Senior Artemis and I decided to meet at one of Leonamon's cake shops, the kind tucked just far enough away from the main street that it felt quieter than it really was. The air inside smelled warm and sweet, like sugar that had just begun to caramelize, and there was a faint hint of butter lingering in the background. The clink of plates and the low hum of conversation formed a soft backdrop that made the place feel oddly intimate, despite being open to the public.
It had been a while since the last time I'd seen her.
"It's been a while," I said, breaking the silence as she settled into the chair across from me.
She looked the same as ever—calm, composed, and effortlessly confident.
And yet… something was different.
