After the intimate dinner shared between Ryan and his newly adopted daughter, he decided it was time to prepare his son, Ayleran, for what lay ahead—even though he was certain Ayleran already knew everything.  

A soft knock on the door broke the heavy silence of Ryan’s study. Without even glancing up from the papers on his desk, Ryan spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone:  

"Come in."  

The door creaked open, and Ayleran stepped inside. His tall figure cast a shadow over the desk as he silently stood before his father, waiting for him to begin.  

Ryan raised his head, his penetrating gaze locking with Ayleran’s. "You already know what I’m about to say, don’t you?"  

Ayleran, maintaining his usual composure, responded, "Yes, Father."  

"You have no objections?"  

"No."  

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corners of Ryan’s lips. He was pleased with his son’s understanding and unwavering obedience.  

"Treat her like your sister, and don’t let anyone harm her."  

Ayleran nodded. "Yes, Father. As you wish."  

The brief and formal exchange ended, and Ayleran left the room without hesitation.  

Walking silently through the palace’s dimly lit corridors, Ayleran moved like a shadow among shadows. When he reached the room prepared for his new sister, he stopped. For a moment, he absorbed the faint energy emanating from behind the door, allowing it to briefly blend with the essence of his own core. Finally, he whispered under his breath:  

"I’m glad you’re here."  

Even Ayleran himself wasn’t sure if this feeling was truly happiness or something close to it. All he knew was that he hoped this new sister wouldn’t be like the others in his life. She was his first sister, and Ayleran wasn’t ready to lose the unfamiliar yet comforting sensation that her presence brought him.  

The girl used a fork of pure silver to cut another piece of the chocolate cake served for breakfast. She placed the small bite into her mouth, letting its sweet richness melt on her tongue.  

"Mmm... This is absolutely incredible."  

She couldn’t remember ever enjoying food or dessert so much in her past life. But chocolate cake? That was a completely different matter altogether.  

Sura, sitting silently by her side, watched her with a mix of confusion and amusement. It was still hard to believe how this girl had gone from being a fugitive to now sitting peacefully in the royal garden, basking in the breathtaking beauty around her.  

"This truly is a surprising turn of events."  

"It is, isn’t it?" The girl smiled. "Even I can’t believe it—I’m a Karnelimos now. A princess of Heaven."  

"You’d better learn how to adapt and behave around this new family of yours so they’ll accept you," Sura cautioned.  

"I know. I’ve already begun to understand their personalities."  

Sura tilted her head slightly, a hint of warning in her tone. "Let’s just hope none of them decides to kill you."  

The girl chuckled faintly at Sura’s remark, a slight, wry smile playing on her lips. She took another bite of the cake, savoring the flavor. This moment of peace and indulgence felt precious to her, and she was determined to make the most of it. For now, this was her time to breathe.  

The soft sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention. She turned her head to see a young maid walking toward her. The maid stopped at the table and offered a polite bow.  

"Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see you. Additionally, the young lords have returned and would like to meet you."  

"The young lords?"  

"Yes, they are currently waiting for you in the guest hall."  

For a brief moment, curiosity overtook the girl’s anxiety. Finally, the time had come to meet two key figures who would play pivotal roles in her journey. Rising gracefully from her seat, she smoothed the folds of her dress and followed the maid toward the guest hall.  

Not much time had passed since the royal guests had arrived—perhaps only about an hour. In that short time, they had been enthusiastically sharing tales of their journey with Ayleran. The room buzzed with lively conversation, though most of it came from just one individual.  

"I should’ve put that guy in his place," one voice declared with bravado.  

"Arin, stop picking fights with everyone," came the exasperated reply.  

"Oh, come on. None of you have any sense of adventure. Why is that?"  

"Because, unlike you, we don’t go looking for trouble."  

Arin glared at his blunt and quiet younger brother. He couldn’t understand why this sibling, who rarely spoke, always managed to strike a nerve with his sharp words.  

"By the way, I heard Uncle adopted a girl. Now that’s unexpected. Who is she, anyway?"  

Arxil, noticing Ayleran’s reserved demeanor, quickly realized that Arin’s question might have touched a sensitive topic.  

"Ayler said she’ll be here soon. You can see for yourself—stop asking so many questions."  

"Alright, alright. So, where is she?"  

Arin’s impatience was evident in his voice. His gaze darted to the door every few seconds, anticipation etched on his face as he waited to meet this new addition to their family.  

Finally, the door opened, and a small, delicate girl with undeniable charm stepped inside. The room fell silent. Arin, for once, had no words left to say as he stared at her, utterly speechless.