Stolen kiss

"Oh, Gods... so you two are really that close, Miss Sofia? I never imagined the daughter of this city's respected ruler would be so close to someone," the waitress commented with feigned astonishment upon seeing how close Sofia was to Aziz.

Hearing that, Sofia, who had her head resting on Aziz's shoulder, blushed deeply.

"I-it's nothing special being close... after all, he's my friend."

"Hehe, if you say so, miss..."

Watching the entire scene unfold before his eyes, Aziz was quietly entertained by that childish clash between the girls.

"So... what's your name again, little one? And you two seem more than just acquaintances," Aziz asked the waitress, after she finished her little confrontation with Sofia.

"My name is Zia, and Miss Sofia and I are not just acquaintances. Actually, it was funny... I remember just like it was yesterday when she came into the restaurant disguised as—"

"Mmph!"

Before Zia could finish the sentence, Sofia, who until then had been calmly resting on Aziz's shoulder, jumped up and ran over to the girl with surprising agility. In a swift motion, she covered Zia's mouth with her hand, her eyes wide and cheeks burning bright red.

"Q-quiet! D-don't you dare say that!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with embarrassment, casting desperate glances around as if the whole world were about to discover her secret.

Zia blinked a few times, surprised by the sudden attack, but soon relaxed. Still with Sofia's hand over her mouth, she slowly raised both hands in a very theatrical gesture of silent surrender, as if to say, "alright, I give up." Seeing that Zia wouldn't try to speak again, Sofia finally let go of her, huffing with her face still burning from the embarrassment.

Once free, Zia calmly adjusted her dress collar and then gave Sofia a conspiratorial look — the kind of look that said everything without a single word: "relax, your secret is safe... for now."

Sofia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Her face still red, she crossed her arms with a pout on her lips.

"What do you want...?" she asked in a low voice.

Zia tapped her chin with one finger, pretending to think, and then answered with a mischievous little smile:

"How about... we be friends?"

Sofia made a face. She turned her head sharply to the side, pouting as if terribly offended.

"Hmph... fine," she answered, clearly feigning disinterest — but the slight glint in her eyes and the way she returned to sit next to Aziz betrayed her.

She sat back down beside the boy and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, wrapped her little arms around his, hugging Aziz's arm with affection and a touch of childish possessiveness.

"This here is my friend!" she declared proudly. "His name is Aziz. He is... my first friend."

Aziz looked at Zia with a discreet smile, his expression as calm as ever.

"Nice to meet you," he said in a serene tone.

Zia, now with her eyes gleaming with excitement, smiled back.

"The pleasure is mine! I hope we get along well, Mister First Friend."

Aziz gave a subtle smile at the playful way Zia referred to him. But before he could say anything, a thought came naturally — and then he decided to speak:

"Since you two became friends so quickly... why don't you join us, Zia?"

The question came with the same usual serenity, now laced with a warm tone. He didn't seem bothered at all by the extra presence — quite the opposite.

Zia blinked a few times, surprised by the invitation. For a moment, she hesitated, as if wondering if it was appropriate. But soon she nodded gently with a modest smile:

"Alright... but I'll just have some tea."

She walked over with light steps and sat beside Sofia, adjusting her skirt with childlike elegance, as if trying to show she knew how to behave even among the noblest ladies.

And so, dinner continued.

Time seemed to slow down as the three children chatted animatedly. The sound of soft giggles and curious little comments filled the space between delicate bites and sips of juice and tea. They talked about silly and important things all at once — as only children can. Zia asked sharp questions, Sofia answered with puffed-up pride, and Aziz observed, sometimes joining in, sometimes simply listening.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the long table, three women watched the scene with calm and discreet expressions.

Sylvia, with her naturally elegant posture, observed the children with her fingers intertwined over her lap. Though her face remained serene, there was something in her eyes — a soft, almost maternal light — that she rarely revealed in public.

Astrid rested her chin on one hand, gaze fixed on Aziz, with a slight smile at the corner of her lips. There was tenderness there, but also a curious spark, as if she were watching a rare flower bloom.

Isis kept a refined composure, but couldn't hide the occasional gentle smile slipping from her lips. With half-closed eyes, she seemed quietly amused by the children's spontaneity.

---

Time passed without them noticing. The table, once full of steaming dishes and gleaming glasses, was now calmer, marked only by dessert leftovers and muffled laughter.

Zia was the first to break the moment. She shifted in her seat, visibly reluctant, casting a discreet glance at Sofia and Aziz.

"I think I've stayed here too long..." she murmured with an embarrassed smile. "Still have to finish my shift. A waitress that disappears gets scolded..."

Aziz got up too, followed by Sofia. Soon after, the three women — Astrid, Isis, and Sylvia — also stood.

Zia turned to the children, gave a slight nod of her head and smiled:

"It was really nice talking to you... really."

"See you later, Zia. Try not to trip over any trays, okay?" said Sofia in a teasing but friendly tone.

"You'd better remember to brush your teeth, Miss Important," Zia shot back, prompting a short laugh from Aziz.

But then, just as she began to walk away, Zia stopped. She turned, ran back to Aziz, gave him a quick hug, and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

"Thanks for being so nice!" she said, already laughing as she ran toward the door.

"Hey! Come back here!" Sofia shouted, eyes wide and cheeks puffed with outrage. She tried to run after her, but Sylvia intercepted her with elegant precision.

"No running now, Miss Sofia," she said with firm gentleness. "It's time to go home."

Sofia struggled in the elf's arms, but eventually gave in, crossing her arms with a pout.

"Next time I won't let that go..." she murmured with narrowed eyes. "She'll see..."

Sylvia smiled and gently stroked the girl's red hair.

"There will be other chances, my dear... many others."

---

Shortly after releasing Sofia from her arms, Sylvia pulled from her robe a small crystal wrapped in golden runes that pulsed softly with magical energy.

She held it delicately and whispered:

"My lady, could you activate the teleportation circle? We are ready to return to the palace. We're at the restaurant now."

Less than a second later, the crystal glowed and Estela's calm voice responded:

"Yes, I will activate the circle now."

In the right corner of the room, the runes of the magical circle began to light up, one by one. A white aura surrounded the area, and the air vibrated with pure mana.

Guided by Sylvia, everyone stepped closer and entered the circle. A light enveloped them completely — and the room seemed to dissolve into particles of light.

As if the world blinked for a moment, Aziz opened his eyes — and they were already back at the palace.

The softly lit hall welcomed them with a comforting silence.

Sofia, still with her cheeks puffed in slight irritation, stepped closer and held tightly onto Aziz's arm, as if to say: "he's mine."

He didn't say a word, simply followed her lead, letting himself be guided through the palace corridors.

That night, something still lingered in the air — perhaps the warmth of a stolen kiss, or a silent restlessness on the verge of being revealed.