The True Ascension
Chapter 31: Kiss and Confession

Chapter 31: Kiss and Confession

The sun still shone high in the sky, casting golden rays through the palace’s stained glass windows and tinting the corridors with a warm, vibrant light. After Aziz’s words, no one felt any urgency to leave the room. But gradually, as if guided by the same silent rhythm, they began to move. There was something different in the air — a sense of passage, of ending and beginning at the same time.

Astrid was the first to move, adjusting her tunic with calm yet firm gestures. Isis approached Aziz, giving him a light tap on the shoulder with a provocative smile, and Zia, her eyes still shining, seemed barely able to contain the energy pulsing inside her.

"Let’s go out for a bit," said Stella, breaking the silence with her sweet yet commanding voice. "The city air will do us good... and I think we all deserve a simple moment, together."

Sylvia nodded discreetly, already moving to the front as someone who naturally assumes the lead of an informal formation. Zia and Sofia exchanged a knowing glance — and a playful nudge to the shoulder — before turning to Aziz, as if competing to see who would walk closest to him.

They crossed the palace corridors wrapped in a light and silent atmosphere, where their steps echoed like soft notes on enchanted marble. Outside, the fresh morning breeze surrounded them with the scent of manatic flowers blooming under the sun.

And then, there, under the open and radiant sky, with hearts still warm from all they had shared... they stepped out.

After everything that had been said, after all the emotions intertwined like roots beneath Aziz’s feet, walking through the city streets with all of them felt like breathing for the first time after being submerged for a very long time.

Stella guided them through alleys and squares with ease, wearing an elegant cloak that still did nothing to hide her air of sovereignty. At her side, Astrid walked with the serenity of a quiet queen, and Isis, with half-lidded eyes and a mischievous smile, looked ready to provoke someone at any moment. Sylvia, always firm and alert, walked ahead like a protective shadow.

Sofia and Zia, on the other hand, kept close to Aziz — sometimes one on each side, sometimes switching places, like in a silent dance to compete for his attention. What had once been playful rivalry now seemed to have become something subtler, more mature... more dangerous.

The streets were bustling, as expected at that hour. Stalls of exotic fruits, caramelized sweets dusted with mana, skewers of meat seasoned with rare herbs, and multicolored drinks shimmered under the light enchantments installed along the cobbled paths.

Sofia tried a sweet made of crystallized petals and offered it to Aziz with an excited smile.

"Try it. It’s crunchy on the outside and melts in your mouth."

Aziz picked it up with two fingers and tasted it. The floral flavor mixed with something lightly citrusy and sweet, popping on his tongue.

"This is... surprisingly good."

"I know," she smiled, her golden eyes gleaming, and her tails swaying in sync with her spontaneous joy.

Zia, unwilling to fall behind, bought a skewer covered in a dark and mysterious sauce, thrusting it toward Aziz with a challenging look.

"I want to see you resist this. It’s a specialty from the western tavern. They say it’s aphrodisiac."

"Zia," muttered Sylvia from afar.

"What? It’s true!"

Everyone laughed.

They kept browsing stalls of enchanted jewelry, mana masks, and handcrafted toys powered by magic crystals. The city was alive, pulsing like an organism full of sounds, aromas, and lights.

At a certain moment, they passed by a group of bards playing arcane instruments. A soft melody began to fill the air, and Stella, with a brief and nostalgic gaze, paused for a moment to listen.

"They play this every autumn... remember, Sofia?" she said.

Sofia nodded.

"How could I forget, mother?"

For a few seconds, they all just stood there. The sound filled in the spaces that words could never reach.

When evening finally arrived, the sky turned golden, purple, and deep blue. They sat on a wide bench of magic-carved stone in the main square, surrounded by the murmur of the city and the distant sounds of laughter and conversation.

People looked at them with curiosity. Whispers spread. It was rare to see Stella — the ruler — walking in public, let alone accompanied by such striking figures as Astrid, Isis, Sylvia... and a young stranger with an imposing presence beside two almost magical beauties.

Some tried to approach, but one serious look from Stella — calm yet firm — was enough to make them back off. As if responding to an unspoken command, the patrolling guards discreetly formed a secure perimeter. None of them breached the space. Respect held, like an invisible wall.

Silence settled for a while, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt like they were all absorbing the moment — the colors of the sky, the warmth of those around them, the memory being etched like a living painting.

"How quickly time passes..." said Aziz, observing the faces around him.

The women nodded, agreeing with him.

After sitting quietly a while longer, simply observing the view ahead, Astrid rose before anyone else. Her sky-blue eyes met Aziz’s.

"It’s time to go."

Aziz nodded calmly, and everyone began to stand. Stella, with an elegant gesture, drew a magical carriage from her spatial ring.

It was magnificent.

Entirely black, with shining silver edges and golden designs of foxes dancing along the sides. The wheels hovered slightly above the ground, powered by ancient enchantments, and the door opened on its own with a soft click.

Aziz watched in silence for a few seconds, taking in every detail of the enchanted construction.

"It’s... beautiful," he murmured, admiring.

"Thank you," replied Stella with a touch of pride. "This is one of my favorite carriages. I don’t usually use it, but today is a special occasion."

They entered the carriage, and the interior was just as elegant as the outside: cushions embroidered with mana threads, enchanted windows offering panoramic views, and a soft aroma of fresh flowers filled the air.

The ride back was quiet but comfortable. When they arrived at the palace, everyone went to their respective quarters.

Aziz was about to enter his room — alongside his mother and Isis — when he felt a soft hand holding his.

He turned slowly.

It was Sofia.

Her touch was firm, but there was hesitation in her eyes. They stared at him with silent intensity, almost trembling. He was about to ask what she wanted, but realized he didn’t need to. He knew that look. She wanted to talk... alone.

Aziz nodded, and with a quick glance at Astrid, signaled that he would come later. Astrid replied with a calm nod. Isis... just gave him a small, suggestive smile, as if she already knew.

He followed Sofia deeper into the palace until they exited through the back into the garden.

Twilight cloaked everything in a golden haze. The leafy trees seemed to whisper old stories in the wind, and the sound of a nearby fountain completed the serene scene. They sat beneath an old tree, its thick roots and dense canopy providing quiet shelter. The grass beneath their feet still held the day’s warmth.

The silence between them was thick, but not uncomfortable. Just... dense.

Sofia shifted beside him, as if searching for courage within her own body.

"I also... want to become an adventurer," she said suddenly.

Her voice came out soft but firm. Aziz looked at her sideways, not responding immediately.

"You’re lying," he said gently.

She turned to him, indignant.

"I’m not!"

Aziz stared at her, more serious now, wanting to tell her she didn’t have to push herself. That she didn’t need to follow him or prove anything.

But then he saw it.

Her eyes were wet. Slightly trembling. That usually radiant golden glow... now seemed ready to shatter.

His heart tightened.

Before he could think of anything rational, his body moved on its own.

He extended his arms and pulled her gently.

Sofia let out a small surprised breath when he settled her on his lap, facing him.

She didn’t resist. Just buried her face in his neck.

He felt something warm and wet trickle down his skin.

Tears.

She was crying.

His body froze for a second. He had never seen her like this. Never.

Carefully, he ran a hand through her white hair. As silky as celestial silk, slipping through his fingers like strands of light. Her scent was subtle, sweet and floral, almost ethereal — like the aroma of the mana garden flowers in the eastern wing.

His hands kept gently caressing her head. His fingers threaded softly through her hair, trying to offer a silent safety, a comfort that words couldn’t reach.

Her tails trembled slightly behind her, swaying in a slow and melancholic rhythm.

"You don’t need to say anything right now..." he whispered, almost without thinking. "Just... stay here. For now."

She only tightened the embrace.

And in that moment, in the garden’s gentle silence, under the warm light of the sky and the scent of mana mixed with perfume and longing, Aziz knew.

The life he was about to face would be harsh. Full of danger.

But because of that, moments like that one — fragile, precious, real — would be his strength.

After who knows how long, the silence that hung over the garden was no longer uncomfortable — it was intimate. Aziz remained seated, still breathing in the soft scent of Sofia on his neck, her arms wrapped around his torso as if she never wanted to let him go. The beating of both their hearts was synchronized, as if they shared the same rhythm, the same moment.

Then, gently, Sofia pulled her face away from his neck. Her eyes met Aziz’s with a soft yet resolute expression. There was something she needed to say, something she could no longer keep to herself.

"I lied..." she said, her voice barely a whisper. "About wanting to become an adventurer right now."

Aziz stared at her in silence. He nodded slowly, as if confirming something he had known all along. His expression held no judgment, only understanding.

He parted his lips, about to speak — to say he knew, that she didn’t need to force herself into anything, that he was never going to disappear from her life... that she didn’t have to hurt herself trying to follow him.

But Sofia stopped him.

Not with words.

She suddenly leaned in — and kissed him.

Her lips touched his with unexpected firmness, carrying more emotions than any sentence could ever express. In that moment, Aziz felt a new warmth rising through his chest. It wasn’t just surprise — it was something deeper, more instinctive.

She didn’t need to explain. He understood.

The taste of Sofia’s lips was sweet, soft, and brought with it a sense of belonging. Aziz didn’t pull away. On the contrary — he returned the kiss, and with intensity. A strange, almost wild feeling stirred inside him. It wasn’t just affection or desire. It was something else... possessive. As if, in that instant, he wanted to mark her. To tell her, with that kiss, that she was his. And that he was hers.

Embracing that feeling, he deepened the kiss, gently sucking her upper lip, then the lower one, as if he wanted to savor her, as if every part of that gesture was sacred. Sofia felt it and responded with half-lidded eyes and a crescent-moon smile — as if silently saying that this was exactly what she had wanted all along.

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer, as if the world around them could vanish and she wouldn’t care. Now, she matched his kiss, sucking and nibbling on his lips with equal intensity. The passion between them intensified. The kiss grew hotter, wetter, deeper.

Their breaths mingled. Their tongues searched for each other, hesitating for a moment... until Aziz, driven by the growing desire, tried to slip his tongue into Sofia’s mouth.

She felt his movement and, in an instinctive gesture, opened her lips wider, allowing him in. Their tongues met — and it wasn’t a duel. There was no struggle, only harmony. They danced, soft and tender, recognizing and embracing each other. It was a kiss full of passion, but also of affection — a rare mix that made the heart ache from its intensity.

When they finally pulled apart, lips still warm and moist, they remained just inches from each other. Their eyes met — filled with tenderness, desire, and something deeper burning beneath the surface.

"Haaah... haaah..."

"Haa... haa... ahh..."

The sound of their ragged breathing filled the air. They were breathless, as if the kiss had taken more than just their air — as if it had taken a part of their souls.

Sofia pressed her forehead against Aziz’s for a brief moment, catching her breath. Then, with a faint, mischievous smile, she brought her lips close to his ear and whispered with a trembling but courageous voice:

"Before... I was lying. But there’s a truth I need to say..."

She hesitated for a second — just long enough for Aziz’s heart to race.

"I-I like you."

And before he could even react, she pulled away.

She sprang off his lap in a light movement and ran off into the palace with a playful giggle, her red hair flowing behind her like flames in the wind. Aziz instinctively reached out a hand to stop her — but it was no use.

Sofia didn’t even look back.

She disappeared into the corridors, leaving behind not just a kiss... but a truth Aziz would never forget.

"She... she kisses me, confesses... and runs off? Just like that?"

Aziz murmured, a bit stunned by what had just happened.

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