A Night Beneath The Snow

Chapter 132 — A Night Beneath the Snow

The temperature dropped sharply after sunset, and the snowfall became heavier as the night progressed. Fortunately, Aether's Origin Energy had strengthened the shelter enough to keep the interior warm, allowing everyone to rest without being affected by the freezing wind outside. Seris prepared medicinal tea for everyone while Lyra studied the map and compared it with the terrain they had crossed during the day. Sylvara and Evelyn discussed possible routes through the mountains, while Elara carefully organized their supplies.

Vaelira sat slightly apart from the others, her silver hair reflecting the light of the fire. She wasn't uncomfortable around the group anymore, but she still carried herself with the independence of someone accustomed to traveling alone. Aether noticed her silence and eventually walked over before sitting beside her.

"You're quiet."

"I'm thinking."

"About Frostveil?"

"Partly."

Vaelira looked toward the others. "About them too."

Aether followed her gaze. "What about them?"

"They're comfortable around you."

"They've known me for a long time."

"I can tell."

Her gaze settled on Aria, who was laughing at something Lyra had said. Vaelira remained silent for a moment before asking, "Does she matter to you?"

Aether didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Vaelira nodded slowly, as though she had expected that answer.

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"I thought so."

"But that doesn't mean the others don't matter."

Vaelira turned toward him.

Aether continued calmly, "I don't measure people against each other. If someone becomes important to me, their value isn't reduced because someone else is important too."

Vaelira was silent for several seconds. Eventually, a faint smile appeared on her face.

"That's a strange answer."

"It's the honest one."

She looked toward the fire again.

"I suppose that's one of the things I like about you."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

Vaelira immediately realized what she had said. A slight change appeared in her expression before she looked away.

"Don't make a big deal out of it."

Aether smiled.

"I wasn't planning to."

Across the camp, Aria had noticed their conversation. She didn't interrupt, nor did she confront Vaelira. Instead, she simply watched them for a few seconds before returning her attention to the fire. A small feeling of jealousy appeared in her heart, and she couldn't completely deny it. Aether had been part of her life for so long that seeing another woman gradually become closer to him naturally affected her.

But Aria trusted Aether.

That mattered more than the jealousy.

Later that night, most of the group had fallen asleep. Aria, however, remained awake, sitting near the entrance of the shelter and staring at the snow-covered mountains. Aether noticed her and walked over.

"You can't sleep?"

Aria shook her head.

"Not really."

"Cold?"

"A little."

Aether extended his hand, and a gentle stream of Origin Energy spread through the area, warming the air around them.

Aria smiled.

"You're useful."

"I've been told."

She laughed quietly before becoming silent again. After a moment, she looked at him.

"Do you remember when we were children?"

"Most of it."

"You always disappeared whenever you were upset."

Aether smiled faintly.

"I was probably annoying."

"You were."

Aria laughed again, but her expression soon became softer.

"But I always knew you'd come back."

Aether looked at her.

"And now?"

Aria hesitated before answering.

"Now I don't just want you to come back."

She looked down at her hands.

"I want to be there when you go."

Aether understood immediately. She wasn't asking him to stay. She wasn't asking him to give up his ambitions or his path. She simply wanted to walk beside him instead of waiting behind whenever he left.

Aether reached over and gently placed his hand over hers.

"Then stay."

Aria looked down at their hands before smiling.

"I will."

They remained there quietly beneath the falling snow, their hands still together. Neither of them tried to define what the moment meant, but something between them had undeniably changed. It wasn't a confession, and it wasn't yet the beginning of anything dramatic.

It was simply another step forward.

And for now, that was enough.