The grand hall of the Arcanveil estate was heavy with silence, broken only by the soft clinking of teacups. Ronan's parents exchanged worried glances. It wasn't like their son to drift so far from the lively boy they once knew. Lately, Ronan's entire world had shrunk to the family—anyone else, no matter how kind or noble, was met with quiet indifference.
"We need to do something," Ronan's mother said, her voice soft but filled with concern. "He can't go on like this."
"He's not anti-social," his father mused. "He just... doesn't care about anyone outside of us."
His mother folded her hands together thoughtfully. "Maybe that's the problem. What if—what if we gave him a reason to care?"
Ronan's father leaned forward. "Someone new. Someone who can become part of the family."
A flicker of hope sparked between them. The idea began to take shape—someone who wouldn't just be a stranger but someone essential, someone Ronan couldn't ignore.
"He needs a companion," his father said slowly, "a fiancée."
His mother's breath caught. It was a bold step, but perhaps the right one. They both wanted Ronan to be more than a capable ruler; they wanted him to be happy, to have someone who could stand beside him as both queen and friend.
"We'll need to search thoroughly," she whispered. "She has to be someone special."
Every influential family in the celestial realm would be considered. But it wasn't just about status or political power. They needed a girl who could connect with Ronan, someone he could accept into the small, sacred circle of people he loved.
"What about the Ashforts?" his father suggested. "Dante and Emiliya's daughter—Celia Ashfort."
His mother nodded slowly, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yes... Celia. She could be perfect."
There was warmth in their decision—not just strategy, but love. Every thought, every plan, was rooted in their deep care for Ronan. They wanted him to thrive, not just as a king but as a person. For that, they would do whatever it took.
The garden shimmered under the golden afternoon sun, petals scattering gently in the breeze. In the midst of this beauty, the Ashfort and Arcanveil children stood awkwardly, eyeing each other.
"Why don't you all play together?" Emiliya Ashfort said, nudging Celia and Dante forward.
"Yes, get to know each other," Ronan's mother added warmly, her gaze soft but expectant. "Go on, Ronan. It will be fun."
Ronan frowned slightly. Why does everything have to be about fun? His mind flickered back to the idea of a "family meeting" his parents had been so secretive about. He had no interest in other families—especially not the Ashforts—and couldn't see how playing with their children would make any difference. They're probably thinking about that again… bringing more people into our family. The thought made his chest tighten, but he kept his face carefully blank, as always.
Liviya tugged on his sleeve, her small fingers insistent. "Come on, let's play," she said brightly, her warm smile cutting through his thoughts.
Reluctantly, Ronan gave a tiny nod. Fine… but only because mom asked.
"Bet I can run faster than all of you!" Dante shouted, already taking off in a sprint, his laughter ringing through the air. Celia trailed behind him with her curious gaze fixed on Ronan, studying him like some puzzle she wanted to solve.
Ronan hesitated for a moment. His parents clearly wanted him to interact with these kids, but they didn't understand. What's the point? No one but family matters. He glanced over at Liviya again, following only because she was part of the family—the only person he really needed to protect.
Away from the adults' serious conversations, the garden bloomed with laughter and mischief. Dante chased Liviya, pretending to be a knight on a grand quest, while Celia trailed behind, still watching Ronan as if waiting for him to join in. But Ronan hung back. He trailed further and further behind until the game faded into the background, like white noise.
A large tree, standing tall and quiet in the garden's heart, caught his attention. With a soft sigh, he approached it and began climbing, his limbs moving instinctively. Up here… at least I can have some peace. Settling on a sturdy branch, he let the gentle sway of the tree calm him as he scanned the garden below, keeping Liviya in his line of sight.
All this playing—it's pointless. I'd rather watch and make sure Liviya's safe. At least that has a purpose.
Meanwhile, Celia and Dante noticed the absence of their new playmate.
"What's Ronan doing up there?" Dante asked, squinting at the boy tucked high among the branches.
Celia tilted her head. "Ronan! Why are you on the tree?"
Ronan's silver eyes glimmered with disinterest as he glanced down. "I'm not a kid. I don't find fun in this," he said flatly, his voice as steady as the branch he sat on.
Celia puffed her cheeks. "But aren't you a kid?"
Him without batting an eye. "My body is of a kid, but I'm smarter and stronger than adults."
He wasn't bragging—just stating the truth. Adults always seemed so concerned about things that didn't matter. If anything, it annoyed him that they thought he needed to be treated like one of these children. How long until they realize that this isn't what I need?
Celia's expression darkened, her frustration bubbling over.
"You're so annoying!" she huffed.
Before Ronan could react, Celia stomped over and gave the tree a sharp kick.
The tree creaked loudly, a shocked scream escaping Ronan's lips as he fell from the branches. He stared at the sky in disbelief and landed on the grass below. Seriously?
Dante rushed there. "Celia! Why did you do that?"
Ignoring her brother's protests, Celia charged in and grabbed Ronan's arm and pulled him to his feet with surprising strength for someone so small.
"Come with me," she commanded with a strange determination.
Ronan blinked, stunned by her boldness. "Where are we going?"
"Just follow me," Celia said with a stubborn pout, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Ronan stared at her for a moment, caught off guard. Why is she acting like this? His usual urge to withdraw felt muted, and—despite himself—he followed her without a word. Liviya trailed after them, her smile bright and playful, while Dante muttered complaints under his breath.
As they walked deeper into the garden, Ronan felt an odd sense of ease wash over him. I don't get her… but this is kind of nice.
For once, he let someone else lead. It felt strange, but not entirely bad.
Celia led the way through the winding paths of the garden, her laughter ringing like music. Liviya and Dante followed closely, their energy infectious. Ronan hung back slightly, still grappling with the sudden shift from solitude to this lively group. I didn't ask for this, he thought, yet a flicker of curiosity ignited within him.
"Look!" Liviya pointed at a patch of daisies, their bright petals glimmering under the sun. "Let's make a crown!"
Celia's eyes sparkled. "Yes! And we can all wear one!" she exclaimed, kneeling down to gather the flowers. Liviya joined her, plucking the blooms with tiny fingers, while Dante tried to impress them with his own flower-choosing skills, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Ronan remained standing, arms crossed, watching the girls work.
"Ronan! Come help!" Celia called, breaking through his thoughts. "You can find the biggest flowers for our crowns!"
With a sigh, he climbed down from the tree, his feet hitting the soft earth. "Fine," he muttered, not wanting to admit that he was curious.
As he joined them, Liviya and Celia began weaving flowers into a beautiful crown. "You have to do it like this!" Liviya instructed, her fingers deftly working with the delicate stems.
Ronan watched closely, his brow furrowing. "I don't know how to do that," he admitted with a hint of frustration.
"Just try!" Celia encouraged, beaming at him. "It's easy!"
With a reluctant nod, he picked up some daisies and started experimenting. At first, his attempts were clumsy, but as he watched the girls, he began to understand. Soon, a small crown started to take shape in his hands.
"Look, I did it!" he declared, lifting his creation with pride.
"Wow, Ronan! That's great!" Dante said, genuinely impressed.
Celia clapped her hands, her enthusiasm brightening Ronan's spirits. "Now we can all wear them!"
They took turns placing the flower crowns on each other's heads, laughter filling the air as they admired their handiwork. Celia adjusted Ronan's crown, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You look like a king!"
Ronan felt warmth creep into his cheeks, surprised by the compliment. A king? he thought, his heart racing at the thought of belonging to this little kingdom of friendship.
"More like a royal fool," he joked, but his smile betrayed him.
As the afternoon sun began to sink lower in the horizon, they were all sprawled out on the grass, tired but happy. Ronan lay next to the sleeping Livia, resting his head on her shoulder. He glanced at Celia and Dante as they fondly discussed his favorite games and felt a strange sense of satisfaction wash over him.
Maybe being a part of this wasn't so bad after all, he thought, a smile creeping across his face. The humor, the friendship—they felt like a warm blanket around him, drawing him into a world he had long avoided. Perhaps it's okay to let them in.
Celia caught his gaze and winked. "You're smiling!"
Ronan quickly turned his head, pretending to inspect a passing butterfly. "No, I'm not," he replied, but inside, he couldn't help but feel lighter.
The sun dipped lower, painting the garden in golden hues, and Ronan realized, for the first time, that he wasn't alone anymore.
In the elegant sitting room of the Ashfort estate, Dante Ashfort and Emiliya Ashfort welcomed Elara and Lord Arcanveil into their home. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie, yet an air of seriousness loomed over the gathering.
"Thank you for coming," Dante began, gesturing for them to sit. "We've heard much about your concerns for Ronan."
Elara exchanged a glance with her husband before speaking. "Thank you for having us. It's a delicate matter, but we believe it's time for Ronan to find a companion—someone who can bring joy back into his life. He's become so withdrawn lately."
Emiliya leaned forward, her expression empathetic. "We've noticed the same with Celia. She's been longing for a true friend, someone she can bond with. I'm sure this would be a beneficial arrangement for both children."
Lord Arcanveil nodded, taking a deep breath. "We believe that an engagement would not only help Ronan but also strengthen the ties between our families. Celia is a remarkable young girl, and we see the potential for a beautiful partnership."
As the parents discussed the future of their children, they glanced out the window to the garden. There, they spotted Ronan and Celia, running around and laughing, their earlier hesitations melting away.
Dante pointed toward the garden. "Look at them," he said, a smile creeping onto his face. "It seems they're already forming a bond. Celia has always been good at drawing others out."
"Exactly," Elara added, it warmed her heart to see their children playing together. "Ronan needs someone like Celia in his life—someone who can help him discover the joys of friendship and love. It's not just about political alliances; it's about happiness and relationships."
Emiliya exchanged a knowing look with her husband. "Celia would benefit from this too. She's always been curious and adventurous, and having a friend like Ronan could help her grow into the queen we know she can be."
As they watched, Ronan swung Celia around, their laughter ringing through the air. It was a sound that spoke of innocence and joy—a sound that pulled at the hearts of the adults in the room.
Lord Arcanveil leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "What do you say, Dante? Shall we consider an engagement for our children? It seems they have already begun to forge their own connection."
Dante's smile widened as he observed the playful interaction between Ronan and Celia. "Yes, I think it would be a wonderful idea. Seeing them together reinforces the notion that this engagement could bring joy to both our families."
The parents were unanimous as the children's laughter rumbled in the background. The bond that was beginning to form between Ronan and Celia was undeniable, making their conversation not just duty, but love and hope for the future.