Neonidas hesitated at Velriona's touch. The woman's voice was now more sincere; though her words trembled slightly, the honesty beneath them was undeniable. Slowly, he turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers. Velriona's expression carried both hesitation and resolve. Neonidas realized that she didn't want to display vulnerability, yet she couldn't suppress the intensity of her emotions.
As Neonidas once again noticed the conflict in her eyes and the depth of her feelings, he felt that no words could fully capture the meaning of this moment. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and wrapped her in his arms. Velriona flinched slightly at first but then gradually surrendered.