After finishing breakfast, Ryan looked at his mother, Alena, with curiosity . "Mother, did you receive any response from Queen Clarice?"
Alena smiled softly, putting down her cup. "I did. I received her letter yesterday."
"Is she going to bring the princess here?" Aria asked excitedly, her face lighting up with anticipation.
Alena's smile turned thoughtful. "Well, she said we could visit the royal palace for the first few meetings. If Princess Alice feels comfortable with you two, Queen Clarice will arrange for her to visit us more often."
"It's understandable," Aron chimed in. "Princess Alice has been struggling with depression due to her lack of talent. It has caused her parents a great deal of worry, and Clarice probably doesn't want to risk making her feel worse."
Aria's brow furrowed. "So the princess's name is Alice? But how would visiting us worsen her condition?"
Alena and Aron exchanged a bittersweet glance.
"Aria, you and Ryan are incredibly talented," Alena began gently. "You may not realize it, but people talk. Aria, you're considered to be on par, or perhaps even more talented, than the eldest prince. And Ryan…" She paused for a moment, weighing her words carefully.
Aron took over, looking at Ryan with pride. "Ryan is the most gifted person in the entire Roan Kingdom. He sensed mana when he was only two years old, and he's mastered basic mana techniques that even Aria hasn't fully grasped yet."
Ryan frowned . "You're exaggerating. I can't even cast elemental spells like Aria can."
"Perhaps," Aron sighed, "but that's how others see you. And that's why we should visit Princess Alice in her own home, where she might feel more comfortable. Being around such talent could be overwhelming for her."
"Yes, that makes sense." Ryan agreed, glancing at his sister, who was sulking slightly at the compliment she felt was overly directed at her brother.
Alena nodded, her smile returning. "We can leave for the capital tomorrow. It's not too far from here."
Aron stood from the table, his face falling slightly as he remembered his duties. "Unfortunately, I'll have to stay behind. There's too much paperwork waiting for me, and I can't leave tomorrow."
"It's alright," Alena reassured him. "It would be a bigger event if you came, and besides, we'll likely stay for a few days. It's better this way."
"I'm going to feel really lonely without you," Aron teased, his voice light despite his disappointment.
"Then you should work harder to finish all your paperwork," Alena replied with a playful smirk.
Aron groaned dramatically. "But I hate paperwork."
Alena rolled her eyes at his whining, her lips twitching with amusement. Ryan and Aria burst out laughing at their father's antics.
After a bit more playful banter, Alena got up and followed Aron to help him with the paperwork, leaving Ryan and Aria alone in the hall.
Ryan noticed how quiet Aria had become, her earlier excitement fading. He could sense the change in her mood, the way her little shoulders slumped, and her gaze was downcast. He knew this side of her well. She was only nine, but she already carried so much in her heart.
"Big sis," Ryan said softly, leaning closer to her. "You're really quiet all of a sudden. What's going on?"
Aria looked up quickly, a practiced smile slipping onto her face. "Nothing, I'm fine. Just thinking about tomorrow, I guess."
Ryan could sense the unease underneath her words, even if she didn't say it out loud. She always tried to be strong, especially in front of him, like she had to prove something. But he knew better.
"You sure?" he asked gently, his voice calm and steady, knowing she didn't want to admit it. "You don't have to pretend with me. If something's bothering you, you can tell me. It's okay."
Aria hesitated, her small fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "I just… I don't want to bother you, Ryan. I'm your big sister. I'm supposed to be the strong one."
Ryan's heart clenched at her words. He knew she had made that promise to herself, to always protect him, but she was so young, still trying to figure out her place in the world. She wanted to be strong for him, but sometimes she felt like she wasn't enough.
"Big sis," Ryan said, his voice soft but firm , "you don't have to be strong all the time. Not for me, not for anyone. You're doing great, you know? You're still my big sister, and I look up to you. But it's okay to feel like you're not sure, or like it's hard. You can always tell me."
Aria blinked up at him, her eyes a little wide, as if she wasn't used to this, She bit her lip, looking away again. "But… I promised I'd protect you, Ryan. I'm your big sister. What if… what if I'm not strong enough?"
Ryan gently placed a hand on her arm, his touch light and reassuring. "You're already strong enough, sis, You protect me in ways you don't even realize. You're always there, always pushing yourself to get better. But you don't have to do it alone. We can protect each other, okay?"
Aria was silent for a moment, her fingers stilling as she listened. She didn't say anything right away, but Ryan could feel the tension starting to ease out of her. He knew she wasn't ready to open up fully, not yet, but that was okay.
"You don't have to talk about it now," Ryan continued, "Whenever you're ready, I'm here. No rush, no pressure. Just know that I've got your back, big sis. Always."
Aria's eyes softened, "Thanks, Ryan… I'll try. I just… I don't want to let you down."
"You never have," Ryan said with a reassuring smile. "And you never will."
She gave a small nod, looking a little lighter than before. "Okay… I'll remember that."
Ryan gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go, his heart swelling with affection for his big sister. She tried so hard, even when she didn't have to, and he would always be there to remind her that it was okay to lean on him, too.
As the morning light streamed through the windows, the two siblings sat together, the unspoken weight between them lifting just a little. The road ahead—whether meeting Princess Alice or facing their own insecurities—might still hold challenges, but they would face it side by side.