As Sophie shut the door behind her with a sigh of exasperation, her gaze landed on her Mother, a few feet away on her desk.
And when she turned… a second figure sat opposite her desk.
Immediately, her poise changed and her fingers slipped beneath her dress to pull out her weapon.
A mace with an enchanted chain clasped to a sickle.
"Mother?"
She muttered as her gaze stared wearily at the figure while she took slow footsteps around him.
The figure sat backing her, but her senses had struck into alarm mode the minute she felt his presence.
The danger was evident in the air, and his appearance mattered less when the air told her everything she needed.
"Hah… there you are, Sophie."
Her mother's elegant, gentle voice came to her ears as her ruby eyes shimmered with delight.
She motioned for her daughter to come closer while she rested her back against her chair.
"You've arrived just in time, Dear."
Sophie's guard lessened a bit, but her weariness had never left her.
