The afternoon sun cast a warm, orange glow over the quiet village of Windfield, signaling the day’s slow descent into evening. The light filtered through the small stained-glass windows of the library, painting the wooden floor in hues of red, gold, and green. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, undisturbed in the tranquil silence.

Emma sat at a polished oak desk, a book propped open in front of her. The leather-bound tome smelled faintly of aged paper and ink, and its intricate illustrations shimmered faintly in the sunlight. She was completely engrossed, her silver-white hair catching the light like spun moonlight as her pale fingers traced a line of text.

The sudden knock at the door startled her. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, revealing a young girl with blonde hair that shimmered like sunlight and eyes as deep and vibrant as the ocean.

“Emma, still buried in books?” Ellie teased, stepping inside with a bounce in her step.

Emma glanced up, her expression softening. “Welcome back, Ellie,” she said, setting the book down and straightening in her oversized chair. The plush cushions seemed to engulf her small frame.

Ellie closed the distance between them, reaching out to ruffle Emma’s hair playfully. “You really love hiding away in here. Don’t you get bored?”

“Not at all,” Emma replied with a faint smile. “How was school?”

Ellie’s eyes lit up, and she pulled a chair from the corner of the room, dragging it noisily across the wooden floor until it was beside Emma. She plopped down with a dramatic sigh, leaning forward conspiratorially.

“It was great!” Ellie said with a grin. “I learned something amazing today. Want to hear about it?”

Emma tilted her head, masking her lack of enthusiasm behind a polite nod. “Sure, tell me.”

Ellie beamed, clearly excited. “Okay, so today we learned about a place called Saturn of Lily Valley. It’s this huge, sprawling meadow where these celestial flowers grow. They’re said to only bloom under the light of a full moon. Isn’t that cool? And there’s more! It’s also rumored to be the birthplace of Aurora, the goddess of dawn.”

Emma’s silver eyes widened in mock surprise. “Really? That sounds fascinating,” she said, leaning forward as though hearing it for the first time. Saturn of Lily Valley… The name stirred memories in her mind, four years ago she read a book that mentioned such place.

Ellie didn’t notice her sister’s faraway look. “It’s amazing, right? I wonder what it would be like to see it for real.”

“Is the goddess of dawn still alive?” Emma asked, feigning curiosity.

Ellie blinked at the question before bursting into laughter. “Oh, Emma, that’s silly! Deities don’t live alongside humans.” Her laughter was light and infectious, filling the quiet room.

Emma leaned back in her chair, contemplating. So that’s the belief here? That gods don't live alongside humans? The thought was both amusing and sobering.

“What about their home?” Emma asked after a moment. “Where do deities live, if not with us? Castles? Celestial palaces?”

Ellie frowned thoughtfully, tilting her head as though trying to conjure an answer from thin air. “I don’t really know,” she admitted. “But maybe they live in the sky above us, watching everything from afar.”

Emma smiled faintly, but her thoughts were less whimsical. Nah I don't think so, it's unlikely they’re just ‘watching.’

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Ethan appeared in the doorway, his dark blue eyes scanning the room before landing on the two of them. His expression was neutral but softened slightly as he spoke.

“Emma, Ellie, dinner is ready,” he said simply before turning to leave.

“We’ll be right there!” Ellie called after him. She stood up, stretching her arms above her head before glancing back at Emma. “Come on, let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

Emma nodded, sliding the chair back and rising to her feet. The two left the library, their footsteps echoing softly against the wooden floor as they walked through the house.

The dining table was set with care, the flickering light of candles illuminating the steaming dishes that filled its surface. The smell of roasted vegetables and fresh bread wafted through the air, mingling with the comforting hum of quiet conversation.

As Emma took her seat, she found herself reflecting on Ellie’s tale. Saturn of Lily Valley… celestial flowers under the moon… the birthplace of a goddess, I'll go there one day.

A part of her, buried beneath layers of mortal life, stirred at the thought. There was still so much to uncover in this world, so many threads to pull. Emma’s lips curved into a faint smile as she reached for her plate, her mind already spinning with possibilities.