The next morning arrived with silver fog curling low over the camp, dampening the usual chatter and footsteps. Aiden stepped out of the supply tent with a tray of dried herbs, wrapped tightly against the misty chill. As he passed the training grounds, the soldiers—once loud and careless—nodded politely or smiled as he went by.
He didn't flinch from their glances anymore.
But he didn't seek them, either.
Not when he could feel Shinomi watching him from across the field, where the commander stood silent as a statue, his gaze unreadable.
Celestia noticed, too.
And she hated it.
---
That afternoon, she swept into camp like a queen on parade—hair braided in gold-threaded ribbons, gown trailing in the dirt like she expected it to part for her.
She made her way straight to Shinomi's command tent without invitation, brushing past the guards with a haughty lift of her chin.
"You're avoiding me," she said, planting herself across from him, unbothered by decorum.
"I've been working," Shinomi replied flatly.
Celestia leaned forward. "Don't lie to me. You're distracted."
He didn't look up from the map he was reading.
Celestia narrowed her eyes. "It's him, isn't it?"
That got his attention.
Shinomi slowly raised his head. "Careful, Celestia."
"You forget," she said with a sharp smile, "I was raised to see threats. And that boy—whatever his name is now—is not innocent. He's clever. He plays weak so you'll look at him longer."
Shinomi didn't speak. His silence burned colder than words.
Celestia's voice dipped lower. "Do you think he loves you? Do you really believe someone like that can love a man like you?"
He looked her in the eye. "No. But I don't care."
That stopped her.
The silence between them stretched like wire.
"You're making a mistake," she whispered, not as strong now.
"I've made many. But this one… I'm choosing."
Celestia's hand curled into a fist in her skirts. Her mask cracked just enough to show the fury behind it.
She stood abruptly. "Then don't expect me to play nice."
Shinomi stood too, towering over her. "I never expected you to."
---
Outside the tent, Aiden had paused mid-step. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop—but their voices had risen just enough.
Celestia's footsteps neared. He ducked behind the supply crates just in time.
As she passed, her voice, barely above a whisper, sliced through the air.
"I'll make you regret being born, pretty little thing."
Aiden didn't flinch.
He simply stood up once she was gone—and smiled faintly.
Let her try.
He wasn't the same Ren Valis anymore.
And Shinomi… was finally beginning to see that.
---