The night was quiet, save for the distant hoot of an owl and the rhythmic clatter of Aeris and Talia’s boots against the academy’s ramparts.

 The moon cast a pale glow upon the stone walls, illuminating Talia’s face as she kept her gaze fixed ahead, stubbornly avoiding Aeris’ eyes.

Aeris, still reeling from her encounter with Vali, forced herself to focus on something else. 

“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” she mused, tilting her head. “Something on your mind?”

Talia exhaled sharply, arms crossing over her chest. 

“It’s what’s always wrong,” she muttered. “My father.”

Aeris frowned. “What about him?”

“He heard about what happened.” Talia’s voice was clipped, bitter. 

“So now he’s ordered me home for the Winter Solstice Weekend. Probably to assess the damage himself.”

Aeris hesitated before responding, choosing her words carefully. 

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it? He must be worried about you.”

Talia scoffed. “The only thing my father worries about is the Valcrest name.”

Aeris had no response for that. 

She knew what it meant to be a noble’s daughter, to be a pawn in a grander game. But she also knew that nothing she said would dull the resentment in Talia’s voice.

The silence stretched between them until Talia suddenly turned on her heel and, without warning, wrapped her arms around Aeris.

Aeris stiffened. “What are you doing?”

Talia held her tighter. “My prize.”

Aeris’ heart pounded, her breath hitching. Damn it, this wasn’t fair. 

Talia smelled like vanilla, a rich and calming aroma.

 Aeris was certain that if she moved an  inch her self-control would shatter.

Awkwardly, she pried Talia’s arms from around her and patted her shoulder. 

“Alright, alright,” she muttered, doing anything but acknowledging the way her face burned. 

“So? What do you want?”

Talia hesitated, staring at Aeris as if searching for something in her expression. Then, she squared her shoulders. 

“Come with me.”

Aeris blinked. “What?”

“For the Solstice Weekend,” Talia clarified. “I’d feel better with you there.”

Aeris nearly laughed in disbelief. Of all the things Talia could have asked for.

‘My sister will be home, and well, we don't get along, to put it nicely.’ Said Talia 

Aeris mind flickered through her knowledge of Lustrous Hearts.

 Laura Valcrest. The Silver Chevalier, the golden daughter, the tormentor. 

Aeris had admired her in the game, her ruthless cunning, her unyielding strength. 

But this wasn’t a game, and Talia wasn’t just a background character to dismiss anymore.

And Aeris would never let anyone harm her again.

A slow smirk curled at her lips. 

“You want to spend the weekend with me, huh?” she purred, stepping closer. 

“I’d be delighted to accompany a cutie like you.”

Talia’s face turned scarlet. “Sh-shut up,” she huffed, pushing Aeris away.

They walked side by side, playful teasing filling the air between them.

 But as the conversation lulled, something shifted. 

Aeris found herself watching Talia too closely, studying the way her fiery hair caught the moonlight, the way her soft lips parted when she was lost in thought.

When did I stop seeing her as a pawn?

Aeris had spent so long thinking of herself as a villainess, manipulating pieces on a board. 

But for the first time in a while, her mind drifted back to Nagisa. 

To the life she’d left behind. She had never had friends, never known the thrill of flirtation, the rush of a racing heart that wasn’t spurred by fear.

She leaned in, barely noticing the way Talia stiffened beside her.

“I’m glad I have you,” Talia murmured. “Someone I can count on.”

Aeris froze. Just friends. 

The words echoed in her mind, but they felt hollow. Talia’s gaze was locked onto hers, eyes flickering with something Aeris didn’t dare name.

This wasn’t like her. 

She was composed, undaunted. 

She didn’t let herself get swept up in silly emotions. And yet…

She liked it. 

The teasing, the tension, the warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with strategy or battle, or control. She liked… 

Talia.

No. No, no, no.

Aeris’ mind reeled, listing every reason why this was ridiculous.

 Talia had been her least favorite character in the game. 

She was too soft, too naive. And these feelings? They were nothing but distractions, pulling her away from her carefully laid-out plans.

From her leveling up.

Talia poked her cheek, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts.

 “You’re spacing out.”

Aeris blinked rapidly, regaining her composure. 

“Tch. It’s late. We should head back.”

Talia nodded, but before they parted ways, she glanced at Aeris one last time. 

“You will come with me, right?”

Aeris swallowed down the lump in her throat and forced a smirk. 

“I promised, didn’t I?”

Talia grinned, satisfied, and turned away.

Aeris remained still, watching her disappear down the corridor, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She was in trouble.