Subaru leaned slightly toward Auren, a curious smile tugging at his lips. "So... she's good in the kitchen?"
Auren gave a quiet nod. The lamplight framed his expression with a calm glow. "Yes. She's quite skilled. Is there something you'd like her to prepare?"
Subaru scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Nothing complicated. Just something simple that makes Raphael and I go... 'wow.'"
Auren's mouth curved gently, almost amused. "Then you won't be disappointed. She tends to make an impression without meaning to."
Subaru let out a soft chuckle. "We'll see. Come on, Raphael. Let's see what Wǔ Zhìyuàn is doing. Hopefully not making a fuss about something in his workspace like he used too."
Raphael moved with a slight tilt of the head, silent as always. He didn't need to speak. Subaru understood him well enough.
But before they could step away, Auren's voice came, light but unwavering.
"Wait… Granduncle."
Subaru paused, turning back halfway. "Hmm?"
Auren's gaze shifted briefly to Baek Dae-won, then returned. His expression had grown more serious, quiet with intent. "May I speak with you? Alone."
Subaru's shoulders sagged slightly, though his tone stayed warm. "Again? Can't it wait until after lunch?"
"I'm afraid not," Auren replied softly. "It's... important."
Subaru sighed. "Fine, fine." He looked over at Baek Dae-won. "My boy, could you take Raphael with you?"
Baek Dae-won gave a small nod. He stepped over to the table and gently set down the folder he had been holding, his movements quiet, deliberate. He hesitated, then looked to Raphael without meeting his eyes directly.
"…Let's go."
His voice was soft, almost a murmur. Raphael followed him without question. The door closed behind them with a soft thud, sealing the room in a calm stillness.
Subaru turned back to Auren. "Alright. What is it this time?"
Auren gestured politely to the nearby chair. "Please. You've been standing for some time. I thought it might help your back."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I'm old?"
Auren kept his voice light. "I would never say that directly, Granduncle. Only that time moves forward, and we should all sit when we can."
Subaru grunted, clearly amused, and lowered himself into the chair. "There. Happy? I've taken a seat. Now what's pressing enough to pull me aside?"
Auren paused, hands lightly clasped in front of him. "…I hope this isn't selfish. But I wanted to ask…"
He hesitated, unsure how to untangle the questions crowding his throat. "How is Balmount Kingdom? And…"
His voice caught. Then the words slipped out all at once.
"Why haven't you written? Not even once?"
Subaru blinked, the change in tone catching him off guard. "Whoa, slow down. One thing at a time, boy. You're talking too fast."
Auren looked away, exhaling quietly. "Sorry."
"It's alright." Subaru leaned back, fingers drumming gently on the armrest. "Balmount is… surviving. But only just. The kingdom's unraveling in places people don't see. Or don't want to."
Auren's eyes shifted slightly, the flicker of unease behind them not hidden. "That bad?"
Subaru didn't speak right away. When he did, his voice had lost its usual warmth. "Worse. They're holding on because Thorn refuses to let go. He still believes it's his burden to carry... but that burden isn't reasonable anymore."
Auren folded his arms across his chest, his voice calm but threaded with feeling. "That sounds like him. Uncle Thorn never believed in asking for help. He just... kept walking with the weight."
Subaru gave a slow nod. "He can. Until the weight finally breaks the spine."
The silence that followed lingered between them, not empty, but full of what neither wanted to say outright.
Auren lowered his eyes, then looked up again, speaking carefully. "Shouldn't we be offering something? Even quietly? He's carried more than his share."
Subaru shook his head. "No involvement. Not right now. The moment we move, others will notice. And if they trace it back to you... to this place... it puts everyone over here and there in danger."
Auren's voice remained soft, but there was a quiet edge to it now. "Sora can handle herself. Kibo too. You said it yourself…he's not just gifted, he's rare."
Subaru leaned forward slightly, voice low. "Kibo isn't ready. And Balmount's problem isn't one that strength alone can fix."
Auren was quiet again, but not passive. His eyes were steady, waiting. "Then what exactly are they facing?"
Subaru looked at him for a moment, then answered with a quiet certainty. "Something older than your generation. Older than Balmount. This isn't just a kingdom's problem anymore. It's much larger than that."
Auren's composure wavered. His voice, though still even, had grown hushed. "So… even Sora wouldn't be able to protect the children if it reaches them?"
"No."
"…Then it's really that serious."
"It is." Subaru let the weight of the truth settle. "Which is why I need you to be ready. I'm not asking. I'm telling you."
Auren straightened, but not defensively. His hands clasped gently in front of him, his tone quiet and certain. "We've been watching the signs. I didn't want to assume. But now…"
He trailed off, then gathered his thoughts. "Is there no way to help from the shadows? Even something subtle?"
Subaru's eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger, but in caution. "Even in the shadows, action leaves a mark. I know you want to do more. But restraint is the choice most leaders can't make. It's also the one that saves more lives."
Auren dipped his head, respectful. "I understand."
There was a long, reflective pause before he lifted his eyes again. His voice was quieter now, almost like something he hadn't meant to say aloud. "Still… you should have written."
Subaru's gaze softened. "I know."
"Even if it was just a line. A word." Auren didn't accuse him. But the ache was there.
"I regret that," Subaru said. "Truly."
Another stillness passed, this one a little less heavy. Like something had finally been allowed into the open.
Subaru shifted slightly. "That reminds me. Raphael."
Auren tilted his head, a question in his eyes.
"He's going to be joining the Order."
Auren blinked slowly, his voice soft and cautious. "Raphael? You really think he's strong?"
Subaru gave a steady nod. "He is, in his own way. Quiet, but capable."
Auren's brow lifted in mild surprise. "You didn't bring Sora or Kibo. Why choose him then?"
Subaru leaned forward slightly, his tone calm but deliberate. "Kibo's time hasn't come yet. Considering that Sora is already a member of the Order, she should focus on training the children. They'll need all the strength they can get."
Auren's voice lowered, thoughtful. "Kibo and Lily, I assume they're the ones she's training?"
Subaru added softly, "And Slyphira."
At the mention, Auren paused, his eyes widening just a little. "Slyphira? Uncle Thorn's daughter. So that means…"
Subaru's gaze turned serious. "Yes. It's that serious."
A long silence settled between them. The weight of those words lingered.
Finally, Auren's voice broke the quiet, softer than before. "And if this threat grows beyond what they can't handle?"
Subaru met his eyes evenly. "Then it falls to all of you. When I'm no longer here."
Auren's expression tightened with quiet resolve. "You're not going anywhere soon."
Subaru smiled, a faint warmth in his voice. "Not just yet."
Auren relaxed a little, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Very well. And about Raphael… will he need to be tested?"
Subaru's eyes twinkled with mock offense. "You don't trust my judgment?"
Auren's reply was gentle and respectful. "I trust you, Granduncle. But the Order needs to understand where he stands. It's necessary."
Subaru exhaled softly, amusement in his voice. "Then I look forward to seeing that."
Auren gave a polite nod, eyes steady. "As do I."