It had been a full week since their return to Soleil, and in that short but gentle stretch of days, Aiden had finally found something he had forgotten he was allowed to feel: ease.
Between the quiet comforts of the Caleena home and the unwavering support of Mr. and Mrs. C, Aiden was given the time and space to truly rest.
Mrs. Caleena had set a schedule of meals and check-ins so subtly it didn't feel overbearing, but just loving. Mr. C would ask about his energy levels in the same tone one might use to talk about the weather- calm and casual, but always watching that Aiden felt weird inside whenever he thinks of the Caleenas helping him adjust.
Even Adrian had dialed down the chaos… somewhat.
It was the morning of their visit to the new restaurant when Aiden stepped into the hallway, freshly dressed, walking without a limp, and no longer wary of every motion. Adrian looked up from the couch, saw him, and whistled low.
"Would you look at that. The local ghost can walk again."
Aiden rolled his eyes, already used to Adrian's constant commentary. "Only took nearly dying."
"You always have to one-up us."
Mrs. C stepped out from the kitchen, her hair pinned up and a basket in her hands. "You boys ready?"
Mr. C appeared just behind her, straightening his collar with one hand and holding a slim wallet with the other. "We've got a reservation. One of my friends go there and told me it's already hard to get a seat without one."
"You know everyone," Adrian said as they filed out the door.
"I help everyone," Mr. C corrected with a grin.
The streets of Soleil buzzed with the usual Emberfall charm- children chasing enchanted lanterns, stalls selling star-shaped pastries and glittering baubles. Aiden walked between Adrian and Mrs. C, the golden light catching in his eyes, making him blink up at the towers and rooftops he had once passed only in passing. Now, they felt known and lived in.
The restaurant was nestled at the corner of a vibrant plaza. "Erebus" was written in delicate glowing script across a glass sign.
The golden bells above the door of Erebus chimed softly as the Caleenas and Aiden stepped inside, the warm scents of spice, citrus, and roasted herbs wafting through the air like a welcoming embrace. The interior was alive with the quiet hum of conversation and clinking glassware, sunlight filtering through the crystal fixtures that danced with faint enchantments.
As Mr. and Mrs. Caleena stepped forward to give their name for the reservation, Aiden glanced around, taking in the gleaming wooden panels, the sunlight-filled mezzanine, and the open-view kitchen below. Everything felt fresh and bright, alive with magic and comfort.
But before they could even take another step, a voice called out, familiar and lighthearted.
"Well, well. Soleil must be smiling today. Look who it is!"
Aiden turned toward the sound, and a smile immediately tugged at his lips.
Standing at the side of the host's desk, dressed in the smart black-and-gold uniform of the restaurant's waitstaff, was Anatole- his sun-kissed hair as tousled as ever, eyes alight with mischief and recognition. He looked slightly older, more polished perhaps, but the easy grin was unmistakably him.
"Anatole!" Adrian exclaimed, grinning as he took a step forward.
Anatole crossed the floor quickly and clapped both Adrian and Aiden on the shoulder in turn.
"You two look like you've been through a storm and a half," he said, tone teasing but warm. "And I mean that literally- rumors from Genvah made it sound like the whole Academy nearly blew up."
"Wouldn't be wrong," Adrian said with a crooked smile.
Aiden chuckled, a little more quietly. "It's good to see you, Anatole."
"You too," Anatole replied, his expression softening slightly when he looked at Aiden. "Heard about what happened. I'm glad you're still in one piece."
Adrian gave a dramatic sigh. "Barely. And it took most of the infirmary's supplies."
Anatole smirked.
"Well, you're just in time to heal the rest with good food." He gave a playful half-bow. "I'll be your server today. The head chef will be delighted once he finds out Mr. Caleena's here."
Mr. C laughed from the side. "I don't need special treatment."
"But we won't turn it down," Mrs. C beamed.
Anatole chuckled. "Come on. I saved you a corner table with the best view of the plaza. Perks of being an early reservation."
He led them through the lightly bustling restaurant, past glowing rune-lamps and magically floating serving trays.
As they reached their table on the mezzanine, Aiden turned slightly to look over his shoulder, still surprised to see Anatole here. Of all places.
"You work here now?" he asked curiously as Anatole helped pull out Mrs. C's chair.
"Part-time," Anatole replied with a grin. "My... cousin owns the place, and since I'm still figuring things out, I help out here while I do internships. Flexible hours, free meals, and the chance to meet interesting people like the infamous Aiden Chase."
Aiden flushed a little, lowering his gaze.
"I'm not infamous..."
Anatole leaned down a little, voice dropping just enough for only the boys to hear. "You survived a full-blown conspiracy, a near-death fall, and the worst rumors in Soleil. If that's not infamous, I don't know what is."
Adrian let out a bark of laughter. "I knew I missed you."
Anatole straightened with a wink. "Missed you too. I'll get your orders started, and don't worry, Aiden, I'll make sure the dessert's on the house."
As he disappeared toward the kitchen, Adrian leaned back in his seat, grinning. "This is going to be a good day."
Aiden agreed.
The food arrived in beautifully plated dishes that shimmered with a touch of enchantment. Seared sunfish with citrus glaze for Mr. Caleena, creamy pearl-root risotto for Mrs. Caleena, and hearty Soleil-style roast for the boys, paired with soft, herb-dusted bread and sparkling pomegranate fizz.
They ate slowly and comfortably, the kind of family meal that had no need for haste.
Adrian was the first to fill the silence, buttering another roll with almost theatrical flair.
"Okay, so, real question- do you think Professor Ylang-Ylang ever sleeps? I swear, every time we pass her greenhouse, she's in there whispering to a rose or growing a jungle with one finger."
Mrs. Caleena laughed, dabbing her lips with her napkin. "That sounds wonderful. I'd love to visit her class, again."
Aiden smiled faintly at the thought, then took a slow sip from his glass. The clinking of forks and warm chatter filled the space, and for a while, he just listened.
Mr. Caleena leaned forward a bit. "How are your classes, Aiden? Do you find them manageable?"
Aiden hesitated.
"They're… different. A lot different from Earth." He poked at a piece of his roast. "Back home, things were more ordinary, and I don't go to school. I was homeschooled and was taught subjects you could learn from school as well. Algebra, essays, history about wars and inventions… But at Genvah, it's all about survival. Power. Strategy. Magic."
He looked up, his voice softer. "Sometimes I think I'm still not used to it."
Mrs. Caleena gave him a kind look, her hand resting lightly over her husband's.
"You've done more than enough to adjust, dear. What you've been through in a few months would take others years."
Aiden gave a small, polite nod. "Thank you, Mrs. C."
A brief silence fell again, but the kind that wasn't uncomfortable, but more thoughtful.
Then Aiden added, quieter this time, "I do miss home. Sometimes."
Adrian paused, eyes flicking toward his friend, but said nothing just yet.
"I had a younger brother," Aiden said after a moment. "He's probably being forced to handle my position after I left, since there is no more heir. He's probably under a lot of pressure like I did. I... I feel guilty thinking about how my safety and me running away thrusted him to the very spot I hated."
His voice trembled just slightly, though he kept it steady. "And my mom… she always made dinner and bake even if we have chefs. She likes to bake cookies a lot and hum while cooking." He gave a faint chuckle at the memory, though there was no joy in his eyes.
"And your father?" Mrs. Caleena asked gently, sensing the care in Aiden's tone when he spoke of his mother.
Aiden looked away. "Maybe I miss him too. I don't know. Maybe? I... I don't know."
He didn't elaborate. The ache in his chest had returned, a slow pulse that crept in at the mention of that name, the memory of strained silences and disappointment. He forced a smile and returned to his food, his voice soft but polite as ever.
"I'm sorry, Mr. C, Mrs. C. I didn't mean to ruin dinner."
"You didn't," Mr. Caleena said firmly, reaching for his drink. "This is your home now too. You're allowed to feel what you feel."
"I'm scared," he admitted. "That my little brother, who used to wait for me at the library every day, might see me now and… think I'm a monster."
The table was silent, the flickering chandelier above casting warm light over the dark look in Aiden's eyes.
Mr. Caleena leaned forward, elbows gently resting on the table. "Aiden," he said in his calm, firm voice, "you're not a monster. You never have been."
"But I'm Magi," Aiden whispered. "And my dad thinks that's the same thing."
Mrs. Caleena's eyes softened. "Then your father is wrong," she said, voice low but steady. "You stayed here and know that he's wrong, right? And one day, your brother will be old enough to decide what he believes. If he remembers who you are- not what you are- he will never hate you." Sёarᴄh the NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Adrian was quiet, eyes narrowing in thought before he said, "And if he does turn out to be a little jerk, we'll kidnap him, bring him to Genvah, and force Professor Ylang-Ylang to touch him."
Aiden let out a small laugh, grateful for the way Adrian always seemed to know when to speak up and when not to push.
"I just hope…" Aiden stared at his reflection in the glass of his drink. "That he remembers I tried to protect him. That I never left because I wanted to."
Mr. Caleena gave a quiet hum. "The truth always finds its way through. Even if it takes time."
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