Several months had passed since Lianzu had arrived in Sirentia.

  As time went on, the differences between them had begun to soften. Aurelian and Lianzu, despite coming from such distant worlds, had found a shared rhythm.

  Lianzu was gracefully adapting to life in Sirentia. The citizens, by now used to seeing her beside Aurelian, had begun to greet her with smiles and kind words. Her unusual beauty, dignified bearing, and courteous manners made her a presence that did not go unnoticed. But it was her genuine effort that won them over: she often went out, spoke with the people, listened, learned. She hadn’t shut herself away in the House of the White Sails — on the contrary, she showed curiosity for everything and a desire to be useful. And though cultural differences were not cking, Lianzu faced them with patience and intelligence, earning the respect — if not yet full familiarity — of many.

  Against Aurelian’s initial reluctance, she had begun doing small jobs of her own: preparing herbal remedies for the elderly, teaching neighborhood children dances and games from Zhuyin, embroidering fine fabrics on commission. Every coin earned was a small source of pride for her, even though Aurelian often told her he never wanted to see her “dirty her hands.” She, smiling, would remind him that being part of a new life also meant sharing its burdens.

  Meanwhile, together they had worked tirelessly to improve their home: restored furniture, new curtains, pnts in the garden, little details that spoke of a pce finally lived in, cared for, and loved. Though they did not know exactly when Lianzu’s parents would arrive from Zhuyin, they knew the day would come. And they wanted to be ready.

  And then it happened.

  One clear afternoon, when the sun had just passed its zenith and the air carried the salty scent of the Golden Sea, a buzz of excitement spread through the streets of Sirentia.

  From the eastern gate of the city, escorted by soldiers in gleaming armor and servants dressed in white and crimson silks, a convoy of rare magnificence made its entrance. The carriages were finely carved, inid with mother-of-pearl and gold leaf, and pulled not by horses — but by elegant and solemn creatures: eastern dragons, long and lithe, wingless but with four powerful legs, jade scales and amber eyes. Their movements were fluid as living water, and around them seemed to move an aura of calm and power.

  A golden phoenix on a crimson background, emblem of Lianzu’s house, adorned the banners, embroidered on the dragons’ mantles, engraved on the carriage doors.

  Sirentia stopped. Men, women, children — all came out into the streets to admire the arrival of the nobles from Zhuyin. The more observant whispered among themselves:

  “That’s Lianzu’s family... that’s the phoenix!”

  “Those are her parents... look how majestic they are!”

  From the main carriage, two figures descended, both of equal elegance and prestige. Lianzu’s father, Lord Zhen Yoru, was a tall man with an imperious bearing, long bck hair tied in a golden knot, a short well-groomed beard, and eyes as stern as tempered jade. He wore a sapphire-colored ceremonial robe, finished with silver embroidery depicting winds and dragons.

  Lianzu’s mother, Lady Qian Meilin, was a woman of icy and regal beauty. Skin pale as porcein, almond-shaped eyes, and a smile that seemed to know every secret. She wore a flowing scarlet dress with wide, trailing sleeves, and her hair was styled with pearls and ivory combs. Her gaze, though noble, was full of affection as she looked around, as if searching for her daughter.

  Silence fell for an instant over the entire city. Then a spontaneous appuse rose, and the market bells began to ring in celebration.

  Meanwhile, Aurelian was fixing the roof of a small warehouse near the port, his hands dusty and his face sweaty, when he heard the bells and then the growing murmur of the crowd.

  “What’s going on?” he asked the owner of the warehouse, an old fisherman.

  “Your in-ws, boy,” the man chuckled. “Seems the phoenix has arrived in Sirentia.”

  Aurelian turned pale. He leapt down the dder, apologized quickly, dropped his tools, and rushed through the streets, running home, his heart pounding in his chest.

  He had to warn Lianzu. He had to... get ready.

  When Aurelian returned to the House of the White Sails, his heart was pounding hard in his chest. He rushed inside, flinging the door open with a decisive push. “Lianzu!”

  She appeared almost immediately from the hallway, drying her hands with a cloth. Her eyes widened in arm, but he smiled at her, breathless.

  “They’re here… they’ve arrived. Your parents. The whole caravan is in the city — they’re on their way here. Just a few minutes away.”

  Lianzu’s face suddenly turned serious. Time seemed to slow for a moment, then both sprang into action without needing to say another word.

  In the bathroom, herb-scented water had already been simmering for hours. They washed quickly but carefully, Lianzu combed her long bck hair and tied it into an elegant chignon, leaving just a strand loose on each side of her face. She wore a dress in ivory and pearl tones, hand-embroidered, chosen carefully for this encounter. Aurelian, meanwhile, put on his best attire: a dark shirt with a stiff colr, a midnight-blue velvet vest, and clean trousers.

  As he bent down to ce his boots, he felt a wet nose against his shoulder. Argaroth was staring at him intently.

  “You, my loyal friend… will stay in the kitchen,” he said, patting the creature’s head and offering a rge steak. Argaroth accepted the compromise, sprawling zily in front of the hearth.

  It wasn’t long before the wheels of the convoy reached the vil. The ground trembled slightly under the steps of the eastern dragons.Lianzu ran to the door just as the convoy came to a stop. When the carriage opened, two elegant figures stepped out: her father and her mother.