The garden air was still, heavy with the fragrance of roses and faint traces of morning dew clinging to the petals.
Lysera's gaze lingered on her younger sister, who stood before her with arms crossed and lips pushed into a pout.
For a long moment, she did not speak, letting the silence stretch. Then, with a soft sigh, she finally relented.
"I will keep my promise, Serin. There's no need for you to get angry—or annoyed. I always honor my word."
Lysera said, her tone calm but edged with weariness.
Serin's frown instantly melted, her crimson eyes lighting up with delight. Her entire expression brightened like a child who had just won a long-argued game.
"Good! That's all I wanted to hear. Now come on. Let's go shopping. You're not getting out of this."
She reached out, tugging at Lysera's sleeve with playful insistence.
Lysera allowed herself to be pulled along, her usual regal composure softening slightly.
