*[INT. CONSTANTINE FAMILY CASTLE – COMMON HALL – AFTERNOON]*
*The hall bustles with light activity — siblings sharpening weapons, enchanting artifacts, reading scrolls, and the younger ones running around. The mood is casual and warm.*
*JORDEN (leaning on a bannister, watching out a high window):*
"Okay, tell me I'm not going mad… but did Mia just leave this morning dressed like she's going on a—*date*?"
*A pause. Silence falls like a dropped blade. Everyone in the hall slowly looks at each other.*
*IVAN (mid-spell, blinking):*
"...Wait... she *was* dressed different today."
*MALIC (from the weapons rack):*
"No armor. No daggers strapped to her thigh. She even had her hair tied *nicely*…"
*MIRSHA (the mother, stepping in with a towel):*
"*Nicely*? Don't tell me she was actually brushing it too?"
*Everyone nods slowly. Murmurs and chuckles spread through the room.*
*LORIEN (the sassy aunt):*
"Last time she even *smiled* was when she broke someone's kneecap in battle training."
*MIRSHA (smiling, concerned):*
"Hmmm... That child's heart has always been locked up tighter than the vault under this castle. If she's letting someone in… that's no small thing."
*JORDEN (smirking):*
"So… when she gets back, we all ask her?"
*EVERYONE (in unison):*
"Definitely."*They all nod, grinning like mischievous siblings preparing for a raid — just a very *emotional* one this time.*
*FADE OUT.*