Gift
The grand banquet had finally ended, and the palace halls were settling into a calm quietude under the cloak of night. Arthur Valerian found himself back in the family's private sitting room, still dressed in his finely embroidered attire, the echoes of the day's celebrations lingering faintly in the air.
No sooner had he relaxed into the velvet chair than the soft click of footsteps approached. The door swung open gently, and in bounced Lyria—his youngest sister—with her usual mischievous grin. Black hair tousled, eyes gleaming with mischief, she didn't hesitate to toss a small wrapped box onto Arthur's lap.
"Happy post-banquet!" she chirped, her voice bright. "Not that you'd be able to open it without breaking it first." She giggled, arms crossed as if daring him to try.
Arthur raised an eyebrow but smiled. "You still think I'm the little kid you used to boss around seven years ago?"
Lyria pouted playfully. "I mean, you're still my little brother. But maybe you've grown enough to handle this."
He carefully peeled off the paper to reveal a finely crafted leather-bound notebook. Opening it, he found it filled with sketches of ancient swords and battle techniques—a subtle nod to his training. "A book of old weapon designs? Pretty cool."
"Thought you might want some ideas for your next moves. Can't have you getting rusty," she teased.
Before Arthur could respond, the door swung open again with more dramatic flair. Elyra, the eldest sister with silver hair and a sharp wit, swept in with a theatrical sigh.
"Honestly, Lyria, giving him a book? How boring." Elyra's dark eyes twinkled. She placed a small satchel on the table and smirked. "I got you this instead."
Arthur peeked inside the satchel to find a collection of rare herbs and salves used for healing and stamina restoration—something practical for his battles. "Trying to make sure I don't keel over after the next fight, huh?"
Elyra shrugged with mock innocence. "Someone's got to keep you alive. Besides, I hear these are from the elder gardens—hard to come by."
"Thanks, Elyra," Arthur said, grateful but already planning a playful jab back.
Lyria wasn't done. "Wait, wait! Mom said to tell you she sent something too."
Just then, Rubina Valerian entered quietly, her warm smile filling the room like soft moonlight—though the gift wasn't about moonlight, Arthur reminded himself. She held a delicate pendant, shimmering subtly in the dim light.
"This is for you," Rubina said gently. "It's simple but carries protection. Not just for battle, but for your journey ahead. Your father and I… we are proud."
Arthur's eyes softened. "Thank you, Mother."
The mood was light but meaningful, with each gift a thread weaving the family closer despite the distance time had put between them.
Before Arthur could say more, the door opened one last time. Count Alaric Valerian himself entered, his regal presence commanding the room. He held a sealed scroll, the Valerian crest embossed in silver.
"Arthur," he said gravely, "this is one of the two legendary techniques of our house. It is a gift not given lightly."
Arthur's heart quickened as he took the scroll, aware that this was far beyond the small tokens his sisters had brought.
"Don't open it here," Count Alaric added with a rare smile. "The technique requires focus—and secrecy. When the time is right, it will reveal itself."
Arthur nodded, feeling the weight of his family's legacy in his hands. Lyria and Elyra exchanged knowing smirks, while Rubina gave a small, approving nod.
Just as Arthur thought the gift chaos had settled, the room dimmed for the briefest second. A low knock echoed—and in stepped Selene.
She didn't announce herself. She didn't need to.
Her red-and-black hair shimmered slightly under the candlelight, tied back in a loose braid that gave her an aura of relaxed dominance. Black eyes, sharp like her wit, scanned the room with all the boredom of someone who'd rather be doing literally anything else.
But when her gaze landed on Arthur, a small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.
"You're all noisy," she said, crossing the room with the grace of a panther. "Could hear you from the balcony. Lyria screeching, Elyra gloating—typical chaos."
Lyria glared. "I don't screech."
Elyra smirked. "But you do gloat."
Arthur chuckled.
Selene reached into her coat and produced a box wrapped in deep blue velvet. She placed it in Arthur's hands. "Open it."
He blinked. "Straight to the point, huh?"
"Always."
Inside, Arthur found an obsidian ring with a strange blue rune etched into it. It pulsed faintly with magic.
"It's attuned to your mana signature," Selene explained. "It'll boost your mana regeneration slightly in combat, but more importantly—" she tapped the rune, "—it stores one spell of your choosing. Think of it as a second chance when you're in trouble."
Arthur blinked in surprise. "This is… really useful."
Selene shrugged and turned, already walking back toward the wine cabinet. "Don't say I never give you anything."
Lyria leaned in and whispered, "She definitely worked all week enchanting that thing, you know."
Elyra added, "And probably scared off two mages in the process. Classic Selene."
Rubina just smiled knowingly while Count Alaric raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Selene, overhearing all of it, rolled her eyes and muttered, "I can hear you gremlins."
The room burst into quiet laughter.
Arthur looked down at the ring, then at his three sisters—and his mother—and suddenly the teasing, the gifts, the banter… it all felt perfect.
Each of them had given him something different. Something uniquely them.
A tactical book from Lyria.
Rare healing supplies from Elyra.
A protective pendant from their mother Rubina.
A mana ring with a stored spell slot from Selene.
And now… a legendary technique scroll from his father, Count Alaric Valerian.
Arthur didn't speak for a moment, simply soaking in the moment. All four sisters, in their own chaotic, teasing, brilliant ways, had reminded him of one thing: he was never alone.
Selene, returning with a drink in hand, raised her glass lazily. "To the baby of the family."
Elyra raised hers with a smirk. "Who somehow turned into a monster with a sword."
Lyria raised hers too. "Who we still have embarrassing stories about."
Arthur groaned. "Please no—"
Rubina raised her glass as well. "To Arthur."
They all clinked glasses.
From the corner, Grandpa Sebastian murmured, "They grow so fast…" before pretending to sniff dramatically into a handkerchief.
Rein handed Arthur a glass with a quiet "Congratulations, young master."
Arthur toasted back. "Thanks, Rein. And thanks everyone."
Outside, the moonlight glimmered gently over the estate. Inside, laughter continued to fill the night, binding them all in the simple joy of family—and the knowledge that no matter what challenges came next, the youngest Valerian was well-armed, well-loved… and maybe just a little bit spoiled.