The night passed faster than expected.
Not because of urgency… but because there was no more room for hesitation.
We returned to the mansion in silence, but it wasn't a heavy silence. Each person seemed to be processing what had happened in their own way. The banquet, the conversation with the princess, the title, the lands… and now, the change.
Everything was falling into place.
And at the same time…
Everything was changing.
As soon as we entered, the familiar atmosphere of the mansion brought an immediate contrast. It was the same place, the same corridors, the same rooms… but the feeling was different.
Lyannis was the first to speak. "So… we leave tomorrow."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "No time to drag things out."
Scarlett closed the door behind us. "It was already expected."
Elara walked a few steps ahead. "Direct transition."
Vespera observed the surroundings attentively. "We need to prepare."
Liriel looked around calmly. "Yes."
I stopped in the center of the hall.
There was no need to formally gather everyone.
They were already there.
"Let's get straight to it."
Silence.
"We leave early tomorrow."
Lyannis nodded. "No problem."
Rai'kanna answered immediately. "Better that way."
Scarlett kept a firm tone. "Everything's fine."
Elara simply confirmed. "Understood."
Vespera crossed her arms. "I'll organize what's necessary."
Liriel said softly, "I'll help."
No doubts.
No resistance.
The decision had already been made before it was spoken.
I observed each of them.
And that made something clear.
It wasn't just about me.
It never was.
Lyannis stretched lightly. "So this mansion is going to be empty."
Rai'kanna looked around. "For a while."
Scarlett commented, "We'll return."
Elara nodded. "It's not abandonment."
Vespera added, "It's an expansion."
Liriel smiled faintly. "A new beginning."
I walked to one of the windows.
The city of Vailor was still alive outside. Lights lit up, constant movement, life continuing at its normal pace.
But for us…
The direction had changed.
"You know this won't be simple," I said.
Lyannis answered without hesitation. "It never was."
Rai'kanna nodded. "And it doesn't need to be."
Scarlett kept a firm gaze. "We can handle it."
Elara added, "With strategy."
Vespera said, "With organization."
Liriel finished, "Together."
Silence came.
But not as doubt.
As confirmation.
I looked back at them.
"Then it's decided."
Simple.
Direct.
Lyannis smiled. "It already was."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "You just made it official."
Scarlett nodded slightly.
Elara observed.
Vespera agreed.
Liriel remained calm.
The preparations began shortly after.
Without rushing.
Without chaos.
But with efficiency.
Some things were separated.
Others organized.
The essentials were defined.
There was no need to take everything.
Only what was necessary.
Lyannis tried to take more than she needed.
"You're not going to use half of that," Rai'kanna said.
"I might need it," Lyannis replied.
"You won't."
Scarlett intervened. "Take only what's useful."
Elara agreed. "Excess creates inefficiency."
Vespera added, "And unnecessary weight."
Liriel simply smiled. "Balance."
Lyannis sighed. "Okay… okay."
Rai'kanna laughed quietly.
The night continued like that.
Simple.
Organized.
And strangely calm.
There was no tension.
No anxiety.
Just… movement.
After a while, everything was already ready.
Nothing else needed to be done.
We gathered again in the hall.
Without a specific reason.
Just… naturally.
Lyannis was sitting, relaxed.
Rai'kanna leaned against the wall.
Scarlett nearby.
Elara silent.
Vespera attentive.
Liriel calm.
I looked around.
And understood.
That…
Was the foundation.
It didn't matter where we were.
As long as we were together…
It would work.
"Sleep early," I said.
Lyannis answered immediately. "Yes, Lord Baron."
Rai'kanna let out a small laugh. "She's not going to stop with that."
Scarlett sighed. "Ignore her."
Elara commented, "It will probably continue for a while."
Vespera said, "Until it becomes normal."
Liriel smiled faintly. "Or until it stops being funny."
Lyannis raised her hands. "It never stops being funny."
I lightly shook my head.
And turned around.
I went upstairs without hurry.
The room was the same as always.
Nothing had changed there.
But at the same time…
Everything had.
I sat down for a moment.
In silence.
Thinking.
The war had ended.
But the world hadn't stopped.
And now…
It was my turn to follow that movement.
I stood up.
And lay down.
Without difficulty.
Without resistance.
Because there was no doubt.
The decision had already been made.
And by morning…
It would truly begin.
I closed my eyes.
And for the first time since the end of the war…
I didn't think about what was behind me.
Only about what lay ahead.