44

A long, exasperated sigh slipped past Aristellus's lips, his violet eyes locked onto the orange-haired noble striding ahead of him with far too much confidence for someone who had just dragged him out before dawn.

Above him, perched on his shoulder like a smug overseer, Gaia shared his frustration. "Remind me again… why are we here?" Aristellus muttered, rubbing his temple with a wry smile before turning to the green-haired girl beside him.

Lunaris flinched slightly, her fingers twitching against the folds of her sleeve. "W-Well…" she mumbled, her usual composure cracking for a brief moment. A nervous chuckle slipped past her lips as she avoided his gaze.

He arched a brow.

Lunaris sighed. Last night's events replayed vividly in her mind.

-

"…Care to repeat that, Lunaris?"

Solaine's voice echoed through the dimly lit chamber, the lone flicker of the fireplace casting long shadows across the walls.