"My condolences to you, and your children."

Those words marked her fate. It was ordained by destiny's will.

It was a day that Céline did not want to happen.

Yet in her heart, she knew it was only a matter of time.

The voice who said those words belonged to Queen Lumera, who was speaking with her mother outside the room as the door closed with a thundering sound. After that, their voices blended into the background as presumably Lumera was in process of consoling her mother. That left Céline in the room alongside her brother, who stared at the bed in front of them. Seeing him standing like this brought her some measure of relief. But unfortunately, it was not a joyous time to be there for terrible news reached them as they just arrived at the Somniel. Hence the words Lumera said to her mother just earlier.

Alfred turned his gaze to her, starting off softly, "Céline. You'll pray, right? I want to do it with you. It's my first time with you here after all."

"I will… but Alfred, hasn't grief taken you? Father… he…" she tried to hold back her tears again, the aching in her heart tearing her apart once more. Not again. She can't cry again, not like when she first came here. Not in front of Alfred, who was showing signs of getting better. He was well enough to come here after all. Though his presence plagued her with worry as he could always just collapse at any time.

"I am. But father wouldn't want us to remember him like that. I'm blessed to be even here today. I must live for him. I have to. Praying here with you is just the first step of my fight." He was taking the news better than she was. During the journey here, she was on the verge of tears the entire time, but those were supposed to be out of joy for having the opportunity to go with her brother. And now, now the sensations pushing her towards tears again were for different reasons all together.

"…I agree. Let's pray then, dear brother. If nothing else, I am glad you are here with me."

"I am too." Alfred approached the bed. Stopped. Stared at it. Then turned to her. "So uh, how do we do this? It's been a while since being stuck on your bed all the time doesn't really help," he said while shrugging with a sheepish expression.

"You dolt… did you already forget how mother showed you earlier to remind you? Let me start then. Follow my example, if you will." She followed through the motions, kneeling down and bringing her hands together fluidly. She did not pray yet. And instead, turned her head to signal to her brother to copy her.

He did it slowly, whether out of not being used to it or just not trying to push himself. She was not sure. But it didn't take long for him to match her. "And we just pray now?"

"Yes. You've prayed before. So I trust you can handle the rest yourself?"

"Sure can do."

At his response, she closed her eyes and continued to pray.

It was mostly the same she normally prayed for nowadays, but her brother was getting better so continued good health for him would be a new one.

And… of course, a peaceful rest for her father now.

She finished her prayer quickly. Instead of getting up, Céline found herself staring at the Divine One resting on the bed as usual. Should she speak to him once more? She only did it once before during her first time here. Would it help to do it again? But her brother was here this time, it would be strange to start speaking now.

She stood up, finding that Alfred did so at the same time.

"We really must be siblings if we both finished at the same time," he said, letting out a weak laugh.

Céline tried to smile, but she couldn't. It was as if every action she tried taking took tremendous effort on her part now. Forcing a response, she found herself saying, "Alfred… Do you think mother will be—"

"She will," he answered instantly, knowing what she was going to say. "I'm more worried about you actually." Alfred walked over to her.

He was getting taller. Much taller than her. In contrast to his increasing height however, he looked physically weak, enough to be mistaken for being emaciated. Thin with the lack of developed muscles displaying the frailty of his form—his appearance was that of a delicate flower: unfit for the severity that the world would demand from him. Even so, he carried the still-developing features of a man as he grew out of his boyhood. Perhaps instead of withering away, he would bloom most beautifully in time. That much she could hope for. Alfred put his hand on her shoulder, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Céline, you—I know that between the two of us, you're the one who will cry the most. So, if you want to…"

She shook her head. "That's not fair. What about you? Surely, you knew father longer than I have if only because you were born first, and…"

"That doesn't mean my sadness is any more important than yours. I'll miss him. And you will too. Let's be sad together, OK?" he said, forcing a smile for her even as it wavered momentarily.

"Alfred, I—What can we do? What should we do? You might be getting better right now, but if out of the blue, like father, you also relapse suddenly…" she said to him, her voice getting closer to breaking with each word while finding that her vision was starting to be blurred as well. She recognized the sensation. It's just too familiar. Tears. Tears were all she could give these days.

"We stay strong, Céline. And if we can't do it right now, we let ourselves be weak. And then we can be stronger. Father taught me the lance; I'm going to have to start training harder than before to honor his memory. He wouldn't want us to wallow in despair. And I'm not going to let some sickness beat me!" His eyes started to water as well, but he continued regardless, "If you need to cry… then do it with me. We're siblings. You're my little sister. I love that you're my sister. And I will stay by your side for as long as I can." His voice started to crack. He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'll even cry by your side too," his voice ended in a whisper next to her ear.

She gripped him tighter—not wanting to let go as if he would leave her as well—and found herself joining Alfred in their heartbroken misery. Her own bottled feelings started to burst forth as well.

They cried together.

Letting their sorrows join as their pain became one.

Céline wasn't sure when, but in the middle of this, she felt someone else join in, wrapping them both under her embrace. Their mother. She must have returned at some point and saw them like this. And for once, all the warmth from her remaining family soothed her. She wished they could share this warmth together always.

But reality would never be so kind.

And thus, when they separated, Alfred was smiling, her mother was silent, and Céline herself was wiping her last tears. "Alfred," she said quietly, staring at her brother's face. "Why are you smiling?"

"Because I feel a lot better now! Don't you?"

"Perhaps not as much as you."

She looked to her mother. Who was still silent. On her face, it was evident that she too, had been crying either alongside them or even earlier. The heartbreak of losing her one love was clearly evident in her reddened eyes. Upon noticing her child's gaze, she looked at Céline. "As much as it pains me for your father to leave us. We still have to continue forward. We'll have to cut our visit here short so that we may return to Firene to handle matters that this news has summoned. Céline, Alfred, I will speak to Queen Lumera for a moment. She mentioned wanting to visit Firene in honor of your father. I will have to coordinate this with her. Please, if you need to do anything else before we leave, then do so."

It looked as if she were about to leave, but their mother didn't. Instead, while giving her daughter an intense gaze, she added, "Céline, despite what has happened, I hope you can support your brother as the crown prince of Firene." Those words earned a nod from her.

She turned her attention to Alfred. "And Alfred, my dear son, you're becoming more and more like your father's image. Please, stay healthy and do not be afraid to lean on your sister for support. With the two of you, Firene will prosper for years to come so long as the two of you stay safe. I will do whatever I can to ensure you're both ready for your upcoming responsibilities."

"Mother," Alfred held his hesitation briefly, "don't you need more time to grieve? Father just passed away and you're already jumping back to business."

"Time waits not for you to move; you must move with it. I will mourn my dear husband in my own time when I can. But my concern now as queen is the future of my children and helping the people of Firene move on from such tragedies. These dark times are moving past us. We must move forward." She turned and left to deal with the matter she mentioned earlier, footsteps heavy as the door opened and closed. Not too long afterwards, the door opened again, revealing the aged steward that Céline recalled from her first visit.

"Sir Vander, what brings you here?" Alfred asked as he approached them.

He bowed slightly, just enough for his respect to be conveyed. "I offer my condolences first and foremost, Prince Alfred, and Princess Céline of Firene." Lifting his head and straightening his posture, his eyes moved between the both of them as he spoke. "Queen Ève has mentioned to me that all of you will be returning sooner than expected when she passed by me. Queen Lumera had tasked me earlier with letting you depart with these as farewell." He presented Alfred a flower, undoubtedly from Lythos, who took it without a word. Alfred began to examine the flower, a smile forming as he did. At the same time, Vander looked to Céline and revealed another flower from his hand. The petals were pink, yet almost purple, and the center: a bright yellow. She took it as Vander spoke.

"I am sorry to meet under an unfortunate circumstance yet again, Princess Céline. Hopefully our next meeting will be during a better time. This flower—different from your brother's—was handpicked by Queen Lumera. She passes this message to you." He cleared his throat before reciting the message: "'Princess Céline, I recall your first visit here strongly. I had hoped that would be your last one in which you were in pain. But your father's passing, most unfortunate as it is, clearly meant otherwise. If you need to talk to him again. He will not mind. He is most too kindhearted for that.'

"I will be outside by the door if you need anything else. And for what it is worth, I knew the king well enough. Your father was a good man." Vander turned and left, leaving the two alone.

Alfred spoke up a second later. "Céline, who's this person mentioned in Queen Lumera's message?" Seeing the confusion written on his face, she gestured to the sleeping figure on the bed. Her brother's eyes widened. "You talked to the Divine One while he's sleeping?"

"I did. But that was when I first visited, Alfred."

"Oh…" The implications of her visit and talk solidified in his mind. He knew about her first visit, back when he was too sick to even leave his bed. His sister did seem to be doing better when she got back or at least that's what he heard from his mother. He was only able to confirm this when the healers and doctors allowed visitors to come in. Even while he laid in bed that entire time, in a nearly constant stupor from the pain his illness struck him with, he couldn't help but worry about his family's wellbeing.

What private thoughts did she share with the Divine One?

For some reason, he felt mildly envious and appreciative of what occurred. Envious because he wished he could have been the one to support Céline when she needed it. But also appreciative because even though the Divine One was asleep and wasn't capable of holding conversation, whatever she ended up speaking to him about helped. Forcing himself out of his thoughts, he looked at Céline, whose eyes were directed elsewhere in thought.

"Let me go first," he blurted out to her. She almost jumped back at his sudden declaration. "It won't take long. I just want to say something really quick to him."

"If you say so, Alfred." She prepared to leave but was stopped by her brother's grip on her shoulder.

"You don't have to leave. It's nothing private."

Receiving a nod from her, Céline retreated to the corner of the room to at least give some sense of privacy.

Alfred walked up to the bed again, the outermost fabric being parted allowed him to get quite close to the sleeping god. He knelt beside the bed and then spoke. "Hi, Divine One! You don't know me right now, but I'm Alfred, crown prince of Firene! Maybe my sister Céline mentioned me when she first visited. This won't take up much of your time. I just want to thank you. Whatever my sister said to you at first way back then really seemed to help her. So, thanks! I appreciate it." He was about to let his sister have her turn but stopped at a sudden thought striking him. "One more thing, if you do wake up at some point, I hope we can be great friends! I'll try to come here more often. You probably get lonely too, huh? Anyway, I'll see you soon, Divine One!"

Standing, he looked to Céline, who appeared to be in thought once more judging from the way her brows were furrowed with narrowed eyes. "Hey, it's your turn!"

She blinked. Then looked at Alfred. With a nod, she walked over to the bed. Alfred decided to give her the same courtesy she did for him and made his way to one of the corners. Céline knelt as her brother retreated a distance away. She found her voice trembling as she started speaking, "Divine One… If you can remember me, it's Princess Céline. I will be straightforward." She took a breath, steadying herself and her voice. "My father passed today. Just as we were coming to pray here. I apologize if our sorrow disturbed the sanctity of your chambers."

Céline leaned forward a bit closer, lowering her voice for she did not want to risk anyone else hearing. "I have made up my mind, Divine One. I will steel myself now. All this misery and pain has dashed away any enthusiasm I had for happiness. I must only find joy in the smallest of things. Happiness… it's not meant for me." A few tears she didn't realize she had managed to escape her, dropping onto the floor and disappearing. They would be the last. It will have to be the last from now on. She tensed and strengthened her posture, letting out her next words in a steadfast manner.

"Therefore, I vow to you that I will do my utmost to support my brother and ensure that Firene prospers. This is my resolve. When I see you again, you will find yourself meeting a different princess. One that will not shed anymore tears. One who will do anything for her kingdom."

With one deep inhale through the nose followed by its exit through her mouth, she said: "Farewell, Divine One."

Céline rose and went over to her brother. He didn't say anything to her, nor did he act like he heard anything if he did. "Let us go, Alfred."

As they exited the room, they found themselves face to face with their mother, and Queen Lumera herself. Vander, who was missing, appeared to be elsewhere, perhaps having received a task while they were still inside. "Have you finished?" Lumera asked.

"Yes, thank you. I'm glad I got to do this actually." Alfred grinned at her, if it weren't for his frail appearance currently, he could pass for being a healthy, jubilant individual.

"Oh? That is most reassuring to hear. I hope you will be able to come here from now on, Prince Alfred. May your good health continue from now on."

"Thank you. I will do my best to keep healthy so that I can keep coming here. You'll see!"

Lumera chuckled. "Such vigor! I look forward to your future visits." She then glanced around quickly before looking at Ève. "Queen Ève, if there is nothing else you would like to do here. Then please, return quickly to Firene. I trust you have important matters to attend there."

"Of course, thank you, Queen Lumera, for being a gracious host as always. I'm sure my husband would have loved to see you one last time. Alas, perhaps you can grace him with your presence during the funeral?"

A serene smile followed after. "I will be sure to come. He's a dear friend of mine to. Just as you are, Ève."

"Thank you again. We must depart. Come now, Alfred and Céline. Let's return to Firene." Her mother turned to leave and began to walk. Alfred followed after her. Céline was about to start following but found herself in hesitation, unable to move.

"Is something the matter, Princess Céline?" Lumera asked with a concerned look.

Céline faced her directly. "Queen Lumera, may I ask you something?"

"Please, ask whatever you'd like."

"You haven't told me his name before. I would like to know it, if I may?" She came to that realization as she left the room. Most people knew of the Divine Dragon who slept in the Somniel. And yet, if his name was commonplace, it was not used when she was stuck in the palace all day during the height of the epidemic. Firene was undoubtedly the most pious kingdom compared to the others and yet no specific name echoed throughout the lands. As far as she knew, everyone just knew him as the child of the Divine Dragon Lumera. Simply as the Divine One.

Lumera was silent for a moment, staring at Céline with an unreadable expression. She then smiled. It was cryptic, as if she had foreseen something that no one else did but wanted to keep it to herself. "Alear."

"Alear?" Céline repeated, testing the name out as if were completely foreign.

"Yes, that is my child's name," she said as she considered something, pausing just long enough as if she was hesitating to reveal a deep secret before she broke it by adding. "If he does wake when you are around, perhaps he would be most blessed to have met you," Lumera said with a warm smile as if she were hinting at something.

"Forgive me, Queen Lumera, I am not sure I understand." Céline dared not to pry. After all, it was very likely in its own right that Lumera did see something that Céline couldn't due to being a mere human.

She laughed briefly. "It is nothing to worry about, Princess Céline. Nothing more than the lonesome thoughts of a mother wishing to speak to her son once more." Lumera then gestured to the retreating forms of Céline's brother and mother. "You should catch up with your family, lest they miss your presence. Perhaps we can speak another time?"

"I would like that. Thank you, Queen Lumera. May we meet again under better circumstances." Céline quickly bowed before she turned and hastily left to catch up with her family, leaving Lumera by herself.

"What a daughter you and your husband have been blessed with, Ève. I can't help but look forward to seeing how she navigates the world with her brother." She smiled to no one in particular.

If her son woke up and met the princess. It was possible the two would have quite the impact on each other. Such a private thought she would keep to herself for even Lumera did not know if Alear would wake anytime soon. Or how he'd act even. If he did long after Céline had lived her life, she'd definitely remember to tell him about her and by extension, her brother, Alfred.

Humans did always try to live their short lives with the brightest of flames after all.

Some burned slowly.

Some burned too fast.

Some burned more brightly than others. And those ones stood out more from the rest.

Perhaps Céline would be one of those.

Author's Notes:

Inspired specifically by the particular part in Céline's segment of the ally notebook that mentions her father after you achieved her B-rank support with Alear. This was supposed to follow up the last work sooner rather than later. But that didn't happen.

One additional note: If I am not mistaken, I noticed the only people who "say" (as in, displayed in the text) Alear's name before Alear introduces themselves are those from Lythos, and Alfred plus Céline. So while Alear's name doesn't seem to be a secret, it also doesn't come off as widely known. Hence the last part for this. But that's just my interpretation.