Arwen stared up and blinked at Emily. "Emily," she called out softly, as if genuinely surprised. "You were here. I thought you hadn't arrived yet." She wasn't lying —from the moment she had entered the hall, she hadn't seen Emily at all.
"Really? This is my party. How could I not be here?" Emily's voice carried an arrogant edge. She wanted to remind Arwen of something she had forgotten.
However, Arwen smiled politely. "My bad, I should have noticed you," she replied lightly. "Of course, this is your party, you would be here. But truly, I didn't see you. Otherwise, I would have approached you to congratulate you."
"Anyway, I am not too late," she added with a casual shrug, extending her hand. "Congratulations! I am happy for you."
Emily's eyes flicked down at her offered hand before meeting Arwen's gaze again. She didn't take it. Instead, she asked in a tone of disbelief. "You are happy for me? Really?"
