The heavy silence that followed our discussion of the past lingered in the air like a dense fog. We all sat quietly, reflecting on the scars left behind by the plague, and for a moment, the room felt a little darker, a little colder.
But then, as if on cue, a familiar burst of vibrant energy entered the room, dispelling the gloom like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
"Now, what's this I'm hearing about dark times?" Aunt Mira's playful voice cut through the quiet, her entrance as spirited as ever.
She was followed closely by Aunt Nadia, her older sister, who was wearing her usual bright smile. "You know, I could feel the melancholy all the way from across the village," she teased, her telekinetic abilities allowing her to carry small dishes and trays, floating them in the air behind her like a line of obedient servants.
Grandmother Eldara and Hestia followed, their presence bringing a wave of warmth and familiarity. Eldara's knowing smile and Hestia's calm, protective energy settled over the room, immediately lifting the mood.
"Now, now," Eldara said softly, her voice smooth but firm, "no need to dwell on things that have already passed. We have our future to look forward to, don't we?"
"Exactly," Hestia chimed in, her silver eyes gleaming with gentle reassurance. "We're still here, together."
The sisters exchanged a look of mutual understanding, and just like that, the energy in the room began to shift. Aunt Mira, never one to let a moment of tension go uninterrupted, clapped her hands together and beamed.
"You lot are much too young to be sulking like this! Come on, let's lighten things up, shall we?" She nudged Elara playfully, causing her to smile for the first time since the conversation had started.
Nadia floated closer, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Yes, let's. I brought a little something special to go with the dinner. Maybe we can raise a glass or two, hmm?"
She winked at me, her playful nature always at the forefront. It was impossible not to feel lighter when she was around.
As if on cue, Rosalia walked in from the kitchen, balancing trays of food in her hands, her face glowing with warmth and affection. She glanced at me, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Dinner is ready," she announced, her voice filled with a melodic warmth. "I hope you're all hungry."
The moment she set the food down, the room seemed to brighten even more. The smell of roasted vegetables, seasoned meats, and freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter that was starting to bubble back up around the room.
Rosalia's gaze met mine, and her smile deepened as she crossed the room toward me. Without a word, I instinctively wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close as she leaned in. She whispered softly into my ear, her breath warm against my skin, "I'm glad to see the mood's lifted."
"Thanks to you," I replied, letting my lips brush her cheek before letting her go.
Everyone began to gather around the table, the air now filled with the familiar sounds of our family—talking, laughing, teasing. It felt right again.
I found myself seated between Elara and Liora, both of whom were clearly recovering from the earlier heaviness of the conversation. Aunt Mira was already deep in conversation with Nadia, the two of them comparing some of the newer developments in their abilities and occasionally throwing cheeky comments in my direction.
"Rosé," Mira called out, turning her attention to me. "I see you've been spending quite a lot of time with these lovely ladies. But tell me, have you met anyone interesting lately?"
I raised an eyebrow, catching the not-so-subtle suggestion in her tone. Before I could respond, Rosalia, who had taken her seat next to me, chimed in with a playful smirk. "I was about to ask the same thing earlier. Have you met anyone today that caught your eye?"
I leaned back in my chair, a grin tugging at the corner of my lips as I considered my answer. "Well, yes. I ran into Aunt Ayla after a long time today, and I also had the pleasure of meeting Saria Brightflame."
"Ayla and Saria, huh?" Nadia said with an exaggerated wag of her eyebrows. "Two fiery women. You certainly have a way of attracting interesting company."
Elara laughed softly next to me, nudging me gently with her elbow. "That's an understatement."
Rosalia's gaze remained fixed on me, her smile softening but her curiosity never wavering. "You should invite Aunt Ayla over sometime soon," she suggested. "It's been a while since we've had her join us for dinner."
"I'll see what I can do," I replied, playfully dodging the flirtatious looks being thrown my way from around the table. "But you know, Aunt Ayla's always busy with the Frostpetal Garden. I'll have to drag her away from her work."
Mira chuckled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "It sounds like you're already charming your way through half the village, Rosé. But let's be real—who's been catching your attention most lately? There's no way you can keep dodging that question forever."
I smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Oh, you'll need to work really hard to get back in my good graces if you're trying to fish for details, Aunt Mira."
The table burst into laughter, the teasing only intensifying from there.
"Rosé, I heard something interesting today," she began, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. "Word around the village is that Arielle and Kaelen have developed quite the crush on you. Seems like today's little interaction left a mark."
Her comment earned a few surprised gasps from around the room, but it was Grandmother Hestia's reaction that drew the most attention. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she crossed her arms, letting out a low hum of disapproval.
"First, they ignore my sweet baby for years," Hestia grumbled, her voice sharp with indignation. "And now, suddenly, they have a crush on him? After all this time?" She shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "I think it's time I have a little chat with those two girls. Hmph."
Her protective nature had everyone smiling, but before she could get too worked up, Grandmother Eldara placed a calming hand on her shoulder, gently patting it.
"There, there, Hestia," Eldara soothed, her voice carrying the weight of wisdom and experience. "You don't need to do anything. Our sweet boy here is more than capable of handling this on his own. He's completely transformed himself now, haven't you, Rosé?"
I smiled, appreciating the faith Eldara had in me. "You don't need to worry, Grandmother," I reassured them, leaning back in my chair with a relaxed air. "I'm not interested in them anymore. I've grown beyond that. Besides…" I paused for dramatic effect, letting my gaze sweep across the table, my tone turning playful, "I'd rather spend my time with you lovely ladies."
The shift in tone was instant. My teasing comment caused a ripple of reactions. Mira laughed heartily, clearly amused, while Elara, Nadia, and even Hestia all flushed, their faces quickly turning a soft shade of pink. Eldara, despite her usual calm demeanor, raised an eyebrow, a hint of a blush creeping across her cheeks as well.
The light flirtation hanging in the air added a warmth to the room, making the atmosphere far more intimate. Nadia was the first to regain her composure, her lips curving into a sultry smile. "Oh, you smooth talker," she teased, her voice low and almost conspiratorial. "If you keep talking like that, we might start believing you."
"Believe him?" Mira cut in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I think he's serious! Look at him—he's got that look in his eye. You're going to make us blush, Rosé."
"I already have," I pointed out, grinning as I saw Hestia shift uncomfortably in her seat, trying to hide her flustered expression.
"Stop it," Hestia muttered, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth despite her protests. "You'll make an old woman like me blush if you keep this up."
"Oh, come on," Elara chimed in, her cheeks still flushed but her eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're not that old, Grandma."
"Maybe not," Eldara mused, still smirking, "but it seems our dear Rosé has developed quite the knack for making us all feel younger."