The morning broke crisp and golden,the Vale estate stirring earlier than usual with unusual excitement.
Today — finally — they would leave for the coastal city.
A vacation.A true one.Not as nobles.Not as warriors.Simply — as a family.
The grand hall was transformed into organized chaos.
Suitcases lined the walls.Boxes of hastily bought supplies — sunscreen, sunglasses, sandals — littered the floors.
Mira and Elara zipped around, shrieking and laughing as they tried on floppy sunhats twice the size of their heads.
Lyra sorted through colorful dresses and light travel clothes, humming under her breath.Selene oversaw everything with her usual gentle smile — the calm center in the swirling hurricane of preparation.
Darian, ever the dutiful son, checked lists on a small tablet, making sure nothing was forgotten.
And Aren...
Aren watched it all unfold with a bemused smile — until the inevitable happened.
"Father!" Lyra called, dragging a large bag toward him with suspicious energy."Your turn!"
"My turn?" he asked, arching a brow.
Selene's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"We picked your travel clothes already," she said sweetly."But now —" her voice turned dangerously playful,"— it's time to pick your swimsuit."
Mira and Elara immediately latched onto his arms, pulling him toward the sofa where an absolutely horrifying collection of beach outfits awaited.
Aren blinked once.
And then saw it.
Bright yellow.Cartoon toucans and pineapples dancing across the fabric.A matching hat.A loud, plastic blue lei.
It was...unspeakably ridiculous.
He glanced at his wife, expecting mercy.
Selene only smiled, sipping her tea.
Darian looked the other way, shoulders shaking suspiciously.Lyra grinned like a mischievous fox.
And Mira — sweet, innocent Mira — held up the outfit with both hands, beaming.
"Please, Grandpa!" she begged."You'll look so cool!"
Elara, normally the serious one, gave a small nod.
"It suits you," she said — deadpan.
Aren exhaled very, very slowly.
He was a transcendent being.He had faced dragonfire, demon lords, cosmic storms.
Surely... surely he could survive this.
Without a word, Aren took the outfit, and disappeared into his room.
When he returned—
The hall exploded into laughter.
There he stood —tall, imposing, legendary...
In a hideously bright tropical suit, sunglasses perched stoically on his face,a yellow hat perched atop his midnight-black hair,and a bright blue lei around his neck.
Not a single crack showed in his calm expression.
He simply adjusted his sunglasses and said gravely:
"Ready."
Selene had to hide her face behind her hand.
Darian nearly dropped his tablet.
Mira screamed with delight and clung to his leg.Elara smiled — a rare, tiny smile that lit up her whole face.Lyra bowed dramatically.
"You honor us, Father," she intoned solemnly.
Aren sighed internally,but he couldn't help the faint twitch of amusement at the corner of his mouth.
If this ridiculousness bought them laughter —if it gave them even one day of pure joy —then he would wear a thousand worse outfits without complaint.
The limousine rumbled smoothly toward the palace.
At the grand entrance, a few other sleek cars were arriving.
The Emperor awaited them — dressed in simple but tasteful clothes.
When he saw Aren emerge from the limousine in full tropical glory,he froze mid-greeting.
For one stunned second, there was utter silence.
Then the Emperor doubled over laughing, tears leaking from his eyes.
His family stared — then wisely followed their sovereign's lead and did not comment.
Aren, serene as ever, adjusted his lei and said mildly:
"Fashion evolves, old friend.Perhaps you are simply behind the times."
The Emperor gasped out, "I yield! I yield!" between fits of laughter.
The convoys set off, weaving toward the glittering southern coast.
Inside the car, Mira curled up against Aren's side, still giggling occasionally.Elara watched him with wide eyes full of silent admiration.
Lyra and Darian quietly teased each other in the seats ahead.Selene leaned against Aren's shoulder, her smile soft and radiant.
And Aren...Aren, hidden behind dark sunglasses and ridiculous prints,simply closed his golden eyes and listened to the laughter surrounding him.
For this, he would fight gods.
For this, he would bleed.
For this, he would smile....
...Even in a toucan suit.