The news came unexpectedly.
Like most things in Lyra's life now.
She was in the library when Kael found her.
Of course, he didn't announce himself.
Didn't make unnecessary noise.
She just-
Felt it.
"You're quiet today."
His voice broke the silence.
Low.
Calm.
Closer than before.
Lyra didn't look up from the book in her hands.
"...And you're observant today."
A pause.
Then-
"...We're leaving tomorrow."
That made her stop.
Her fingers stilled against the page.
Slowly-
She looked up.
"...Leaving?"
Kael stood a few steps away, his posture relaxed
but composed. ↓
"My sister gave birth."
Lyra blinked.
Not expecting that.
"Oh."
A small pause.
Then-
"That's... good."
Kael nodded once.
"A son."
Lyra closed the book slowly.
"So?"
Kael's gaze held hers.
"We're going to visit."
Lyra frowned slightly.
"We?"
"Yes."
Lyra leaned back in her chair.
"...I wasn't aware I had a choice."
"You don't."
The answer came simply.
But not harshly.
Lyra exhaled quietly.
"Of course I don't."
A brief silence followed.
Then-
"...It's a different kingdom," Kael added.
"Far from here."
Lyra tilted her head slightly.
"And?"
Kael hesitated.
Just slightly.
"...You won't be treated the same way there."
That caught her attention.
"...Meaning?"
Kael's expression shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
"My brother-in-law is not like my court," he said.
"...Or my people"
Lyra studied him carefully.
"...Is that supposed to reassure me?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Then-
"...It should."
Another pause.
Lyra stood slowly.
"...And your sister?"
Kael's gaze softened.
Just slightly.
"She's... different."
Lyra noticed. Of course she did.
"...You care about her," she said.
Kael didn't deny it.
"No."
But the word came quieter than usual.
Less convincing.
Lyra almost smiled..
Almost.
"...What's her name?"
Kael hesitated. Just for a second.
Then-
"Aerith."
Lyra nodded faintly. "..And the child?"
Kael looked away briefly "...I don't know yet."
That surprised her.
"...You haven't asked?"
Kael's jaw tightened slightly.
"I was informed. Not involved."
Lyra didn't respond.
But something about that-
Felt familiar,
"...Then maybe you should ask when you see her," she said quietly.
Kael glanced at her.
"Maybe."
Another silence settled between them. But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Not like before.
"...You'll need to prepare kuel said after a
moment. "The journey isn't short."
Lyra nodded. "...I've traveled before."
"I know."
The words were simple.
But they lingered.
Lyra looked at him.
"...Do you?"
Kael met her gaze.
"...More than you think."
Something passed between them.
Quiet
Unspoken.
Then-
Kael stepped back.
Creating distance again.
But not as sharply as before.
"We leave at dawn."
Lyra nodded once.
"...I'll be ready."
Kael turned to leave-Then stopped.
"Lyra."
She looked up.
A pause
Then-
"...Stay close during the journey."
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
"...For the bond?"
Kael held her gaze
"Yes"
A beat.
Then-
"...And for other reasons."
Lyra didn't ask. But she noticed.
"...Fine," she said.
Kael nodded once.
Then left.
Leaving behind something unfamiliar.
Not tension.
Not anger.
But something quieter.
Something that almost felt like-
Trust.