[H1]☆•°♚°∵ 𝒜𝑒𝒹𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓂𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒 ∵°♚°•☆[/H1]

The moment Aedrianna stepped offstage, every ounce of the radiant pride that had carried her through her song collapsed inward like a star folding in on itself.

She didn’t even have time to steady her breath before Noelle was suddenly there — warm arms wrapping around her, holding her together when she hadn't even realized she was falling apart.

Aedri blinked, eyes stinging.

Noelle’s voice — gentle, firm, unwavering — washed over her like a tide.

“Don’t listen to what those stuck-up, short-sighted buffoons said…”
“You gave it your all…”
“A sky full of stars will always shine brighter than one alone.”

Aedri swallowed hard.

Her throat hurt.

Not from singing — from trying not to cry.

She lifted her hands slowly, hesitantly, as if afraid the moment would shatter, and returned Noelle’s hug — soft, almost weightless.

[color=#f7b6d9]“You… you’re so kind,”[/color] she whispered, voice trembling.
[color=#f7b6d9]“Even when you don’t remember me, you still… you still care the same way.”[/color]

Her smile wobbled, but it was genuine — fragile, but bright in its own way.

[color=#f7b6d9]“Thank you, Noelle. Truly.”[/color]

The words were small.
She felt small.

The judges’ voices still echoed in her head — sharp, dismissive, cold.
Each one had left little cracks in the glow she’d carried onto the stage.

Excessive.
Derivative.
A star only shines when the sky is empty.

Aedri felt herself curl inward at the memory.

At her feet, the tiny mana-beast pup trotted up with soft, rapid steps.
It pressed its cold nose against her ankle, sniffing her clothes with confused urgency — as though smelling something on her that didn’t belong.

Its ears flattened.

A soft, uncertain mewl vibrated against her skin.

Aedri tried to steady herself, but —

Then Noelle squeezed her shoulders again, warm and present, and for a heartbeat the ache softened.

Until—

Her eyes wandered across the resting hall.

And there — in the center of a blooming circle of noblewomen — stood Edwin.

Not simply surrounded.

Adored.

Praised.

Hands fluttering toward him, reaching for him, voices melting around him like honey.
Smiles too sweet. Laughter too bright.

Aedrianna’s breath caught.

The ache returned — sharper this time, sinking beneath her ribs.

She watched long enough to see one woman lean in close, fingers brushing his shoulder.
Another giggled behind her fan, eyes glimmering.

It was a harsh reminder that she was just some girl from the Paizu Mountains.
A girl who couldn’t even impress a single judge, let alone compete with women who moved with polished confidence and duchy-born grace.

Every thread of confidence she’d ever had felt frayed away — severed by the dull blade of the judges’ comments.

The pup, sensing the twist in her emotions, pawed softly at her shoe.

When she stepped back from Noelle, the tiny creature followed — but hesitantly, confused, sniffing the air around her again as if trying to understand what had changed.

Aedri’s smile thinned into something apologetic and brittle.

[color=#f7b6d9]“Noelle… um…”[/color] Her voice wavered.
[color=#f7b6d9]“I—I’m really glad you’re here. And I’m grateful for you.”[/color]

She swallowed, forcing her expression to remain gentle, composed.

[color=#f7b6d9]“I think I should… go practice for the next round. If I even made it.”[/color]

Her fingers curled around the strap of her satchel, knuckles paling.

[color=#f7b6d9]“I’ll see you soon, alright?”[/color]

She turned away too quickly — before her voice could crack.

Her skirts swayed softly as she slipped toward one of the quieter alcoves, shoulders drawn inward, steps faster than her usual measured grace.

The mana pup followed after her—

—but after only a few steps, it stopped.
Its nose twitched again, ears flattening as though it sensed something that made it hesitate.

With a soft, distressed mewl, it padded back toward Noelle.

It sat beside the mermaid’s feet, tail curled tightly around itself, gazing at Aedri’s retreating figure with wide, worried eyes.