Murmurs rose again, hushed and uneasy. Somto had not come with them.
And at the center of it all sat Nnenna, upright in her chair, her expression unreadable as she met their stares head on.
Obinna broke the silence. He straightened his shoulders and moved forward, it fell on him to greet them, since Somto… hadn't come.
"Welcome to Lionara, Prince Carl, Prince Arthur, Dr. Darius." His voice was steady, respectful.
The three gave him brief nods, acknowledgment without ceremony.
Then his eyes found Nnenna.
A soft smile touched his face, not betraying his surprise at sight of the wheelchair. "Welcome home, Nnenna. We missed you."
Her chest pinched. For a second, she froze. But then she remembered, Obinna had already begun treating her differently before she left for Lionara. Kinder. Gentler. She never understood why.
Still, respect deserved respect. She dipped her head slightly. "It's good to be home."
