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The Moon Festival had always been a grand event in Moonhaven, with music, laughter, and mesmerizing performances that dazzled both young and old alike. Ronin usually attended these celebrations out of duty rather than personal enjoyment, but tonight, his three nieces had begged him to take them.
“Please, Uncle Ronin!” the youngest, Lila, had pleaded, tugging at his arm.
“We’ll be really good, we promise!” the middle one, Elara, chimed in.
“And we won’t run off!” the eldest, Sylvie, assured, though Ronin took that with a grain of salt.
He had sighed, ruffling Lila’s hair. “Alright, alright. But you all stay close, understood?”
Now, he sat in the crowded festival hall, his nieces flanking him, eyes wide with wonder as they watched the dancers twirl in the moonlight. Ronin himself wasn’t focused on the performance, though.
His gaze had settled on Tara.
She was seated at the front, radiant in the glow of the lanterns, her expression soft with delight as she watched the performers. She had always looked beautiful to him, but there was something about the way her eyes shimmered when she smiled that made his heart ache just a little.
Then he noticed her shudder.
His brows furrowed as he saw the reason—she was sitting right next to a draft. The breeze from the open window made the petals of her gown flutter slightly, and it was clear she was cold.
Without thinking, Ronin shrugged off his coat. His nieces, noticing this, looked up at him curiously.
“Here,” he whispered, holding the coat out to them. “I need you to do something for me.”
Lila tilted her head. “What is it?”
Ronin glanced toward Tara, then back at them. “Take this to the Queen. Make sure she puts it on.”
Sylvie gasped. “You want us to give the Queen your coat?!”
Elara giggled. “Awh!”
Ronin huffed. “It’s not romantic. She’s just cold.”
Lila squinted at him. “Then why don’t you give it to her yourself?”
Ronin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Because I’m asking you to do it. And don’t tell her it’s from me.”
The three girls exchanged mischievous glances.
Sylvie smirked. “Why not?”
“Yeah!” Elara grinned. “Are you shy, Uncle Ronin?”
Ronin scowled. “I am not shy.”
Lila giggled. “Yes you are!”
Ronin groaned, pushing the coat into her hands. “Just go!”
Still giggling, the three of them darted toward Tara, practically bouncing with excitement. Ronin watched with bated breath as they reached her.
“Your Majesty!” Sylvie announced, holding out the coat.
Tara blinked in surprise. “Oh?” She looked at the coat in their hands, then up at them. “What’s this?”
“We thought you might be cold!” Elara said brightly.
Tara’s gaze softened as she took the coat, running her fingers over the fabric. “That’s very kind of you, dears.” She draped it around her shoulders and let out a content sigh. “It’s so warm, thank you.”
She looked back at them with an amused smile. “Where did you learn such good manners?”
Lila puffed out her chest proudly. “Uncle—” She barely caught herself, quickly clamping a hand over her mouth.
Tara raised an eyebrow. “Uncle...?”
Sylvie swiftly changed the subject. “Are you really a Queen?”
Tara chuckled at their obvious attempt to avoid answering, but played along. “I am.”
“Do you wear a crown all the time?” Elara asked eagerly.
“No, only on special occasions.”
“Do you have a throne?” Lila’s eyes sparkled.
“Yes, but I would rather not.”
“Do you have a pet bee?” Sylvie pressed.
Tara laughed. “I wish!”
Ronin, still watching from afar, shook his head as the girls rapidly fired questions at her. He had only sent them to give her the coat, and now they had practically climbed into her lap, chatting away like she was a beloved aunt.
Tara didn’t seem to mind at all. In fact, she was laughing, her expression full of warmth as she listened to them.
Ronin exhaled, a small, fond smile playing at his lips. Maybe sending them had been a good idea after all.
And he was definitely not shy.
Tara continued to smile as the three girls chatted away, completely enchanted by her. They barely paid attention to the performance anymore, too busy asking her every question imaginable.
"Do you get to eat raspberries whenever you want?" Lila asked, swinging her legs excitedly.
Tara laughed. "Not whenever I want, but I do get special raspberries on important occasions."
"That's so unfair," Elara huffed. "If I were Queen, I’d eat raspberries every day!"
"You say that now," Tara teased, "but you’d get tired of it."
"No way!"
Sylvie giggled. "You’re really nice, Your Majesty!"
Tara gave her a warm look. "You can call me Tara, dear. No need for all the formality."
Just then, the performance came to an end, and the audience erupted into applause. Tara clapped along with the girls before glancing down at them.
"So, who did you three come with tonight?" she asked curiously.
Before Sylvie or Elara could remember their promise to Ronin, Lila blurted out, "Uncle Ronin brought us!"
Sylvie gasped and smacked a hand over Lila’s mouth too late.
Tara smirked. She hadn't realized they were Ronin’s nieces. No wonder they were a handful. She hugged the coat a little tighter around herself, hiding her grin.
"Is that so?" she mused, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
The girls looked guilty for a split second before Elara shrugged. "Oops."
Tara chuckled and stood, effortlessly picking up Lila while making sure to hold the hands of Sylvie and Elara. "Come on, let's find your uncle."
Ronin, who had been watching from a distance, immediately realized what had happened. He turned slightly, pretending he hadn’t seen them. Maybe if he stayed still, they’d just—
"UNCLE RONIN!"
His nieces barreled toward him, dragging Tara along. Ronin sighed, bracing himself as Lila practically leaped into his arms.
"Uncle Ronin, we had so much fun!"
"Tara is so nice!" Elara beamed.
"And did you know she wants a bee?!" Sylvie added excitedly.
Tara stood before him now, her expression smug. "So, you were the one who sent them?"
Ronin rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks already turning red. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."
Tara laughed. "Oh really?" She gently removed the coat from her shoulders, holding it out. "I believe this is yours."
Ronin hesitated before shaking his head. "Keep it. You'll need it to stay warm on the way back to the palace."
Tara tilted her head, pleased by the gesture. "That’s very thoughtful of you, Commander."
She turned back to the girls, who were watching the exchange like it was the most fascinating thing they had ever seen.
"Goodnight, dears," she said sweetly.
They giggled as she walked past them, but just before she stepped away, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Ronin’s cheek.
"Thank you," she murmured, then turned, heading toward the palace.
Ronin stood frozen, his face burning hotter than a bonfire. His nieces, surprisingly, didn’t see.
Thank the Moon Havens.
But before he could fully recover, Tara glanced back over her shoulder, catching his expression. She smiled mischievously.
That did it.
Ronin exhaled and quickly caught up with her, hands in his pockets. "You know, I should probably walk you home. Just in case."
Tara raised a brow. "Oh? Is there danger on the path to the palace I don’t know about?"
"You never know," he said smoothly, smirking now.
Tara laughed, but as they walked, she slowly but surely shifted closer to him. It wasn’t long before Ronin’s arm was wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close along with his coat, keeping her even warmer.
His nieces, walking behind them, whispered loudly amongst themselves.
"Look at uncle Ronin!" Elara gushed.
"They’re so close!" Lila squealed.
Ronin groaned. Tara just grinned up at him. "Your nieces are very observant."
He sighed. "Unfortunately."
Tara giggled, leaning a little closer into him.
And just like that, the walk home didn’t seem so cold after all.
……………………………………
The girls had been full of energy only moments ago, but now, exhaustion was quickly catching up to them. Their excited chatter had faded to soft murmurs, their footsteps slowing behind Ronin and Tara.
Tara glanced back just as the youngest, Lila, let out an exaggerated yawn, rubbing at her eyes with tiny fists.
Tara pouted playfully. "Oh no, are we losing one?"
Lila sniffled sleepily and gave a small nod, her little legs dragging.
With a soft smile, Tara slowed her steps and bent down, scooping the child up into her arms with ease. Lila instinctively nestled against her, sucking her thumb as her eyelids fluttered shut.
Ronin watched the scene, something warm flickering in his chest. Tara’s arms tightened slightly around the little girl, as if she already loved her.
Then—two pairs of hopeful eyes turned on him.
Elara and Sylvie had stopped walking, staring at him expectantly.
Ronin sighed. "No."
Sylvie blinked up at him. "But Tara’s carrying Lila!"
"And we’re tired," Elara added dramatically.
Ronin crossed his arms. "Absolutely not."
Elara took a deep breath—then promptly collapsed onto the ground.
"Oh no," Sylvie gasped, immediately following suit. "Uncle Ronin, we can’t go on! We’re—" she peeked at him, "so very weak..."
Ronin pressed his fingers to his temples.
Tara smirked, cradling the now fully asleep Lila. "You could just carry them."
Ronin shot her a glare.
She grinned.
Ronin exhaled sharply. "Fine. Fine. But no talking. And no wiggling!"
Elara and Sylvie cheered as he crouched down, allowing them to climb onto his back.
"You’re the best uncle ever!" Sylvie beamed.
Ronin sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I’m your only uncle but let’s just get home before I change my mind."
Tara chuckled, falling into step beside him. She adjusted Lila slightly, glancing at Ronin with an amused twinkle in her eye. "You’re a real softie, you know that?"
Ronin scoffed. "This is not softness. This is regret."
"Mmhm," Tara hummed, clearly unconvinced.
By the time they reached Ronin’s cabin, the girls were completely out—Lila snoring softly in Tara’s arms, while Elara and Sylvie slumped against Ronin’s shoulders.
With practiced care, Ronin pushed open the cabin door, leading Tara inside. Together, they carefully tucked the girls into the small bed near the fireplace.
Tara gently pulled the blanket over Lila, brushing a stray curl from her face. "They really love you, you know," she whispered.
Ronin huffed lightly, adjusting the covers over the other two. "Yeah. Probably too much."
Tara smirked. "Is that even possible?"
Ronin straightened up, rolling his shoulders. "Yes. When they think matchmaking is part of their job description."
Tara laughed softly, covering her mouth to keep from waking the girls.
Outside the cabin, the cool night air greeted them once more. The forest was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the festival slowly winding down.
Tara turned to him with a smile. "Thank you again, for tonight."
Ronin shrugged lightly. "You're welcome."
She gave him a lingering look, then turned to leave.
But before she could take a step, Ronin caught her gently by the arm.
Tara barely had time to raise an eyebrow before he leaned in, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.
For a moment, the night stood still.
Then—Tara laughed, warmth creeping into her expression. "Oh," she teased, "I see.So two can play at this game?"
Ronin smirked, tilting his head. "Seems that way."
A soft breeze rustled through the trees as they stood there, eyes glinting in the moonlight.
Finally, Tara whispered, "Goodnight, Ronin."
Ronin's voice was just as quiet, just as warm. "Goodnight, Tara."
And with that, she turned, walking gracefully into the night.
Ronin watched her go, hands slipping into his pockets.
…Yeah.
The girls were definitely going to bring this up tomorrow.
And just like that, the walk home hadn’t seemed so cold after all.