✦ Balcony Reflection — "The Breath Beneath the Light" ✦
The palace was finally calm again.
Servants had retreated; the sky glowed soft gold.
I sat on the balcony ledge, feet dangling over a sea of clouds.
Below, the Crystal Heart shimmered — each pulse sending a ripple through Heaven's veins.
The city glowed in rhythm, towers lighting one by one like candles in a cathedral.
I pressed a hand against my chest.
The warmth echoed there — faint, steady, almost like it was answering me.
Behind me came that familiar voice.
"You always end up here, Haise."
I turned.
Mother approached, silver hair catching the morning light. She moved like silence wearing silk.
Her wings — faintly luminous — carried traces of an ancient grace. The kind Heaven no longer remembers.
"I wanted to watch the world wake up," I said.
She joined me at the railing, eyes resting on the endless horizon.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeah," I whispered. "It feels… alive."
Yumi: "All living things breathe, Haise. Heaven simply breathes louder."
"It is," she said softly. "The Heart connects everything — the rivers, the stars… even us.
Its light runs through our veins."
I tilted my head. "So if it stopped…?"
She laughed — that calm, melodic laugh that always made me feel safe.
"Then the sun would refuse to rise, and your father would have a very long morning."
I grinned. "So basically, Heaven depends on Dad's alarm clock?"
Her laughter echoed through the open halls, bright and warm.
"Exactly that, my little prince."
She brushed my hair with a mother's absent gentleness, eyes bright.
"Remember this view, Haise.
The world looks different from up here.
One day, it will look to you the same way — waiting for your light."
That was the first time someone told me Heaven might need me. I didn't realize then… how heavy that promise would become.
I didn't understand what she meant.
I just nodded and turned back toward the Heart, watching it pulse — steady, eternal, untouchable.
Back then, I believed Heaven itself could never break.
✦ The Arrival of Arval Nyx ✦
A faint gust brushed through the hall — cold, unnatural.
The golden morning dimmed as if holding its breath.
Then, the doors opened.
"Announcing Archon Arval Nyx," the steward said,
Steward (whispering behind fan): "Saints preserve us… he's early…"
voice trembling.
Arval entered with the quiet authority of a man who expected the world to make way for him.
Arval (voice calm, too calm):
"Your Majesties. I apologize for the early hour.
As per Concord tradition…
Her Majesty requested
I came so my children may offer their greetings to the Prince."
He bowed — perfectly measured, perfectly polite — then lifted his gaze.
Tenjin (low, steady):
"Your twins?"
Arval (continuing with that polished breath):
"My son and daughter were born under the same day dawn as His Highness.
I present them, as tradition requires."
Yumi nodded with serene, welcoming grace.
Yumi (royal calm):
"Arval, thank you for bringing your children.
Haise will soon begin formal upbringing within the palace.
Children born of the same dawn should grow together —and learn together."
Arval (smiling):
"A wise decision, Your Majesty.
Companionship shapes destiny."
He stepped aside, allowing the twins forward.
✦ THE TWIN INTRODUCTIONS ✦
Both twins stepped forward and dropped into a formal bow — hands to chest, wings lowered respectfully.
Lyra (soft, respectful):
"Your Majesty… Godking Tenjin."
"Your Majesty… Queen Yumi."
Kael (firm, sharp):
"Your Majesties."
Tenjin inclined his head slightly — a mountain acknowledging a breeze.
Tenjin (calm authority):
"Raise your heads, children of Nyx."
Yumi's smile warmed like dawn.
Yumi:
"Let me see you both."
The twins straightened — Lyra shy, Kael proud.
✦ Lyra Steps Forward First ✦
Lyra peeked Tenjin first — her small voice trembling, from behind her father's sleeve.
green hair catching the light like soft morning leaves.
Lyra:
"I-I am Lyra Arval… I hope to grow worthy of Heaven's light."
Tenjin studied her gently.
Tenjin (voice softening):
"You carry serenity in your pulse, child.
Heaven welcomes you."
Lyra then turned to Yumi.
Lyra (tiny smile):
"Your Majesty… you are very beautiful."
Yumi laughed softly, touched.
Yumi:
"Sweet child… welcome."
Finally Lyra looked at me —
eyes darting away, cheeks pink.
Lyra (shy):
"It's… an honor to meet you… Prince Haise…"
No one on Earth ever looked at me like that… not with warmth.
My heart absolutely short-circuited.
The warmth, the soft voice, the tiny courage clutching her dress —
THRUM.
Me (Haise, flustered):
"D-Don't call me prince."
"J-Just… call me Haise."
Her breath hitched — then a tiny smile bloomed.
Lyra:
"…Haise."
A breeze moved like even Heaven approved.
✦ Kael Bursts In ✦
Before I could breathe—
A loud voice cut in.
Kael stepped forward next
—with the opposite of shyness.
He bowed quickly — sharp, confident — then lifted his chin toward Tenjin.
Kael:
"I am Kael Arval, Your Majesties.
I swear to grow strong enough to serve Heaven's front lines."
Tenjin's brows lifted slightly — amused but impressed.
Tenjin:
"A bold vow. Strength must be earned."
Kael smirked.
Of course he did.
He looked at Yumi next.
Kael (respectful but cocky):
"I will make my father proud, Your Majesty…
and prove myself worthy."
Yumi smiled politely —
the smile mothers reserve for children who will definitely start fights.
Yumi:
"I'm certain you will."
Then Kael turned to me —
and instantly turned the atmosphere competitive.
Kael:
"I'm Kael Arval —
future Sentinel and strongest of the new generation."
He shoved a practice sword toward me like it was destiny.
Kael (smirking):
"Let's see what the King's son can do."
"Let's fight, Haise"
I raised a finger.
Me:
"Call me Prince."
Kael froze.
Kael:
"HUH!? You just told Lyra to call you Haise!"
I blinked slowly.
Me (dead serious):
"…I don't remember that. Call me Prince."
Kael's soul left his body for a second.
Kael:
"You— YOU LITTLE—!"
He searched for a word, any word…
then pointed aggressively with his tiny sword:
Kael (insult attempt):
"You… fluffy-haired… glowing… cloud-boy!"
At least this time, rivalry didn't come with cruelty.
I gasped.
Me:
"I am NOT fluffy!"
Lyra burst into giggles.
Yumi covered her mouth, smiling.
Tenjin's shoulders actually shook — the God King was laughing.
Even Arval exhaled — the closest he ever got to amusement.
Background angels completely lost it.
Angel #1 (whispering):
"He called the Prince 'cloud-boy'—we're dead."
Angel #2:
"Should we… stop this?"
Angel #3:
"No. This is history."
Kael huffed, puffed, crossed his arms —
then jabbed the sword at me again.
Kael:
"Prince or Haise—
I'm still beating you someday!"
Me:
"…You can try."
Lyra (soft sigh):
"They're already fighting…"
Lyra giggled.
Kael smirked harder.
I frowned deeper.
Me (Haise, inner screaming):
Love at first sight and rivalry at first shove.
Heaven is exhausting.
I clenched my jaw, thinking one thing:
I'll surpass you… and I'll make it look effortless.
Fine. Rivalry and fate on the same morning? Bring it.
Because even then, I didn't know it yet,
but Lyra wasn't just the Archon's daughter — she was the light Heaven meant me to find.
And Kael — the shadow meant to make me fight for it.
Somewhere, destiny laughed.
End of Chapter 5 — Where Fate First Laughed