Berikut versi bahasa Inggris yang lebih halus dan enak dibaca, dengan alur yang lebih natural seperti novel fantasi/romance berbahasa Inggris. Aku tetap mempertahankan cerita dan dialogmu, hanya merapikan ritme kalimat, emosi, dan transisi agar terasa lebih novel-like.
CHAPTER 28
A Night That Feels Like Home
The Evermont hall was still lively when Keira returned.
Children's laughter filled the room. Some of them had already started eating, while others were still running between the tables under the watchful eyes of the servants.
The atmosphere was warm.
Different from the palace.
Keira paused for a moment at the entrance, quietly taking in the scene.
Without realizing it, she drew a deeper breath.
This place… truly felt like home.
"Your Majesty."
The voice made her turn.
Kael stood not far from her, his gaze immediately checking her condition.
"Are you alright?"
Keira gave a small nod. "Yes."
Kael studied her for a few seconds, as if wanting to confirm it further. Eventually he said simply,
"Good."
But he didn't ask where she had gone.
And Keira noticed that.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you."
Kael frowned slightly.
"For what?"
"For not asking."
He didn't answer right away.
But after a moment, he said quietly,
"If Your Majesty does not wish to explain, I will not force you."
Keira nodded softly. Then she walked back into the hall with Kael.
Daniel spotted her immediately.
"Ah, finally back."
He leaned casually against his chair, a glass in his hand.
"You were gone quite a while."
Keira sat in the empty seat beside him.
"I only went for a short walk."
Daniel narrowed his eyes.
"In the garden?"
Keira glanced at him.
"You're always curious."
Daniel smiled lazily.
"It's my unofficial job."
Lucien, who was sitting across from them, joined the conversation.
"He's just curious."
Daniel pointed at him.
"See? Even he admits it."
Lucien didn't argue.
Instead, he studied Keira quietly for a few seconds.
But unlike Daniel—
his gaze was more… observant.
"The event is going better than expected," he finally said.
Keira nodded.
"Because of the children."
Lucien tilted his head slightly.
"And also because the Queen sang."
Daniel grinned widely.
"So you admit it."
Cassian approached a moment later.
He had just finished speaking with several guests.
But the moment he saw Keira—
his expression relaxed.
"You disappeared," he said.
It wasn't a reprimand.
More like mild concern.
Keira looked at him.
"I went to the garden."
Cassian nodded.
He didn't ask anything more.
But his hand briefly touched Keira's shoulder.
A reflex.
The habit of an older brother.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
Keira nodded.
"Yes."
Cassian studied her for a moment before giving a small smile.
"Good."
Then he took a seat beside them.
A few moments later, a small child approached their table.
"Your Majesty."
Keira turned.
The child looked hesitant.
"May I sit here?"
Daniel answered before anyone else could.
"Of course."
The child beamed and climbed into the empty chair.
"The song earlier… was really beautiful," the child said to Keira.
Keira smiled.
"Thank you."
The child looked at her with shining eyes.
"Will Your Majesty sing again?"
Keira thought for a moment.
Then she said,
"Maybe."
The child immediately looked delighted.
Cassian watched the exchange quietly.
His gaze softened.
For a while, they simply sat together.
There were no important discussions—only light conversation.
Daniel talked about things from the modern world.
Lucien occasionally responded with calm remarks.
Kael remained mostly silent, but he wasn't entirely distant from the conversation.
And Cassian…
Every now and then, he simply looked at Keira.
As if making sure she was truly there.
Eventually, Lucien turned to Kael.
"Sir Kael," he said calmly.
Kael, who had been silent until then, looked up.
"Yes."
"You leave for the south tomorrow, correct?"
Kael nodded briefly.
"That's correct."
Lucien leaned back in his chair.
"At what time?"
"Before dawn," Kael replied without hesitation. "Before sunrise."
Daniel raised his eyebrows.
"Seriously? That early?"
Kael didn't look surprised by the reaction.
"The journey to the southern border takes several days. The earlier we leave, the sooner I can confirm the situation there."
Lucien added calmly,
"The southern border has been unstable recently."
Cassian nodded slowly.
"There have been reports of small movements in villages near the border."
Kael continued,
"I will ensure the defenses remain secure… and personally check on the condition of the villagers nearby."
Keira, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"You're going alone?"
Kael shook his head.
"No. I will bring several soldiers."
He paused briefly before adding,
"However, I will not be here for some time."
Keira looked at him.
She had grown used to seeing Kael nearby.
Silent. Watchful. Keeping his distance.
Suddenly it felt strange to hear that he would be gone.
Kael continued formally,
"While I am away, Your Majesty need not worry. I have assigned someone I trust to replace me."
Daniel immediately interrupted.
"Someone you trust?"
Kael nodded.
"Someone who has served under my command for a long time."
Lucien narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Name?"
"Rheinar."
Kael's tone remained calm.
"He doesn't speak much, but his abilities are not to be questioned."
Daniel smirked.
"Sounds like a second version of you."
Kael didn't respond.
A few seconds of silence passed.
Then Keira spoke quietly.
"You will return… right?"
Kael looked at her.
"As soon as possible."
There was no dramatic promise.
No exaggerated words.
Just a certain answer.
Keira nodded softly.
But her thoughts had already begun drifting somewhere else.
The border…
Something inside her felt strangely drawn to it.
She looked at Kael.
Then, almost unconsciously, she said—
"Then… I'll go with you."
The entire table fell silent.
Daniel, who had been lifting his glass, froze mid-movement.
"…What?"
Kael immediately turned.
"Your Majesty?"
Keira looked at him seriously.
"I'm going to the south with you."
There was no hesitation in her voice.
Lucien immediately set down his teacup.
"No."
The answer came instantly.
Cold.
Firm.
Cassian didn't even wait a second.
"No."
His voice was much sharper.
Everyone at the table turned to him.
Keira frowned slightly.
"I haven't finished speaking."
Cassian looked straight at her.
"And I don't need to hear the rest."
His tone was calm.
But it left no room for argument.
Keira crossed her arms.
"I just want—"
"No."
This time Lucien cut in.
He looked at Keira far more seriously than usual.
"The southern border is not a place for 'just wanting'."
Silence fell.
Daniel slowly looked from one person to another.
"Wow… you didn't even give her a chance to explain."
Cassian didn't look at him.
His gaze remained on Keira.
"There's no need."
Keira exhaled slowly.
"I have a reason."
Cassian replied immediately.
"Whatever the reason is, the answer is the same."
"No."
Keira glared at him.
"You haven't even heard it."
Cassian met her gaze.
"I don't need to."
His voice remained steady.
"Your duty right now is to stay somewhere safe."
Keira held her breath for a moment.
Maybe to them her request sounded unreasonable.
Maybe even selfish.
But…
Maybe…
Maybe Keenan was there.
"Please…" she said quietly. "Sir Kael will be there to protect me too. Right, Kael?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
His expression shifted slightly.
But before he could say anything—
Cassian stood.
"No."
One word.
Firm.
Final.
Keira turned toward him.
Cassian stepped a little closer.
"You are not going to the border."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried more weight than before.
Keira clenched her hands.
"I'm not Aelirra."
Cassian answered immediately.
"I know."
His voice softened slightly.
"And I don't want to lose you again."
He paused.
"Whether you are Keira now… or not Aelirra anymore…"
He looked at her.
"You are still my sister."
He stopped suddenly.
As if only realizing what he had just said.
But the words had already escaped.
Silence fell across the table.
Daniel looked at Cassian for a moment.
Then quietly looked away.
Lucien finally spoke again.
"Besides," he said calmly,
"from a political standpoint, the Queen traveling to an unstable region is an unreasonable decision."
He looked at Keira.
"You have only just returned. The kingdom is not yet stable… and rumors are still spreading."
His voice remained level.
"If something happens to you, the consequences will not only be personal."
Keira didn't answer.
But her expression clearly showed she hadn't given up.
Kael finally spoke.
"Your Majesty."
All eyes turned to him.
"Whatever your reason for wanting to come with me… even if you don't explain it, I will understand." He lowered his head slightly. "But I cannot allow it."
Keira looked at him.
"You too?"
Kael answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
His tone was calm.
"My duty is to ensure your safety."
He paused.
"Not to bring you into danger."
Silence returned.
Keira stared at the table.
Her thoughts remained the same.
Keenan.
He might be out there.
Maybe very close.
But she couldn't go.
Finally, Keira exhaled softly.
"…Alright." The answer was simple.
But it was clear she hadn't truly given up. Cassian watched her quietly.
He knew.
His sister or whoever stood before him now was not someone who gave up easily.