Divided Loyalties

The grand dining room of the Harrington estate was bathed in the soft glow of a chandelier, the golden light casting elegant shadows across the polished mahogany table. A quiet tension hung in the air as Robert and Helena sat opposite each other, their dinner plates only half-touched. The room, though opulent, felt heavy with an unacknowledged strain, one that had only grown more apparent in recent months.

Lyvia sat quietly in the middle, her fork idly pushing around a piece of roasted potato on her plate. The silence stretched between them, interrupted only by the occasional clink of silverware against fine china.

Helena took a slow sip of her wine, her gaze flickering between Robert and Lyvia. She exhaled softly, setting the glass down with a quiet clink. "Well," she said, her tone light but edged with something unreadable, "this is lively."