The front door clicked shut with a gentle snap.
Ethea sat quietly in her wheelchair near the edge of the living room, watching the spot where Ryan and Seria had just stood. Their energetic farewells still seemed to echo slightly in the sudden quiet of the house.
"See you again, Brother Soren, Sister-in-law," Ryan had said, bowing with his usual impeccable manners.
"Let's definitely have dinner together like this again soon!" Seria had added, waving enthusiastically before slipping out.
With the guests gone, the heavy lifting began. From her fixed position, Ethea watched Soren smoothly transition into cleanup mode. He didn't even hesitate, immediately gathering the empty dessert plates and guiding Aunt Clara toward the kitchen.
"I can handle the rest, Auntie," Soren's voice drifted back into the living room, accompanied by the sound of running water and clinking porcelain. "You should head home and rest. You've done more than enough today."
