Liona kept her expression pleasant and mildly curious. "Forgive me for asking. But you seem quite close to this young man." A small pause. "Is he perhaps... your boyfriend?"
The effect was immediate.
Arista's composure vanished entirely for exactly two seconds. A vivid flush spread across her face and she shook her head so quickly it was almost alarming.
"No no no. Absolutely not." She waved one hand. "He is my younger brother. Azael Ignivar. I apologize, you likely haven't seen him much since he has never made many public appearances."
Liona blinked.
She heard it clear. He was her brother. Her younger brother.
She processed this information quietly and thoroughly.
The tight and nameless thing in her chest loosened all at once. Like a knot that had been pulled carefully free. She exhaled without meaning to, a slow and deeply relieved breath.
'Brother,' she thought. 'Of course. He is her brother. Obviously.'
