Sarah and James collapse on the couch after another whirlwind day.
The house is finally quiet—just the hum of the dishwasher and the distant murmur of the boys' laughter from their room.
Elias squeezes her hand, still smiling "We survived triplets."
Anna grins. "It's been awesome."
"We can't hold on anymore, I think it's time to let things go" he said gently as he rubbed his wife's hands
"Just a little more time dear, Soon it'll be their 14th birthday. Let me spend Abit more time with them before we go" Anna said quietly with faint sorrow
" I plan to send them Konstant, though unpredictable, he's the best person to shelter them away from harm" Elias proposed
" Why him of all people, that bastard is too dangerous and will sooner get into trouble.. it's better we send them to that so called Academy, atleast they would easily live well there and no one would likely notice them" Anna said irritatedly, disliking the idea of her son's being in his care.
" Sigh~ ok, ok they would go to the academy then, for now let's just spend time and teach them all we can before times up"
Elias hastily agreed, placating his wife whose mood seemed soured
-----
-----
Three years slipped like sand through time's fingers—springs bloomed and faded, winters whispered and vanished, and the boys, once bound by youth, now carried the weight of seasons in their strides, their stories unfolding beneath the ever-turning sky.
Nicholas – With his striking grey hair and piercing grey eyes, Nicholas carried an air of effortless elegance and nonchalancy
His handsome features are often marked by a detached indifference, as if the world around him barely holds his interest.
Though soft spoken, his presence is impossible to ignore—cool, enigmatic and detached
Fiery red hair and a confident smile defined Lucien, whose piercing eyes seem to dissect everything they see.
Despite his handsomeness, there's something unsettling about him—a charm that feels more like a challenge than warmth.
He talks freely, his words smooth and calculated, leaving others unsure if they should be drawn in or wary
Julien– Tall, lean, and crowned with silvery-white hair, he was the picture of gentle charm.
His kindness radiates in every gesture, his warm demeanor a stark contrast to his more aloof companions.
While Nicholas is distant and Lucien is cold, Julien moves through the world with an easy grace, offering smiles that feel genuine and eyes that hold quiet understanding.
Together, they form an intriguing trio—each striking in their own way, yet bound by something deeper than blood
The morning of the triplets' 14th birthday was a blur of motion.
Anna had barely finished setting out the cake—a simple chocolate one with hastily scribbled frosting—before Lucien snatched a slice mid-air, flashing a sharp grin. "Thanks, Mother. Delicious."
Nicholas gave a slow nod, barely glancing up from his book. "Adequate."
Julien, ever the peacekeeper, smiled warmly. "It's perfect. Thank you."
Elias clapped his hands together. "Alright! Presents—"
But before he could finish, Lucien had already torn into his, revealing a sleek dagger. "Oh? Finally something useful."
Nicholas unwrapped his with deliberate precision—a set of rare alchemy texts.
His lips quirked, the closest thing to approval.
Julien's gift was a silver compass, its needle glinting. He held it gently. "For guidance," Anna murmured, kissing his forehead.
And just like that, it was over.
Lucien was already at the door, twirling his new blade. "Are we done? Good."
Nicholas stood, tucking his books under his arm. "I have things to read."
Julien lingered just a second longer, squeezing his mother's hand. "We'll celebrate properly next time."
Anna exhaled, watching them go.
Elias chuckled. "Well. That was the fastest birthday in history."
She sighed. "They're definitely your sons."
The carriage stood waiting in the courtyard, its dark wood polished to a muted sheen beneath the morning light.
The horses shifted impatiently, their breath curling in the crisp air.
Lucien leaned against the carriage door, arms crossed, his boot tapping an uneven rhythm against the cobblestones. "If we delay any longer, I'm leaving on foot."
Nicholas adjusted the cuffs of his coat, unbothered. "You'd get lost before the first crossroads."
Julien lingered near their parents, his usual bravado tempered by the weight of departure.
He clasped their father's shoulder, then turned to their mother. "We'll write," he promised, voice softer than usual.
Anna pulled him into a fierce embrace before moving to Lucien, who endured it with a stiff sigh, and then to Nicholas. He stood rigid as her arms wrapped around him, but after a brief hesitation, he returned the gesture—just once, a quick, almost imperceptible squeeze before stepping back.
"Be careful," Anna murmured, her gaze lingering on each of them. "All of you."
Nicholas turned toward the carriage, but before he could follow his brothers, Elias caught his sleeve.
"A word" Elias murmured, steering him aside with a glance toward the others.
Lucien was already climbing into the carriage, muttering about wasted time, while Julien distracted their parents with last-minute reassurances.
Once they were out of earshot, Elias pressed a small, sealed letter into Nicholas's palm.
The wax bore the faint imprint of a sigil Nicholas didn't recognize.
"There are things you should know" Elias said, his voice low,
" But now isn't the time. On your sixteenth birthday, recite the incantation I taught you—the one for unlocking hidden texts. This will respond to it."
Nicholas frowned, his fingers tightening around the letter. "Why not just tell me now?"
Elias's gaze flickered toward the carriage " Because some truths are heavier than others.
And you…" He hesitated, then clapped Nicholas on the shoulder.
"You're the one I trust to handle your brothers if things go sideways. Keep this hidden. And for God's sake, try to be inconspicuous as possible lest they discover your issue."
Before Nicholas could press further, Elias stepped back, his usual composed mask slipping back into place. "Go on. They're waiting."
Nicholas tucked the letter into an inner pocket, his thoughts racing, but he schooled his expression into indifference as he rejoined the others.
Lucien scowled from inside the carriage. "Finally. What was that about?"
"Nothing important" Nicholas said smoothly, settling into his seat as the door shut behind him.
With that, they boarded the carriage, Julien waved from the window until the house was out of sight
As carriage lurched forward, and Elias watched them go, his stance rigid—until the moment the gates closed behind them. Then, and only then, did his shoulders slump, as if a weight had settled there.
---
The courtyard was quiet now, the dust from the carriage wheels still settling in the morning air. Anna stood with her hands clasped tightly, as if holding onto the last warmth of her sons' embraces.
Elias moved beside her, his presence steady, though his gaze remained fixed on the empty road beyond the gates.
"They'll be alright" he said, though the words sounded more like a plea than a reassurance.
Anna exhaled, her breath trembling. "Will they?" She turned to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
Elias didn't answer at first, the wind stirred, catching the edges of his cloak, and for a moment, his form flickered—like candlelight against a draft.
Anna reached for his hand. Her fingers passed through his, scattering into golden motes of light. She didn't gasp. She didn't pull away. Instead, she smiled, bittersweet. "So it's time, then."
Elias's voice was barely a whisper. "It was always time."
The sun climbed higher, its rays piercing through them both, dissolving the edges of their figures into shimmering dust. Anna leaned into him, or tried to—her body was half-light now, fading.
"Will they remember us?" she asked.
Elias turned his face toward the sky, his expression softening.
"Not as we were. But in the way the wind feels familiar, or how a forgotten melody returns when most needed… yes. They'll remember."
Anna closed her eyes. "Good."
And then—
They were gone.
Only the sunlight remained, warm and weightless where they had stood.