Emotions & Warmth

"Alright, then I'll end the call and wish you a good night, Aether! I love you so much! Muaa~" Arshley's sweet voice came through the other end of the line, eliciting a warm smile from Aether.

"Good night. I love you too, Arshley." Aether moved his smartphone away from his ear, noting that the screen had returned to the main display, signaling the end of the call.

Aether's expression took on a slightly melancholic tinge as he continued to gaze at the expansive night sky.

"Tomorrow should go smoothly," he mused, stretching his body and nodding in affirmation.

"Aether! Dinner's ready! Let's eat!" Flora's voice suddenly echoed from the living room, prompting Aether to turn and head back into the dining room for their meal.

...

"Big sister, are you staying here tonight or heading to the Guardian base?" Aether inquired casually as he continued to eat, addressing Flora, who sat across from him.

Upon hearing his question, Flora paused, swallowing her food, before responding, her gaze gentle as she looked at Aether.

"Tonight, I'll sleep here. Didn't I mention that I'd be staying for a month to take care of you? Besides, tomorrow is my last mission before I go on my sabbatical," Flora replied, stretching her waist and speaking softly.

Aether nodded, his affectionate gaze fixed on Flora.

"Thank you, Big Sister, and I truly apologize for the trouble; you should use up all the leave you've earned." A wry smile played on Aether's lips as he expressed his gratitude.

He was well aware of Flora's deep concern for him.

Even when she was stationed at the Guardian base, Flora sent him letters at least twice a week, a testament to her love and worry.

Having lived alone since his mother's passing, solitude had become Aether's daily routine.

Upon hearing these words, Flora smiled gently and said, "You're a fool, Aether. Don't say that. I want to make up for all the regrets and mistakes of not being able to be there for you during those difficult times when you were sad."

She continued, her voice tinged with sadness: "I should have taken on the role of an older sister and even a mother to you after our mother's passing, but I couldn't be there for you when you needed me. I'm truly sorry, Aether."

Flora's expression was filled with guilt and regret.

Since their mother's death, Aether has essentially been living alone, a responsibility that should never have fallen upon a five-year-old child.

It wasn't as though their father hadn't sent people to look after Aether, but those caretakers were members of the Federation, merely performing their duties without offering the maternal love that young Aether so desperately needed.

Their father and even herself, as his older sister, couldn't be with him during those difficult times, a source of enduring regret for her.

She hoped that by taking this sabbatical, she could make amends for her past mistakes.

Aether, upon hearing this, didn't feel any anger but instead smiled gently at Flora.

He understood that his sister had a tendency to blame herself for things that weren't her fault.

Flora's absence after their mother's passing hadn't caused Aether to resent her in the slightest.

His young mind had matured beyond his years, allowing him to think rationally.

Aether harbored no ill will toward his father either, recognizing that his father held a position of immense importance as a leader of one of the three federations on Earth.

His anger toward his father stemmed from a deep sense of hurt and resentment over his father's apparent lack of concern for their mother's death.

On the one hand, Aether understood that his father was incredibly busy, with every moment being crucial as a leader of the Arcana Federation.

However, on the other hand, he couldn't help but feel upset that his father hadn't fulfilled his roles as both a father and a husband so well.

These conflicting emotions left him in a state of natural confusion, unsure of how to navigate his relationship with his father and only exacerbating their strained bond.

Of course, as Aether grew older, he realized that he needed to work on improving his relationship with his father to foster better communication.

"You don't have to worry, big sister. Just having you here with me right now makes me happy. There's no need for you to be down," Aether reassured Flora, who always carried a sense of guilt.

He offered her a warm smile to ease her concerns.

Upon hearing Aether's comforting words, Flora's tears welled up uncontrollably at the corners of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, and thank you, Aether," Flora said, wiping away the tears that had stained her cheeks.

His soothing words had an almost instant effect, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders, allowing her to breathe freely once more.

"You're welcome, big sister, and I hope you can find happiness without burdening yourself with guilt," Aether continued, but his words seemed to trigger a deeper emotional response in Flora, and she burst into tears.

"Wooo~"

Flora rose from her seat and embraced Aether tightly.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Aether! Woooo~" Flora sobbed loudly and tearfully.

Aether adjusted his position to offer a comfortable embrace, gently holding Flora as she poured out her emotions.

"Yes, yes, I forgive you. Please don't cry anymore, alright?" Aether comforted his sister by gently patting her smooth shoulders and back, gradually calming her down.

Flora, who typically maintained a cold and stern demeanor in the Guardian army, now appeared as a vulnerable young girl who had made a mistake.

In this moment, all she displayed was her deep care and affection for her little brother.

The two siblings remained in this comforting embrace until Flora had finally regained her composure.

With their hearts warmed by the emotional release, they continued their dinner together.