The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Sitri residence. Sona sat at her vanity, brushing her hair with practiced motions. Her reflection in the mirror looked calm, collected—the same mask she always wore.
But the glimmer of silver and deep-blue at her collarbone betrayed her.
Her hand paused, fingertips brushing over the necklace Riser had given her. The gem seemed to pulse faintly with light, as if alive, as if reminding her of the warmth in his eyes when he said—
"I love you, Sona."
Her brush clattered onto the table. "…Idiot," she whispered, heat flooding her face. "Why would he say it so easily?"
The door burst open without a knock.
"Sona-chan~!"
Sona stiffened. "S-Serafall! How many times do I have to tell you to—"
Her sister froze dramatically in the doorway, one finger pointing at her like an accusation. "Aha! What's this? My little sister wearing jewelry? A necklace?!" Her eyes sparkled. "Not just any necklace—that's from Riser, isn't it?"
Sona's composure shattered instantly. "It—it's just a gift!" she said too quickly, her hand flying to cover the gem.
Serafall skipped forward, leaning down until their faces were inches apart, her grin wide and mischievous. "A gift from your fiancé~ who confessed his love to you last night~?"
Sona's entire face turned crimson. "H-how do you—"
"Oh, please," Serafall giggled. "The way you're holding that necklace like it's a treasure, the way you're blushing just hearing his name… Sona-chan, you're totally smitten!"
"I am not!" Sona snapped, turning away, but the heat in her cheeks betrayed her. She gripped the necklace tighter, as if to hide it from her sister's eyes. "…It's not that simple."
Serafall's grin softened just a little as she plopped onto Sona's bed, swinging her legs like a child. "Then tell me. What's bothering you?"
For a long moment, Sona was silent. Then she set her brush down, staring at her reflection again. "…I don't understand him. He's bold, reckless, shameless. He doesn't respect boundaries." Her voice faltered. "And yet… every time he looks at me like I matter more than anything else, I… believe him."
Serafall tilted her head, listening quietly.
Sona's hands trembled slightly as she touched the necklace again. "…When he held me, when he said he loved me, my heart… it wouldn't stop racing. And I hated it. Because I… liked it."
Her mask cracked fully, her voice dropping to a whisper. "…I'm supposed to be in control. But with him, I feel like I'm losing myself."
Serafall's teasing smile softened completely. She stood, wrapping her younger sister in a gentle hug from behind. "Sona-chan… that's not losing yourself. That's what it feels like when someone breaks through the walls you've built. It's scary, right?"
Sona closed her eyes, leaning into the embrace, her usual composure stripped away. "…Yes."
Serafall kissed the top of her head lightly, her tone soft but firm. "You're not just a noble. You're my little sister. And you deserve to love and be loved. If Riser really means it—and from the way he looks at you, I think he does—then maybe… it's okay to let him in."
Sona's lips trembled as she whispered, "…I don't know if I can."
Serafall grinned again, pulling back just enough to wink at her. "Then let him prove it. That boy seems stubborn enough to set the whole Underworld on fire just for you."
Sona's heart skipped. The image of Riser's fierce eyes, his confident smirk, and his gentle whisper echoed in her mind.
"…Idiot," she murmured again, but this time, there was no heat in it. Just a quiet warmth she couldn't deny.