Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 20: Lingering Thoughts

As Orion and Laura walked back toward the mansion, the sky had already darkened, the cool night air carrying a faint scent of flowers. A maid approached, bowing respectfully.

"My Lord, My Lady, it is time to return inside."

Orion nodded, slowing his pace. He looked at Laura, who was utterly unruffled, her typical teasing grin still on her face. He himself, however, felt an inexplicable pressure bearing down on his chest.

Orion automatically braced himself. A feeling of sinking began to form in his stomach.

And indeed, when they walked into the grand hall, both Lady Celia and Lady Sera were sitting with knowing grins—refined, poised, but unmistakably wicked.

Their eyes settled on him first, then danced over to Laura. And then. there was Elara.

Elara sat between them, looking decidedly sulky, arms crossed, lips pressed in a tight, disapproving line. Her blue eyes contained a storm, fingers crumpling the material of her dress into a tight fist.

Laura, however, was totally unflappable. She gave a gracious nod to Sera and Celia and a small, amused smile to Elara—smile that merely deepened Elara's scowl.

Orion stood up straight, clearing his throat. "What?" he said bluntly.

Lady Sera laughed softly. "Nothing, dear. We were merely... appreciating the view."

Lady Celia leaned in slightly, her green eyes sparkling. "It's not often that we see you strolling with a young lady, after all."

Orion breathed out through his nose, already wishing he'd never come here tonight.

Before he could say anything, Laura put her hands together and smiled. "It's getting late. I should leave now."

As she turned towards the door, Celia's gentle voice checked her.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Laura blinked, taken aback for a moment, but regained her poise immediately. "I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Nonsense," Sera said suavely. "You're already here. Come, join us."

Elara, quietly observing the interchange, stiffened. Her knuckles tightened about the edge of the table.

Again, no one saw her gesture and otherside, Laura leant her head graciously and accepting invitation of dinner she uttered. "I'd be honoured."

The dining room was warmly lit, casting a warm glow over the sumptuous feast laid out on the long table. Roasted meats, buttered vegetables, and fresh bread were piled high on plates, filling the air with a rich scent.

Orion sat in his customary place—only to find Laura had smoothly taken the seat right next to him.

His mothers exchanged quiet glances before turning to him.

"You look rather at ease, Orion," Celia commented, propping her chin against her palm.

"Indeed," Lady Sera also commented, lips tilting slightly upwards in a faint smirk. "This is the first time a young woman has shared dinner with you."

Laura, keeping to her usual poise, simply smiled, a faint flush dusting her cheeks. "That's an honour, then."

Orion winced inwardly on his mother's remark. "Mothers..."

Across from them, Elara's face grew sullen. She pierced her fork into her meal a bit too hard.

When she noticed Elara's irritation, Laura spoke to Celia with a wide smile. "Lady Celia, Lady Sera, I would be happy to have both of you in for tea at some point. Maybe you can also come see my shop."

Orion cocked an eyebrow. That caught him off guard.

Celia smiled. "That sounds pleasant."

Sera nodded approvingly. "We'll be happy to accept your offer."

Then, with a considerate tilt of her head, she turned to Laura. "Now that you've become Orion's friend—and Elara's as well—why do you still call us so formally? Addressing us as 'Lady Celia' and 'Lady Sera' is a bit distant, don't you think?"

Laura smiled, tilting her head. "Then, how should I call you?"

Sera's smirk grew. "How about 'Aunt Celia' and 'Aunt Sera'?"

Orion, in the process of drinking his drink, choked.

Elara, having just sipped some juice, coughed harshly, almost spilling it over the table.

Laura's eyes glinted with victory. "Of course... Aunt Sera."

Orion could feel his whole body stiffen. He glanced at his mothers, who were enjoying this too much.

Elara, on the other hand, was seconds from flipping the table.

As the meal concluded, they all went out to say goodnight to Laura., she made a gracious goodnight to Sera and Celia, inclining her head respectfully.

"I really do thank you for the hospitality. I'll be waiting to have you both over soon."

Celia smiled warmly. "We'll be waiting for your invitation."

Sera chuckled. "Be careful, dear."

Then, Laura turned to Elara.

"Goodnight, Elara."

For a moment, something hard and illegible flashed in Elara's eyes. A cold, clear warning, spoken silently: Don't return.

Laura just smiled.

At last, she addressed Orion. "Goodnight, Orion."

His mothers and sister immediately focused their full attention on him.

Orion swallowed hard, feeling their gazes weighing on him. "Goodnight... Laura."

Laura's smile was lovely—nearly hypnotic. With a gentle nod, she entered the carriage, and doors slammed shut behind her.

The carriage moved on to a silent ride.

Lady Sera then turned to Celia with a winking expression.

"See? Our first daughter-in-law has arrived. Wonder how many more will come after."

Orion's lips quivered at his mother remark. "It's not like that, Mother!"

Celia and Sera merely exchanged a mirthful look.

Elara, though, knotted her fists even more.

"I am going to my bed to rest," Orion growled, desperate to get away from the taunting.

They all nodded, and as he began to walk away, a servant then appeared from the great mansion, bowing low.

"Madam, Young Miss, Young Master," the servant addressed courteously.

Lady Sera frowned a little. "What is it?"

The servant inhaled deeply before giving the message.

"My Lady, Lord vale has instructed me to give a message... Tomorrow, the First and Second Young Masters will be arriving—with a special guest and some friends."

The group was suddenly covered in a heavy silence.

Orion's eyes narrowed. "Edric and Arin are coming...?"

He remembered that they were to arrive last week, but because of unforeseen complications, their trip had been postponed.

Lady Sera exhaled, nodding. "I see. Then we'll prepare for their arrival."

The servant bowed again before leaving.

Sera turned to the others. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

With that, everyone parted ways, yet Orion couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping into his chest.

His brothers were finally coming home.

----

Orion sighed as he entered his room, leaning against the closed door.

Laura's presence was disrupting his otherwise peaceful life unnecessarily. That woman was indefatigable—confident, bold, and shameless in her quest.

Her words lingered in his head.

"Perhaps one day you'll fall for me."

Orion let out a harsh breath, running a hand through his hair. "Absurd."

Laura's surprising admission and daring wager still lingered in his mind, an annoying but intriguing enigma he couldn't shake. Her assurance, her temerity—it was unprecedented.

And it bothered him.

Stepping away from the door, he walked towards the window, opening it. A refreshing breeze rushed into the room, ruffling his jet-black hair as he looked up at the moonlit sky. The silvery light bathed the land in an otherworldly glow, casting long shadows in the courtyard.

This—this was his favorite place.

As long as he had been able to remember, the moon had always been his silent friend. It had seen him in his previous life, through blood-stained battlefields, betrayals, and bitter isolation. And in this one, it was the only thing that stayed the same.

Laura's words echoed in his mind.

"What if I win our bet, Orion? What if you end up falling in love with me?"

He snorted, shaking his head. "I'll never fall again."

Love made men weak. Love blinded, it bound, and ultimately, it killed. Hadn't he learned that yet? Hadn't he given the ultimate sacrifice for believing in it?

And yet...

He gazed up at the moon, a momentary thought sneaking into his head.

"But what if I do fall?"

His chest constricted at the idea. No. He would not allow himself to think such nonsense.

"Love makes you blind. Love makes you weak. Love takes everything from you."

And he wasn't paying too weak. Not now.

Shaking his head again, Orion pulled his eyes from the moon.

"I'm a little tired," he told himself, though he knew sleep was out of the question.

For the last few nights, he had been in the habit—slipping out late at night to practice. His visions had taught him peeks at strong fighting tactics, echoes of his previous existence, and he had gradually begun integrating them into his practice. Streamlining his footwork, managing his mana flow, performing bizarre yet effective maneuvers—each night, he challenged himself more.

Tonight, though, he hesitated.

He was about to achieve the fourth star of the Novice rank. It was perhaps better to grow it in his room rather than going out.

His eyes landed on the vial of ManaGold he had left on his table. As of now, he had taken only three pills. Five were left.

Exhaling a slow breath, he stepped towards the table, taking the vial in hand. About to sit and start cultivation—

Knock. Knock.

The gentle taps at the door caught Orion by surprise. At this time of night? His muscles tensed involuntarily.

Then, there was the sound of a voice, low and unmistakable.

"Brother. are you still awake?"

Orion's eyes opened wide. Elara?

For a moment, he hesitated before pushing his thoughts aside. Why would she visit so late?

".Yes. Wait—I'll open the door."

He turned the handle, and as the door opened, Elara stood there.

Wearing a pale nightgown, the low hallway light highlighted the strange glint in her blue eyes—something unsure, something impenetrable. Her dark hair fell in loose waves down her back, giving her an otherworldly beauty under the moonlight.

She wasn't her own sure thing anymore.

Orion furrowed his brows. Something's wrong.

He moved aside. "Come in."

She entered silently, her stance abnormally rigid. Orion shut the door behind her and turned, sensing how she was avoiding his eye, fussing with the bottom of her gown.

The stillness hung between them, weightier than he had anticipated.

"Elara?" he broke the silence after a moment, moving closer.

She didn't answer immediately, her hands holding the fabric ever so slightly tighter. Then, in a soft voice, quieter than normal, she breathed,

"Brother... I would like to inquire about something."

Orion gentled his expression, feeling her uncertainty. "Go on."

She swallowed.

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And then—

"B-Brother... what did you and Laura discuss in garden? Can you tell me"

Orion froze.

For an instant, he remained silent, his quick mind working out her words.

So that's what this is about.

His face remained impassive, but Elara caught the hesitation in his eyes. She panicked at once, flailing her hands. "I-If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to!" she exclaimed, as if already sorry for asking.

Orion breathed out through his nose, ruffling his head. "It's not that," he comforted her. "It's just... unexpected."

She pressed her lip, waiting.

For a moment, there was only silence between them. Then, in a toneless voice, Orion spoke at last.

"She asked me to marry her."

The words crashed into Elara like a physical assault.

Her breath caught. The world around her unfocused. It was as if the earth beneath her had given way, and she floated in mid-air, exposed and defenseless.

"...She what?" The breath didn't even make it out of her mouth.

Orion, unaware of how her fingers quivered ever so slightly, went on, "Laura proposed to me."

Elara's chest constricted agonizingly. Her eyes swam

Her gut knotted. Laura... purpose him?

Her worst nightmare... had happened.

Her mouth opened, but nothing emerged. She attempted to keep her voice steady. "W-What did you say?"

Orion faced her, his black eyes unflinching. "I turned her down."

Silence.

And then, with a sort of weight having been removed from her heart, Elara breathed out.

The relief was so intense that her knees almost collapsed.

She attempted to struggle against it, attempted to remain impassive, but she couldn't help but allow the tiny, happy smile to crack through.

Orion's eyes tightened slightly.

Isn't she pouting just now?

And then—before he could even respond—Elara hurled herself at him.

"Elara—"

His frame went rigid as her arms closed tightly about him, her tiny form pressing against his chest. Her hold was tight, almost frantic.

She didn't say anything.

She simply. held on.

Orion blinked, momentarily dazed. Why this response?

Elara, though, wasn't in her right mind.

She'd never even understood that she'd hugged him—just that her feelings had overcome her. When she'd heard that he'd rejected Laura, something within her had... broken.

She held him close, listening to the beating of his heart, basking in the heat of his presence.

This is bad. but only for just a bit longer. let me remain like this.

Then—she caught herself.

Her body went rigid. Her mind cleared.

She slowly released him, her cheeks aflame.

"I-I'm sorry," she muttered, not daring to look at him.

Orion gazed at her, still trying to catch up on the surprise hug. And then—he laughed.

"It's okay."

Elara stood frozen, reluctant to move. I need to get out of here before I make a total fool of myself.

"Then... I'll see you tomorrow, Brother." She spun around, holding onto the door handle. "Goodnight."

Before he could answer, she ran out of his room, her heart still racing.

Orion remained there, gazing at the door.

She traveled all the way here to inquire about Laura... and then departed looking as if she won a war?

He sighed, massaging his temples.

I don't get women. Both Elara and Laura are peculiar.

Shaking away his residual thoughts, he stepped towards the middle of his room. The moonlight that streamed through the window cast a glistening sheen over the floor, its soft light illuminating the area around him. With a deep breath, he sat on the floor, folding his legs into a meditative pose.

He pulled one of the crystallized ManaGold pills out of a small wooden box lying next to him—its golden color glimmering faintly under the weak light. Supporting it between his fingers, he examined it briefly. The dense energy within it was strong, much cleaner than when it existed in liquid form.

With no hesitation, he put the pill in his mouth, feeling the smooth surface of it dissolve near-instantly on his tongue. A burning, tingling sensation spread throughout his mouth before seeping into his body, setting off a warmth that coursed through his veins.

His eyes shut.

He concentrated.

The energy coursed through him, slowly at first—like a dripping brook—before it burst forth, inundating his meridians with unadulterated power. His body strained, muscles flexing involuntarily as the potent mana aggressively assimilated into his system.

He clenched his teeth. The potency of the ManaGold pill was worlds ahead of the watered-down version he'd ingested in his previous life. His body, not yet adjusted to such direct injection of energy, seethed from the inside.

Sweat broke out on his forehead, but Orion did not move, unflinching. He controlled the flow of mana, channeling it into his meridian, letting it settle and integrate with his innate stores. With every cycle of deliberate breathing, the wild energy gradually became tame—purified, absorbed.

Minutes ticked by. Then an hour.

By the time he breathed out a deep breath, a thin mist of surplus mana leaked from his mouth, dispersing into the air. His body was heavier, but simultaneously stronger—more refined.

His black eyes opened, keen and piercing.

At last, he enters fourth start of novice.

But he closes his eyes once more and start stabilized his cultivation.