"I'm sorry, Azira. I didn't mean to scare you. I just had to stay a bit longer to attend to an important matter regarding the travel. And his highness is not a bad person."
Azira looked up, her big, watery eyes staring at her.
"Did... did they hurt you?"
"No, no one touched me," Azhula said firmly. "Nothing bad happened. Actually... something good happened."
She smiled smugly and pressed a hand against her chest.
"My cultivation improved. I'm stronger now."
"Really!?"
"Really, really mean it," Azhula said, tapping her nose lightly.
Azira let out a small, relieved breath.
But after a second, she caught something in Azhula's words and tilted her head.
"Big Sister... you said 'travel'?"
Azhula nodded, voice soft.
"I have to leave for a while," she explained, careful with each word.
"You'll be traveling with His Highness. It's a journey to train, to see the world."
Azira's eyes widened, full of worry.
"But... what about you?"
