The celebration was a rare moment of joy in Aeloria, a fleeting respite from the shadow that loomed over the realm.
Lanterns glowed warmly across the grand courtyard, their golden light reflecting in the polished stone and illuminating the sea of smiling faces.
The hum of laughter and cheer blended harmoniously with the soft melodies of a distant lute, creating an atmosphere that felt almost otherworldly.
Eira and Edelia, stood at the center of the revelry. With a flick of their wrists and murmured incantations, they transformed the night sky into a masterpiece.
The heavens burst alive with a symphony of color—crimson cascades tumbled like waterfalls, while delicate silver sparks floated down like ethereal starlight.
Some streaked upward in sharp lines before blooming into radiant explosions of sapphire and gold, while others spun in dizzying spirals, painting the heavens with intricate patterns.
Each burst drew gasps of awe from the crowd, their faces lit by the brilliance above.
But not all hearts were light that evening. High above, on the balcony overlooking the festivities, Valerie stood alone, her figure a silhouette against the vibrant display.
The cool night breeze tugged at her hair, whispering secrets she dared not decipher.
She clutched the balcony's cold stone rail, her gaze fixed on the dazzling lights below. The beauty of the night only deepened the ache within her chest.
A familiar emptiness gnawed at her—a void that no laughter or light could fill. Lover, her dearest companion and the one she cherished most, was absent.
The ache of his absence was a quiet agony she carried every day, but tonight it felt sharper, like a blade pressed against her soul.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, and she closed her eyes, letting the sound of distant cheers wash over her.
Yet, instead of comfort, the revelry below felt like a cruel mockery, a reminder of what she longed for but could not have.
The sound of footsteps broke through her thoughts. She turned sharply, her heart skipping a beat.
In the doorway stood Veader, his silver eyes catching the flickering lantern light. He wore his usual air of quiet authority, but tonight there was a softness in his expression—a concern that rarely surfaced.
"You're here... alone," he remarked, his deep voice a low murmur that carried both curiosity and understanding.
"Yes," Valerie replied, her voice barely more than a whisper.
She turned back to the view below, her eyes drawn to the shimmering lights of the celebration.
To her, they seemed distant, unreal, like a painting she could observe but never touch.
Veader stepped closer, his boots silent against the stone floor.
"You don't seem to be enjoying the festivities."
Valerie shrugged, a fleeting, half-hearted smile tugging at her lips.
"Of course, I do. It's beautiful. I just... needed some air."
He studied her for a moment, his gaze keen and unyielding.
"It's about Lover, isn't it?"
The question hung between them like the lingering smoke of a dying firework. Valerie said nothing at first, her throat tightening.
Her eyes lifted to the sky as another explosion of light painted the heavens in hues of scarlet and gold. The colors blurred as unshed tears filled her vision.
"He promised he would return," she said finally, her voice breaking.
"And yet... nothing. Not a word. Not a sign."
Veader moved closer, his presence steadying. His silver eyes searched hers, his expression unreadable but charged with an intensity that made her heart skip.
"He will return," he said, his tone firm, resolute.
"He would face the deepest shadows of this world to protect you. You know that."
Valerie's lips trembled as she forced a small, wavering smile.
"I want to believe that. I do, but..." She trailed off, her voice lost to the night.
Veader hesitated before placing a hand gently on her shoulder.
"Hope, no matter how fragile, is what keeps us going. You must hold on to it, Valerie. He will come back. You have to trust in that."
She nodded faintly, though the weight in her chest remained. The fireworks continued to burst overhead, their brilliance reflected in her tear-streaked eyes.
Below, the crowd cheered louder, unaware of the quiet turmoil that played out above them.
"Perhaps you should join the others," Veader said after a moment.
"The celebration is as much for you as it is for them."
Valerie shook her head, her grip tightening on the stone railing.
"Not tonight," she whispered.
The image of Lover's face—his eyes—filled her mind. She clung to the memory, even as it cut her deeper.
"Not yet."
Veader lingered for a moment, as if considering whether to press further. But at last, he gave a small nod and stepped back.
"If you need me, you know where to find me," he said, his voice gentle.
And then he was gone, leaving Valerie alone once more.
She turned her gaze back to the night sky, where the fireworks continued their dazzling dance.
The celebration below was a distant echo, a world apart from the silent grief that consumed her.
As the final bursts of light faded, a quiet resolve settled in her chest. Lover's absence might haunt her, but she would wait. However long it took, she would wait.
For him.
For the promise he made.
For the love that had tethered her heart to his, even across the vastness of the unknown.