"Mirana, how are you feeling now?" Kaori asked, her voice gentle as she turned from writing her journal of the new Heroes she had met to facing the newly appointed Askran maid who was busy arranging the bedsheets in her new room. When Kaori arrived, she was put in one of the guests' room, but after she had proven her worth, she was moved to Kenzie's—Destiny's older brother—room, despite her protests, since Kenzie is still away to fight against Embla all by himself just to gain his title. Kaori glanced up from her journal, where she recorded details about the new Heroes she'd met, and turned her attention to Mirana, the newly appointed Askran maid.

  Mirana, clad in a neatly pressed navy-blue dress with a crisp white apron and a matching maid’s headband holding back her tidy ginger hair, hesitated before meeting Kaori's gaze. Her shy, sunset-orange eyes flickered with uncertainty as she replied, "I... I'm doing well, Miss Kaori. Thank you for asking."

  Kaori offered a warm smile, trying to put the girl at ease. After her recent reunion with Sharena, Kaori was pulled into a lengthy discussion with Queen Henriette about lightening her workload. Apparently, Takumi had been constantly worrying about her well-being and, unbeknownst to the summoner, had gone behind her back to seek Sharena's help in arranging assistance.

  It was through this conversation that Mirana arrived—a highly qualified maid, brought to the Askran castle at Henriette's recommendation. Though new to the bustling life of the castle, Mirana carried an air of quiet determination, even if her shy demeanor suggested she was still finding her footing.

  "That's good." the sand-beige haired smiled, "Here. Thank you so much for what you have done so far today. You've worked very hard." Mirana's cheeks begin to rose—she's definitely not used to having compliments, since she came from a humble background. "Take a break—I'll make you some tea. You deserve it." Kaori stands up from her chair, but then...

  Knock, knock.

  The door opens to reveal Theo—Destiny's adopted younger brother. His small, pale arms is holding his sheets of paper.

  "Hmph!" He pouts at Kaori, "Don't think that I'm here because I want your company. I'm just making sure that you're not up to any funny business."

  'Theo... He must be so bored.' Kaori pondered to herself, her index finger placing the bottom of her lip as she frowned, 'I don't blame him. It's sad, because he never really got any love from his siblings despite him being adopted into their family. Kenzie is the eldest in the family, whilst Destiny's the Goddess of her namesake purpose, but Theo's just been seen as somewhat of a nuisance with no purpose nor value.'

  She still remembered how they had first interacted when she appeared in the Askran Castle for the very first time in her second life...

  "How can SHE be the Summoner for the Order of Heroes?!" Theo yelled, pointing his pale index finger at Kaori, his peridot-coloured eyes glaring into her transformed, unamused jade ones.

  'In my past life, I would have stood still and silent as you finish your targeted tantrum towards me, but I think I know how to silence you...' Kaori thought, her index finger pressed to her lips. She then pulls it away and crouches down to his level, ruffling his short, light brown hair.

  Kaori crouched to Theo's level, her emerald eyes locking onto his sharp, accusing gaze. Despite his small stature, he had an air of defiance, his pale finger still pointing at her as if she were an intruder rather than the newly summoned Summoner.

  "You’re just some random commoner, aren’t you?!" Theo sneered, his peridot-colored eyes gleaming with indignation. "Besides! You’re not even special! You're nothing but a mistake—"

  Kaori cut him off, her voice calm yet laced with a hint of mischief. "Oh, really? Is that what you think?"

  Theo blinked, his rant momentarily disrupted, and his eyes widened, clearly stunned by how she spoke up. "What else would I think? You're—"

  Before he could continue, Kaori reached out and ruffled his light brown hair, her movements swift and playful. Theo froze, his face a mixture of shock and indignation.

  "Hey!" he protested, swatting her hand away. "Don't treat me like a child!"

  Kaori chuckled softly, rising back to her full height. "Well, if you're going to act like one, Theo, then I might as well treat you like one." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "But don't worry, I won't tell Destiny that you're throwing tantrums instead of working on your studies like you're supposed to."

  Theo's face turned bright red. "You—! That's not—!" His words faltered, and he clenched his sheets of paper tighter, as if shielding them from further scrutiny.

  Kaori tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, did I hit a nerve? I apologise. I'm sure Destiny would be very understanding... but maybe she'd also take it the wrong way if I mentioned this little outburst of yours."

  Theo glared at her, his cheeks still flushed. "You're the worst," he muttered under his breath before storming off, his papers crumpling slightly in his grip.

  Kaori watched him go, her smile fading into a thoughtful expression. Despite his prickly exterior, Theo's loneliness was evident, and his insecurities only made her want to help him more. But for now, she'd let him cool off—after all, she’d silenced him, and that was enough for one day.

  "What is it you're holding?" Kaori asked with a smile, wanting to gain a bit of curiosity. "HA! You clearly know nothing about me. I'm a musician prodigy!" Theo grinned. "I'm quite the composer, for your information."

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  "So I take it that the sheets you're holding are music sheets?" She tilts her head, "Would you like to demonstrate it to us?" He set his music sheets down on a stool and begins to play a melodic tune by blowing his flute, creating a beautiful tune. Kaori and Mirana were both surprised by how much of a musician Theo is.

  "You mean to say... You compose this piece yourself?!" The Summoner's now orange eyes widened in surprise. "Sir Theo, that was beautiful!" Mirana complimented whilst giving him an applause.

  "Well... It's hardly impressive, I know." Theo coughed with modesty in his expression.

  "Well, since with your talent, maybe you could request to get a different instrument to play. Have you ever tried a harp for this? I imagine that using that instrument might be suitable to compose with well." Kaori suggested.

  "Actually..." Theo admitted whilst twiddling his fingers. "I really need a harp if I am to perform this piece to play for the orchestra. But sadly, the Order of Heroes don't have one in their cathedral. I can't ask Kenzie, as he's already away. And my mother wouldn't get one for me, since she would say that it's too expensive to buy it for a boy like me. Plus, it's not like Destiny's going to ever play the harp..."

  Feeling sorry for the young boy, Kaori folded her arms, thinking of how to help Theo's situation. "Even so, you should try and persuade Destiny to get you one. If it comes from her, I'm sure that your mother would be persuaded if you give something in return to her. Right?"

  A sense of dread washed all over Theo's face, her peridot eyes saddened. 'So he knows that everything is owed towards Destiny, and that's simply because she's his mother's favourite... Why is it that I feel so sorry for this kid who has everything that I never had? In fact, he should be grateful that he at least gets something.'

  In a small conference room between the two siblings and the summoner, Theo continues to fidget his index fingers, not knowing when would be the appropriate time to request his older sister, whilst Kaori was sitting beside him, resuming on writing about her strategies, keeping him company. Destiny was sitting opposite to them, brushing her long, lilac hair, irritation filled her as she got tangles stuck in between her flowery accessories.

  "Umm... Destiny?" Theo nervously asked whilst continued to gently press his fingers. "What is it, Theo? Can't you see that I'm busy here?" Destiny sighed softly, continuing to beautify herself whilst holding her mirror.

  "I-Is it okay if you could request Mother to purchase a harp?" he requested. Destiny sighs again, "Theodore, you know that a harp isn't some child's toy to be bought and sold just for your own entertainment."

  "IT'S NOT A TOY FOR ME TO BE ENTERTAINED!" Theo protested with roaring fire, "I'M GOING TO BE USING IT FOR MY ORCHESTRA!" Kaori frowned at the goddess and how she had stated that Theodore is simply using the instrument he wants to request "just for his own entertainment". She raises her head up and smiles, knowing that she has an idea of what to say to Destiny.

  "Actually, Destiny," she began, "You should have heard Theo's composition. At his age, he's already quite the composer." The sand-beige haired summoner turned to the light brunette. "Care to play it for us?" Theo's peridot eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, uhh... Sure." He opened his instrument case and reached out for his silver flute, then begins to gently blow on it whilst pressing and covering the holes, creating the same tune he allowed Kaori and her maid to listen. Destiny's pink eyes widened, clearly surprised by his talent.

  "Theo... You really composed this yourself?" Her pale hands slowly set her handmirror down, her gaze following her adopted younger brother's. "Yes, I did." Theo admitted.

  "For what sort of event?"

  "It is to be performed for an orchestra. I still need to finish the piece, so... "

  Destiny's pink eyes slightly squinted, as if she's coming up with a plan. She got up from her seat and uncomfortably embraced the youthful musician. "Ah, okay. Theo, we should have a chat, sibling to sibling..."

  Theo's eyes turned to Kaori's normal grey ones. "Kaori... Could you... give us a moment, please?" He asked with slight discomfort. The summoner nodded and opened the door, then closed it behind her, giving the two some time to have a chat.

  "A deity's strength is only as bright as her most brilliant star," Destiny said, her lips curving into a practiced, sweet smile. “Surely you understand, Theo? What I mean is that my triumphs lift you up, just as your failures cast shadows on me. After all, we’re family." Theo stares into her pink orbs, his expression filled with conflict.

  Today's the day. The orchestra is upon everyone as they all entered the cathedral to watch and listen the performance. Already, people are talking about what they have heard about this upcoming orchestra performance.

  "Is it really true? That a hero from the Order of Heroes is going to be performing?"

  "I'm glad that there's something going on in the Order of Heroes! Things have been really quiet, but it's great to hear something that's going to brighten our lives up."

  "Already the Summoner is new and an accomplished tactician, and now, someone within the Order has shown themselves to be an aspiring composer!"

  "I've heard that they gained the natural gifts of elegance and music."

  "That's quite the combination."

  Destiny, donning her long-sleeved silver dress, beamed a smile at everyone, her long, lilac hair flowing and her pale pink azaleas on her hair begins to bloom.

  "Destiny is such a gifted saint!"

  "Thank you all for coming!" Destiny let out a giggle of excitement. Then, at the very corner of her eye was her close friend and confidante, Sharla, who has white hair that's tied up in a plait and has kind, aquamarine eyes. She dons a beige dress as her tanned hand was being held by a man.

  "Sharla! You're here!" The lilac-haired goddess strolled up to her, as the whitette smiled softly at her best friend. "I can't miss something that's been arranged by my best friend; thank you so much for the invitation!" Sharla beamed, clasping her hands with Destiny's cool ones. "Of course! This is my very first performance of an original. Who else would I invite other than you, who's a musician herself?" Her pink eyes looked up at Sharla's fiance.

  "Oh! And I see that you brought your fiancé along! David, it has been a good while!" The goddess beamed a bright smile at Sharla's fiance, who was scratching the back of his light-brown hair as his brown eyes gazed into her charming pink ones. "It definitely has been a good while, Lady Destiny!" David beamed.

  As the two conversed happily with each other, Sharla glares at Destiny, seeing how close the two really are, and she walks to the pew to sit herself down, with David following his fiancée, and waving at the lilacette, wishing her the very best of luck. Destiny giggles and waves back at him.

  "Let us begin now, shall we?" Destiny held the front of her long, silver dress as she walks to the instrument, her long, gracious lilac hair flowing with her movements, whilst the magic lights of her flowery accessories on her hair glowed.

  Then, a smirk formed on her face as she gets herself ready for the performance. Destiny basked in the admiring gazes of the crowd, her lilac hair catching the light like a halo. But beneath her radiant smile, a smoldering resentment flickered.

  'Kaori...' She thought, 'I won't let you ever steal my spotlight! It will be mine and mine alone. I'll make sure that I take back all the fame and fortune she stole from me!' No one would dare overshadow her tonight—not her brother, not Kaori. This was her stage, her triumph, and she'd ensure it stayed that way.

  Meanwhile, Theo sat stiffly beside Susan, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. His peridot eyes flickered with guilt, darting nervously toward the stage as Destiny prepared to perform. He bit his lip, fighting the urge to look away, but the weight of his decision pressed heavily on his chest.