CHAPTER 73: TWINS REQUESTS HER PRESENCE

Back in the Ashthorne Castle, the next morning arrived with birdsong and the scent of honey-baked oatcakes.

Sunlight filtered through soft lavender curtains, gently illuminating Evelisse’s chamber.

She stretched in her bed, blinking awake slowly. Her blanket had half-slipped off her side, and Snugglewuff was snoring near her feet, tangled in a pillow.

Fluffy floated in midair, wearing a pretend monocle and sipping fake tea out of an invisible teacup.

"Ah," Fluffy chirped as she stirred, "and the Sleeping Princess awakens at last! Did we enjoy our twelve hours of sloth, m’lady?"

Evelisse rolled to one side and groaned, "I’m not slothful... just... recovering from extreme petal affection and cake-based exhaustion..."

"Excuses, excuses," Fluffy teased. "The castle let you sleep in and miss your etiquette review. Do you realize the privilege you wield?"

She grinned sleepily. "Perks of being seven and a half."

"Correction," Fluffy puffed, "seven and three quarters. And don’t let Madam Hildegarde hear you slurring fractions."

Evelisse sat up with a stretch, then glanced around.

The satchel was by her desk. Pebbleton still quiet inside.

No scrolls had appeared. No strange magic bubbles. No new messages.

But she still felt different.

’The note... the mirror... I don’t know what’s coming next.’

She looked at Fluffy.

"Fluffy?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Can I check my affection stats?"

Fluffy blinked. "That’s sudden. You’ve never asked without a prompt."

"I just want to know... how well I’ve done," she said simply.

Fluffy’s ears twitched. "Very well. Accessing affection matrix..."

The floating interface bloomed open in the air like a translucent flower.

[Affection Points: 3,635 ♡]

Evelisse’s jaw dropped.

"Th-Three thousand?!"

"Three thousand, six hundred and thirty-five, to be precise," Fluffy said smugly.

"I was barely scraping 600 the last time!"

"Well, you’ve been busy. Mystery towers. Saving magical rocks. Being emotionally mature. Releasing lanterns of self-reflection."

"I... I didn’t even notice I was doing well."

"That’s how true kindness works," Fluffy said with a wink. "You don’t do it for the points. You do it because it’s who you are."

She stared at the glowing number in awe.

"But what can I do with the points?"

"That," Fluffy said, floating closer, "is the next Chapter of your adventure."

She was about to ask what he meant—

When a knock came at her door.

Once. Soft.

Then again.

Knock. Knock.

Fluffy froze midair.

Three sharp taps followed.

She frowned. "That’s not a servant’s knock."

Snugglewuff growled softly, ears up.

Fluffy floated toward the door. "Do we open it?"

Evelisse nodded. ’The guards hidden wherever they are would have reacted differently if it was a threat."

Evelisse slowly slipped off the bed.

She padded toward the door, slippers brushing the rug.

She opened it gently.

And blinked.

Standing in the hallway was Lucien.

Silent. Tall. Calm.

His blue eyes met hers.

"Eve," he said softly. "May I come in?"

Then nodded slowly. "Y-Yes, Brother Lucien."

He stepped inside, closing the door gently behind him.

Lucien didn’t speak right away. He looked around her room, taking in the soft toys, the ribbons, the magical glowing night-lanterns still flickering faintly.

Finally, he turned to her.

"I... haven’t been very good at this," he said quietly. "At being a brother."

Evelisse stared.

"I’ve been caught up in politics, in the weight of what’s expected. I thought protecting the realm was enough. But I forgot protecting you meant being *here* too."

She remained quiet.

"I want to do better," he continued. "If there’s anything... anything on your mind. Anything that frightens you. Confuses you. I want you to know I’m someone you can talk to. Not just Marcus."

She looked down, fiddling with her sleeve. "I didn’t mean to make you feel left out."

Lucien shook his head. "You didn’t. I just realized... I’ve made it hard for you to come to me."

There was a pause.

Then she whispered, "There *is* something. But I’m not ready to talk yet."

He nodded once. "That’s okay."

She looked up. "You’re not mad?"

"Never."

A tiny smile bloomed on her face. "Okay."

A moment passed.

Then Evelisse walked across the room and hugged him.

Lucien stiffened, surprised—but then slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"You don’t have to thank me," he murmured.

She stepped back. "But I wanted to."

Lucien looked down at her, brow furrowed, like he wanted to say more. But instead, he rested a gentle hand on her head and nodded. "Breakfast will be ready soon. I’ll see you downstairs."

And just like that, he turned and walked out, his steps lighter than usual.

The door clicked shut.

Fluffy peeked out from under the dresser drawer. "That was... unexpectedly heartwarming."

Evelisse flopped onto her bed. "I think he’s trying. Really trying."

"I’d mark this as a historic event: Crown Prince Lucien voluntarily having an emotional conversation. Shall we make a parade?"

"Maybe just a muffin."

"A celebratory muffin it is."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

The golden morning sun filtered through the east windows of the Ashthorne breakfast hall, warming the long oak table that glittered with trays of sugared fruit, cinnamon bread, roasted meats, and delicate floral jams. The royal siblings were gathered as usual, seven seats full, some more awake than others.

Evelisse sat between Marcus and Felix, happily spooning honeyed oats into her mouth as Snugglewuff dozed beneath her feet. Servants moved softly around the room, refilling teacups and placing fresh muffins with a bow and smile.

"More raspberry jam, Princess Evelisse?" one maid offered.

"Yes, please!" she said politely, beaming. "And thank you very much."

Felix chuckled beside her. "You’re going to need a second plate for all those spreads."

"I need fuel," Evelisse replied seriously. "We have important matters today."

"You planning another diplomacy meeting?" Jared teased from across the table.

Evelisse tapped her chin with her spoon. "Mmm... no. I think today’s a muffin kind of strategy day."

Lucien arched a brow. "What does that even mean?"

Before she could reply, Leo and Lance—seated at the far end—exchanged a glance, then stood up suddenly and marched over.

"Evelisse!" Leo declared.

"We request your presence," Lance added, offering a dramatic bow.

Callum looked up from his sketchbook, unimpressed. "What now?"

"Brother Felix got his turn," Leo said. "And Brother Jared too. And Big Brother Lucien! It’s our turn now."

Lance nodded. "Twin bonding time. It is our sacred right."

Evelisse blinked, unsure of how to respond to this.

"Eh?!"