The hall of Mist Palace was unnervingly silent—too silent.
Golden-hued light spilled through the tall frost-laced windows, painting gentle warmth onto the cold marble floor. The chandeliers above swayed faintly with the breeze, their delicate chimes breaking the hush like a whisper in a cathedral of silence.
Eris stood facing Selena in the center of the grand hall. She looked like a sculpture of winter, composed, distant. And yet… her eyes flickered with something far warmer than her usual steel.
"You said," Eris began slowly, his voice quieter than usual, "all of our siblings will be keeping a close watch on me."
Selena said nothing, but her silence confirmed it.
Eris lowered his gaze. Shadows stretched across the floor beneath them, like the long fingers of fate creeping in. His mind churned.
Of course, I knew… That's the whole reason I'm still hiding my power.
That single truth echoed like a bell tolling in his heart.
He'd always known eyes were on him—the stares that lingered too long, the footsteps just out of sight. He wasn't paranoid. In the Vale family, you didn't survive by being naive.
A long pause settled between them.
Then, gently—unexpectedly—Selena reached out and placed her hand atop his.
It was cold at first. Then, as her fingers curled slightly over his, the warmth bloomed.
"But little one…" she said softly, "I only hope… You don't lose your happiness by getting yourself involved in this family's endless fight."
Her words were neither commanding nor instructive. They were… pleading.
"You know," she continued, gaze softening, "it's Vale family tradition: only the strong rule. While the weak are trampled, discarded like ash in the wind."
Her eyes turned distant, as though remembering something painful.
"I sincerely hope," she whispered, "you don't suffer because of that."
Eris blinked. His throat felt dry. The hand beneath hers twitched slightly.
He looked away, thoughts spiraling deeper.
What is this…?
If I'm not wrong… the reason she gave up her claim to the Patriarch's Position… it wasn't weakness.
It was merely because of this. She didn't want to hurt her Younger siblings.
I had always believed this world—the noble world—was built only on strength, status, and cruelty. Overlooking Affection and Softness. That was why the original Eris was abandoned.
But Selena… her affection didn't fit that world.
She's just like a mother, he thought. A mother who can't bear to see her children tearing each other apart.
And yet… if she genuinely wanted to protect Him from the sibling rivalry, why didn't she warn him before? Why didn't she say anything in his first life?
Was it because she thought he wasn't worth speaking to?
Or… was it because the others' Siblings didn't consider him a competitor at all?
"…Sister Selena," he said after a long breath, lifting his gaze to meet hers. "I'm thankful. Truly. For your kind words."
Selena's expression softened slightly.
"But," Eris continued, voice firmer now, "I have no intention of sitting out this fight."
Selena's brow knitted slightly. "Eris…"
"I know what you're going to say," he said, cutting her off gently. "And I understand you're not warning me out of fear that I'll compete against you."
Selena was silent. She didn't deny it.
"But for the last three years," Eris said, stepping closer, "I've been treated like I didn't exist. Ignored. Mistreated. Mocked."
His voice darkened. "And more than that… someone's already tried to assassinate me."
That word—assassinate—ripped through the room like a blade.
Selena's eyes widened. "What…?"
Eris nodded solemnly.
"That's why I can't—"
"Who dares—?!" Selena's voice rose in a sudden, uncharacteristic burst.
Her aura exploded outwards like a tidal wave, dense and cold like a blizzard of spiritual force. The temperature dropped. The chandeliers above trembled, glass humming with tension.
Eris instinctively stepped back, eyes narrowing.
She stepped toward him, voice low and sharp. "Which sibling would dare try such a thing on my younger brother? Tell me."
What is this…? Eris thought, breath catching.
I had seen influential people before, like Grand Duke Vale. But this… this pressure—it felt like when he stood before the Grand Duke himself.
She's only 22… but her aura… It's nearly equal to his. So this is the strength of the First Crest bearer …
"I… can't disclose that information," Eris replied calmly, trying to remain composed.
Selena didn't back down. Her hand shot out and gripped his shoulder, not violently, but firmly enough to command truth.
"Eris." Her voice was laced with quiet authority. "Tell me. Which sibling are you talking about?"
"I mean…" Eris's expression wavered slightly. "I haven't discovered their identity yet."
Selena's eyes narrowed.
"I know the twins bullied me until recently," Eris admitted. "But as for the one who ordered the attempt… I still don't know."
There was a beat of silence.
Then, he offered her a weak, lopsided smile.
"…But thank you. For worrying about me."
He stepped forward again, shoulders relaxed, voice softer.
"I guess… I know now that not all of my siblings hate me."
Selena's face trembled slightly at his words. Then she whispered, almost too softly:
"…Eris."
That name—his name, rarely used by anyone—caused something to crack in his chest.
"My sweet Younger brother."
And before Eris could react, she pulled him forward.
Her hands, graceful yet strong, grabbed him by the sides of his face and gently pulled him into her embrace—his cheek resting against her chest, his forehead brushing her collarbone.
She wrapped her arms around him, slowly, tenderly.
"It means you're already involved in this dirty war…" she said softly, trembling. "And that… that saddens me greatly."
Eris didn't move.
He couldn't.
His arms hovered awkwardly at his sides, unsure of what to do.
His heart thumped.
This feeling…
Sadness with Warmth. It's Genuine Familial Affection. It's…
It's something the Eris of the past never felt. Not even once.
To think Sister Selena… the cold, distant sword of House Vale… was capable of being such a Tender-Hearted Person.
He slowly lifted his hands, hesitated… and then returned her embrace.
Eris said Don't be Sad, sister.
The warmth of her embrace lingered even as she gently pulled away. Her gloved fingers brushed against Eris's arm with a tenderness that clashed with her usual noble, distant air. Selena looked into his eyes with a rare softness, her silver lashes catching the lamplight like delicate snow.
"Yes," she said, a smile finally breaking the stoicism of her expression. "Today is a joyous occasion. We shouldn't talk about such things."
She gave a faint, amused sigh. "Honestly… I nearly forgot, with everything we were discussing. But today is your birthday, little one."
Eris scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed. "Ah, right… I guess it is."
Selena stepped back with a graceful turn, reaching into the inner pocket of her jacket. "Actually, I am here today to give you your birthday present."
From her hand emerged a small, plain wooden box. Its surface was aged and unadorned, but her touch made it seem as though it held the world.
"And this…" she added, pulling out a thin manual bound in deep indigo leather,
She handed the book to Eris, her fingers lingering for just a second too long.
"Take a look inside. You'll know what it is."
Eris opened the cover and scanned the first line. The instant his eyes met the first character, a jolt ran through him.
"…Crescent Style?" he whispered, breath caught in his throat.
A sharp wind could've passed unnoticed in that moment. Eris stared at the page, but he didn't need to read further. The words etched into the manual were burned into legend.
8-Step Lunar Sword Dance
A combat technique unlike any other, it's a technique forged and perfected by Selena herself. Eight distinct slashes, each mimicking a shape of the moon—new, waxing, half, and full. It may look simple … to the untrained eye, at first glance, but each strike holds its distinct form, flow, and hidden purpose. Like the shifting phases of the moon, every movement conceals a different rhythm.
This was the sword Technique that had earned her the title of Moonlight Blade, feared across the Continent.
Eris said, stunned. "Other Siblings would kill each other just to catch a glimpse of these pages—and you're just… giving it to me?"
Eris asked, "Sister… this is… why are you giving something this precious to me?"
Selena's smile curved gently. "Because you're my brother. And because I believe in you."
He looked up from the book, his heart beating a little faster. And then, unable to hide the grin curling across his lips, he declared with mock arrogance, " I love you, Sister Selena."
Selena chuckled under her breath, shaking her head. "Save your thanks. We haven't even gone to the main dish."
She gently placed the manual aside and opened the wooden box.
Nestled within was a pendant—delicate, elegant. A single crimson gem, shaped like a teardrop, shimmered at its heart. It was set in a delicate silver lattice, strung on a thin, graceful chain. Its glow pulsed faintly in the candlelight, like a living heartbeat.
"A pendant?" Eris asked.
"Not just any pendant." She stepped closer. "Now sit, facing away. I'll put it on for you."
"…Okay, Sister."
He turned without question, settling onto the bench before the candlelit table. He felt her shadow behind him. Her fingers brushed his collar, and as she reached around his neck, her chest softly pressed against his back.
Eris froze.
…What is this? They're… insanely soft… No, no, no. I can't have these thoughts. She's my sister. Calm down. Calm down, Eris.
Selena's breath fanned against his ear, and she whispered with a mischievous lilt, "You've grown strong… Your back muscles are quite impressive. It makes me want to touch you more…"
Eris blinked rapidly, his face turning scarlet. "S-Sister… please don't say such things. I won't be able to hold back if you keep teasing me…"
"Oh my," she said playfully, her lips dangerously close, "You've grown up into quite the handsome little brother. I bet the Young maids are already whispering about you…"
"And your back's so firm now—are you trying to make your big sister blush?"
His brain practically exploded. His thoughts screamed incoherently. He bit the inside of his cheek to stay sane.
Then, just as suddenly, her warmth pulled away.
"All done," she said sweetly.
Eris exhaled like he'd been holding his breath underwater.
"Sister… please never do something like that again," he muttered internally. "I don't know what might happen next time…"
Selena came around to face him once more, her eyes glowing gently. "That pendant isn't just jewelry. "
Eris looked down at it, confused. "What ?"
"If you ever face something you cannot handle… something even your power can't overcome—Just hold the gem and call for me. No matter the place … I will come to you."
He stared at her in awe, heart caught between warmth and disbelief.
"So keep it with you. At all times," she said. Then, more softly, "And happy birthday, Eris."
He bowed his head deeply. "Thank you… Big Sis."
They returned to the dining room afterward. Eris relit the candles that had burned low during their talk, and the rest of the birthday evening passed in laughter, warm food, and soft music. For a moment, it felt like the world had paused just for them.
Later, as Selena prepared to leave, she turned at the door.
"Take care," she said. "I wish I could stay longer, but I have matters to attend to."
"…Wait," Eris called. "Can I… can I call you Big Sis from now on?"
Her expression melted instantly. She spun around, walked straight to him, and pulled him into a firm embrace.
"Of course you can," she whispered. "Nothing would make me happier than this ."
She placed a kiss on his cheek—gentle, affectionate, final.
"I love you, my sweet brother. I'll visit again… from time to time."
With a swirl of silver and a parting breeze, she left through the corridor.
Eris stood still for a while, fingers brushing his cheek where she kissed him. His face turned crimson again.
"…Big Sis… you're seriously dangerous…"
But the smile that curled on his lips was genuine.
And for the first time in both of his lives—
Eris felt like he had a family.
End Of Chapter 11...