The golden light of the late afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of the massive trees in Zestia Forest, casting a warm, dappled glow over the village paths. The day had been peaceful, with Liora and Elara guiding me through the hidden beauties of the Lumera village. We walked leisurely now, exchanging stories and teasing one another, the soft sound of their laughter filling the air.
However, as we approached the open central path, I noticed a group of girls passing by. Their presence immediately altered the mood. I saw it on Liora and Elara's faces first—the sudden drop in their expressions, the way their shoulders sagged ever so slightly. It wasn't hard to guess why.
This group of girls—Arielle, Sylra, and Kaelen—were the very ones the previous version of me had foolishly chased after. Back then, he had ignored the warmth of his family and even been rude to them, all for the fleeting attention of these girls. They were undeniably beautiful, each adorned in the traditional Voran—a revealing hide clothing that covered only the most intimate parts. The Voran was common attire among the Lumeras, accentuating their grace and natural beauty, but with them, it almost felt like they wore it for the attention it garnered.
Arielle, the leader of the group, had flowing white hair that fell in soft waves down her back, her silver eyes shimmering in the light. Her tall, lean frame exuded confidence, and she walked with the elegance of someone who knew they were admired. Sylra was the fiery one, with hair the color of burning embers, short and messy but alluring in its wildness. Her sharp green eyes sparkled mischievously, always seeming to be up to no good. Kaelen, the quietest of the three, had raven-black hair tied in a loose braid, her deep blue eyes holding a mysterious allure, but she was no less striking than the others.
As they neared, I caught the way their gazes locked onto me. It was almost amusing to see how different their reaction was now. Their footsteps faltered, and they stopped in their tracks, staring at me as though they were seeing a new man. Perhaps in a way, they were.
Arielle's confident smirk wavered as her eyes roamed over me, from the toned muscles that rippled under my skin to the calm confidence I exuded. Sylra blinked in disbelief, her lips parting slightly as if trying to find the words. Kaelen's blue eyes softened, losing their usual cool indifference.
"Rosé... you look... different," Arielle said finally, her voice softer than usual, almost hesitant.
"Different," Sylra echoed, her gaze lingering on my arms. "Stronger. Better."
Kaelen remained silent, but the way she bit her lower lip and fidgeted with the strap of her Voran was enough to tell me what was going through her mind.
Liora and Elara exchanged glances, clearly remembering how much attention I had once lavished on these girls. I could feel the weight of their sadness and disappointment. They had been the ones hurt the most by my previous behavior, and seeing the same girls now brought back painful memories.
Arielle stepped forward, her hips swaying slightly as she moved, the confident smirk returning to her lips. "You know," she said, her voice honeyed with flirtation, "we were just talking about how much you've... grown. I must say, it's a pleasant surprise."
I raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her attempt at charm. "Is that so?" My tone was casual, but there was an edge to my words. I wasn't about to let them think that everything was as it once was.
Sylra chuckled softly, stepping closer as well, her fiery hair catching the light. "Come on, Rosé. Don't pretend you don't know. You're not the only one who's noticed." She let her gaze travel up and down my body, her eyes gleaming with something more than just admiration.
I could feel Elara shift uncomfortably beside me, and Liora folded her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line. The discomfort from my sisters only fueled my resolve.
"I've noticed the change in myself too," I said with a shrug, turning to face the girls fully. "But let me make something clear. You'll need to work really hard to get back in my good graces."
Arielle's smirk faltered again, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice losing its usual seduction.
"I mean," I said calmly, my voice steady, "I remember how things used to be. The way I used to chase after you three, the way I ignored my family—" I glanced at Liora and Elara, my gaze softening before returning to the group, "—and that won't happen again. Not now. Not ever."
Sylra frowned, clearly not used to being rejected or put in her place. "You're seriously saying that? After all the attention you used to give us?"
Kaelen shifted awkwardly behind the others, her eyes downcast, but she remained silent. Perhaps she understood the weight of my words better than the other two.
"That was before," I replied. "Things have changed. I have changed. My priorities are different now."
Arielle opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words. She had expected the old Rosé, the one who would have eagerly fallen over himself for even a glance from them. But that Rosé was gone.
Liora, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, a small but satisfied smile playing on her lips. "It's about time you realized what really matters, Rosé."
Elara nodded in agreement, though her smile was softer. "We're glad to have you back."
Arielle glanced between me and my sisters, her expression turning contemplative. She sighed, her confident air deflating slightly. "I guess we underestimated you."
Sylra crossed her arms, muttering under her breath, "Guess we did."
Kaelen finally spoke up, her voice soft and almost apologetic. "Maybe... we should go."
The three of them exchanged a glance, then with a nod, they slowly turned and walked away, their confidence shaken. It was clear they hadn't expected this version of me.
As they disappeared down the path, Liora laughed softly. "That was... satisfying."
Elara smiled warmly at me. "Thank you, Rosé. For choosing us."
I smiled back, my heart warm with the knowledge that I had made the right choice. "You two mean the world to me. I've grown to love this family more than anything. Whatever I do from now on—whether it's helping the village, protecting us, or just spending quiet time together—it's all for you. You're my life now."
Liora's eyes softened, and she leaned against my side. "I'm glad, brother. I'm really glad."
We continued walking, the three of us, the earlier tension melting away as laughter and teasing filled the air once more.
As the sun began setting,The three of us returned home .
I walked into the kitchen, the rich aroma of a hearty meal greeted me. Rosalia stood at the stove, her movements graceful and rhythmic as she prepared dinner. I approached quietly, wrapping my arms around her from behind and pressing a gentle kiss to her collarbone.
Rosalia tensed momentarily but soon relaxed into my embrace. "Ah, you're back. How was your day?" she asked, her voice soothing as she continued to stir the pot.
"It was quite eventful," I replied, my tone warm and affectionate. "I had the pleasure of meeting Aunt Ayla after so long. We talked about a lot of things, and it was wonderful to catch up with her."
Rosalia's face lit up with interest. "Aunt Ayla? It's been ages since I've seen her. How is she?"
"She's as remarkable as ever," I said. " It would be lovely if you invited her over. It would be a pleasure to see her again and catch up."
Rosalia's eyes sparkled with thoughtfulness. "That's a wonderful idea. I'm sure she would love to visit. I'll send her an invitation soon."
I smiled, resting my chin on her shoulder. "And I also met Saria Brightflame today. She's every bit as impressive as I've heard. Her fiery spirit and dedication to her work are inspiring."
Rosalia's smile widened, and she turned slightly to look at me. "Saria is amazing. Her Grandmother, Shina Brightflame, is a very close friend of Hestia,They basically spend all their time together, and Saria inherited her fiery passion and skill. It's good to hear that she's doing well."
"She certainly is," I agreed. "It's nice to see how everyone here has their own unique talents and strengths. It makes me appreciate the village and its people even more."
Rosalia playfully nudged me with her elbow. "You're quite the charmer today. Are you trying to win everyone's favor?"
I chuckled softly, tightening my embrace. "Maybe a little. But it's hard not to be impressed by the wonderful people around me. And speaking of charm, I must say, you're making it very difficult to focus on anything else."
She glanced over her shoulder with a teasing smile. "Oh? And what exactly is distracting you?"
I gently brushed a lock of hair away from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek. "It's hard not to be captivated by you. You have this way of making everything feel so right."
Rosalia's cheeks flushed slightly, and she bit her lip to hide a smile. "Flattery will get you far, you know. But I must admit, it's nice to hear."
I leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. These moments with you are the ones I cherish the most."
Rosalia's eyes softened as she rested her head against my chest. "You're making it very difficult for me to concentrate on cooking."
"Should I be worried?" I asked with a playful grin. "Or is it that I'm just too distracting?"
She looked up at me with a warm smile. "A little of both, I think. But I wouldn't trade this moment for anything."
I hands creased her smooth and toned stomach as I slowly bit on her collar bone.
"Mhmmm…..Your being such a distraction Baby"Rosalia said as she leaned back into my touch.
After successfully marking her I kissed her on the neck and said "I'll be in the hall room mom".
"Mhhmmm..Alright baby. Dinner will be ready soon so don't go anywhere."she said.
"Okay"I replied as I left the kitchen.