The night sky over the capital burned with a thousand lights.
Lanterns rose into the heavens like drifting prayers—tiny suns made of silk and flame. The reflection of their glow shimmered on the slow-moving river, turning the dark water into a ribbon of gold. Laughter, music, and the gentle hum of flutes filled the air, weaving through the scent of fried sweets and sandalwood.
For the first time in months, Lian An felt light.
She and Lian Hua stood at the river's edge, the cool wind tugging playfully at their sleeves. Behind them, the city was alive with the pulse of the Lantern Festival; ahead, the water rippled beneath a sea of floating lights.
Lian Hua held up a small lantern shaped like a lotus flower, its petals glowing soft pink. "Sister, what will you write for your wish this year?"
Lian An smiled faintly, dipping her brush into the ink and writing slowly on the slip of paper. "Peace," she murmured. "For my family."
