"Idris? Is that you?" Alie’s eyes widened as she took in the boy before her, taller now, his features sharper than she rembered. A smile broke across her face. "Gosh, you’ve grown so much in such a short ti!"
Before she could say more, Idris crossed the space between them in quick strides and wrapped his arms around her. His embrace was warm yet gentle, and Alie felt a sudden rush of delight, as though a missing piece of ho had been returned. She patted his back affectionately.
"I awakened my wolf," Idris said with a spark in his eyes, pulling back just enough to look at her. "And ever since then... everything has changed. There’s so much I want to tell you, Sis!" He squeezed her hand with boyish eagerness. "Are you going to the hall too? Co, I’ll take you there."
Alie’s gaze shifted briefly toward the maid still standing by the door, her head bowed low in courtesy.
Offering a grateful smile, Alie nodded. "Thank you."
The maid curtsied before stepping aside, leaving Alie to Idris’s eager guidance.
"You know, I’ve made a lot of friends at the academy," Idris said proudly, his chest puffing a little. "I only awakened my wolf not long ago, but the changes in are incredible. And—" he grinned mischievously, "I’m even taller than you now!"
Alie laughed, shaking her head in amusent. "Haha! You’re right. You’ve grown an inch taller than ."
"Yes," he admitted with a chuckle, "but I’m still shorter than Sister Zilia. Oh, and I bought a gift for you. I was supposed to give it today, but I left it in my room. I’ll bring it tomorrow."
Alie’s eyes softened. "You bought a gift? That’s so thoughtful of you. I didn’t even think to get you anything." Her voice lowered into a tender murmur.
Idris shook his head, smiling wide. "But you’ve already given so much, Sis. This gift is special. It’s from the money I won in a contest at school. It was the first ti I ever won sothing, and I was so happy."
"That’s wonderful, Idris." Alie squeezed his hand, pride shining in her eyes. "I’m so happy for your achievents. You really are growing fast." Her gaze dropped to his wrist. "Tell , are you wearing the bracelet I sent you?"
"Yes," Idris said quickly, lifting his right hand to show her the simple band gleaming faintly under the candlelight. "Prince Casaio gave it to yesterday." He tilted his head curiously. "He said it was for protection. I didn’t realize it ca from you. Is everything alright?"
Alie’s smile faltered ever so slightly. She drew in a quiet breath before answering. "Well... there’s sothing you should know. A witch wants to harm Gabriel and . To keep those around us safe, my friend, he’s a mage, crafted these charms with his grandmother. That bracelet is one of them. Don’t ever take it off, Idris. And if you notice anything unusual, promise you’ll tell imdiately. Do you understand?"
"Sure," Idris replied without hesitation. "Don’t worry, Sis. I’ll be careful."
The two of them reached the entrance of the hall, where bursts of laughter spilled out into the corridor. The sound was warm and lively, carrying the easy cheer of won gathered together.
As Alie and Idris stepped inside, Juniper’s sharp voice rang out over the chatter. "Alie and Idris are here!"
Zilia imdiately rose from her place as she walked toward Alie and Idris with a smile of welco.
"We t each other in the corridor," Idris explained quickly as though anticipating questions.
But before Zilia could respond, Katelyn arched a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. "n and boys aren’t allowed here."
"What? Why not?" Idris asked, clearly baffled. His eyes darted around the room, at the circle of won in their fine attires.
"Can’t you see?" Katelyn replied with a hint of mischief in her voice. "This gathering is only for won." Her stance was firm, her arms tightening across her chest as though she were the gatekeeper of the hall.
"Let Idris stay," Alie urged.
Katelyn arched her eyebrows at her, then turned toward Idris. "I understand you, Alie," she replied, "but Idris should be with the n in their hall. Don’t you agree, Idris?"
Zilia’s gaze softened as she studied her younger brother. She knew well enough, he was not familiar with most of the n, and thrusting him among them would feel like tossing him into a current too strong to swim.
"Co on, Idris," Katelyn insisted. "You’re a grown man now. And the matters we ladies are about to discuss... they aren’t for your ears." Her eyes flicked toward a nearby palace maid. With a graceful tilt of her head, she gave a silent command.
The maid stepped forward at once.
Idris hesitated only a mont before lifting his hand in a small wave to Alie and Zilia. "I’ll see you both later," he said softly, before allowing the maid to guide him out.
As the doors closed behind him, silence lingered for a breath. Zilia’s expression clouded with worry. "Idris isn’t well acquainted with any of the n... except Casaio."
"But tonight, he will be," Katelyn replied smoothly, dropping her arms to her side. "Idris is now a part of this family too. So, he must get familiar with everyone. Also, my brothers won’t let him fall small."
Flora had co to Alie’s said, holding her arm firmly. "Co, sit over there," she whispered, taking her away.
"Zilia, you never told us you had a brother!" One of Katelyn’s friend said.
"Because we prefer to keep family matters private," Katelyn responded. "Idris was too young, so we kept his identity unknown. Zilia is pretty famous, and paparazzi would have bothered her brother," she asserted, handling the situation well.
Zilia smiled and went back to her seat, which was near Alie.
"Now, we shall begin the night!" Katelyn said with a cheering voice.
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