Conflicted Paths

Luke sat on the soft grass within the cathedral's grounds, leaning back on his hands as he watched the children laugh and chase each other across the lawn. Their giggles rang through the air, pure and unburdened, a stark contrast to the thoughts weighing heavy on his mind.

Beside him, Ilyrana sat cross-legged, her long silver hair catching the sunlight as she gazed at the lively scene before them. There was something peaceful about this moment, something that made it easy to forget about the wariness and uncertainties lurking just beneath the surface.

But Luke couldn't ignore them.

He let out a slow breath, tilting his head slightly toward her.

"Turns out," he began. "A delegation from Virencia is here."

Ilyrana's ears perked slightly, her expression brightening.

"Truly?" she asked, turning to him with evident excitement. "That is wonderful news, Luke! After all this time, you finally have a connection to Virencia."