The night in the Realm of Goddesses had a beauty that mortal worlds could never truly understand.
The sky above the floating islands shimmered with countless stars, each one glowing like a tiny jewel scattered across endless darkness. Soft winds drifted through the celestial gardens, carrying the gentle fragrance of luminous flowers.
Aerion was still standing on the crystal bridge where he had spent the previous hour with Aelira.
His heart hadn't completely calmed down yet.
The memory of that kiss beneath the stars lingered in his mind like a warm echo.
He leaned against the glowing railing and exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah, my life definitely isn't normal anymore."
The quiet night answered him only with a soft breeze.
But that silence didn't last long.
"Talking to yourself again?"
Aerion immediately recognized the voice.
He turned.
Lyria stood a few steps away, her silver-blue hair flowing behind her like gentle ocean waves under the moonlight.
But tonight something about her felt… different.
Her usual playful smile was still there.
Yet her eyes held a sharper focus.
Aerion rubbed the back of his neck.
"…How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough."
His stomach dropped slightly.
"…You saw?"
Lyria crossed her arms slowly.
"Oh yes."
Her voice was calm, but the teasing tone was missing.
"I saw everything."
Aerion sighed.
"This is getting embarrassing."
Lyria walked closer.
Her steps were slow and confident.
"And yet you don't regret it."
Aerion blinked.
"…No."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Good."
Now he was confused.
"You're not angry?"
Lyria stopped just a step away from him.
The moonlight reflected softly in her ocean-colored eyes.
"Should I be?"
"Well… I kissed Aelira."
"Yes."
"And you're… fine with that?"
Lyria tilted her head slightly.
"Aerion."
"Yes?"
"We are goddesses."
"…I noticed."
She leaned closer.
"Our emotions are complicated."
Aerion sighed.
"I'm starting to realize that."
Lyria studied his face quietly.
Then something unexpected happened.
She stepped even closer.
Close enough that there was barely any space between them.
Aerion blinked.
"…Lyria?"
Her voice dropped to a soft whisper.
"You kissed Seraphyna."
"That was an accident."
"You kissed Aelira."
"…That wasn't."
Her eyes gleamed slightly.
"And yet…"
Her fingers gently touched his chest.
"…you haven't kissed me."
Aerion's brain stopped working for a moment.
"…Wait."
Lyria smiled.
"Oh don't look so shocked."
She leaned casually against the railing beside him, but her hand remained lightly resting against his chest.
"You're the one who started this chaos."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"How?"
"You walked into the Realm and made every goddess here curious about you."
Aerion sighed.
"I swear I didn't plan that."
Lyria chuckled softly.
"I know."
She moved her hand slightly upward, her fingers brushing the collar of his shirt.
"But that doesn't change the situation."
Aerion swallowed.
"…Which is?"
Lyria leaned closer again.
Their faces were now only inches apart.
"That I want to know something."
"What?"
Her voice became softer.
"What it feels like."
Aerion's heart began beating faster.
"…Lyria."
"Yes?"
"You're standing very close."
"I know."
"You're doing that on purpose."
"Also true."
Aerion tried to stay calm.
"You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
Her breath brushed lightly against his cheek.
Then she whispered,
"Relax."
Before he could respond—
She suddenly grabbed his hand.
And pulled him.
Aerion stumbled forward.
Their bodies collided gently against the railing.
And before he could recover—
Lyria kissed him.
Unlike the soft curiosity of Seraphyna…
Unlike the calm warmth of Aelira…
This kiss was bold.
Confident.
Like a crashing ocean wave.
Aerion's eyes widened in surprise as Lyria's arms wrapped loosely around his neck.
For a moment he froze.
Then instinctively his hands moved to steady her waist.
The kiss lasted longer than he expected.
Warm.
Playful.
Dangerously enjoyable.
When she finally pulled back, Lyria was smiling like someone who had just won a game.
"Well?"
Aerion blinked several times.
"…That was definitely not accidental."
She laughed.
"Nope."
"You planned that."
"Completely."
Aerion ran a hand through his hair.
"…You're dangerous."
Lyria leaned casually against the railing again.
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
She smiled wider.
"It sounded like one."
Aerion stared at the sky.
"…I'm going to die."
"Relax."
"Easy for you to say."
She stepped closer again.
"Why?"
"Because when Aelira and Seraphyna find out—"
"Oh they will."
"…Great."
Lyria gently poked his chest.
"You worry too much."
"How can I not?"
She looked into his eyes.
And for the first time that night, her expression softened.
"You think I did that just to tease you?"
"…Didn't you?"
"Partly."
Aerion sighed.
"What's the other part?"
Lyria hesitated for a moment.
Then she admitted quietly,
"Because I wanted to."
The playful goddess suddenly looked almost shy.
Aerion blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Her gaze shifted toward the stars.
"You make this Realm feel alive again."
He didn't know what to say.
So instead he smiled softly.
"Well… you definitely make my life chaotic."
Lyria laughed again.
"Good."
Then she stepped away slightly.
"But don't worry."
"About what?"
Her mischievous grin returned instantly.
"I'm not done yet."
Aerion groaned.
"…Of course you're not."
She started walking backward along the bridge.
"Sleep well tonight, Aerion."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Why do I feel like that sounded like a threat?"
"Because it was."
"Lyria."
"Yes?"
"Please don't start a war between goddesses."
She winked at him.
"No promises."
Then she disappeared into the glowing garden paths, leaving Aerion alone beneath the stars once again.
He leaned against the railing and sighed.
"…First Seraphyna."
"…Then Aelira."
"…Now Lyria."
He looked up at the endless sky.
"I'm in serious trouble."
And somewhere in the Realm—
Three powerful goddesses were all thinking about the same person.
The quiet competition of hearts had officially begun.
And Aerion was right at the center of it.