As the laughter and conversation around the breakfast table began to settle down, I noticed Rosalia quietly observing me from her seat across the room. Her eyes, normally full of confidence and warmth, carried a hint of something else today—something more vulnerable.
After everyone finished their meal and began dispersing to handle their various daily tasks, Rosalia motioned for me to follow her outside to the garden. She led the way, her movements graceful as always, but there was a subtle tension in the air. I followed, curious.
We walked through the rows of vibrant crops, the air filled with the fresh scent of the earth and the lingering sweetness of the morning harvest. Eventually, we reached a secluded spot near a large, flowering tree. Rosalia stopped, turning to face me, her arms crossed in front of her as she leaned back against the tree trunk.
For a moment, there was silence between us, but I could see the wheels turning in her mind. Finally, she let out a soft sigh, her eyes searching mine.
"I've been thinking, Rosé," she began, her voice unusually soft. "You've been having these… Elantra sessions with Hestia, Eldara, and even the others. But I couldn't help but notice…" Her voice trailed off, and she looked away for a moment before turning back to face me. "You haven't shared that with me."
Her words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight behind them. Rosalia wasn't someone who typically revealed her insecurities, but right now, there was a touch of vulnerability in her gaze.
"Am I… ugly to you?" she asked quietly, her lips curving into a small, self-deprecating smile. "Or maybe I'm just not enough anymore?"
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. Rosalia, the powerful, beautiful, and confident woman who had been by my side through so much, was standing here in front of me, questioning her worth. It was a rare sight, and it stirred something deep within me.
Without hesitation, I closed the distance between us, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist. I pulled her close, and her breath hitched as she looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for answers.
"Rosalia," I whispered, leaning down until my lips brushed the soft skin of her neck. "You're not just enough. You're everything."
She shivered as my breath tickled her skin, but I wasn't done yet. My lips moved closer to her ear, and I let my teeth graze her neck lightly before sinking them in just enough to send a shiver down her spine. She gasped, her body pressing into mine as her hands instinctively gripped my arms.
"Saving the best for last, remember?" I murmured against her skin, my voice low and full of promise. "I've been holding back because, with you, I want it to be perfect. I'm not in a hurry because I want every second with you to be unforgettable."
She let out a soft, breathless laugh, the tension in her body slowly melting away as she leaned into me more fully. "You're such a tease," she said, her voice a mix of relief and playful accusation. "Making me wait like this… you know it's driving me crazy."
I chuckled, my hands sliding up her back, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "Oh, I know," I said, my lips brushing her ear again. "But trust me, it's going to be worth every second of that wait. I want you more than you can imagine, Rosalia. You're perfect. You always have been."
She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her eyes soft but smoldering with intensity. "You better not keep me waiting too much longer, Rosé," she warned, though there was no real threat in her voice, only a playful challenge. "Because when it finally happens… I'll make sure you never forget it."
I grinned down at her, my hands still firmly around her waist. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
For a moment, we just stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the playful teasing giving way to a deeper connection. I could see the spark returning to her eyes, the confidence that was so quintessentially Rosalia.
She tilted her head, looking at me with a smirk. "So, you're saving the best for last, huh? Does that mean you're ready to deal with all this when the time comes?" she asked, gesturing to herself.
I tightened my grip on her waist, pulling her even closer. "Oh, I'm more than ready," I said, my voice deepening as I leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips, just enough to make her want more.
She returned the kiss, her lips lingering against mine for a moment before pulling away with a soft, satisfied smile. "Good. Because when we finally get to that point, I'm not holding back."
"Neither am I," I replied, my voice filled with certainty.
Rosalia gave me one last look, her eyes filled with a mixture of love, desire, and amusement. "Well then, you'd better be ready for me."
With a final teasing smile, she turned and started walking back toward the house, her hips swaying slightly as she moved. I stood there for a moment, watching her retreat, a smile of my own spreading across my face.
As she disappeared into the distance, I couldn't help but laugh softly to myself. Rosalia was right—I was in for one hell of a ride when the time finally came. But one thing was for certain: it would be worth every second.
As the morning sun fully illuminated the sky, casting its golden light across the vibrant landscape of the Nightfall family compound, I lingered in the garden, still replaying the flirtatious conversation I'd just had with Rosalia. Her words, filled with passion and fire, echoed in my mind. I couldn't help but smile as I walked back toward the house, anticipation already growing in the pit of my stomach.
Rosalia was unique—bold, untamed, and so very alive. And despite all the teasing, I knew the bond we shared was far deeper than mere words.
As I reached the large wooden doors that led to the kitchen, I could already smell the delicious scents of breakfast being prepared. The aroma of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices filled the air, signaling that Rosalia, ever the culinary expert, was in her element.
Inside, the kitchen was bustling. Rosalia, along with Elara and Selene, was busy creating what promised to be another extraordinary meal. A large array of colorful fruits, vegetables, and herbs harvested just yesterday lay across the counters, each one infused with the potent energies of the Celestial Wellspring Orb.
Seeing them at work, the thought crossed my mind again—those crops, blessed by the Orb, had already changed everything. Their power was immense, enough to push the entire family to the Master rank. But after that, the road ahead would be far longer and more challenging. Only through hard work, focus, and the constant honing of their skills could my family ascend beyond the plateau of the Master rank.
And though I could help, I was content, for now, to let them discover their paths.
Rosalia glanced up as I entered the room, her eyes sparkling with that familiar mischief. "Well, if it isn't the one who's been saving me for last," she teased, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as Elara and Selene exchanged knowing glances.
I grinned, stepping into the kitchen and leaning against the counter. "You'll have to be patient, Rosalia. Good things come to those who wait."
She smirked but didn't respond, focusing her attention back on the dish she was preparing. I watched her for a moment, appreciating the grace with which she moved. The kitchen had always been her sanctuary, a place where she could weave magic with food, and today was no different. Her hands worked swiftly and expertly as she sliced through a collection of lumina-infused vegetables, each one glowing faintly under the kitchen's soft light.
"So, what's the special creation today?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Rosalia raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a proud smile. "You'll see soon enough. But let's just say the effects of these new crops are... profound."
Before I could inquire further, Eldara entered the room, still looking a little tired from our intense Elantra session earlier. She walked over, brushing a hand through her silver hair, and gave me a playful wink as she passed by.
"Seems like you've been busy this morning," she teased, her voice soft but laced with affection.
I smiled at her, nodding in acknowledgment. "You could say that."
Hestia was still nowhere to be seen, likely enjoying a few more hours of rest. Not that I blamed her—yesterday had been an intense day for all of us.
"Anyway, you two," Rosalia said, her tone taking on a slightly scolding note, "don't think you can just lounge around after a night like that. The rest of us still have work to do."
Eldara laughed softly, walking over to stand beside me. "Rosalia's right. We've already missed out on last night's dinner. If we keep this up, the rest of the family will think we've abandoned them."
"I don't think anyone's feeling abandoned," I said, watching as Selene and Elara exchanged knowing looks. "If anything, they've been a little too curious for their own good."
"Speaking of which," Eldara began, her voice dropping to a more conspiratorial whisper, "what do you think they were doing when we didn't show up for dinner?"
Rosalia turned her head slightly, eyes narrowing playfully. "Oh, they *definitely* came to check on us," she said with a grin. "Selene told me. She and Aurora were practically sneaking around the hallway, trying to figure out what was going on."
"They wouldn't let us leave until we got a full explanation," Elara chimed in, laughing.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "They're curious, but I doubt they could handle the truth."
"Truth?" Rosalia repeated, her tone teasing. "Oh, I'm sure they already have their own wild theories."
Just as we were laughing, the rest of the family began to make their way into the kitchen. Selene, Aurora, Liora, and even Mira all gathered around the large table, chatting amongst themselves. There was a lightness in the air, a sense of unity and joy that always seemed to bloom when we were together. Even in the teasing, the laughter, and the flirtations, there was an unspoken bond—a deep, unbreakable connection that transcended the ordinary.
Finally, as everyone settled around the table, Rosalia brought out the masterpiece she had been working on all morning. It was a large, beautiful salad, with radiant vegetables and fruits of every color imaginable. Their glow was subtle, but unmistakable—the energy of the Celestial Wellspring Orb pulsed within them.
The family's eyes widened as Rosalia set the dish down. "This is a special one," she announced with pride. "Each ingredient is lumina-infused and freshly harvested. I'm curious to see how it affects all of you."
Without hesitation, everyone began serving themselves, eager to taste the food that had been blessed by the powerful orb. As they ate, the effects of the crops became immediately apparent.
Selene was the first to notice. "This... this is incredible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can feel the energy coursing through me."
Aurora nodded, her eyes wide with amazement. "It's like... like my whole body is humming with power."
The others murmured in agreement, their expressions a mix of surprise and awe. Even Mira, usually the most composed, was visibly impressed.
As they continued to eat, I watched their lumina units gradually increase. It was a slow process, but undeniable—the energy from the crops was helping them grow, even as they neared the threshold of the Master rank.
Eldara, still sitting beside me, gave a soft, satisfied sigh. "It's incredible how much potential this land holds now," she whispered, leaning closer to me. "You've done something truly extraordinary here, Rosé."
I smiled, placing a hand on hers. "There's still more to come," I said softly. "But for now, let's just enjoy this moment."
Eldara's eyes sparkled as she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I look forward to seeing what else you have in store."
We shared a brief, tender moment before returning our attention to the rest of the family, who were now discussing their plans for the day. The crops had brought them closer to their goals, but the path ahead was still long.