After a hearty meal, Velin lay quite comfortably on a recliner, basking in the moonlight.
Xuemiyya tucked the hair from her forehead behind her ear and concentrated on reading the Transcendent book in her hands.
On the steps, Kyle sat in the middle. Lyanna held his arm from the right, while Lena held Kyle's arm from the left.
Under the pavilion, Rafelia drank wine while watching the three of them converse, a smile on her face.
By late night, the banquet ended, and everyone dispersed.
Back in his room, Velin threw himself onto the bed. As he recalled what had happened during the day, he remained curious about how Kyle had taken the first step when facing Rafelia.
Xuemiyya sat beside the bed and looked down at her contemplative husband. She asked softly, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm wondering how the relationship between Kyle and Rafelia went from unfamiliar to so close."
"You don't know?" Xuemiyya asked, slightly surprised.
"I left halfway through, so I don't know." Velin spoke with complete justification.
"Then think about how Kyle and Celeste became friends."
At this, Velin said solemnly, "I don't think it could have happened that way."
Hearing this, Xuemiyya gave her husband a long look, seeming to understand why he had said that.
"Did you make another bet with yourself?"
Seeing Xuemiyya lean close, Velin looked a little uneasy. "Nothing like that. I wouldn't be that bored."
"But someone looks awfully guilty to me!"
Velin turned around and pinned Xuemiyya beneath him, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Betting with yourself doesn't count as betting. It was just a joke. At least, that's what I think."
Xuemiyya slapped his hand away and said with a broad smile, "Fine. That's what I think too."
"There are still several hours before dawn.