A new day was dawning over the sunlit lands of Kyosval.
In one of the villa's bright rooms, a faint breath could be heard beneath the covers.
Sylena, the young noble with lavender hair, still deep in sleep, shifted slowly from side to side.
The door opened gently, revealing Nilyna, dressed in her elegant maid's uniform.
Her face radiated cheerfulness, and her red hair was neatly tied.
She approached the bed silently, observed the half-asleep Sylena, then said teasingly:
"So, our lovely princess is finally awake? You know you were snoring last night?"
Sylena's eyes flew open, and she instantly turned red from ear to ear.
"I... I what?" she stammered, incredulous.
"Hahaha!" Nilyna laughed, pointing at her friend. "Sorry, I had to say it. You should've seen your face, little Syle."
Sylena puffed her cheeks, pretending to be upset, then got out of bed and gave her a sulky look.
"Ah, big sister Nilyna, you're impossible..."
Nilyna gently ruffled her hair and held out her hand with an affectionate smile.
"Come on. I was just joking let's take a bath the sun is already up, and the day looks beautiful."
"Where's Jonady?" asked Sylena, finally leaving the bed, wrapped in a violet robe.
"He's on the beach, meditating I think. We can join him after our bath if you'd like."
Sylena nodded shyly together, they left the room and made their way through the villa to the bathhouse.
A hot spring, surrounded by bamboo and flowering trees, awaited them. Steam rose gently above the clear water.
"It's beautiful," whispered Sylena dipping a foot into the water. "It feels like Azulferia..."
"Yes, it's a peaceful place. A rare luxury in our world," said Nilyna, removing her headband, letting her red hair fall down her back before entering the water.
Sylena, fascinated, watched her companion and murmured:
"Big sister, you're really beautiful..."
Nilyna blinked, surprised, then burst out laughing.
"What? So before now I wasn't?" she joked.
"N-No! That's not what I meant," stammered Sylena, flustered.
"Hahaha! I'm teasing again, Syl. Relax. You're adorable."
Sylena sank into the hot water up to her shoulders and let out a sigh of contentment.
Nilyna leaned against a heated stone and closed her eyes, letting the warmth relax her.
"You know," Nilyna said after a moment of silence "these moments remind me of our childhood. Time seemed slower, softer…"
"Yes…" Sylena replied. "I wish it could last forever."
After a few moments of calm, Sylena sat behind Nilyna and began gently combing her damp red hair.
"I meant to say earlier, but your hair is really beautiful it's long shiny full of grace. It feels so... grown-up. Me, in comparison..."
"You still look young, is that it?" Nilyna interrupted with a smile. "Don't think that way. You have your own charm, Sylena and you're only seventeen. You'll still grow and blossom. There's no reason to feel inferior."
"You really think so? Sometimes I feel like Jonady sees me as a child…"
Nilyna turned to look at her tenderly.
"I'm sure he appreciates you for who you are. Your sincerity, your gentleness, your beauty... Believe me, those qualities don't go unnoticed."
A companionable silence settled between the two young women, broken only by the gentle sound of the water. Then Sylena broke it:
"Hey, big sister… And you? Do you have someone? Someone you love?"
The question seemed to hit Nilyna hard. She blushed deeply and turned her gaze away.
"W-What? Me?"
"Yes," Sylena continued with a mischievous smile. "With your charm, I thought surely there was someone…"
Nilyna got lost in thought for a moment.
She remembered the many knights, nobles, and courtiers who had made her proposals over the years.
Some were sincere and others attracted by her proximity to Princess Raelia.
She had turned them all down none had touched her heart.
She had always focused on her duty, on her role at the palace.
She thought to herself: "It's true I've had proposals…" then said aloud,— "I haven't yet met the one who could be my husband."
c"I see..." replied Sylena thoughtfully. "In any case, I'm sure that, as beautiful as you are big sister you won't take long to find your future husband."
Sylena's innocent yet sincere words struck an unexpected chord in Nilyna's heart.
She looked up at the ceiling of the bathhouse her eyes distant.
Love… she thought having someone by your side.
Someone to share your joys, sorrows, and hopes with.
Someone before whom you can be vulnerable without fear.
Strangely, others had always come to her for comfort—Raelia, other ladies of the court.
She always had good advice for them.
But she had never really taken the time, or perhaps never had the courage to listen to her own heart.
Without realizing it, Sylena's words had planted a seed in her. A seed that was slowly, quietly starting to grow.
"Thank you, Sylena," she said softly.
"For what?" asked the young girl as she continued combing her hair.
"For being you."
Sylena smiled, saying nothing more.Love… that simple word, and yet so vast floated in Nilyna mind unseen, but present.
Perhaps this week in Kyosval would be more than just a moment of rest.