blue hair glowing softly under the lantern light. Her usual mischievous smile was already forming.
Aerion sighed.
"You really enjoy sneaking up on me."
She shrugged playfully.
"You react in fun ways."
Before he could reply—
Another voice appeared.
"Aerion."
Seraphyna stepped out from behind a glowing tree, her midnight-blue hair flowing gently with the evening breeze.
Aerion blinked.
"…Okay, this is getting suspicious."
Lyria crossed her arms.
"What is?"
"The fact that you two appeared at the exact same time."
Seraphyna tilted her head slightly.
"That is coincidence."
"Sure it is."
But before the conversation could continue—
A soft wave of silver light appeared nearby.
Aerion turned.
Aelira walked toward them from the palace side of the garden.
The Sovereign's presence always carried a calm authority, yet tonight her expression looked softer than usual.
Aerion slowly looked at the three goddesses standing around him.
"…Okay."
Lyria grinned.
"Okay what?"
"I'm surrounded."
Seraphyna answered calmly.
"That appears to be correct."
Aelira stopped a few steps away from him.
"You seem nervous."
"I wonder why."
Lyria chuckled.
"You survived our kisses just fine."
Aerion covered his face.
"Please don't say that out loud."
Seraphyna's lips curved slightly.
"It is technically accurate."
Aelira glanced at the other two briefly.
Then she looked back at Aerion.
"We wished to speak with you."
"All three of you?"
"Yes."
Aerion raised his hands.
"Alright. I'm listening."
The four of them moved to the center of the garden where a circular platform floated above a glowing pool of water.
The night sky above them was breathtaking.
Thousands of stars shimmered like tiny diamonds scattered across darkness.
Aerion leaned casually against the edge of the platform.
"So what's this meeting about?"
Lyria sat on the edge of the platform, swinging her legs playfully.
Seraphyna stood quietly nearby.
Aelira remained beside Aerion.
For a moment no one spoke.
Then Lyria broke the silence.
"Well…"
She looked at the other two goddesses.
"…this is awkward."
Aerion raised an eyebrow.
"That's reassuring."
Seraphyna folded her arms calmly.
"It appears we have reached the same conclusion."
Aerion groaned.
"Why do I feel like I'm about to hear something dangerous?"
Aelira finally spoke.
"Aerion."
"Yes?"
"You have changed this realm."
"That sounds like a big responsibility."
"It is."
Seraphyna continued.
"You have also changed us."
Aerion looked between them.
"…That wasn't my plan."
Lyria laughed softly.
"That's the funny part."
She stood up and walked closer.
"You didn't plan anything."
Seraphyna nodded.
"And yet we are here."
Aelira stepped slightly closer to him.
"Together."
Aerion looked at the three of them standing around him.
"…Okay I'm confused."
Lyria leaned against his shoulder casually.
"That's normal."
Seraphyna stepped forward as well.
"You have shared moments with each of us."
Aerion sighed.
"Yes, and I'm still trying to process that."
Aelira's voice softened.
"But you have not chosen anyone."
The words hung quietly in the air.
Aerion scratched his neck.
"…I didn't think I had to."
Lyria smirked.
"You don't."
Seraphyna nodded.
"We understand that."
Aelira looked thoughtful.
"Feelings cannot be rushed."
Aerion blinked.
"…You're all being surprisingly reasonable."
Lyria laughed loudly.
"Oh don't worry."
She stepped closer again.
"We're still competitive."
Aerion groaned.
"Of course you are."
Seraphyna suddenly reached out.
Her fingers gently touched Aerion's arm.
The simple gesture sent a small shiver through him.
Lyria noticed immediately.
"Oh?"
Aelira raised an eyebrow.
Seraphyna looked completely calm.
"I was making a point."
"What point?" Aerion asked.
Seraphyna's voice remained soft.
"That he is easily flustered."
Lyria grinned.
"Oh I know."
Before Aerion could react—
Lyria leaned in and kissed his cheek quickly.
"There."
Aerion froze.
"Lyria."
"Yes?"
"You just proved Seraphyna's point."
She laughed.
"Worth it."
Aelira shook her head slightly.
"You two behave like children."
Lyria pointed at Aerion.
"Your turn."
Aelira blinked.
"My turn?"
"Yes."
Seraphyna added calmly,
"Statistically fair."
Aerion stared at them.
"…Is this actually happening?"
Aelira sighed quietly.
"You are all impossible."
But after a moment—
She stepped closer.
Her hand gently lifted his chin.
Aerion's heart began racing again.
"Aelira—"
Before he finished speaking—
She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
It was brief.
But warm.
When she stepped back, Lyria clapped quietly.
"Nice."
Seraphyna looked thoughtful.
"Interesting."
Aerion looked like his brain had completely stopped working.
"…I'm not surviving tonight."
Lyria laughed.
"Oh relax."
Seraphyna stepped forward slowly.
Her calm eyes met his.
"You appear overwhelmed."
"I am overwhelmed."
She considered that for a moment.
Then she leaned forward slightly.
And kissed him as well.
Soft.
Gentle.
Curious.
When she pulled back, the three goddesses stood around him calmly.
Aerion covered his face again.
"…This is insane."
Lyria laughed.
"Yes."
Aelira looked amused.
"Possibly."
Seraphyna spoke quietly.
"But honest."
For a moment the four of them simply stood there beneath the endless sky.
The moment felt strangely peaceful despite the chaos.
Aerion finally lowered his hands.
"…You know what?"
"What?" Lyria asked.
"If this is my life now…"
He looked at the three powerful goddesses around him.
"…I guess I'll accept it."
Lyria smiled.
"Good answer."
But just as the moment settled—
The air changed.
Suddenly.
A cold wind passed through the garden.
The stars above flickered faintly.
Aerion frowned.
"…Did anyone else feel that?"
Seraphyna looked toward the sky immediately.
"Yes."
Aelira's expression became serious.
"That presence…"
Lyria stopped smiling.
"…Oh."
A strange ripple of dark silver light appeared above the floating gardens.
The air grew heavier.
And from that shimmering rift in the sky—
A new figure slowly descended.
A woman with long black-silver hair and glowing violet eyes.
Her aura felt ancient.
Powerful.
Different from the others.
Aerion stared.
"…Another goddess?"
The mysterious woman landed lightly on the garden platform.
Her gaze moved slowly across the scene.
First Aelira.
Then Seraphyna.
Then Lyria.
And finally—
Aerion.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"So…"
Her voice was smooth and mysterious.
"You are the human who has captured the attention of three goddesses."
Aerion blinked.
"…Uh."
The woman stepped closer.
The air around her shimmered like dark starlight.
"Interesting."
Aelira's voice became firm.
"…Nythera."
Aerion looked at her.
"Nythera?"
Lyria whispered quietly.
"…This just got dangerous."
The new goddess tilted her head slightly.
Her glowing eyes remained fixed on Aerion.
"Tell me, Aerion…"
Her smile deepened.
"…are you prepared to attract the attention of a fourth goddess?"
Aerion stared at her.
Then looked at the three goddesses beside him.
Then back at Nythera.
He sighed deeply.
"…I'm definitely doomed."
And beneath the endless celestial sky—
A new player had just entered the game of hearts.